What was Alexander Campbell's intent?

[AJB4]

I thought that Alexander Campbell's intent was to unite all Christians into one denomination (the 'Church of Christ'). I thought that Campbell freely admitted that the 'Church of Christ' was a denomination (he did so in a letter, or so I read). Campbell's intent was to restore 'New Testament Christianity', but never was it to form a group which would be the only saved ones. That was an idea later introduced by man, obviously.

Campbell wasn't going to 'unite' Christians by forming a group which would choose to be divided from everyone else because they think they're the only saved ones. That's just ironic.

[JDIBe]

Well, we could let the Campbell's speak for themselves...

Prospectus Of A Religious Reformation;
The Object of Which Is the Restoration Of Primitive Apostolic Christianity In Letter and Spirit- In Principle and Practice
(14 Queries)
by
Thomas Campbell (1829)

(Paraphrased* )

1. Isn't there but one Body?
2. Aren't we brothers and sisters? Aren't we children of the same Father?
3. Isn't division evil? Isn't is the product of confusion and evil works?
4. Aren't there many denominations, separate and apart from each other?
5. Did we not get this way by human opinions in matters of church government, faith and worship?
6. Doesn't it benefit ALL OF US to eliminate this condition?
7. Can this be accomplished while we are divided?
8. Is there any other way but to return to the original standard, the Bible for our authority?
9. Wouldn't following precisely what the Apostles taught be sufficient?
10. Wouldn't the above produce the faith and obedience we need?
11. Isn't everything we need to be saved in the New Testament Scriptures?
12. If so, what more do we need to teach, believe and obey? Wouldn't this solve our divisions?

Definitions of faith and obedience for the purposes of the document

13. Faith comes from testimony, obedience from Law.
14. Faith- A belief of facts (things said or done). Obedience- Compliance with the expressed will of Authority

CONCLUSION

Upon the whole, these things being so, it necessarily follows, that christianity, being a divine institution, there can be nothing human in it; consequently it has nothing to do with the doctrines and commandments of men; but simply and solely with the belief and obedience of the expressly recorded testimony and will of God, contained in the Holy Scriptures, and enjoined by the authority of the Saviour and his holy Apostles upon the christian community.

-------

* Great effort was made to translate the formal language of the original document into simpler, more understandable language while still retaining the original meaning. (The conclusion is a direct quote) If I have erred in any way, I apologize. It was an error of ignorance rather than of malicious intent. Please feel free to correct something if you think it needs it.


What Campbell suggested was that true unity would be found in simply going back to the Bible. I think that's why most of us are here, to discuss things and try to form a unified opinion on Biblical matters.

BTW, this "only ones going to heaven" idea just keeps popping up again and again on this board every two weeks or so, usually aimed specifically at the Churches of Christ, but I suppose at others in the RM as well.

Are there some that feel that way? Probably. Is it an "official doctrine" of the CoC or RM? No. We do the best we can to follow God's will for us and let Him decide who is saved. There are others within denominations who have the same attitude. For example, in my short time here, I have never seen an RM member tell someone else they are the only ones going to Heaven. I have been told by some (well-meaning, I suspect...) gentleman that the church I attend and I are not children of God because we do not speak in tongues. I don't think it's fair to continually paint all of us with such a broad brush.

Which brings forth an interesting question. Just what does the Bible say one must do to be saved? Campbell seemed to feel in query 11, it's all in the Bible. What do you think one has to do?

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

Having read much on the ideals of both Stone and Campbell it seems to me that the idea was not to form a denomination. In fact Campbell tried to stay with the Presbyterians until they drummed him out and then tried with the Baptists of the day until they got rid of him. The idea was to fellowship using only salvation as the line without concern for creed or extra beliefs. The idea of removing the names from churches was a later idea. The unity movement was a call to fellowship freely as Christians. That was the goal I think and nothing more originally.

[JDIBe]

Yes, if I remember correctly, Campbell went to his death bed sad that he couldn't persuade the Baptist to join in.