Category Archives: Regulative Principle

An Email about Authority and Mathematics

I get emails — I’m trying to help a bright young brother, who recently got his Ph.D. in math. He wrote that the church he was now attending was the only “conservative” church of Christ in the city. I asked … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: A Post by Bruce Morton, Revised

I usually post several days ahead — just in case something terrible happens, like a computer death — and to make sure I have time to repent of my posts before they go public. And I put Bruce’s post on … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: In Reply to Robert

This is in reply to Robert’s comment. Robert, You continue to make the fatal mistake of confusing disobeying a command with doing more than is commanded. Had Noah made the ark with knotty pine, he’d have plainly violated the command. … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: A Post by Bruce Morton

Several days ago, reader Bruce Morton challenged me to post his arguments against instrumental music in worship. I invited him to write such a post. Here it is, entirely unedited, other than the insertion of a link to his book … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: God’s Revelation is Limited

The Springville (Alabama) Church of Christ bulletin contains an article copied from Wilson Adams in Biblical Insights, Vol. 6, No. 7, July 2006 arguing — 1 Cor. 2:9-13. It is impossible for you to know the mind of God unless … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: Heb 7:14

In a sermon outline called “The History of Instrumental Music,” Justin Imel writes, In speaking of the change of the priesthood, the author of Hebrews writes, “It is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: Rom 14:23

At the-ChurchofChrist.org, John Waddey makes a classic argument — Like Paul, faithful Christians “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). To “walk by faith” has a unique meaning to God’s children. The apostle wrote in Romans 10:17, “So … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: Rev 22:18-19

The website for the Central Church of Christ in Martinez, Georgia makes this argument against instrumental music on its page “What We Believe” — We can also see that Scripture clearly commands us to observe the will of God and … Continue reading

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An Experiment in Christian Dialogue: Colossians 3:17

In the first post of this series, I invited comment on 1 Corinthians 4:6, because it is, in my experience, the most frequently cited verse in support of the Regulative Principle (scriptural silences are prohibitions). Although the post received many … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: All Churches Must Be Painted Green

The Regulative Principle is the formal name for what many in the Churches of Christ call the Law of Specific Authority. But how do we know that we need authority? Well, it’s obvious. You see, the opposite of the Regulative … Continue reading

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