Category Archives: Regulative Principle

The Regulative Principle: The Acts 20:7 Argument

I just have to jump in here and make a serious argument — although some will take it as a bit snarky. Nonetheless, I think it’s serious. (Acts 20:7-12)  On the first day of the week we came together to … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: What the Bible Really Says

I’ve explained my views many times on this site. Let me just mention these few posts that explain what the Bible really says, rather than the Regulative Principle. First, there’s this one old post dealing with the arguments made on … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: The Laws of Inclusion and Exclusion

Let’s take a moment and ponder the Law of Inclusion and Exclusion. A typical statement is found in this quotation from Dub McClish — Respect for the silence of Scripture, involving the “law of inclusion and exclusion,” is rooted in … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: Hebrews 7:14

I just received an email asking about this passage, and it’s come up a few times in the comments. I figure I should explain where I’m coming from. Here’s the verse — (Heb 7:14) For it is clear that our … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: The Scriptural Argument, Part 2

Many argue that we are commanded only to do that which has been commanded. Oh, or those things which are “aids.” Or “expedients.” Just not “additions.” Additions damn but aids help. Some things are left to human wisdom, but other … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: The Scriptural Argument, Part 1

There are as many proof texts and arguments in support of the Regulative Principle as there are Church of Christ preachers, it seems. I’ve addressed most in previous posts, but I thought it might be helpful to accumulate them here … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: History, Part 2 (the Landmark story)

Many of the second generation of the Restoration Movement misunderstood the Campbells. In particular, Moses Lard and Benjamin Franklin (great nephew of the Revolutionary War Benjamin Franklin) taught a much narrower doctrine of salvation (soterology), sometimes insisting on near-perfect doctrine … Continue reading

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The Regulative Principle: History, Part 1

The Regulative Principle is the doctrine that all that is not specifically authorized is forbidden. It’s antithesis is called the Normative Principle, which is that whatever is not specifically prohibited in Scripture is permitted. Both are wrong. History The Regulative … Continue reading

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Going “Beyond What Is Written”

This is the last post on the instrumental music controversy. There are a couple more arguments made on the subject to be considered–Is it sin to take an action in the worship assembly that’s not authorized by a command, inference, … Continue reading

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Expressio Unius

I’m a lawyer. Worse yet, I’m a bond lawyer and tax lawyer. This means I have to read and interpret complex, tedious, mind-numbing regulations and statutes. I read and write 80-page, single-spaced document. I argue over commas, for crying out … Continue reading

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