One In Jesus

I get emails. This one is from Roger Cook —

First, some introductions. Jay, Mike Campbell is an elder at North Pointe Church of Christ (http://www.northpointecofc.org/) and has used your writings in some classes.

I know I’ll probably get an “I get emails…” thread for this one. 🙂

When the debates and splits regarding congregational support of colleges and orphans’ homes were going on in the 1940s and ’50s, epithets were flung at the side that perceived itself as more conservative (“anti,” “non-cooperation movement”) and from some of the things I read on articles in Wikipedia, there was a noted lack of charity and assumptions of good faith on the part of the “other side,” whichever side you were on.  I think there is a better way to handle the controversies that are going on right now within the Churches of Christ, and we can start by respecting each other in the language we use.  My question is how can we best do that?

In the debates over congregational support of parachurch organizations, the side that did not support the idea of supporting such organizations chose an adjective–“non-institutional.”  This is, I think, a good name and a good way of describing their beliefs.  It is neutral in tone, unlike the epithets I mentioned earlier.  Is there a set of names or descriptions that can be used by both sides today that are respectful, accurate, and can be used by both sides without belittling the other?

There are problems with the words I’ve seen used recently.  Both sides claim the word “grace,” though they mean different things by it.  Unfortunately, in our culture, words that are based around strictness, tradition, or obedience have acquired a negative connotation.  And both sides claim the word “obey,” as well.

Your thoughts?

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