Author: Lisa Graas assisted by Grok. Note: This is part of a series on the roots of Protestant denominations.
The Churches of Christ, known for their commitment to biblical authority and simplicity in worship, trace their origins to the broader Restoration Movement that emerged in the early 19th century in the United States. This movement was particularly strong in Kentucky, where it sought to restore Christian unity and primitive Christianity by focusing on scriptural practices over denominational creeds.
The Restoration Movement’s Beginnings
The Restoration Movement, sometimes referred to as the Stone-Campbell Movement, was initiated by several key figures, notably:
- Barton W. Stone: A Presbyterian minister who, in 1804, led the Cane Ridge Revival in Kentucky, which was one of the largest and most famous camp meetings of the Second Great Awakening. His disillusionment with denominationalism led to the formation of the Christian Church with the motto, “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.”
- Thomas Campbell and his son Alexander Campbell: Originally from Scotland and Ireland respectively, they moved to Pennsylvania and then to Kentucky. Their aim was to bring about Christian unity by appealing to the Bible alone as the rule of faith and practice. Thomas Campbell’s “Declaration and Address” (1809) laid foundational principles for the movement, emphasizing unity and the rejection of human creeds.
Evolution into the Churches of Christ
The Churches of Christ as a distinct group within this movement began to emerge due to several doctrinal and practical issues:
- Baptism: One of the pivotal points was the mode and purpose of baptism. While all agreed on believer’s baptism by immersion, the Churches of Christ began to emphasize baptism for the remission of sins based on Acts 2:38, which became a significant marker distinguishing them from other branches like the Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ.
- Church Organization: The Churches of Christ advocated for a congregational structure with autonomy for each local church, rejecting centralized organizations or broader ecclesiastical structures. This was based on their interpretation of New Testament practices, focusing on the roles of elders, deacons, and evangelists.
- Worship Practices: The movement initially aimed for simple worship services to mirror the New Testament church. The Churches of Christ maintained this simplicity, often excluding instruments in worship, believing that the New Testament only mentions singing. This led to the a cappella tradition that is still prevalent in many of these congregations.
Growth and Challenges in Kentucky
Kentucky was central to these developments due to:
- Geographical Spread: The state’s central location in the American frontier facilitated the spread of the movement’s ideas through its rivers, roads, and burgeoning towns.
- Educational Institutions: Schools like Bethany College, founded by Alexander Campbell, though in West Virginia, had significant influence on Kentucky’s religious landscape by training leaders who would spread the Restoration ideals.
- Debates and Schisms: As the movement grew, so did debates over doctrine. The most significant schism came in the late 19th and early 20th centuries over issues like instrumental music in worship and missionary societies, leading to the formal separation of what would become the Churches of Christ from broader Christian Church/Disciples of Christ movements.
Contemporary Presence
Today, the Churches of Christ in Kentucky, and globally, vary in their adherence to these original principles but maintain:
- A focus on evangelism: Emphasizing personal Bible study, house-to-house teaching, and global missions.
- Community and fellowship: Despite the autonomous nature of congregations, there’s a strong sense of fellowship through common practices and periodic gatherings.
- Adaptation: While holding to core tenets, there’s a spectrum of practice regarding worship style, church organization, and engagement with contemporary culture.
Conclusion
The Churches of Christ evolved from the Restoration Movement’s ethos of returning to the New Testament church, shaped by the cultural, theological, and social contexts of 19th-century Kentucky. This evolution reflects a continuous effort to balance historical Christian practices with modern challenges, maintaining a commitment to scripture as the ultimate guide for faith and practice.
