RESTORATION HISTORY

1
RESTORATION HISTORY

• Part II

2
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• By 1909 struggle for internal direction was well
  under way.
• Two men represent the search in churches of
  Christ.
• Robert H. Boll introduced the study of prophecy,
  leading to an open avowal of premillennialism.
• In 1927, H. Leo Boles accepted task of debating
  millennial ideas with Boll.

3
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• R. H. Boll and premillennialism.
• For 50 yrs. he led the movement from Louisville,
  KY.
• Born 1875 in Germany baptized 1895 enrolled at
  Nashville Bible School 1895, graduated 1900.
• Was present for L. S. White-Charles T. Russell
  debate--enamored by Russells style.

4
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• Boll premillennialism.
• B. shortly became front-page editor for GA.
• Soon began writing articles on biblical prophecy.
• But was not until 1915 that premillennialism
  appeared on front page.
• GA removed Boll from his position, but reinstated
  him by the end of 1915 with explanation that all
  differences had been resolved.
• But it quickly became clear Boll would not abide
  by restrictions on speculative topics.

5
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• The Highland church in Louisville, KY became the
  center of pre-m movement.
• E. L. Jorgenson the preacher.
• R. H. Boll and Don Carlos Janes members.
• Moved the magazine Word and Work from New Orleans
  to Louisville.
• Now Boll and Jorgenson had a voice for their
  views from Louisville.

6
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• A side issue--relationship of missions and
  premillennialism.
• By 1920 some missionaries in China had defected
  to Seventh Day Adventists.
• J. M. McCaleb (Japan) continued close
  relationships with Jorgenson and Highland.
• Firm Foundation carried articles by McCaleb and
  Don Carlos Janes.

7
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• By 1918, GA had decided not to publish anything
  written by Boll.
• FF didnt treat pre-m until 1925.
• J. B. Nelson wrote several articles on the
  kingdom and second coming.
• C. R. Nichol and R. L. Whiteside published small
  book on Bolls speculations about the same time.

8
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• H. Leo Boles vs. Premillennialism.
• Born 1874.
• Great-grandson of Raccoon John Smith.
• Edited GA in early 1920s.
• President of David Lipscomb 1913-1920 and
  1923-1932.
• Enrolled in Nashville Bible School in 1903,
  stayed 7 years under tutelage of David Lipscomb.

9
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• After graduation, Boles continued at Nashville
  Bible School as faculty member.
• David L. recommended Boles for presidency in
  1913.
• Boles led in name change to DLC.
• Until 1932 he involved himself deeply in school
  work and writing.

10
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• 1927 Boles inherited task of debating R. H. Boll
  on premillennialism.
• From May to Nov. B. B. filled the GA with
  arguments on the various facets of the question.
• 1) The restoration of Israel.
• 2) Had the kingdom been established.
• 3) Is Christ now reigning?
• 4) The premillennial return of Christ.

11
Internal Issues 1906-1930

• Debate ended amiably.
• Boles believed that enough agreement existed
  between the two that they could fellowship each
  other as brethren in the Lord.
• In 1930s same topic would be discussed at greater
  length, but feelings of mutual accord would not
  exist.

12
War and Peace

• The pacifist position.
• Tolbert Fanning strong proponent of the Christian
  remaining aloof from political involvement,
  including war.
• As early as Mexican War, expressed view.
• As Civil War approached, he urged Xtians to stay
  out--it was not the Xtians battle.

13
War and Peace

• David Lipscomb was staunchly patriotic during
  Franklin College days and early years of
  adulthood.
• Democracy the first fruit of Christianity.
• The ballot box was sacred.
• As years passed into Civil War, his views changed
  dramatically.

14
War and Peace

• Now DL could not participate in any government.
• Like Anabaptists saw govt. existing for those who
  refused the rule of God.
• Thus, war was not the obligation of the Xtian.
• Gods people must give allegiance only to Him.
• If my kingdom were of this world, then would my
  disciples fight.

15
War and Peace

• DLs study of Xtian and govt. during war became
  lead articles in GA in 1866.
• Years later appeared in Civil Government.
• Many, especially students of Nashville Bible
  School, accepted his ideas.
• Was no uniform position among churches of Christ.
• When WWI approached, most positions were
  expressed in papers.
• DLs views widely, but not totally accepted.

16
War and Peace

• World War I A Clash of Ideas
• Daniel Sommer at other extreme.
• God forbids murder, therefore he commands
  someone kill the murderer.
• Was ashamed of his German ancestry when the
  Kaiser ignored treaties with other nations.
• Urged Xtians to treat the government as we would
  want the government to treat Christians.

17
War and Peace

• World War I A Clash of Ideas
• A. B. Lipscomb represented pacifism.
• Why was he a pacifist? Because Jesus was.
• Pacifists (at WWI) called slacker,
  mollycoddle, milksop.
• In response, L. urged, dare to be called a
  coward for Jesus sake!
• L. did not oppose noncombatant service.

18
War and Peace

• World War I A Clash of Ideas
• 64,693 citizens asked for noncombatant status.
• Only 4,000 finally applied.
• 1,060 were total objectors to war.
• 634 of those from Mennonites, Quakers and
  Brethren.
• CofC had 31 Jehovahs Witnesses 60.
• CofC had 200,000 members in 1917, 6th on list.

19
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• 12/7/41, G.H.P. Showalter prepared way for many
  in churches of Christ to take an active part in
  the recently declared war.
• What brought on the horrible war?
• Haters of God gained control of aggressor
  nations.
• S. followed this line of reasoning to make WW II
  a just war.
• G. C. Brewer could not see any war as a good war.

20
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• T. B. Wilkinson carried Showalters line further.
• Just as long as criminals are allowed to go scot
  free and be made national heroes...we will have
  wars.
• Pacifism on the part of Christians made this
  possible.
• Greatest opposition to Christians in combat came
  from H. Leo Boles and J. N. Armstrong in the
  pages of the GA.

21
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• One matter of debate was whether to support men
  placed in Civilian Public Service Camps.
• Camps authorized by the government.
• But supported by and operated by historic peace
  churches--Quakers, Mennonites, United Brethren.
• B. C. Goodpasture --It is generous of the United
  Brethren to support our boys, but we should not
  let them do it. It is our responsibility.

22
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• 73 young men from CofC were in camps by Oct.
  1942.
• By end of war, 199 had served in 67 CPSCs.
• This total out of nearly 12,000 American
  conscientious objectors.

23
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• By 1943 was organized response to needs of
  conscientious objectors.
• I. B. Bradley (Dickson, TN) agreed to forward
  funds.
• Firm Foundation received and forwarded some
  funds.
• Californians responded early meeting in LA area
  raised 300 per month.
• Cost per man 35 a month.

24
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• Not everyone supported the COs.
• Foy E. Wallace, Jr. (Bible Banner) could not
  support those who would not support their
  country.
• W. W. Otey (in Firm Foundation) asked how long
  would it be till the Japs and Germans would be
  here murdering, robbing, raping women and girls
  and binding all in barbaric slavery.

25
War and Peace

• Foy E. Wallace, Jr.s influence
• Wallace (following O. C. Lamberts lead)
  suggested that Lipscombs view of government was
  basically the same espoused by most
  premillennialists.
• ...his book (Civil Government), beyond the
  possibility of reasonable denial, contains the
  seeds of that system.

26
War and Peace

• Foy E. Wallace, Jr.s influence...
• Since W. so anti-premillennial and such a strong
  advocate of participation in WW II, the two
  positions made pre-mill the vehicle of the
  anti-war sentiment.
• W. attacked both total pacifists and those who
  accepted noncombatant roles.
• W. (1936) had taken a noncombatant view, but by
  1942 took the total involvement view.

27
War and Peace

• World War II Changing Views
• B. C. Goodpasture (GA) opposed Wallace.
• There were harsh exchanges from their respective
  papers.
• Goodpasture--Gospel Advocate
• Wallace--Bible Banner
• Fact The majority of young men accepted
  military duty during WW II.

28
War and Peace

• World War I A Clash of Ideas
• Most strong pacifists were graduates of Nashville
  Bible School.
• H. Leo Boles (NBS, later Lipscomb).
• J. N. Armstrong (Harding U.)
• Abilene Christian--a different direction.
• Participated in Students Army Training Corps.
• Our school is for genuine ministerial students,
  not for slackers.

29
1930-1939

• 1936 religious census would indicate a religious
  depression--in CofC too.
• 1931, 1932, 1933, Firm Foundation reported
  13,715, 14,329, and 13,370 baptisms.
• 1938 Gospel Advocate reported 17,945 baptisms.
• Why the decline in the census? Probably failure
  to respond to census.

30
Evangelism--1930s

• Remained strongest in regions of earlier
  strength--South and Southwest.
• Few churches in Northeast.
• P. D. Wilmeth (supported by Hillsboro) began work
  with the small Manhattan congregation.
• Few churches in Northwest.
• Early 1930s saw foreign missionaries grow to 57
  adults and 52 children.
• George Pepperdine urged Far East missions.

31
Evangelism--1930s

• War stifled foreign missions, but aided growth in
  areas outside South and Southwest.
• Military and defense work scattered Christians to
  other areas.
• Dupont (Old Hickory, TN)--Richland, WA built from
  transfers from Old Hickory plant.
• Churches in places like Detroit and Chicago
  populated by people from South.

32
Radio Evangelism--1930s

• Central, Nashville, 1925 WDAD.
• Little later WLAC, owned by A. M. Burtons Life
  Casualty Ins. Co.
• Broadcasting so extensive was said WLACWe Love
  All Campbellites.
• Pearl Bryan (Dallas), WFAA.
• Number of chs, 1939, XERA, Del Rio, TX.
• By 1940 100 separate programs.

33
Higher Education--1930s

• Abilene, Harding, DLC, Freed.
• Financial difficulties for all.
• But record enrollments.
• George Pepperdine (1937) endowed a new school in
  California.
• Leading preachers were more and more graduates of
  Christian colleges.
• Colleges training preachers and missionaries.

34
GA FF Rivals

• GA sub. list in TX had dwindled by 1930.
• Perhaps the reason GA went to TX for its new
  editor in 1930--Foy E. Wallace, Jr.
• FF had begun in 1884 over rebaptism (sect
  baptism)--rivalry continued.
• Under Wallace, GA led in opposition to
  pre-millennialism.
• FF strong emphasis on evangelism.

35
Foy Wallace G. C. Brewer

• Wallace (1896-1979).
• Southwestern Christian C. Thorp Springs
  Christian College.
• But always questioned support and place of
  Christian colleges.
• A preachers preacher with textual (chap.
  verse) emphasis.
• His sermons increasingly dealt with issues facing
  the church.

36
Foy E. Wallace, Jr. (1896-1979)
37
Foy Wallace G. C. Brewer

• Becoming GA editor in 1930, W. became issue
  conscious.
• Believed individual can, but church cannot
  support Christian schools.
• W. Brewer had their first disagreement on this
  issue.
• Pre-mill became most imp. issue in GA.
• W. B. both opposed, but disagreed on methods of
  opposition.

38
Wallace Brewer

• Brewer born 1884, Giles County, TN.
• Student at Nashville Bible School.
• Tremendous influence through evangelistic
  meetings, debates and weekly articles in GA.
• Many earlier leaders had died by 1930 and B. was
  left to continue work of Lipscomb, etc.

39
G. C. Brewer (1884-1956) Grover Cleveland Brewer
40
Wallace Brewer

• B. debated frequently with wide variety of
  opponents.
• Judge Ben B. Lindsey, 1928, companionate
  marriage.
• Evolution and atheism.
• Baptists 35 times.
• SDAs 15 times.
• Universalists, Mormons, Pentecostals.

41
Wallace Premillennialism

• Issue of the early 1930s was pre-mill.
• Wallace editor of GA.
• 1932 Teaching Things Essential
• They use more paper and ink teaching these
  things which they admit are not essential than
  they do teaching things that are
  essential--strictly essential.
• The plea we have to offer the unsaved world is
  too great to allow dreamy brethren to dwindle it
  down to phases of Adventism, Russellism, and a
  lot of stray guesses under the guise of
  prophesies.

42
Wallace Premillennialism

• 10/20/32 W. printed a challenge from Charles Neal
  of Winchester, KY.
• The Bible clearly teaches that, after the second
  coming of Christ and before the final
  resurrection and judgment, there will be an age,
  or dispensation, of one thousand years in
  duration.
• Wallace responded
• We think he should be accommodated, so his
  challenge has been accepted.

43
Wallace Premillennialism

• Wallace vs. Neal, Jan. 2-6, 1933.
• At times caustic, but W. not yet telling people
  they could not believe pre-mill as a private
  judgment.
• Here is my hand, Brother Neal...Here is my hand
  brother Boll. We will not tell you to quit
  believing them. We only ask you to quit pushing
  them on us. Will you do it?
• Only later would W. call in question those who
  remained noncommittal.

44
Wallace Premillennialism

• Some questioned Wallace.
• F. L. Rowe, Christian Leader, wished that some
  Bible house would publish a Bible without the
  book of Revelation.
• G. C. Brewer, A Plea for Unity, ACC 1934
  lectureship (in a time slot originally given to
  W.)
• Some will press (a single issue), emphasize it
  and almost idealize it.
• A radical never converted anybody. A ranting
  partisan never reflected honor upon any cause. A
  bitter, bickering, contentious man is not welcome
  in any company of sane souls.

45
Wallace Premillennialism

• W. was offended
• The injury to the cause of truth could not have
  been greater had R. H. Boll appeared on the
  program in person instead of being represented by
  Brother Brewer. . . . It means that Brother
  Brewer cannot be relied on to protect the church
  from speculation and opinionism.

46
Wallace Premillennialism

• For W., Brewer now became a Bollite, not a
  pre-mill, but one who would not condemn the
  doctrine.
• For W., the prophecy question was equal to the
  missionary society issue and the instrumental
  music controversy that brought the 1906 division.

47
Wallace Premillennialism

• 1934, L. L. Brigance, FHC, promised W. that all
  Bible teachers there stood as one against
  Bollshevism.
• Same article called movement Boll Evil.
• Editorially in GA, F. B. Srygley asked where
  other schools stood.
• E. H. Ijams (DLC) Frank Cox (ACC) endorsed Bs
  positions.
• J. N. Armstrong (Harding) was silent.

48
Wallace Premillennialism

• 1935, Armstrong announced that he too opposed
  speculative teaching.
• But he denied any responsibility to report to
  anyone.
• Also, he thought pre-mill too much an issue.
• Conflicts were going to bring division.
• Srygley thought Armstrongs opposition to Boll
  was too compromising.

49
Wallace vs. J. Frank Norris

• Nov. 5-7, 1934.
• Norris a fundamentalist-Baptist, Ft. Worth.
• Huge crowds, 6,000-7,000, as many as 800
  preachers from CofC.
• Both men wanted the debate published, but could
  not agree on particulars.
• Norris finally pub. his speeches.
• Read the debate that so thoroughly annihilated
  the opponent that he refused to have his side
  published.

50
Wallace vs. J. Frank Norris

• 1944 (10 yr. later) W. pub. an entire issue of
  Bible Banner filled with the exchange of letters
  and telegrams concerning the debates
  publication.
• Norris several times invited pre-mill members of
  CofC to the podium.
• E.g., Dr. Eugene V. Woods, Frank M. Mulllins.
• N. even called Mullins to speak in defense of
  pre-mill.

51
Wallace Condemns Neutrals

• After Norris debate, W. made his strongest
  statements on the neutrals.
• When the line has become so radically drawn that
  college presidents and prominent preachers will
  have to go on record definitely one way or the
  other, instead of trying to hide as neutrals in
  no mans land, they shall then deserve no credit
  and should receive no respect for taking a stand
  after the battle is over.

52
Wallace Condemns Neutrals

• W. included Brewer.
• Said B. had only read half of the Wallace-Neal
  debate.
• We are set for the defense of the truth.
• It is imperative that a firm policy of dealing
  with this premillennial movement be maintained.

53
Wallace Condemns Neutrals

• J. D. Tant supported W.
• It is a general impression among the churches
  where I go that the Harding College as well as
  the Central church in Nashville with few
  exceptions is in full sympathy with the Boll
  foolishness.
• If we blot out the past and ignore their (Boll)
  departures, I will yet live to see R. H. Boll
  editor of the Gospel Advocate or president of
  Harding College.

54
Gospel Guardian/Bible Banner

• 1934 W. released from editorship of GA.
• Without a public forum he began the Gospel
  Guardian in Oct. 1935.
• Attacked neutrals or Bollites with ungloved
  hands.
• We shall attend to apologists and neutrals who
  carry water on both shoulders and as often as
  they appear we aim to see to it that they either
  take one bucket off or spill them both.

55
Guardian/Banner

• Others spoke out--
• Boles said of Boll followers They have gone
  beyond the boundary not only of truth, but of
  reason and brotherly love.
• Fanning Yater Tant We must keep the church
  militant.

56
Guardian/Banner

• Jan. 1936, Guardian had a red cover.
• Entire issue on pre-mill and Boll.
• Called Boll and friends wolves in sheep
  clothing.
• W. included a one-page criticism of G. C. Brewer
  Brother Brewer has not done one thing to
  strengthen the defense of the truth on these
  issues but has said and has done many things,
  both publicly and privately, to weaken it.

57
Guardian/Banner

• Before Guardian ceased publication in 1936, W.
  listed a number of men in a special group All
  the neutrals in the church are Bollites--that
  class of members among us led by J. N. Armstrong,
  G. C. Brewer, Claude F. Witty, Flavil Hall, et.
  al., who say that they do not believe the
  doctrine and whose sympathies seem to lie wholly
  on that side.

58
Guardian/Banner

• Between end of Guardian (1936) and beginning of
  Banner (1938), W. wrote for Firm Foundation.
• FF had taken over sub. list of Guardian.
• One article condemned use of Great Songs of the
  Church, edited by E. L. Jorgenson.
• Any association, even use of a hymnal, made
  churches and schools suspect and even Bollite.

59
Guardian/Banner

• 1938-1949 W. pub. the Bible Banner.
• William Wallace, Ws son said, The Bible Banner
  helped shape attitudes and form loyalties
  destined to crystallize into a movement of
  dissent in the 1950s.
• Pre-mill was always a concern, but not the only
  one.

60
Guardian/Banner

• First issue--
• The present generation has not enjoyed the
  thorough indoctrination accorded former
  generations under the giants of early restoration
  days. There must now be a general return to
  militant preaching, the old type of
  preaching--and the old type of journalism--plain
  first principle preaching and teaching and
  writing that defends the truth against all
  errors, teachers of error and institutions of
  error by name, make, model, and number.

61
Guardian/Banner

• Same year BB began (1938), pre-mill the topic of
  4th Hardeman Tabernacle meeting.
• F. B. Srygley H. thinks that premillennialism
  is connected with the taproot of all of our
  differences and troubles at the present time.
• Central (Nashville) did not support the meeting,
  adding fuel to allegation that it was at least
  Bollite.

62
Wallace Back To Nashville

• April May, 1939 W. returned to Nashville for
  meetings.
• Preached at Chapel Avenue.
• Also gave special lectures on Sunday afternoons.
• 1st drew 3,000 to the Dixie Tabernacle.
• Subject What the Church in Nashville Must Do
  To Be Saved.

63
Wallace Back To Nashville

• GA reported that W.
• condemned institutionalism, modern Judaism, and
  a compromising attitude toward truth. He
  stressed the necessity of keeping the church
  evangelistic, rather than missionary. He
  condemned one-man missionary societies, and said
  the name missionary was borrowed from the
  denominational garbage can.

64
Wallace Back to Nashville

• 2nd Sunday--Premillennialism.
• W. cited instances of calling on sectarians to
  lead prayer, affiliation with ministerial
  alliances, and similar evidences of a softening
  attitude toward error. Among his suggestions for
  remedying the situation were these The
  elimination of soft preaching from the pulpit,
  distinctive preaching on the radio, purging the
  schools of sympathizers with premillennialists,
  and a sturdier type of religious journalism.

65
Effects

• William Wallace (Ws son)--
• The victory was not without tragic implications
  for the brethren who were active in the
  opposition to millennial theories. Attitudes,
  alienations, resentments, methods, policies and
  procedures growing out of the thirties lingered
  to plague discussions of other issues in the
  1940s.

66
Effects

• F. L. Rowe--
• I am glad to have you express yourself regarding
  the tactics of Brother Wallace. I dont know
  what in the world he hopes to accomplish by
  circulating such stuff among the brethren. It
  only serves to embitter good brethren instead of
  trying to bring them together. One of their
  group of writers held a meeting in my home
  church. He preached four very forceful sermons,
  largely pugnacious, and

67
Effects

• I asked him at the supper table to preach a
  sermon on the Prodigal Son. He hesitated a
  minute and then said, Brother Rowe, I cannot do
  it. I never have studied that subject. From my
  way of thinking, we need a little more of the
  love of God among our brethren and a little more
  of the spirit of the publican in humility, and
  then perhaps we can have a united church and
  renew our plea for unity.