Church of Christ
The Churches of Christ are a body of autonomous Christian congregations. Since the Churches of Christ claim to be a restoration of the first-century church, they trace their origin to the day of Pentecost. The Churches of Christ have the following distinctive traits: the refusal to hold to any creeds other than those specifically mentioned in the Bible itself ("Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent,"); the practice of adult baptism for the remission of sins; autonomous congregational church organization, with congregations overseen by a plurality of elders; the weekly observance of The Lord's Supper; and the belief in a cappella congregational singing during worship. The American Restoration Movement of the 19th century promoted returning to the practices of the first century Churches of Christ. Other churches that were advanced by the Restoration Movement include the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (Instrumental) and the Disciples of Christ. The churches of Christ are distinct, in that they believe that they are not another denomination, but rather are striving to be the one, true Church. Many members today consider themselves to be Christians only. Some Churches of Christ are called non-institutional and may have strong disagreements with other Churches of Christ. It should be noted that some members, particularly older members, of this group are apt to object to being referred to as "Protestants", believing that Christ's Church was not founded as a protest against anything, other than perhaps the domination of the present world by Satan. The church of Christ has firm disagreements with the Roman Catholic Church and does not recognize the authority of the Holy See. Some, and probably most, members would also object to the categorization of their church as a "denomination", as one of the tenets of this movement is that they are not a denomination and that denominationalism is a sinful departure from the original plan laid down in the Bible for the Church. Church organizationThere is no headquarters for the Church of Christ; each congregation has its own structure, consisting of Elders, Deacons, and one or more Preachers/Ministers/Evangelists. Typically, the churches participate in a loose, informal network of other local Churches of Christ. From the beginning of the Restoration Movement, newspapers and magazines edited by church leaders have been important forces in unifying like-minded churches. Also, most congregations value the influence of church of Christ-affiliated colleges and universities, such as Abilene Christian University, Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, Oklahoma Christian University, and Heritage Christian University (formerly International Bible College (IBC)) . Elders are spiritually mature Christian men whose religious work may be in some specialized capacity of a spiritual nature. Few are "church professionals"; the vast majority have, or are retired from, a secular career. They provide moral guidance, and they or their designees approve and establish Bible study curriculum, select Sunday school teachers, and select the Preacher/Evangelist when the position becomes vacant. In some congregations, elders also select the deacons. Elders are also called pastors, shepherds, and bishops (all Biblical terms referring to the same office), but the use of "elder" is the most common by far. Elders are selected by the members of a congregation; the method of doing this varies considerably between congregations, but involves confirming that a potential elder does indeed embody all of the characteristics of elders which are listed in the Bible in 1 Timothy and Titus. In a decreasing number of congregations, the eldership is something of a self-perpetuating board in which its members are the determiners of the qualfications of their sucessors and announce whom they have selected to join them with little or no congregational input; this practice was at one time fairly widespread but is no longer acceptable to many members of many congregations. Deacons are recognized special servants of the church and most often take care of specialized needs of the congregation. Typically, the physical building in which services are held is overseen by a Deacon. Like Elders, Deacons are generally selected by the congregations in a manner very similar to that of elders. Qualifications of Deacons are also listed in the Bible in 1 Timothy. The Preacher/Evangelist/Minister prepares and delivers sermons, teaches Bible classes, performs weddings, preaches or evangelizes the gospel, and performs baptisms. This position is typically paid. (People associated with the Churches of Christ do not use the title "pastor" to refer to their pulpit minister, as this term is held to refer to the same position as "elder" or "bishop" in the Bible, which they feel requires a certain set of qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy and Titus.) Typically these ministers are not 'ordained' as is the tradition of many denominational organizations, and do not use the salutation 'Reverend' or 'Rev.' before their name, professing that only God should be recognized as reverend. Many congregations also employ other paid ministers besides the pulpit minister, including ministers for youth, college students and women. Some members of the church of Christ, and some groups within the churches of Christ, do not believe in paid ministers or youth ministers. HermeneuticsA closer look at the Church of Christ requires an understanding of its historically accepted hermeneutic. This hermeneutic is often summarized in three parts: "Command", "Example", and "Necessary Inference".
The principle of silence is also observed by the Churches of Christ, to varying degrees. When the Bible does not specifically or indirectly allow a practice, it is considered forbidden. The disagreements within the Churches of Christ primarily derive from differences in interpretation of the meaning of "necessary inference", and the conclusions which can be rightly drawn from "silence". The non-instrumental Chuches of Christ agree that the absence of references to instrumental music in New Testament worship mean that their use is forbidden. (It should be noted, however, that the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ do use musical instruments and do not see their use as forbidden.) However, the New Testament is necessarily silent about many other issues, such as orphanages/children's homes, Sunday school, and congregationally-owned houses of worship ("church buildings"). In each case, the "mainstream" group has reasoned that "necessary inference" allows their use as a way of providing for otherwise-homeless children, facilitating study of the Scriptures, and providing for a reasonable and convenient setting for worship services. In each case, a dissident non-institutional faction, using the "principle of silence", finds these developments to be unwarranted and sinful innovations, although by far the majority (but not all) of the "non-institutional" congregations do own their own buildings for use as houses of worship, and most have likewise come to approve of Sunday school. Specific teachings and prohibitionsChurches of Christ mostly agree with the theology of other Fundamentalist Christian groups, believing in Jesus as the Son of God, the death of Jesus by crucifixion as atonement for sin, and most other basic Christian teachings. However, there are many specific practices that distinguish them from these other bodies. The Church of Christ believes that the organization and structure of the church was laid down by Jesus Christ himself through his apostles in the form of the New Testament. Since this church has no headquarters and each congregation is independent, the teachings may vary somewhat, but overall there is a remarkable degree of uniformity among Churches of Christ in each region. The common variances are over the institution of Bible classes, the method that the Lord's supper is served (whether the fruit of the vine is served in one cup or many), the role of women in public worship, and whether ministers should be paid professionals or serve on a volunteer basis. Common beliefs and practices include:
Because of the autonomous nature of Churches of Christ, practices vary greatly within Churches of Christ. Many congregations are actively debating many of these issues, but as a whole this list reflects practices considered to be standard, with a focus on those beliefs that distinguish the Churches of Christ from Protestant groups. Other Restoration Movement bodiesThe Churches of Christ were advanced during the American Restoration Movement of the 19th century. As in the New Testament, this movement recognized the body as "The Churches of Christ" or "Christian Churches," which others sometimes called "Campbellites". After the American Civil War, there began to be divisions in this body over the issues of missionary societies and instrumental music in worship which reached a head in 1906 when the two groups formally split, agreeing to be listed separately in the religious census then conducted by the Bureau of the Census. Those holding to the prohibition of instrumental music are the Churches of Christ of today. Instrumental congregations began to divide in the 20th century during the fundamentalist response to modernism which solidified in the 1960s with two groups: the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Other groups related to the Restoration Movement were the Christian Connexion and The Christian Church, both of which merged into the Congregational Church during the 1930s and thus eventually became part of the United Church of Christ, a group now part of the Protestant Mainstream and unrelated to the Churches of Christ. Disputes within the ChurchA major disagreement over the establishment of "institutions" at a level over that of the local congregations in order to serve works such as children's homes came to a head in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, those who disagree with this idea are referred to as non-institutional or often by the pejoratives "anti-cooperation" or "anti." They represent approximately 15% of U.S. membership and are also represented by missionaries in other countries as well. What was called the International Churches of Christ (sometimes called "The Boston Movement" which was grounded in the Church of Christ "Crossroads Movement"), was often labeled a cult by mainstream extremists, had its origins in certain congregations of the Church of Christ. Since the late 1980s, however, some Church of Christ leaders had repudiated the Boston Movement as an apostatized, schismatic cult; the Boston Movement in turn declared itself to be a faithful remnant being called out of a dead or dying church, namely the mainstream Churches of Christ. The Crossroads/Boston/ICOC movement saw tremendous growth in comparison to the congregations led by the "mainstream" Church of Christ critics. (See the Paden article, second link below under the "ICOC" heading, for a fairly impartial examination of this subject.) Representatives of the ICOC and the mainstream Churches of Christ attended reconciliation meetings at the 2004 Abilene Christian University lectureships. See Also
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(See the Paden article, second link below under the "ICOC" heading, for a fairly impartial examination of this subject.) Representatives of the ICOC and the mainstream Churches of Christ attended reconciliation meetings at the 2004 Abilene Christian University lectureships. LRY had drifted away from the Unitarian Universalist Association, and had severe internal problems that led to its collapse. The Crossroads/Boston/ICOC movement saw tremendous growth in comparison to the congregations led by the "mainstream" Church of Christ critics. Common Ground was called after the collapse of LRY (Liberal Religious Youth), the youth organization that preceded YRUU. Since the late 1980s, however, some Church of Christ leaders had repudiated the Boston Movement as an apostatized, schismatic cult; the Boston Movement in turn declared itself to be a faithful remnant being called out of a dead or dying church, namely the mainstream Churches of Christ. It was created in 1981 and 1982, at two conferences, Common Ground 1 & 2. What was called the International Churches of Christ (sometimes called "The Boston Movement" which was grounded in the Church of Christ "Crossroads Movement"), was often labeled a cult by mainstream extremists, had its origins in certain congregations of the Church of Christ. YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) is the youth organization that exists inside the Unitarian Universalist Association. membership and are also represented by missionaries in other countries as well. A comprehensive discussion of Unitarian Universalism can be found in the book Challenge of a Liberal Faith by George N. Marshall (ISBN 0933840314). Today, those who disagree with this idea are referred to as non-institutional or often by the pejoratives "anti-cooperation" or "anti." They represent approximately 15% of U.S. These are often termed "seventh principle" activities because of the seventh principle quoted above. A major disagreement over the establishment of "institutions" at a level over that of the local congregations in order to serve works such as children's homes came to a head in the 1950s and 1960s. Many congregations are heavily involved in projects and efforts aimed at supporting environmental causes and sustainability. Other groups related to the Restoration Movement were the Christian Connexion and The Christian Church, both of which merged into the Congregational Church during the 1930s and thus eventually became part of the United Church of Christ, a group now part of the Protestant Mainstream and unrelated to the Churches of Christ. Gays and lesbians are regularly ordained as UU ministers, and services are performed recognizing committed same-sex relationships. Instrumental congregations began to divide in the 20th century during the fundamentalist response to modernism which solidified in the 1960s with two groups: the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Many UU congregations have undertaken a series of organizational and practical steps to be acknowledged as a "Welcoming Congregation", a congregation which has taken specific steps to welcome and integrate gay and lesbian members. Those holding to the prohibition of instrumental music are the Churches of Christ of today. Politically conservative Unitarian Universalists point out that neither religious liberalism nor the Principles and Purposes of the UUA require liberal politics. After the American Civil War, there began to be divisions in this body over the issues of missionary societies and instrumental music in worship which reached a head in 1906 when the two groups formally split, agreeing to be listed separately in the religious census then conducted by the Bureau of the Census. But the principles of compassion, respect, justice, and diversity are the foundation of all UU politics. As in the New Testament, this movement recognized the body as "The Churches of Christ" or "Christian Churches," which others sometimes called "Campbellites". Like the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists, their politics are decided by individuals. The Churches of Christ were advanced during the American Restoration Movement of the 19th century. This is not to say that the politics of UUs are uniform. Many congregations are actively debating many of these issues, but as a whole this list reflects practices considered to be standard, with a focus on those beliefs that distinguish the Churches of Christ from Protestant groups. Others work to end homelessness, racism, domestic violence, homophobia, sexual assault, and HIV/AIDS. Because of the autonomous nature of Churches of Christ, practices vary greatly within Churches of Christ. Some work for causes such as environmental protection, peace, feminism, gun control, free speech, safe and legal abortion, and animal rights. Common beliefs and practices include:. Most Unitarian Universalists oppose the death penalty and many are active in political movements to end it in the US. The common variances are over the institution of Bible classes, the method that the Lord's supper is served (whether the fruit of the vine is served in one cup or many), the role of women in public worship, and whether ministers should be paid professionals or serve on a volunteer basis. William Sinkford, is African-American, making Unitarian Universalism the first traditionally white religion to be headed by a member of an ethnic minority. Since this church has no headquarters and each congregation is independent, the teachings may vary somewhat, but overall there is a remarkable degree of uniformity among Churches of Christ in each region. The current head of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Rev. The Church of Christ believes that the organization and structure of the church was laid down by Jesus Christ himself through his apostles in the form of the New Testament. The Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights are best known as Bloody Sunday, although technically that refers only to September 7, the most violent day of the three. However, there are many specific practices that distinguish them from these other bodies. Reeb and approximately 20% of UU ministers marched with Martin Luther King in the three marches from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery. Churches of Christ mostly agree with the theology of other Fundamentalist Christian groups, believing in Jesus as the Son of God, the death of Jesus by crucifixion as atonement for sin, and most other basic Christian teachings. Two weeks after his death, Viola Fauver Gregg Liuzzo, a Unitarian Universalist civil rights activist, was murdered by white supremacists after her participation in the protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. In each case, a dissident non-institutional faction, using the "principle of silence", finds these developments to be unwarranted and sinful innovations, although by far the majority (but not all) of the "non-institutional" congregations do own their own buildings for use as houses of worship, and most have likewise come to approve of Sunday school. and a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was clubbed in Selma, Alabama on March 8, 1965, and died two days later of massive head trauma. In each case, the "mainstream" group has reasoned that "necessary inference" allows their use as a way of providing for otherwise-homeless children, facilitating study of the Scriptures, and providing for a reasonable and convenient setting for worship services. Reeb, a minister at All Souls Church, Unitarian, in Washington, D.C. (It should be noted, however, that the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ do use musical instruments and do not see their use as forbidden.) However, the New Testament is necessarily silent about many other issues, such as orphanages/children's homes, Sunday school, and congregationally-owned houses of worship ("church buildings"). James J. The non-instrumental Chuches of Christ agree that the absence of references to instrumental music in New Testament worship mean that their use is forbidden. UUs were and are still very involved in the fight to end racism in the US. The disagreements within the Churches of Christ primarily derive from differences in interpretation of the meaning of "necessary inference", and the conclusions which can be rightly drawn from "silence". It is therefore common to see Unitarian Universalists and Quakers working together. When the Bible does not specifically or indirectly allow a practice, it is considered forbidden. Unitarian Universalists and Quakers still share certain principles, notably that they are creedless religions with a long-standing commitment to social justice. The principle of silence is also observed by the Churches of Christ, to varying degrees. Anthony was a Unitarian and Quaker, and was extremely influential in the women's suffrage movement. This hermeneutic is often summarized in three parts: "Command", "Example", and "Necessary Inference". Susan B. A closer look at the Church of Christ requires an understanding of its historically accepted hermeneutic. In the nineteenth century, Unitarians and Universalists were active in abolitionism, the women's movement, and other liberal social reform movements. Some members of the church of Christ, and some groups within the churches of Christ, do not believe in paid ministers or youth ministers. Unitarian Universalists have often been active in liberal political activism, notably the civil rights movement, the gay rights movement, the social justice movement, and the feminist movement. Many congregations also employ other paid ministers besides the pulpit minister, including ministers for youth, college students and women. Another common covenant is as follows:. (People associated with the Churches of Christ do not use the title "pastor" to refer to their pulpit minister, as this term is held to refer to the same position as "elder" or "bishop" in the Bible, which they feel requires a certain set of qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy and Titus.) Typically these ministers are not 'ordained' as is the tradition of many denominational organizations, and do not use the salutation 'Reverend' or 'Rev.' before their name, professing that only God should be recognized as reverend. Paul Beedle, former minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside (http://www.uuchurchofriverside.org), discusses the foundations of the faith, quoting a common Unitarian Universalist affirmation:. This position is typically paid. In his sermon Rev. The Preacher/Evangelist/Minister prepares and delivers sermons, teaches Bible classes, performs weddings, preaches or evangelizes the gospel, and performs baptisms. While the circumstances of this service were not ordinary, it is an excellent example of a Unitarian Universalist service in many ways. Qualifications of Deacons are also listed in the Bible in 1 Timothy. One UU service that was held the week after the September 11 attack is posted online (http://members.aol.com/revpaulbeedle/20010916.html). Like Elders, Deacons are generally selected by the congregations in a manner very similar to that of elders. But there are also UU congregations which have liked the term fellowship and retained it even though they have grown much larger. Typically, the physical building in which services are held is overseen by a Deacon. These congregations tend to be younger and smaller than other UU societies and may favor less traditional service forms. Deacons are recognized special servants of the church and most often take care of specialized needs of the congregation. Some congregations are explicitly known not as churches but as fellowships. In a decreasing number of congregations, the eldership is something of a self-perpetuating board in which its members are the determiners of the qualfications of their sucessors and announce whom they have selected to join them with little or no congregational input; this practice was at one time fairly widespread but is no longer acceptable to many members of many congregations. Music is not limited to traditional hymns, but often includes instrumental music or singing songs from other traditions. Elders are selected by the members of a congregation; the method of doing this varies considerably between congregations, but involves confirming that a potential elder does indeed embody all of the characteristics of elders which are listed in the Bible in 1 Timothy and Titus. Teenagers often participate in "Coming of Age," a program in which they explore their own personal beliefs and spirituality. Elders are also called pastors, shepherds, and bishops (all Biblical terms referring to the same office), but the use of "elder" is the most common by far. Other rituals replace these traditions, including Water Communion, Flower Communion, and dedications of children and babies. In some congregations, elders also select the deacons. However, most UU churches do not perform the traditional Christian rites, such as baptism, or communion or confirmation, though many that continue these practices are also members of the Council of Christian Churches within the Unitarian Universalist Association (CXCUUA). They provide moral guidance, and they or their designees approve and establish Bible study curriculum, select Sunday school teachers, and select the Preacher/Evangelist when the position becomes vacant. There is usually a structured service that includes the singing of hymns and a sermon by the minister of the congregation. Few are "church professionals"; the vast majority have, or are retired from, a secular career. Religious services are usually held on Sundays and often resemble, to a certain extent, the form and format of Protestant worship. Elders are spiritually mature Christian men whose religious work may be in some specialized capacity of a spiritual nature. Other symbols include a slightly off center cross within a circle (a Universalist symbol associated with the Humiliati movement in the mid twentieth century) and a pair of open hands releasing a dove. Also, most congregations value the influence of church of Christ-affiliated colleges and universities, such as Abilene Christian University, Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, Oklahoma Christian University, and Heritage Christian University (formerly International Bible College (IBC)) . The most common symbol of Unitarian Universalism is the flaming chalice, often framed by two overlapping rings that represent Unitarianism and Universalism. From the beginning of the Restoration Movement, newspapers and magazines edited by church leaders have been important forces in unifying like-minded churches. Some churches might be difficult to distinguish from a liberal Protestant church, while others might not seem like a church at all to members of more traditional faiths. Typically, the churches participate in a loose, informal network of other local Churches of Christ. As in theology, Unitarian Universalist worship and ritual are often a combination of elements derived from other faith traditions alongside original practices and symbols. There is no headquarters for the Church of Christ; each congregation has its own structure, consisting of Elders, Deacons, and one or more Preachers/Ministers/Evangelists. At first the new organization called themselves the "American Unitarian Association", but since the UUA is the owner of that name, they eventually agreed to call themselves the "American Unitarian Conference.". Some, and probably most, members would also object to the categorization of their church as a "denomination", as one of the tenets of this movement is that they are not a denomination and that denominationalism is a sinful departure from the original plan laid down in the Bible for the Church. In 2000, a few Unitarian Universalists founded the American Unitarian Conference (AUC) for the purpose of promoting classical Unitarianism. The church of Christ has firm disagreements with the Roman Catholic Church and does not recognize the authority of the Holy See. In 1995 the UUA helped establish the International_Council_of_Unitarians_and_Universalists (ICUU). It should be noted that some members, particularly older members, of this group are apt to object to being referred to as "Protestants", believing that Christ's Church was not founded as a protest against anything, other than perhaps the domination of the present world by Satan. In 2002, the CUC split off from the UUA. Some Churches of Christ are called non-institutional and may have strong disagreements with other Churches of Christ. In the same year, the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) formed and became an arm of the UUA to service the needs and interest of Canadian Unitarian Universalists. Many members today consider themselves to be Christians only. In 1961, the American Unitarian Association (AUA) merged with the Universalist Church of America (UCA), thus forming the Unitarian Universalist Association. The churches of Christ are distinct, in that they believe that they are not another denomination, but rather are striving to be the one, true Church. Both Unitarianism and Universalism evolved over time into inclusive, tolerant religions, without strict dogmas. Other churches that were advanced by the Restoration Movement include the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (Instrumental) and the Disciples of Christ. One observation made years ago about Unitarianism and Universalism, long before their merger, was that (paraphrase) "Universalists believe that God is too good to condemn man, while Unitarians believe that man is too good to be condemned by God.". The American Restoration Movement of the 19th century promoted returning to the practices of the first century Churches of Christ. These two religious bodies always had a great deal of commonality and communication between them; they were often associated in the public eye. The Churches of Christ have the following distinctive traits: the refusal to hold to any creeds other than those specifically mentioned in the Bible itself ("Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent,"); the practice of adult baptism for the remission of sins; autonomous congregational church organization, with congregations overseen by a plurality of elders; the weekly observance of The Lord's Supper; and the belief in a cappella congregational singing during worship. In 1793, Universalism emerged as a particular denomination in the United States, eventually called the Universalist Church in America. Since the Churches of Christ claim to be a restoration of the first-century church, they trace their origin to the day of Pentecost. It denied the doctrine of eternal damnation; instead, it proclaimed that a loving God would redeem all souls. The Churches of Christ are a body of autonomous Christian congregations. Universalism was another Christian heresy with a long history. International Churches of Christ. In the 19th century, under the influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson (who had been a Unitarian minister) and the other Transcendentalists, Unitarianism began its long journey from liberal Protestantism to its present syncretic form. Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Church of Christ. In the aftermath of their various historical circumstances, some of these churches became member congregations of the Congregationalist United Church of Christ organization, others became part of the UUA and its predecessor organizations, while a few continue to remain part of both organizations and are explicitly Christian UUA Churches. "Minister of Music" is "song leader", or, in more progressive congregations, "worship leader," or "worship minister.". After the schism, some of those churches remained Congregationalist, while others voted to become Unitarian. "youth pastor" becomes "youth minister." Consequently, the word "pastor" is rarely used to refer to elders. The dispute culminated in the foundation of the American Unitarian Association as a separate denomination in 1825. "Pastor" is never used to mean "minister." The term "preacher," "evangelist," or "minister" is used instead, i.e. As conflict grew between Unitarian and Trinitarian factions, Unitarians gained a key faculty position at Harvard in 1805. "Sunday School" is frequently "Bible class.". Beginning in the late 18th century, a Unitarian movement began within some of these churches. "Sanctuary" becomes "auditorium.". After the American Revolution, they became independent and organized as individual churches, electing their own ministers. "Altar call" becomes "invitation.". In the United States, the Unitarian movement began primarily in the Congregationalist parish churches of New England. These churches, which are still seen today in nearly every New England town square, trace their roots to the division of the Puritan colonies into parishes for the administration of their religious needs. Words and phrases common to most evangelical churches are often absent or modified in the Churches of Christ.
"obey the gospel" - be baptized. The term may refer to any belief about the nature of Jesus that affirms God as a singular entity and rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus the euphemism, "member of the church.". Traditionally, Unitarianism was a heretical doctrine emerging out of Christianity. However, the English designation of "Christian" generally means anyone who calls himself a Christian. Here are three of the speeches submitted:. "member of the church" - Many members of the Churches of Christ believe that only members of the Church of Christ are Christians. These are short speeches that could be made in the course of an elevator ride. "church" - The word is often left uncapitalized in the name "church of Christ" to emphasize that the churches are not a denomination. Recently, the UU World magazine asked for contributions of "elevator speeches" explaining UUism. Use of specialized vocabulary to circumvent common English usage which is in conflict with accepted doctrine.
Several members of the Churches of Christ have claimed "conscientious objector" status during wartime. The lack of creed or dogma has been a cause for ridicule among some who argue that Unitarian Universalism is thus without religious content. They believe that these gifts died with those that were given supernatural Spiritual gifts during the time of Jesus and the apostles. This principle is often referred to as the "seventh principle.". Miraculous Gifts – Most members of Churches of Christ do not believe supernatural miraculous events occur in the current times. Most recently, the last principle (adopted in 1985), "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part" and the last source (adopted in 1995), "Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature" were added to explicitly include members with Neopagan, Native American and other Nature-centered spiritualities. Other, mostly older congregations use the KJV exclusively as a matter of tradition, but most congregations use a variety of translations of the Bible. Unitarian Universalism is often referred to by its adherents as a living tradition, and the principles and purposes have been modified over time to reflect changes in spiritual beliefs among the membership. A small subset of congregations are King James Only in orientation. Official permission was granted by the UUA to include them here:. God's sacrifice of Christ provided sufficient grace to save all persons from their sins, but it is imcumbent upon them to accept Christ's will and follow Him for this grace to save them personally. The modern form of these was adopted in 1984 and is presented here, as published in church literature and on the UUA website (http://www.uua.org/aboutuua/principles.html/reg.html). This decision can be changed based on the believer's behavior – he or she can consciously elect to cease following Christ and hence be lost ("fallen from grace"). Although they do not have an official creed or dogma, Unitarian Universalist congregations operate from a set of base Principles and Purposes. Election and predestination are functions of the exercise of free will – those who freely choose God's way through Christ are elect and hence saved, others are lost. RE classes may deal with moral values and the problems of growing up, as well as exploring the teachings and traditions of other religions. Original Sin and the whole idea of Total Depravity from which it ensues are rejected, although the human prediliction to sin due to temptations and the limitations of human nature is affirmed. Children who are brought up in the UU faith often, though not necessarily, attend Sunday religious education (RE) classes, which are somewhat akin to Sunday School in Protestant churches. The theology of Churches of Christ is basically Arminian, although probably not often referred to as such. Parents who do not subscribe to a particular dogma but who want to give their children some kind of religious background are also drawn to the UU faith. In terms of eschatology, the Church of Christ is generally amillennial. Often parents choose to bring up their children in the UU faith as a compromise if the mother and father come from different religious backgrounds. This doctrine is similar to earlier beliefs of Roman Catholicism. Unitarian Universalism often draws on adult "refugees" from other faiths. Most believe denominationalism itself is sinful, and hold that Christ established only one church. People join the UU faith for a variety of reasons. Generally, a belief that Churches of Christ are not a denomination. While some people are raised in the UU faith, a greater number of members have come from other religious backgrounds. The issue of "fellowship" is a hotly debated one. One UU minister, the Reverend James Ford, has even been acknowledged as a Zen master. Many members of the Churches of Christ practice "closed fellowship" (fellowshipping only fellow members of the Churches of Christ), while others would extend the ties of fellowship to members of evangelical Protestant denominations. Many UU congregations have study groups which study the doctrines and spiritual practices of Neopaganism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and other faith traditions. His power is considerable, although vastly inferior to that of God, who allows Satan to exist so that God's followers worship and follow Him as a true act of free will, not predestination. This vast diversity of views is considered a strength by the UU faith, since its emphasis is on the common search for meaning among its members rather than adherence to any particular doctrine. He is seen as literally tempting Christ's followers away from their chosen path, usually by the use of human agents. A large portion of its members consider themselves humanists, and many may hold Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, pagan, atheist, agnostic, pantheist, or other beliefs, or may not choose a particular theological label. Satan is considered to be a literal being, not just a symbolic or allegorical representation of evil. Unitarian Universalist churches welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people as well as the disabled, and the church does not discriminate on the basis of skin color, national origin, or ethnicity. Many, however, denounce the idea of inherently homosexual people. A major difference between Unitarian Universalism and other major religions is a strong emphasis on tolerance and acceptance. They generally differentiate homosexual activity from homosexuality itself or homosexual people, often espousing the idea that while mere sexual orientation is not sinful per se, all homosexual acts are a choice. It is a syncretic religion, which respects all the major religious traditions, and religious services often draw from the various world faiths. Homosexual activity is seen as a sin. Unitarian Universalism is a creedless religion. Abortion in most circumstances is considered to be a sin. Unitarian Universalist churches worldwide are represented in the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU). Remarriage in these cases is considered adultery. The UUSC works to promote social justice and human rights around the world. Divorce, except for reasons of marital unfaithfulness is condemned. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a related nonsectarian organization which started out of an effort to smuggle Jews and other targeted groups out of Nazi Germany. The practice is to partake in the Lord's Supper each Sunday. Unitarian Universalism has its origin, and most of its adherents, in the United States, where its largest organization is the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The Lord's Supper can be served anywhere members are gathered on Sunday; no particularly "sanctified" location nor specifically "authorized" individual is needed to administer communion (except that those administering communion are almost invariably male as a matter of tradition in most congregations). Its roots are in Protestantism, although Christian beliefs are no longer required for adherents to modern Unitarian Universalism and most Unitarian Universalists (UUs) do not consider themselves Christian. These men are often called "Preachers" and, in mainstream Churches of Christ, are generally paid for their work. Unitarian Universalism (UU or UUism) is a liberal religious tradition that was formed by the merger of Unitarian and Universalist groups. Certain male members specialize in the field of teaching. Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. There is no distinction between clergy and laity; all members are considered to be priests. Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit. Baptism can take place in any suitable body of water allowing total immersion, and may be administered by any member at any time of the day or day of the week. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;. Worship can take place at any gathering of church members. Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;. Women are generally not allowed to serve as elders, deacons, or preachers. Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;. Most churches forbid women from leading public worship when grown men are present. Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;. The vast majority believe in a literal hell, while others believe it is a metaphorical eternity outside of the light of God. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The "lost" will be condemned to an eternity without God. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;. Women are not allowed to hold positions of spiritual authority over grown men. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;. A number of churches, though, continue to practice complete rejection of holidays. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;. In recent years, this belief is in decline in many churches, and it is not unheard of for a church to have special events for such holidays or even to celebrate them with traditional religious significance. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;. Celebration of religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, as religious holidays, is often discouraged, although secular observance of such days is usually tolerated. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;. Members deny that baptism without faith can bring salvation, but point out that the Bible does command believers to be baptized. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;. Because of the high value attached to the necessity of a believer's baptism by immersion, Churches of Christ are sometimes said to believe in "baptismal regeneration". Continued faithfulness is enjoined because they do not believe in the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. Being baptized (by immersion). Confessing (that Jesus Christ is Lord). Repenting (of one's sins). Believing (said Word). Hearing (the Word of God). The requirements for salvation are commonly presented in the following steps:
Many congregations contain members with both positions. A strong argument that claims that it is false doctrine prohibited by a principle or a law of silence, and a weak argument, similar to that originally held by Alexander Campbell, that such would be materialistic or inappropriate, but not necessarily false doctrine. The arguments against it are of two categories. No instrumental music in services (a cappella). Most believe in "plenary" inspiration, whereby the inspired author is able to use his language to express divine truth, but the ultimate truthfulness is from God; this contrasts with "mechanical" inspiration, where the Biblical author is just a mortal "typewriter" for an immortal God, or a Divine "secretary" merely taking dictation. The Bible was written by men who were inspired and guided by God the Father through the Holy Spirit. "Necessary inference" refers to some interpretational conclusion that would be necessary in order to obey a command or example. "Example" is sometimes phrased as "an approved Apostolic example." The intent here is that the apostles or 1st century Christians performed some action or engaged in some practice that was approved of (or not condemned). Additionally, commands are classified as 'Specific' or 'Generic' in nature.). "Command" refers to a direct command found in the Scriptures (this being further complicated by what some mainstream evangelicals would refer to as the dispensation principle; for example, the command to build an ark was directed to Noah specifically, as opposed to being directed to Christians in general. |