Denominationalism
Have you ever wondered what this nation would be like if
newspaper editors, columnists, reporters and television pundits were in charge of our
national and state governments? Since they already have all the answers to our
financial, political, social and moral questions, all they would have to do is simply
enforce what they already know. There would be no need for conducting surveys to
ascertain what the American people believe or desire. Since the experts in the
media already know what we should do and how we should do it, there would be no
need to hire experts in various fields or departments. If you think I might be
exaggerating, listen carefully to the radio and television talking heads and
read the editorials in your daily newspaper. You will not have to think about
our nation's problems and opportunities. Just pay attention and do what you read in the
newspapers and hear on radio and on television. How can you go wrong with such
brilliant and infallible guides?
Frank Ritter, a columnist for The Tennessean, recently wrote an article with the heading,
"Religious denominations often do more to divide than unite." The
article appeared in the newspaper
But before I review some of the points Frank Ritter
makes in his article, I shall read two statements from the book, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974), by Dr. George Eldon Ladd, a
professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in
Two comments on his passage are in order. The unity
Jesus desires for those who claim to be his followers is not a kind of generic
unity. It is the unity that exists between the Father and the Son. It is not
possible modern denominationalism can harmonize with the intent of the Lord's prayer. Furthermore, one of the goals of unity is the
influence such unity will have on unbelievers. Jesus prayed that we might be united "that
the world may believe that thou hast sent me." The division that exists among the professed
followers of Jesus Christ has to be confusing for men and women who may be
seeking to know the truth. Tragically, most modern denominations promote plans of
salvation that cannot be found anywhere in scripture. How absolutely
discouraging to sincere seekers after truth!
Frank Ritter tells in his article about a wedding that
took place in December of 1905. The announcement of the marriage simply stated:
"
Frank Ritter says he is proud of his denomination. It is
that attitude that has promoted sectarianism and denominationalism in the
world. If every religious group would simply refer to themselves as "the
church of the Lord," "the church of the living God," "the
Frank Ritter provides some insight into his thinking
about denominations by the following example. He mentions that some groups
sprinkle for baptism while others totally dunk them under the water (p. 11-A).
The expression, "totally dunk them under the water," is not a very
helpful term. The word,
"dunking," reminds one of dunking donuts in coffee or hot chocolate.
Maybe Frank Ritter does not know—which is inexcusable since he raised the
topic—but sprinkling is not baptism. If a person is going to discuss a
controversial topic, he ought to have done the necessary research to be able to discuss it
intelligently. Frank Ritter has not done that or, if he has, his article gives no evidence of
it.
What Frank Ritter probably did not know—although he
should have made an effort to know—is that the Greeks used two very
different words for "sprinkle" and "baptize." The Greek word for
"sprinkle" is rhantizo.
The verb form appears four times in the New Testament and is almost always used of
the sprinkling that occurred under the Mosaic law. For
example, "For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh: how much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living
God" (Heb. 9:13-14)? The noun form of the word, rhantismos, is also used of the sprinkling of blood (Heb.
The word "baptize" (baptizo in the Greek) means to immerse, to submerge, to overwhelm, to dip. W. E. Vine's Expository
Dictionary of New Testament Words (Westwood, NJ: Barbour and Company,
Inc., 1940) says the word "was used among the Greeks to signify the dyeing of a
garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into it." The Greek
biographer, Plutarch, used the word of the drawing of wine by dipping a cup
into the bowl (p. 97). Most denominational scholars readily agree that the word
"baptism" means immersion or submersion. But then they illogically argue that it really
does not make any difference how a person is baptized so long as he is truly penitent.
Would Frank Ritter be willing to say: "I accept the
Bible's teaching on baptism? I am willing to use my talent and time to promote what
the word of God teaches and only what the word of God teaches?" If he and all
others were willing to do that along with dropping his pride in his denomination, that would be a very significant step in the direction of
unity. I have no idea if he would take that bold step, but until all who are involved in
denominations have that kind of faith and courage, unity will not be possible. We know
Jesus prayed for unity (John
Frank Ritter raises the issue of communion or the Lord's
supper. Should we take it once a year or every Sunday
(p. 11-A)? There is almost universal agreement among reputable scholars that
the early Christians took the Lord's supper every
Lord's day. Please think of this analogy. God commanded the Jews under the
Mosaic covenant
to remember the sabbath day and to keep it holy (Ex.
20:8). Which sabbath during the year were the Jews
required to remember and keep it holy? Would they have pleased God had they
observed just one sabbath during the year? The early church met on the
first day of the week to observe the Lord's supper
(Acts 20:7). It ought to be obvious that we are to take the Lord's supper
during every week that has a first day—the day on which our Lord was raised from the
dead and on which the Lord's church was established in
Frank Ritter mentions the use of instrumental music and
dancing as acts of worship. Does he have any idea what the scriptures teach about worship
or is worship just what people feel like doing?
Does it make any difference what worship activities God authorizes? For
the benefit of Frank Ritter and those who think like he does, I must say as
forcefully as I am able: There is not a man alive or a woman either who can
find scriptural warrant for using mechanical instruments of music in the
worship of the New Testament church. Does he have any idea what the scriptures
teach about worship? Does it make any
difference what worship activities God authorizes? Anyone who thinks he
can find instrumental music in the New Testament is hereby challenged to do so.
It is tragic that many churches do not seek scriptural
authority for what they do in their worship services. They may simply do what they
have always done. After all, tradition is a powerful influence in religion. Or they
may do what they like. One response to our speaking against instrumental music has
been on occasions: "But I like instruments of music." So do I. Does that mean that you and I have the right to decide what the Lord should
accept in our worship? I like sirloin steak, but who would be so blatant as to
offer it on the Lord's table?
More than 115 years ago, Dr. John L. Girardeau, a
professor of theology at Columbia Theological Seminary—a conservative
Presbyterian theological seminary in Columbia, South Carolina—published a little
book on instrumental music. His students asked him why he opposed instrumental
music in public worship. The book, Instrumental Music in the Public
Worship (
One of the biblical stories Dr. Girardeau uses to
illustrate the principle he has outlined is that of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
(Numbers 16). God himself decided who would be his priests under the Jewish covenant.
The high priests were to be the descendants of Aaron and the other priests from
the tribe of Levi. Korah was a Levite, but Dathan and Abiram were the offspring of
Reuben. Those three men objected to the authority God had given to Moses and Aaron.
The men rose up against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too
much upon yourselves, seeing all the congregation are
holy, everyone of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore do you lift
yourselves above the congregation of the Lord" (Num. 16:1-3)?
In your reading of the Old Testament, have you ever found
where God said to the Jewish people, "Only those who have specifically
been chosen for the priesthood can serve in that capacity?" When God gave the
command for the sons of Levi to serve as priests, did he have to say, "The
sons of Judah, the sons of Reuben, the sons of Zebulon and others cannot serve
as priests?" When he authorized the sons of Levi to be the priests in
Jude, our Lord's physical brother, warns false teachers.
"Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after
the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah"
(Jude 11). The word "gainsaying" means answering back. It can involve either
words or actions. The English Standard Version renders the Greek
"rebellion." What was the Holy Spirit's reason for recording the story
of Korah, Dathan and Abiram? Does he want us to seek authorization for all we
do in the work and worship of the church? Dr. Girardeau also discusses Cain and
his offering (Gen. 4), Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-3), the disobedience of Moses
in smiting the rock (Num. 20) and other Old Testament examples. These
stories are recorded for our learning (1 Cor. 10:6, 10;
Frank Ritter also mentions dancing, faith healing,
tongues-speaking, women preachers and auricular confession. Not one—not even
one—of these practices can be sustained by a correct interpretation of God's word. I do
not have the time today to examine these practices. I have discussed some of these
practices on this program and will try to examine the others at a later date.
Frank Ritter makes a plea for the professed followers of
Christ to cease their bickering about God and how to do the worshipping (p.
11-A). Does not Frank Ritter understand that some people may consider his
thoughts as "bickering" about religious differences? Is he
arguing that we should not disagree or debate religious differences? He says he reads the
book of John—a beautiful book all of us should read
regularly. Does he know what Jesus taught the woman whom he met at Jacob's well
in Sychar,
Ritter's article betrays rampant relativism, at least, as
it applies to the worship of the church. He may reject the term
"postmodernist," but there is hardly any doubt he belongs in that
category. Does he believe we cannot know what God expects of us? Does he
believe it does not really matter what churches teach and practice? Tragically,
what
Frank Ritter has written in his article seems to be gaining ground among
religious people.
It is a sign that we have departed from God's pattern for his church. His views also destroy
the foundation for biblical moral values.
Such ideas deeply trouble me. I hope they also trouble you. If you are
not troubled about them, I am troubled about you.
Winford Claiborne
The International Gospel Hour