A pastor explores the stated doctrines of the Church of Christ and explains his strong disagreement with those doctrines and the assumptions on which they are based. One major way in which he feels the Church of Christ deviates from correct Christian teaching is the matter of water baptism. The Church of Christ teaches that redemption is simultaneous with water baptism performed in and by the church. Craig points out that Jesus never stated that. Instead, he emphasized the difference between man's physical "water birth" and the need to be born again in spirit, "from above," which could happen before or even after church baptism. The author offers many biblical incidents and pronouncements to prove this point. Another false teaching he sees of the Church of Christ is that miracles were prevalent in the time of Jesus and performed by Jesus, but that since the completion of the Bible, there have been and will be no miracles again. Yet Jesus indicated many times that miracles would always be a possibility. He said, for example, "He who believes upon Me, the same works that I do, he will do…" (John 14:12).
Church of Christ leaders preach that the main purpose of early Christianity was to get the Bible written. Craig offers credible, logic-based scriptural proofs that the intent was and always has been the bringing of new souls to Christ. The Church of Christ does not emphasize Jesus as human, nor does it mention Hell in the works Craig cites. The Church of Christ leadership also does not allow church membership until the leaders have examined and trained the potential member. Yet the author points out that on the Day of Pentecost, three thousand new believers joined the church with no time for any pre-examination. Added to such central, core tenets are what Craig calls "silly" beliefs of the Church of Christ. For example, when in the Temple, Jesus supposedly whipped not the money changers but their animals. Church of Christ members do not need to tithe as that was only required in the Old Testament. Additionally, musical instruments should have no place in church worship.
Craig has organized this treatise with verve and emotional drive while including numerous scholarly references and logical propositions undoubtedly based on his careful reading of Church of Christ sources. Some chapters are devoted almost solely to scriptural quotations to underpin his realistic explorations. He doesn't hesitate to accuse those Church of Christ representatives whose work he examines of outright stupidity and, in some cases, plain hypocrisy. Craig has gathered this data and presented it in an easily accessible manner to inform those within and outside of the Church of Christ of the weaknesses and untruths being sustained within that group. His words can prod readers to seriously consider the issues involved and make choices between the doctrines of that group (which he believes have all the earmarks of a cult as generally defined) and the doctrines and practices of more Bible-based, truth sustaining, Christian congregations. His engaging book could undoubtedly be used as a study and workshop guide and a subject for contemplation among serious Christians.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review