The Persistence of Christian Memory

The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 has been documented by historians like Josephus, Eusebius, and Epiphanius. The destruction was foretold by Jesus some 30 years before its downfall. His words offered comfort and conviction to those of the first century and is confirmed by those who carefully that study those things today. "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" (Ps. 2:12). 

Many look to the days of Campbell and Stone when we think of the concept of restoring the New Testament church.  However, two hundred years before their time a group known as the Anabaptist had restoration principles in mind. Though they were dismissed, persecuted and labeled the lunatic fringe in their day, their theology is one worth noting because it is still seen and felt in their influence today.  

Link to Campbells orignal Sermon on the Law from the Millennial Harbinger, 1846 originally delivered before the Redstone Baptist

Association, met on Cross Creek, Brooke County Va., on the 1st of September, 1816.

http://www.stillvoices.org/SharedFiles/Download.aspx?pageid=19&mid=28&fileid=310

Vince's Sermon Notes 2/7/21 delivered at the South Florida Ave. Church of Christ 

docs.google.com/document/d/123KbTR_jQAx0bDy3JBd3qTGY2WHTz1O9qYBP_BzF6sE

Emanuel Daugherty joins the podcast to discuss how he chose to enter the ministry, his experiences both good and bad, and advice for how we pass on that faith from one generation to the next.  

It is important to know that we can trust the Bible that we open up in the 21st century.  But, how exactly did God's word come to man?  How we got the Bible is an interesting and worth while study for those who want to be assured of the sacred text from which we know God and how to please Him. 

The Hus was no chicken!  Jan Hus was a stand-up defender of the truth about the Bible in how he saw it, and he stood unmovable even against all the might the Catholic Church could wield.  He is a great individual to be acquainted with in Church History.  Taking of the Lord's Supper and hearing a message preached in our own language are things we take for granted, but in Hus's day, it cost him his life!

Periodicals were a powerful way the Restoration Movement was felt.  Many factors led to many prominent papers published during the Restoration Movement.  While the influence of the written word and periodicals has waned in recent years, the power of the pen will always have a place.  

A backwoods country boy grows up to become one of the first missionaries to Japan.  A great story of hard work, determination, and love for people.  McCaleb was a preacher that internalized the Great Commission and modeled his life like the first great missionary, the Apostle Paul.  He is a great example for those who have that same desire to take the Gospel to all. 

In this episode, we review our past few episodes and continue with questions and discussions we were not able to get to in previous episodes.  We have many threads in the Restoration Movement and Chruch History to pull on and see where we will go.

The introduction of instrumental music in the Restoration movement can be traced back to an infamous melodeon snuck in and eventually out of the Midway Christian Church.  Was it the "instrument of Satan" or a matter of preference.  What did the men of the Restoration, Reformation, early church, and the New Testament have to say about the use of mechanical music in the church?

Do you follow the 10 commandments?  Campbell's sermon was controversial during his day and I suspect many would still be scandalized today if his sermon were brought and examined.  But, it is the truth that will make you free.

Many look at debates as a fruitless endeavor in the modern age.  In the Restoration era, debates were widespread and very effective.  Debates have gone out of style but have had a great influence on our country.  It is good to look back to those who debated and learn how we can be better communicators today.  We live in world of political correctness where it is easier to keep silent.  But, we are members of one another, therefore we must speak truth to our neighbors.

Dad's Article

https://ohiovalleyrestorationresearch.com/theological-issues/22-debating-in-the-upper-ohio-valley-during-the-early-20th-century

Index of over 1000 debates from the Restoration Movement

https://www.thelordsway.com/jongarywilliams/

What is the purpose of baptism?  The preachers of the Reformation preached brilliantly only to find that honest souls could find no relief.  That is until the purpose of baptism was rediscovered.  It was like a missing keystone from an arch.

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hxde1q&view=1up&seq=7

Autobiography of Elder Samuel Rogers

https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1143-the-preposition-eis-in-acts-2-38

Study on the word Greek word "eis" from Acts 2:38

When the Campbells decided they wanted to go back to the Bible they did not realize straight away the implications that it would have on their practice of religion.  The practice was infant baptism is one that is widely practices and long-standing traditions.  But is it scriptural?

Moses Lard wanders through his thoughts of a wonderful happenstance in which he recalls preaching in a small town in Missouri.  If it were not for the influential black slave named Dick, his master Thomas, and many others would not have been converted.  A whole local congregation was begotten by the efforts of a gentle but plain-speaking Moses Lard but he wondered if they will remember the efforts of Dick.  A small pebble may make a small ring when dropped into a body of water but a small action radiates out with more and larger rings.  God can work in whatever situation He finds us if we are willing.

https://restorationaudiobooks.com/audio-life-and-times/dick-and-south-point-moses-lard-1863/

https://www.therestorationmovement.com/_states/missouri/melard.htm

Rice Haggard is an obscure figure even among some people familiar with the Restoration Movement.  Yet to the people of his day he was a prominent leader.  Although he sought no fame a pamphlet of his writing that was thought to be lost was rediscovered.  His pamphlet centers on what followers of Christ ought to call themselves.  Through his study of Scripture, He found that the best answer is to be known as simply "Christians".  The addition of differing party/denominational names only fosters division and is dishonoring to Jesus the anointed One.  Listed below a link to his pamphlet and other valuable resources to become more familiar with him.

Rice Haggard's Pamphlet - https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1421&context=crs_books

Rice Haggard: Unsung Hero of the Restoration by Frank Bellizzi from The Gospel Advocate Mark 1997

https://frankbellizzi.blogspot.com/2009/02/rice-haggard-barton-w-stone-and.html

Scott Harp's Website
therestorationmovement.com/_states/kentucky/haggard.htm

Martin Luther is a complex figure in terms of his impact on Church history.  But, there can be no doubt he has had a major impact.   In our episode, we unpack his contribution to the beginning of the Protestant movement and even see its impact on the Restoration Movement and the world we live in today.

If you are a new listener to the podcast this a great episode to get up to speed with the first ten episodes in review.  

Jenny Williams Douglas is best known as "cousin Jennie" to most folks in the times of the Restoration Movement.  She wrote a children's column for the "Christian Leader".  It is hard to find much about her life story even among historians of the Restoration.  However, she still lives on in her writings.  She is inspirational for how she wrote and cared about the development of young people and appreciated by older hearers as well.  We hope that we can breathe new life into her story and inspire others today.

What happens when you plant the unaltered Word of God into the hearts and minds of men and women?  It produces simply Christians.  The seed principle is a remarkable truth given to us through Scripture, recognized by the Restoration Movement, and if applied will work just as God intended it to.  

Masada Date Tree

https://timeline.com/methuselah-judean-date-palm-b3782ff1d731

Revived plant found under perma-frost Siberia

https://web.archive.org/web/20160312121112/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/02/21/russians-revive-ice-age-flower-frozen-burrow.html#sthash.4z0Apltx.dpuf

"Medieval Herbs End a Long Sleep" - National Geographic (March 1997) 

The full book online of Larimore and His Boys (pg. 153-155 notes on J. H. Halbrook) 

https://www.therestorationmovement.com/books/lahb.pdf

We have found the long-lost manuscript of Third Peter.  Do not miss the holy (satire) letter from the great Apostle Peter (or Alexander Campbell) describing the preacher's conduct among the brethren.  Also do not miss our "divinely inspired" commentary on the said epistle.  Seriously it is good reading for preachers to remain humble and be a servant, rather than being a puffed up clergy.

Link to the 3rd Epistle of Peter by Alexander Campbell

http://biblicalstudies.info/preacher/third-peter.pdf

Dad's Website

https://ohiovalleyrestorationresearch.com/

History of the Restoration Movement Website

https://www.therestorationmovement.com/

As people in the United States approach the National Election, we cannot get away from talking about politics.  It is interesting to see differing views from the Restoration movement and how they approached politics in their days.  Those views can shed some light on our political world today.  How do we work out Scriptures commands and principles in regard to the Christian's relationship to government?  An interesting discussion that only scratches the surface, but we hope will spark further study and discussion.

Discussion of the contributions of S.R. Cassius, Marshall Keeble, and G. P. Bowser to the Restoration Movement.  Really enjoyable study of oft-overlooked individuals in the Restoration Movement, their style, methodology, and reception. 

Sources for Further Study:

Underlying Dedication - The Story of G. P. Bowser 1961

Third Birth of a Nation R. S. Cassius 1920

"Keeble in California" - E. N. Glen The Christian Leader 1931

Biography and Sermons of Marshall Keeble Marshall Keeble 1931

To Save My Race From Abuse Edward J. Robinson

"Show Us How You Do It - Marshall Keeble and the Rise of Black Churches of Christ in the United States, 1914-1968" Edward J. Robinson (University of Alabama Press, 2008)

"Samuel R. Cassius - A Forgotten Pioneer."  Edward J. Robinson Restoration Quarterly 

https://www.therestorationmovement.com/_states/california/cassius.htm A. L. Cassius son of R. S. Cassius

How was the Restoration Plea received by the people who heard it?  Barton W. Stone's biography says that their message was received, "like fire in dry stubble".  When we get back to the Bible for how we are to act and how we are to worship we have a solid foundation to stand on.  That gives confidence and assurance that we are well-pleasing and acceptable to God.  Just like those three thousand souls who were converted on the Day of Pentecost, we too must preach and teach the same gospel invitation.  When it is presented in a truthful and loving way it will be received in the same way: like a fire set in dry stubble.

Back to the Bible - Evangelism Material 

https://store.wvbs.org/product/back-to-the-bible-workbook-by-bobby-bates-set-of-3-one-of-each/

Ivan Stewart's Open Bible Study 

https://openbiblestudies.com/

An examination of the 2nd Century AD account of the "Martyrdom of Polycarp" and his great example of faith that outruns time.

Links and Resources

- https://onlinechristianlibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/The-Martyrdom-of-Polycarp.pdf

-  Early Christians Speak Vol. 1 & 2 by Everett Ferguson

- Thinking - Living - Dying - Early Apologists Speak to the 21st Century by Everett Ferguson

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty_Martyrs_of_Sebaste  

- ohiovalleyrestorationresearch.com -- Bruce Daugherty's website 

- therestorationmovement.com -- Scott Harp's website

- "Friends of the Restoration" - Facebook Group

The motto of the Restoration Movement that still persists to this day is, "Speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent".  What is it's origins and its meaning?  We examine that quote and how it has been applied to our interpretation of scripture.

 

An introduction and scope to the podcast exploring Church and Restoration History by Father & Son.  Realizing the blessing of such as study for Preachers and Christians alike recognizing ROOTS, RESOURCES, REALISM, & REMINDERS.