Why I Love the Restoration Movement

I love the Restoration Movement. In my travels representing the CRA, the topic of our movement surfaces frequently. Those familiar with our history ask my opinion as to how we are doing and what the future looks like. More often, however, I encounter individuals with no knowledge of the Restoration Movement (RM). I thoroughly enjoy discussing who we are and what we are trying to accomplish. 

My introduction to the RM came in the fall of 1999. At the time, my wife and I were regular attendees at the Sunday morning chapel service at Langley Air Force Base. I grew up attending a denominational church and became disillusioned with them. Having a strong desire to “go to church,” yet not sure where to go, we settled on the chapel service at Langley AFB. 

That October, one of the most consequential moments of my life occurred: we were invited to the Northampton Church of Christ. The minister, Mike Kjergaard, called on Renee and me multiple times, explaining in detail the principles and lofty ideals of the movement. To say this resonated with me would be a gross understatement. I was completely captured by the concepts presented. Ultimately, we were baptized into Christ the following January. 

Purpose 

I like the way James B. North, in his marvelous book Union in Truth, summarizes our movement. “The Restoration Movement is built upon two key concerns: the concern for the unity of all Christians in the one body of Christ, and the concern for the Bible as the only authority for the faith and practice of Christians. Everything that happens within the Restoration Movement is the direct result of one or both of these twin concerns.” 

Our movement is driven by a desire to restore the church as founded by the Lord. This goal to restore apostolic Christianity, free from denominational divisions and chaos, built upon the authoritative words of the apostles and prophets as found in the New Testament Scriptures, is refreshing. 

Principles 

The Bible is our only rule of faith and practice. In my opinion, this simple, yet profound, statement is the bedrock of the movement. The early RM leaders were immersed in a religious environment saturated with denominational creeds and confessions. In their efforts to restore apostolic Christianity, they quickly adopted a position of simply taking the Bible at its word. What the Bible said to do, they would do. What the Bible called things, they would call things. The Bible, and the Bible alone, would determine what they believed and how they put those beliefs into action. When they realized that the Bible commands baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), then they resolved to baptize for the forgiveness of sins, rather than argue with or reject the clear teaching of Scripture. 

Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent. Our approach to life and ministry is summed up nicely in those words of Thomas Campbell. When Campbell exclaimed this principle that summer evening of 1809 in the home of Abraham Altars, I’m convinced he had no idea what he had unleashed. Calling Bible concepts by Bible names, following Bible precepts as apostolically prescribed, and abandoning opinions as tests of fellowship is a recipe for the Christian unity for which the early movement leaders labored. 

People 

I admire the early RM leaders, especially Racoon John Smith. Almost all these men were denominational preachers steeped in Calvinism. As they resolved to allow the Bible to be their only rule of faith and practice and thus examined each tenet of their creeds and confessions by the light of God’s Word, they slowly abandoned the denominations and accompanying beliefs and embraced simply New Testament Christianity. 

It’s not just the heroes of the past I admire. There are many contemporary men (and women) laboring to advance the ideals of the RM. I’m eternally grateful to George Faull, his vision to start Summit Theological Seminary, and the myriads of Bible lessons I learned from him. Anyone who has the privilege to hear brother Jim Book preach the Word departs energized, motivated, and determined to boldly keep serving the Lord. As the writer of Hebrews says, “time would fail me to tell” of the numerous men and women serving faithfully to advance the RM plea. 

This month we host our biennial CRA Bible Conference. This year’s theme is appropriately Rekindle the Restoration. The conference will focus on the impactful history of the Restoration Movement, emphasizing the continuing relevance. We will seek to rekindle the restoration by renewing our commitment to the founding principles and vision. See page xx in this month’s Restoration Herald for more information. 

We are the heirs of a noble movement. Let’s resolve to serve our Lord faithfully, doing all we can to advance the cause of New Testament Christianity.