Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: August 19, 2007
IS THE SULLIVAN CHURCH OF CHRIST TOO STRICT?
Ben Justice
It has been reported that the Sullivan congregation is “too strict.” Of course,
such a one is not a member of this congregation but another congregation. A
couple of years ago, it was reported by one not a member of this congregation but
another that the Sullivan congregation has too many rules. Whenever such
statements are made, they ought to be challenged.
The word “strict” has several different connotations in the English language. The
dictionary gives the following definitions: (1) Precise; exact. (2) Complete;
absolute. (3) Kept within narrow limits. (4) Imposing an exacting discipline. (5)
Rigorous; stringent. I seriously doubt the one who charged that the Sullivan
congregation is too strict had in mind the first two definitions. Obviously, when
they said that the Sullivan congregation was too strict they had in mind
elements of definitions 3, 4, & 5. Again, they ought to be challenged to explain
what they mean. In applying definitions 3, 4, & 5 we would ask the following
questions:
1.) How is the Sullivan congregation “kept within narrow limits?” Is the one
making the charge appealing to the Scriptures? Does the Sullivan congregation
seek to bind things upon the members that are not taught in the Scriptures? If
so, what is it? Let’s have the scriptural proof.
It should be pointed out that “narrow limits” are taught in the Scriptures. Truth
is narrow, and Jesus said that we must walk the narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14).
2.) How is the Sullivan congregation “imposing an exacting discipline?” As a
matter of fact, “imposing an exacting discipline” is what the Scriptures teach.
Shall we impose an “unexacting discipline?” The only discipline that is imposed
upon the members of the Sullivan congregation is the teachings of the Word of
God. Is there a violation of the scriptures that we are not aware of? If so, then
the one saying the Sullivan congregation is too strict needs to produce the
evidence.
3.) How is the Sullivan congregation “rigorous and stringent?” We only seek to
be as “rigorous and stringent” as the Scriptures are. Christianity is rigorous and
stringent. Christ demands that we have Bible authority for all that we teach and
practice (Col. 3:17).
The fact is, the Sullivan congregation seeks to do all things by the authority of
the scriptures. Hence, the caption that reads “Where God’s Word is the Final
Authority” is on the front of every bulletin. By what standard do those making
such a charge of being too strict use? The challenge is issued to all those who
would thus brand the Sullivan congregation as “too strict” to appeal to the true
and only standard and that is the Scriptures. Sadly, many want to use human
subjectivism and feelings as the standard. Many appeal to what their
congregation does or does not do.
The Sullivan congregation is not afraid of the truth. If we are in error, then we
want to be shown our error so as to repent and make correction. Our goal is to
do all things only as they are authorized by the Christ. If practicing church
discipline, upholding God’s laws on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and
exposing error within and without the church makes us too strict, then so be it.
If exposing and withdrawing fellowship from congregations who have left the faith
makes us too strict, then so be it. We are here to please God — not men (Gal. 1:
10), and if pleasing God in all that we do makes us too strict, then that is way it
has to be. Compromise is simply not an option. Unfortunately, it is with too
many in the body of Christ today. May God help us all to stand for the truth and
only the truth! One day, we shall all be judged by the truth of God’s word (John
12:48; Rom. 2:2). We need to remember what Jesus said to every one of the
seven churches of Asia: “I know thy works” (Rev. 2-3). The Lord knows what the
Sullivan congregation is doing and not doing.
Is the Sullivan congregation too strict? Those who so charge must be challenged
and made to defend their accusation according to the Scriptures. The Bible
commands us to “prove all things” (I Thess. 5:21), and those who make charges
must prove it by the Scriptures. The Sullivan congregation invites just criticism,
but let us all remember that God’s Word must always be the only basis for that
criticism. Some people just want to talk and reason subjectively. We have no
time for such!