A revision of the 1972 book by the author without cost in PDF format. This volume addresses the issues and history of the early restoration movement in the United States. Based on Thomas Campbells Declaration and Address.
by Joe Neil Clayton,
author of “The Thunderous Silence of God.”
This new work was undertaken to provide information on the evolution of doctrinal issues involved in the great “falling away” predicted by the Apostle Paul. Though it may cover some events and persons involved in those doctrinal controversies, my purpose for writing this history is not merely to present another factual account. I have based this study on material gleaned from the eight volume “History of the Christian Church” by Philip Schaff (which I think is profitable reading for information on that subject). I have traced the corruption of certain truths revealed by the Holy Spirit to the writers of the New Testament, going beyond Schaff’s account to connect the restoration of those truths partly to the efforts of the 16th Century Reformers, but later to the work of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, and others, in the last two centuries. The first eight chapters briefly introduce the historical development of various errors in doctrine, and their correction in recent events. The final chapters discuss doctrinal matters such as “Bible authority vs. Church authority,” “Finished Revelation vs. Continual Revelation,” “Congregational Indepen- dence Vs. Centralization,” “Free-will vs. Predestination,” “Faith vs. Works,” and “Essentials vs. Non-essentials.” This is done in the framework of the history of Christianity through the centuries. This online treatise is offered in a form for downloading, and is recommended as a supplement to the study of religious history. Enjoy!!! Joe Neil Clayton
author of “The Thunderous Silence of God.”
This new work was undertaken to provide information on the evolution of doctrinal issues involved in the great “falling away” predicted by the Apostle Paul. Though it may cover some events and persons involved in those doctrinal controversies, my purpose for writing this history is not merely to present another factual account. I have based this study on material gleaned from the eight volume “History of the Christian Church” by Philip Schaff (which I think is profitable reading for information on that subject). I have traced the corruption of certain truths revealed by the Holy Spirit to the writers of the New Testament, going beyond Schaff’s account to connect the restoration of those truths partly to the efforts of the 16th Century Reformers, but later to the work of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, and others, in the last two centuries. The first eight chapters briefly introduce the historical development of various errors in doctrine, and their correction in recent events. The final chapters discuss doctrinal matters such as “Bible authority vs. Church authority,” “Finished Revelation vs. Continual Revelation,” “Congregational Indepen- dence Vs. Centralization,” “Free-will vs. Predestination,” “Faith vs. Works,” and “Essentials vs. Non-essentials.” This is done in the framework of the history of Christianity through the centuries. This online treatise is offered in a form for downloading, and is recommended as a supplement to the study of religious history. Enjoy!!! Joe Neil Clayton
By Joe Neil Clayton, author of ‟The Thunderous Silence of God”
The author is trying to establish a reputation for radicalism with this book. He takes American Christians to task for their traditional self-indulgence, and poor stewardship. He makes the case that the ‟broad way that leads to destruction” is being traveled by many American Christians, because of these sins. The storied riches of Americans, in contrast to the rest of the world, has become a snare for American Christians, who have come to believe that they should live on the same self-indulgent level as other Americans. Their attempt to squeeze through the needle’s eye of Jesus parable, in spite of His word of warning to the rich, will bring many American Christians into the Judgment with no defense. If you dare, read this book!
Dealing with issues of today and all of Christianity
There are only a few pure anarchists in the world today, thank the Lord! Hardly anyone operates in this life without a set of rules. But, the rules people respect may have a myriad of sources. All objective codes of conduct must come from authors who have gained the respect of a following, but some people have a subjective source, counting only their own instincts as their rules. They rule themselves. Yet, all rule-followers recognize that it is best to have some kind of law, whether it proceeds from a previously established authority, or it is devised within one's own mind. No matter what the inner or outer source may be, the trouble with all of us is that, though we are not anarchists, we have trouble obeying authority.
There are only a few pure anarchists in the world today, thank the Lord! Hardly anyone operates in this life without a set of rules. But, the rules people respect may have a myriad of sources. All objective codes of conduct must come from authors who have gained the respect of a following, but some people have a subjective source, counting only their own instincts as their rules. They rule themselves. Yet, all rule-followers recognize that it is best to have some kind of law, whether it proceeds from a previously established authority, or it is devised within one's own mind. No matter what the inner or outer source may be, the trouble with all of us is that, though we are not anarchists, we have trouble obeying authority.
All of the Psalms recorded in the Bible are worthy of study, because they were all given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but this abbreviated study is intended to be only an introduction to this section of the "Wisdom Literature." It is designed to show the types of Psalms, and to familiarize us with the content of representative examples of the types. The reader can find much inspiration for proper worship from the Psalms, if he is careful to realize that they relate to the teaching of the Old Testament rather than the New.