Volume 21, Issue 50 (December 15, 2019)
Summary of the Burleson-Pope Discussion on Institutionalism and Expediency
By David Halbrook
On November 15, 2019 in Dickson, Tennessee at
Freed-Hardeman University’s Renaissance Center, Kyle Pope and Doug
Burleson met for a public conversation. This was not formatted in the style of
a typical debate, but instead like a living room meeting, where both sides
could ask a question, receive an immediate answer, ask follow-up questions, and
offer/request clarifications.
This summary of that discussion will naturally not include
many points and counter-points. Please view the entire
discussion online at the website of the Olsen Park church of Christ
(http://olsenpark.com/Video/Burleson-Pope-Discussion.mp4).
Introduction
(9:49)
Both men began by expressing appreciation for every effort
involved in the process that produced this meeting. They also expressed mutual
respect and desire for unity. Among his introductory remarks, Kyle commented
that while we cannot ignore differences, our conduct in working through them
must be “as brothers,” citing 2 Thessalonians 3:15. Doug stated that he
received some negative feedback about this discussion, being urged in one email
not to “tear down fences we built,” but he explained his desire for brethren to
understand whether we must live in “parallel universes,” teaching and doing
many of the same things but never together. Doug emphasized the importance of
understanding whether this controversy and division are primarily due to
modernization or the will of the Lord.
Individual Benevolence (23:00)
Doug began by asking what kind of individual benevolent
work is being done by non-institutional brethren. Kyle described how the needs
of strangers who visit the assembly and request help are met. After some assessment
of the request and need, various individuals volunteer to help. Also, Sacred
Selections helps to meet the needs of orphans. Regarding the church’s work,
Kyle contrasted Acts 11:28-30 and Philippians 4:14-16, showing churches
relieving the benevolent needs of other churches by delivering funds to the
hands of the elders while the needs of evangelists were met by sending funds to
the evangelist, not to the elders. Doug then asked whether the practices of
fasting, laying on of hands, confession of Christ in the water, and eating the
Lord’s Supper in the evening are also binding or whether the principle of
cultural context proves them to be permitted but not binding (Acts 13:3; 14:23;
8:35-39; 20:6).
Treasury (31:25)
Doug then focused on the treasury, asking what passages
govern its formation and use. Kyle submitted 1 Corinthians 16:2 as identifying
one purpose for the funds collected on the first day of the week. He added 2
Corinthians 8:4; 1 Corinthians 9:1; and Romans 15:26 to identify the link
between “fellowship” and the funds collected or distributed. Regarding the use
of the funds, he pointed to the principle that any command that is given to the
church authorizes the church to use funds for that purpose.
Christians and Churches (35:48)
Discussion of the treasury led to a more general
discussion of “What defines the [local] church’s work?”. Doug expressed that
the difference between Sacred Selections (SS), Florida College (FC),
and Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) is “cloudy” because he saw no
significance in “who” money is given through, as long as each church remains
autonomous in its giving. Then he asked Kyle for an example of a missionary
society. Kyle identified any institution that solicits money from churches as a
missionary society, which also identified the primary distinction between SS,
FC, and FHU.
After a brief question and answer regarding the principles involved in other divisions (no Bible class,
“one cup,” etc.), Doug asked “Don’t y’all have
institutions too?,” allowing Kyle to again clarify
that they are all separated from the churches.
Principles of Benevolence (53:03)
Kyle asked Doug to define how authority is known in any
matter. Doug pointed to Bible examples and declarative statements in the area
of benevolence, starting with Galatians 6:10. He explained that the focus is on
the saints but not to the exclusion of non-saints. He added that we must
understand the historical context, theological context, literary context,
genre, etc., as well as our “Post-Enlightenment” view of individualism, which
was not shared in Galatia. While acknowledging that there are some things the
corporate body can do that an individual cannot do, Doug said division on this
topic not only involves authority but also is about 20th century
Americanism, requiring us to consider Paul’s intent in what he wrote. Without
these considerations, he believes we view our church buildings, money, and
social activities in a way that is far more restrictive than Paul did. Based on
their agreement that the distinction between the corporate body and the
individual is not merely cultural, Kyle identified the failure to let Scripture
define that difference as one of the causes of division.
This led to a more detailed discussion of Galatians 6:10.
Doug asked several questions related to the culture and problems in Galatia
prompting Paul to write to the churches. Kyle noted that the problems described
affected many churches but some problems were
individual (not congregational) in nature, such as the practice of circumcision.
Doug pointed to the way Paul addressed the Galatian saints
in 6:1, 6, 9, and 11 as evidence of a congregational application of all that is
said, including verse 10. Kyle said verse 10 could either be a statement
identifying individual responsibility or was to be applied distributively,
describing the general conduct of all Christians. I encourage you to view this
section of the video.
Then Doug asked how restrictive 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
is--may the funds thus collected only be used for disaster relief? Kyle
identified this passage as identifying how and when churches collect funds, and
that other passages show how churches use what they have. Doug said that
position is difficult to sustain being based simply on two verses in 1
Corinthians 16. For example, should a church accept a widow’s estate if it is
officially turned over to the church on a Tuesday? Kyle acknowledged there are
difficult circumstances but that does not change the original plan, adding that
some people would say the practice of only singing (not playing) songs to God
is based on two passages. Doug said “That’s
different.” Kyle said “I don’t think so.”
The Treasury and Fellowship
(1:13:04)
In Kyle’s observation, Galatians 6:10 and James 1:27 have
become “gridlock” passages, often ending this discussion. So
he asked how Doug explained the consistent use of the term “saints” in
connection with the purpose of the collection and how the treasury, being
frequently associated with koinonia (fellowship), could be offered to
non-saints since fellowship with non-saints is forbidden. Doug stated that 2
Corinthians 6:14ff, being very individualistic in nature, must be considered
alongside 1 Corinthians 5:11 where we are told we must associate with the
world. Thus he concluded that koinōnia
is not always financial. Additionally, he noted that other passages include
love, prayer, and service as fellowship. He then asked whether love, prayers,
and service must also be withheld from non-saints. Kyle stated that other
passages expand on love, prayer, and service for non-saints, but none do so
regarding the church’s funds.
The Church, the Individual, and Our
Identity in Christ (1:23:38)
Kyle returned to the difference between the church and
individual, as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 11:18; 14:28, 34-35. Doug
acknowledged that such differences exist but asked, due to our ongoing identity
in Christ, how we can limit our benevolence since Jesus never did. Kyle stated
that Jesus’ unlimited benevolence was as an individual. Kyle added that the
limits of Jesus as our pattern is illustrated in the fact that Jesus followed
the old law, requiring discernment in our appeals to His example.
Doug expanded on the Christian’s ongoing identity in
Jesus, adding that Christ in us means the kingdom of God is always in us (Luke
17:21). Believing this, and that benevolence is tied to evangelism, he finds it
hard to believe that the body of Christ cannot corporately serve the way Christ
served. Kyle identified this as a false comparison because Jesus did this work
individually and at times even turned people away (John 6), warning that
shifting the church’s work beyond Scripture, shifts its purpose. Doug said this
does not align with Jesus’ ethics or practices, which included benevolence to
children (Mark 9-10). As this discussion ended, Kyle stated that being
acceptable to God means doing what we read in Scripture, following the examples
given there. Doug replied that Jesus is our approved example.
Institutions
(1:40:00)
Doug transitioned to the topic of institutions by asking
whether there are any circumstances in which an unbaptized person could benefit
from church funds, such as an unbelieving spouse married to a Christian or
children. Kyle clarified this as a reference to benevolence, stating that the
general New Testament teaching about the care of saints may incidentally
involve unbelievers who are in the same household as believers. He then asked
how this proves the church may fund another institution.
Doug pointed out the similarities between FC and FHU
and asked Kyle to explain the differences, adding that the claim there is no
relationship between the college and church is difficult to maintain. Kyle
returned to the distinction between acting as a church and actions which do not
represent the church, noting that there are no “church-affiliated institutions”
in Scripture. Doug agreed that there are no “church of Christ institutions,”
and added that the primary difference between he and Kyle is that he uses money
from the treasury for these institutions and Kyle uses money that is not from
the treasury. As a result, Doug concluded that, in the end, we are all
supporting institutions. Their discussion is summarized by these questions:
Kyle asked “Is everything we do as individuals, acting as a church?,”
and Doug asked “When am I not representing the church of our Lord?”.
Kyle stated that if we are going to be united, we must
figure these things out. I believe Doug would fully agree.
Closing Remarks (1:53:06)
Both brothers expressed mutual love and desire for unity.
Doug urged us all to do better in that effort. Kyle optimistically noted that
though we disagree about where there is a pattern, at least we agree that there
is a pattern. The evening concluded with prayer by our brother Greg Tidwell.
Of course, there were many other Scriptures and points
made that are not included in this summary. I have no doubt that I left out
some things that both men would want you to hear. Whatever your convictions are
on these topics, I hope this summary and their discussion will be occasions for
us to exercise our senses to discern both good and evil (Heb.5:12-13).
EDITOR’S
NOTE: David
Halbrook preaches in Fairbanks, Alaska. Olsen Park has fellowship with David in
helping with some of his support. David invited two institutional preachers to
watch this discussion with him and recently sent us this summary. The elders
asked me to print it in this week’s bulletin. |