Introduction:
Note:
This is not an
exhaustive study of every nuance of every argument made for or against the
concept of institutionalism. What we
will be doing is pulling the most compelling arguments made for
institutionalism, treating them as fairly and unbiased as possible, then
answering them from the Scriptures.
What
Is Institutionalism?
While many Christians
have heard the term, they don’t fully understand what “Institutionalism”
actually is or what it involves. As
Cecil Willis pointed out as far back as 1960[1], many Christians know that
they should object to
institutionalism, but they don’t know why
because they don’t know what it really is.
Institutionalism is the doctrine and/or practice of the church
sponsoring (financially supporting) an institution that carries out a
particular work of the church (that is deemed “worthy” of support). For instance, this includes the financial
support of institutions that perform missionary functions, orphan’s homes,
nursing homes, and schools/colleges.
These things can’t be bad, can
they? They seem to have pretty good intentions!
We
Will Assume the Audience Believes the Following:
·
That
the Bible is the Inspired Word of God
·
That
God Revealed His Will to Man
·
That
the Inspired Authors Have Authority Granted by God
·
That
God Intends for Us to Follow His Word
·
John
14:25-26; Acts 1:1-2; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Corinthians 4:16-17, etc.
What
the Issue is Not:
·
Not
About Whether or Not Orphans Should be Cared for
·
Not
About Who Was or Was Not Caring/Loving
·
Not
About Whether the World Should Be Evangelized or Not
·
Not
About Who Is and Who Is Not Being Hypocritical
·
Not
About a Lack of Intelligence
What
the Issue Is:
·
What
Does the Bible Say?
·
What
is the Scriptural Pattern in These Areas?
·
Are
We Following the Pattern?
[1]
Cecil Willis, “Reasons Why Some Brethren Object to the Missionary Society,” The Gospel Guardian, 12, no. 11 (July
1960): 6-7, 14.
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