New Testament Christians have long argued that denominational creeds are to be rejected. No group, whether it be a paper, college, or otherwise, has a right to set forth universally binding doctrines. No man or group can delineate the beliefs of others. To try to do so is, as Ben Franklin well-noted, to make “two wicked assumptions”:

1. That the law of God, as set forth in the Bible, is not sufficient — is a failure.

2. That the insufficiency or failure can be remedied by weak, erring, and uninspired men.

To think that uninspired men can lay out the beliefs for a universal group is incredible. But this does not stop some from trying to do just that. Whether in the form of questionnaires or open petition letters, creedal documents and concepts corrupt the purity of God’s people.

The article of incorporation for the Gospel Guardian Foundation (1958) included the following purpose statement:

“To promote New Testament Christianity by various means, including the publication of papers and tracts pertaining only to and in support of religion, setting forth the tenets of the Churches of Christ, and to make available to the Churches of Christ everywhere religious literature with which to disseminate New Testament teachings ...”

While there is no problem with the publication of papers and tracts, I find it quite presumptuous to say that a man-made foundation will set forth the tenets of the Churches of Christ. This is something only God's word itself can do. It is another way of saying, “we will put out the creed for the Churches of Christ.” A tenet is any doctrine or principle held to be true by a person or organization. We do all have tenets; but who has a right to express tenets for anyone else? Who appointed them to set forth the doctrine for the Churches of Christ? If they wish to set forth their own teachings and fruits of their own studies, no one would fuss about that. If others happen to agree, that is fine. But to indicate that the doctrine one is putting forth is to be representative of all churches is take upon oneself that which is without authority (unless they are apostles!).

When I teach something, I can only represent my own beliefs and doctrine. I do my best to see that what I believe and teach comes from the Bible (cf. 1 Pet. 4:11). But I cannot set forth universal tenets with the expectation that churches everywhere agree with me. I do not have that authority.

Wherever the creedal beast rears its ugly head, we must kill it or be eaten alive by it. I fear for the latter result.

Doy Moyer