Christians (Stone Movement)
The Christians (Stone Movement) were a group arising during the
The tradition today is represented in the Churches of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).[1]
Barton Stone
Barton entered the Guilford Academy in
Cane Ridge revival
In 1801, the
Christian Connection
Elias Smith had heard of the Stone movement by 1804, and the O'Kelly movement by 1808.[6]: 190 The three groups merged by 1810.[6]: 190 At that time the combined movement had a membership of approximately 20,000.[6]: 190 This loose fellowship of churches was called by the names "Christian Connection/Connexion" or "Christian Church."[6]: 190 [7]: 68
Characteristics of the Stone movement
The cornerstone for the Stone movement was Christian freedom, which led them to a rejection of all the historical creeds, traditions and theological systems that had developed over time and a focus on a primitive Christianity based on the Bible.[7]: 104, 105
While restoring primitive Christianity was central to the Stone movement, they saw restoring the lifestyle of the early church as essential, and during the early years "focused more . . . on holy and righteous living than on the forms and structures of the early church.[7]: 103 The group did also seek to restore the primitive church.[7]: 104 However, due to concern that emphasizing particular practices could undermine Christian freedom, this effort tended to take the form of rejecting tradition rather than an explicit program of reconstructing New Testament practices.[7]: 104 The emphasis on freedom was strong enough that the movement avoided developing any ecclesiastical traditions, resulting in a movement that was "largely without dogma, form, or structure."[7]: 104, 105 What held "the movement together was a commitment to primitive Christianity."[7]: 105
Another theme was that of hastening the
For the Stone movement, this had less to do with eschatological theories and more about a countercultural commitment to live as if the kingdom of God were already established on earth.[8]: 6, 7 This apocalyptic perspective or world view led many in the Stone movement to adopt pacifism, avoid participating in civil government, and reject violence, militarism, greed, materialism and slavery.[8]: 6
Merger with the Disciples of Christ
The Stone movement was characterized by radical freedom and lack of dogma, while the Campbell movement was characterized by a "systematic and rational reconstruction" of the early church.[7]: 106–108 Despite their differences, the two movements agreed on several critical issues.[7]: 108 Both saw restoring apostolic Christianity as a means of hastening the millennium.[7]: 108 Both also saw restoring the early church as a route to Christian freedom.[7]: 108 And, both believed that unity among Christians could be achieved by using apostolic Christianity as a model.[7]: 108 The commitment of both movements to restoring the early church and to uniting Christians was enough to motivate a union between many in the two movements.[8]: 8, 9
The Stone and Campbell movements merged in 1832.[9]: 28 [10]: 116–120 [11]: 212 [12]: xxi [13]: xxxvii This was formalized at the High Street Meeting House in Lexington, Kentucky with a handshake between Barton W. Stone and "Raccoon" John Smith.[10]: 116–120 Smith had been chosen, by those present, to speak in behalf of the followers of the Campbells.[10]: 116 A preliminary meeting of the two groups was held in late December 1831, culminating with the merger on January 1, 1832.[10]: 116–120 [13]: xxxvii
Two representatives of those assembled were appointed to carry the news of the union to all the churches: John Rogers, for the Christians and "Raccoon" John Smith for the reformers. Despite some challenges, the merger succeeded.[5]: 153–154 Many believed the union held great promise for the future success of the combined movement, and greeted the news enthusiastically.[8]: 9
With the merger, there was the challenge of what to call the new movement. Clearly, finding a Biblical, non-sectarian name was important. Stone wanted to continue to use the name "Christians." Alexander Campbell insisted upon "Disciples of Christ". As a result, both names were used.[5]: 27–28 [14]: 125 The confusion over names has been present ever since.[5]: 27–28
The Stone-Campbell tradition today is represented in the Churches of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).[1]
Notes
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8131-5901-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-89900-909-4, 573 pages
- ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8, 854 pages, entry on "Calvinism"
- ^ Marshall, Robert; Dunlavy, John; M'nemar, Richard; Stone, B. W.; Thompson, John; and Purviance, David (1804). The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8272-1703-4
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8, 854 pages, entry on Christian Connection
- ^ ISBN 0-89112-006-8
- ^ ISBN 978-0-313-23312-8, 345 pages
- ISBN 0-89137-513-9(cloth)
- ^ a b c d Davis, M. M. (1915). How the Disciples Began and Grew, A Short History of the Christian Church, Cincinnati: The Standard Publishing Company
- ^ Garrison, Winfred Earnest and DeGroot, Alfred T. (1948). The Disciples of Christ, A History, St Louis, Missouri: The Bethany Press
- ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8, 854 pages, Introductory section entitled Stone-Campbell History Over Three Centuries: A Survey and Analysis
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8, 854 pages, Introductory Chronology
- ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8, 854 pages, entry on Campbell, Alexander