The Gospel Coalition

SESSION 12

SPEAKER: David Dockery, president of Union University

TITLE: “So Many Denominations: The Rise and Decline of Denominationalism… and the Shaping of a Global Evangelicalism” (Audio here)

THE GIST: Dr. Dockery gave a brief history of the rise of denominations, the rise of evangelicalism, and then applied insights to the future of the movement. He advocated partnerships with other Christians while remaining faithful to our particular denominational distinctives.

BRIEF OUTLINE:

A History of Denominationalism

• Early Church (Councils, East & West split)
• Reformation (Denominationalism rooted in dissent of Reformers)
• 1600′s (Expanding denominational differences)
• 1700′s (Awakenings)
• 1800′s (Revivalism and Restorationism)
• 1900′s (Holy Spirit and Sign gifts)

How do we make sense of denominational distinctives?

• Theological differences (Calvinist, Arminian)
• Church polity (congregational, episcopalian, presbyterian)
• Liturgical practices (Lord’s Supper, baptism)
• Sociological perspective (groups are renewal sects)

The Birth of American Evangelicalism

• The changes of the early 20th century led to the rise of liberalism.
• Fundamentalists (some scholarly, others reactionary) rose to challenge the onslaught of liberalism.
• Evangelicals affirmed theological orthodoxy that was not anti-intellectual, other-worldly, or separatist.
• The rise of evangelicalism led to new affinity groups and networks, working around denominational structures.
• Evangelicals participate in “grass-roots ecumenism,” but have not articulated a strong theology of the church.
• In a pluralistic context, denominations rival one another. Geography plays a part.
• Most mainline denominations have lost their way theologically.

Denominationalism and Evangelicalism: Questions about the Future

• Denominations that thrive will maintain firm convictions, while cooperating with other networks.
• We need to think globally, to see what God is doing all around the world. Worldwide Christians live in a context more closely identified with apostolic Christianity.
• Our struggles are not against one another, but against the Enemy of unbelief. Our struggles cause us to lose the mission focus of the church.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

The history of Christianity is best understood as a chain of memory, and we need to connect those chains.

Denominationalism as we know it is primarily an American phenomenon made possible by our freedom. But this development has resulted more in the Americanization of Christianity than the Christianization of America.

Fundamentalists were unable to discern the difference between those who denied the deity of Christ and those who engaged in card-playing.

The shift towards Transdenominational networks is the biggest change since the Reformation.

Most churches are found in rural areas while most people live in urban and suburban areas.

Denominations must have convictions and cooperation, boundaries and bridges, structure and the work of the Spirit.

I’m calling for Gospel commonalities that are more important and that supersede our denominational distinctions.

Let’s move from handwringing to hopefulness.