The United States has a rich religious history consisting of four "Great Awakenings." These Great Awakenings were periods of heightened spiritual activity leading individuals to reevaluate particular aspects of Christianity. Arising out of the Second Great Awakening (1790-1840) would be a new, revolutionary way of viewing Christianity known as the Restoration Movement. Well, I should say this movement was new to Americans, the world, and denominationalists. But in all actuality the objective and focus of the Restoration Movement was to restore the church. It was a call to eliminate any denominational or extra-biblical creeds and revert to New Testament Christianity. To "stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 16:6). [Barton Stone, right insert]
How the Restoration Movement began was very unique. It started around the same time (early 1800's), but by two people (Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone) apart from each other (Kentucky and Pennsylvania). Both men were raised into denominations; both men would eventually fight denominationalism and revive God's church. [Alexander Campbell, below]
How the Restoration Movement began was very unique. It started around the same time (early 1800's), but by two people (Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone) apart from each other (Kentucky and Pennsylvania). Both men were raised into denominations; both men would eventually fight denominationalism and revive God's church. [Alexander Campbell, below]
Campbell and Stone would start the Restoration Movement, but many other men would fight diligently for this cause. Men such as Marshall Keeble, Joe Warlick, A.G. Freed, N.B. Hardeman, and David Lipscomb would spend their lives debating denominationalists, conducting gospel meetings, and converting thousands to the Lord's church. It is noteworthy to know they did not debate to puff themselves up, but to teach truth and save the lost. We as Christians today can be thankful for their efforts in which they poured their hearts and lives into.
Now here is a thought. The Restoration Movement started in the early 1800's, but when did it end? Was it ever intended to end? Are we still fighting for the cause of Christ in the same manner and intensity as the Restorationists, or do we think they finished the task? Did they reach a certain pinnacle of success that would mandate a final date for this movement? Or was there more work to be done? Consider the words of Solomon:
"I hated all the fruits of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored under the sun. This too is vanity. When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, then he leaves his legacy to one who has not labored with him, this too is vanity and a great evil" (Ecclesiastes 2:18-21).
Solomon has some very strong feelings for what he is describing as vanity. He is obviously frustrated that he has worked so hard, but for what? For someone to follow him and interrupt his progress? Or even worse, and neglect his work altogether? Now I am not saying there is any vanity in the fact of thousands being saved. My emphasis is on the idea that we would be performing an enormous injustice to our Lord and to those who have labored for His church if we assumed and acted as if the Restoration Movement was completed.
We often refer to the Restoration Movement as being something from the past, but we should never refer to it as being a completed mission. We will learn much about this movement in our "Church History" class at Bear Valley. But our mindset should be that the Restoration Movement does not just exist in the past, but in the present and future. Denominationalism is still dominant in the religious landscape. Apathy and indifference seem to be growing in God's church more than the number of Christians in God's church. We need to reinvigorate and remotivate Christians to be "walking Bibles" again. As preachers, we must continue the efforts started by Campbell and Stone, which are the same efforts started by Peter and the rest of the apostles on that memorable day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2.
Is the Restoration Movement still a movement? It has to be, there is too much work to be done. God will determine when it is over.
