Jacob Ramsey
Reporter
November 12, 2004
Dr. Henry Webb, professor emeritus of church history at Milligan College, began the Henry and Emerald Webb “In Search of Christian Unity” lecture series Tuesday during convocation with his lecture “The Historical Significance of the Scriptures for the Restoration Movement.” Dr. Robert Hull, dean and professor of New Testament at Emmanuel School of Religion, followed up on Webb’s lecture during chapel Thursday with a lecture on “The Importance of Scriptures in the Christian Churches Today.”
The lecture series stressed the importance of unity among Christians, and stated that, from the beginning of the Restoration Movement to today, the Christian churches have sought to unify Christians by claiming Scripture as the solitary authority.
“The Bible is a force that binds God’s people together,” said Webb.
Webb related the importance for unity in the church to John 17:23 where Jesus prays for unity among his disciples: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved me before the creation of the world.”
“We live today in a denominational jungle,” said Webb.
Webb described how unification began in the Christian church by telling a story about a massive, multi-denominational church revival that started the restoration movement. By the end of the 10 day revival, denominational walls were nowhere to be found.
“They all were aware of the fact they were Christians,” said Webb. “Down beneath denominations there was a foundation of unity.”
The common acceptance of the Bible as authority unified Christians around 200 years ago, but Dr. Hull asked the question, “Does the Bible still matter to us as it ought to?”
Hull began his lecture by rejecting what he called “static models” of how we view the Bible today. In these models the Bible functions either as a creed, a constitution or a “cultic object.”
Instead, Hull offered that Christians should be viewed as a book of stories and narratives that tell of God’s love for us and the good news. Hull also described this model as a musical piece “made real through the actual performance.”
“We may not all be the most talented of musicians. We all hit sour notes. But we are invited to play anyhow in God’s orchestra.”