~ gracEmail book review ~
Edward Fudge
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THE TRANSFORMING OF A TRADITION: CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM. Edited by Leonard Allen and Lynn Anderson. (New Leaf Press, 2001, paper, 220 pp., $14.95). To order, go to www.leafwoodpublishers.com .

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Profound changes are sweeping Churches of Christ these days, says Leonard Allen's introduction to this stimulating new book. That change involves self-identity and core message, but also worship style, ministry methods and assumptions for interpreting the Bible. Here, 15 younger preachers and church leaders share their thoughts on how best to steer and shape inevitable change so that it can glorify God and also maintain some continuity to these churches' past.

These authors call us to restore New Testament function rather than forms (Tim Woodroof); to recover and to honestly implement the Movement's original nondenominational plea (Rob McRay, Chris Smith); and to reclaim the functional priesthood of all believers (Linda King). They want us to renew the spirit of true worship and not merely to adjust the externals (Randy Gill); to recognize that instrumental music is a biblical non-issue (Milton Jones); and to avoid the temptation to seek "quick fixes" rather than cultivating relationship with Jesus himself (Phil Ware).

They say that we need to overcome fear by accepting the reality of grace (Paul Casner); to read Scripture on its own terms (Dale Pauls); and to learn practical steps for gradually implementing needed change (Rodger Weems). They urge us to shape church life and attitudes by the gospel (Mark Love); to discover relevance through community, beginning with God himself (Kevin Wooten); to move churches from institutional to missional (Grady D. King); and to find passion through encountering God (Buddy Bell). Lynn Anderson concludes by summarizing hopeful signs within Churches of Christ and assuring that God's cause will be victorious.

Each reader will have favorite chapters. I especially appreciated the calls to spiritual renewal by Gill, Ware, Casner, Wooten and Bell. Love's chapter also fits that category as well, but it was more academically-worded than my mind could easily absorb reading late at night.  

My own prescription for renewal and revival in any denomination or nondenomination includes the Christ-centered gospel message of justification by grace through faith, personal conversion and commitment to Christ, and a Spirit-filled life nourished by Bible reading and prayer and manifested in Christian worship, witness and work. For my own analysis of the Churches of Christ -- past, present and future -- see "The Restoration Movement Fulfilled in Jesus Christ" at www.EdwardFudge.com .