For the past decade or so I have been drifting away from my CofC roots into something else. Theologically, my exodus from the Churches of Christ was initially sparked by two books by C. Leonard Allen: The Worldly Church and The Cruciform Church (ACU Press) way back in 1991. Practically, my exodus started with a book by Francis Schaeffer: The God Who Is There. By the time I finished his complete works I was in the wilderness, in between two worlds.
It’s a long and boring story, but here are the stages (so far):
First, I started thinking “worldviewishly” because I wanted to understand the “universe next door” through the lens of divine revelation.
Second, I became more evangelical and less sectarian. God opened the eyes of my heart to the gospel of grace and showed me that Christ alone–not the “Church of Christ” or any other church for that matter–is the only true identity and boundary marker.
Third, I started reading the Bible differently. I went from reading semi-scriptura (NT only) to reading tota scriptura (OT + NT). “All Scripture is God-breathed” (not just selected sections of the Book of Acts, Romans 1-8, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 3). In a nutshell, I have shifted to a redemptive-historical reading and covenantal understanding of the Holy Scriptures.
Fourth, I embraced the basic tenets of Reformed Theology. It was a process that happened over a period of time, but it started with the truth of monergistic regeneration (God works alone to cause new birth without our permission, decision, or participation). Also, the confessions, creeds, and catechisms of the historic Christian church have helped immensely in my spiritual formation. (Yes, I see Calvin as my friend, not my foe.)
Fifth, I believe that Reformed Theology provides an accurate, coherent, and robust description of the Christian faith, but I do not believe Reformed Theology is enough. It is not the end, but a means to an end which is the glorify of God in the face of Christ Jesus. Life, the universe, and everything is Christogenic (from Christ), Christocentric (on Christ), and Christotelic (for Christ). “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
Finally, like many others, I am walking through the wasteland and find myself somewhere between exile and paradise. The manna is good and the water is refreshing.




