Not So Great Source

I ran across this transcript today from CNN (comical non-news network). Someone named Nancy Grace did a typical half hearted attempt at reporting and aired a story related to the recent murder of a minister in Selmer, TN . This aired March 27 at 8 PM. T

he story took an odd turn about this murder. Half way through it became a discussion about the Church of Christ. The expert they brought on air to shed light on the Church was a baptist minister named Tom Rukala. This man really 'showed his butt' with his mis-information (this postI'm not talking about the incorrect interpretation Baptists have of scripture).

Rukala says the following:

Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively new church. It was started about 150 years ago by Alexander Campbell (ph). And it`s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of intimidation and pressure tactics. Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively new church. It was started about 150 years ago by Alexander Campbell (ph). And it`s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of intimidation and pressure tactics. They claim that they are the only ones going to heaven, and all other people are condemned to hell.

If this guy knew anything about his topic he would know that the Church of Christ believes that the origin of the church can be found in Acts 2, not 150 years ago. I think what he is referring to is the Restoration Movement that recognized the need to return to the scriptural pattern of the church. Being a member of the Church of Christ I have never seen or felt intimidation or pressure tactics from anyone. Like the early churches each Church of Christ is independent without oversight from a regional, national or other outside organization. Where is the pressure or intimidation coming from. Is it the focus put on the authority and inspiration of the scriptures in the church? If its the scriptures that are intimidating, then who is the intimidator?

I have never heard in a Church of Christ anyone say they are the only ones going to Heaven. Denominationalists try to validate their own existence frequently use this claim. The bible is clear on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles on what is required to be saved. It is not a secret to anyone who has read it.

The idiot continues:

Well, they claim that if you’re not baptized by one of their ministers, that
you’re doomed to hell, even if you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, which, of
course, breaks completely from the traditional Christian view that all those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved because we`re saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. For the Church of Christ folks, that`s not enough. You have to be a member of their narrow sect. It`s a very exclusive group. And if you`re not a member of their sect, you’re condemned.

There is not a biblical basis for anyone to be baptized by a minister, I have never heard this claim before. As for baptism, I recall, on Pentecost with the Jews asked “What should we do?” Peter gave them an answer, and it wasn’t “call upon the name of the Lord” to be saved. I seem to recall a parable addressing this in Matthew 22.

He claims the church of Christ instead of Jesus, Paul, and Peter set this standard. Is it odd that a ‘baptist’ is against baptism?

The 'narrow sect' he describes has over 15,000 autonomous congregations and over 2 million members. The only condemnation I have found in the church is condemnation of sin. Maybe that is why the local minister of the 3000 plus member Baptist church actually claims his success is due to the fact that he doesn’t talk about sin. Without condemnation of sin you don’t have anything to save people from.

It kind of is a borderline cult, unfortunately. I don`t want to make it out to
be some kind of Hare Krishna group, but it has cult-like characteristics

What are the cult-like characteristics? He doesn’t say. The Romans and Jews in the first century called the church a cult as well. Does a denomination that is ruled by boards, conventions, or popes have cult like characteristics worse than a local autonomous congregation?

At least in this case the reporter actually confessed she couldn’t do her job properly when she introduced the Baptist.

I want to go to pastor Tom Rukala, joining us tonight, a special guest, a Baptist minister. I`ve been researching the Church of Christ. I don`t know that much about it.

Finally, honesty in journalism.