The Messenger and the Harbinger

Posted by Chris on April 6, 2008 under Sermons

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

A Tale of Two Journals

• Christian Messenger
  1. Barton Stone, editor
  2. 1826-1845
  3. “Point the way of reformation”
• Millennial Harbinger
  1. Alexander Campbell, editor
  2. 1830-1870
  3. To destroy sectarianism and introduce the Millennium

Stone’s Theology

• Unity through the Spirit
  • “Let unity be our polar star”
  • Four kinds of Union
• Apocalyptic
  • Non-political
  • Kingdom of God
• Holiness

Campbell’s Theology

• Unity
  • Ecumenical
  • Agreement on essentials
• Ancient Gospel and Ancient Order
  • Primitive religion & Rational thought
• Millennium
  • Postmillennial
  • Optimistic of progress and American government

Stone: Premillennialist

• The Kingdom of God will break down and judge every earthly government
• Anti-slavery, non-political, pacifist
• Unity would usher in the millennium

Campbell: Postmillennialist

• Unity and Restoration are means to an end.
• American progress was the dawn of the millennium.
• It connected his complex views on restoration and unity.

The Two Alexander Campbells

• Sectarian vs. Ecumenical
• Debating vs. Cooperative
• Rigid vs. Open
• Primitive vs. Common

The Tension in Campbell’s Theology

• Unity vs. Restoration
  • General faith vs. Orthodox faith
  • Enlightenment (reasonable agreement) vs. Puritanism (purity and exclusion)
• Primitivism vs. Postmillennialism
  • Past vs. Future
  • Regression vs. Progression

Campbell: The Sage of Bethany

• America’s Millennial dreams faded by 1866 [due to Civil War].
• Campbell’s followers, not sharing the millennial hope, began to divide.
• Each side held a place of honor for and laid claim to the legacy of Alexander Campbell.