Those who have read this paper and others for which I have written know that I have not hesitated to point out things that I believe harmful to the Lord’s cause. There are a lot of discouraging things going on among brethren – even among some with whom I have had close association. It seems that with each passing year new issues come to the front. Regularly I receive discouraging news about some brother in whom I have had the utmost of confidence. I am not of the disposition to just sit by in silence while brethren teach or practice things that diminishes the church’s influence – and could endanger their souls and those whom they may influence.

All of this may cause some to think that I am just a pessimistic old preacher who somehow manages to inject a pessimistic word into his every utterance. In fact, in spite of all the negative things going on, I am optimistic about the future of the church for the following reasons:

The lessons of history. God’s people have always gone through periodic periods of crisis in both the Old and New Testaments. In most cases the majority has been swept away from the Lord, with few returning.
It happened to Israel more than once. It has happened to the church as well. But in each case, all was not lost. A remnant always emerged to preserve the practice of the Lord’s way. The majority (10 of 12 tribes) of Israel followed Jereboam into apostasy. The southern tribes, remained for a while as that remnant. Then they were carried into captivity because of their wide-spread departure from the Lord’s way. A remnant was saved and returned to their land, remaining there until God’s ultimate destruction of the nation after it had served its purpose.

It happened to the church. Shortly after the death of the Apostles, events were set in motion that ultimately swept most into Romanism. But, through the reformation and “restoration movement” a remnant again emerged. Then after the “restoration movement,” the society/instrument “digression” swept away most of those who had been calling for the old paths. But, alas, a remnant that did not go along with these things emerged and grew. Then after WWII, another crisis over church support of institutions resulted in a majority going “institutional.” A remnant again emerged content to do the Lord’s work without the addition of human institutions.

The power of God. I believe that emergence of a faithful remnant in each case is the result of God’s providence. I believe that if we will keep “planting and watering” with God’s word that God will in his time give the increase (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6). I believe there will be those faithful Christians who are alive when the Lord returns again (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13ff). So, in spite of the things that I often criticize, I do not believe that New Testament Christianity is about to perish from the earth – but to the contrary.

Dedicated young Christians. I am becoming more and more impressed daily with the spirituality of many younger Christians, as I get to know them better. Add them to the older dedicated Christians I know that are more interested in pleasing God than men, then you have a sizeable faithful remnant. I know many young men whose aim is to preach the gospel and are willing to preach wherever the opportunity is, even if they have to “work for a living” to do it. Many of our young men and women go to great lengths to seek out an opportunity to get with others just to study the Bible. They are not too proud to seek out the advice of older Christians, taking advantage of their experience and knowledge. Nor are they bashful about asking for “book, chapter, and verse” authority for what is practiced religiously. You often see groups of them at gospel meetings where they know the Bible will be preached when they could be any number of other places.
Yes, there will always be corrections that need to be made even among the best of Christians. Still my overall and long term outlook for the church is optimistic.
edbragwell@gmail.com