Category Archives: Command, Example and Necessary Inference

The Law of Liberty

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Mark Williams

Frank replied to Biblical Authority for Acapella Music: “God clearly teaches that disciples must be students of Scripture (Ja 1:25, Jn 8:31-32).” I am amazed (yet not amazed) that Frank would use James 1:25 to prove that there is a … Continue reading →

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Looking for Commands not Commanded

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Mark Williams

Frank wrote in response to “Cutting off the Roast”: “…Each of us is our own individual restoration movement in learning and applying God’s Word. Any of us can be sincerely mistaken, so it depends on how objectively and honestly and … Continue reading →

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Biblical Authority for Acapella Singing

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Mark Williams

Frank wrote about Cutting the Roast off: “Your article about opposition to instrumental music in church worship merely being “traditional” is simply wrong and superficially written. I have found that those who get emotionally “burned out” in a conservative approach … Continue reading →

Posted in Command, Example and Necessary Inference, Instrumental Music | Tagged , , , , | 103 Comments

Cutting the End of the Roast off Before you Cook It

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Mark Williams

Someone was asked why she always cut the end of her roast off before cooking it, and was told, “That’s the way my mother cooks it.” When the mother was asked she said, “That’s the way your grandmother cooked it.” … Continue reading →

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Unauthorized Christian Colleges and Magazines

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Mark Williams

The Churches of Christ have long had a dilemma, ever since they adopted the restrictive example rule. The restrictive example goes something like: If you can’t find an example of it in the bible it is not authorized by God. … Continue reading →

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Withdrawing from those who refuse to be Safe

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Mark Williams

In my previous blog I said the main argument for binding a capella music on the congregation in Churches of Christ is: To Be Safe. A safe person will respect that God has given authorization for all acceptable worship in … Continue reading →

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To Be Safe we can’t use Instrumental Music

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Mark Williams

I remember when I started to realize that one of the doctrines derived from binding New Testament examples, or binding examples of the absence of something (instrumental music), was ridiculous. I started to talk about it with my friends in … Continue reading →

Posted in Command, Example and Necessary Inference, Instrumental Music | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Command, Example and Necessary Inference

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Mark Williams

Hard line churches of Christ have long distinguished themselves from other Christian groups by their practice of acappella singing (no instruments of music) and the Lord’s Supper (communion, eucharist) every Sunday. Hard line Churches of Christ have also split over … Continue reading →

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House of Cards

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Mark Williams

So many churches are built around listening to a judgemental preacher with low self-esteem preach every Sunday for 35 to 55 minutes (the longer the sermon, the lower the self-esteem). Continue reading →

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Are Examples in the New Testament binding on us today?

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Mark Williams

For them it is not illogical for Jesus to institute the Lord’s Supper on a Thursday in the Old Testament era (before the cross), and then to punish anyone for taking the Lord’s Supper on a Thursday after the cross. Continue reading →

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