Illustrated by a current

change.org online

petition

Antipathy Towards

Autonomy

Petitioning All Current and FormerChurches of Christ College Students

Urge Churches of Christ Colleges to Reject Islamophobia

Current and former students of Abilene Christian University, Faulkner University, Freed-Hardeman University, Harding University, Lipscomb University, Lubbock Christian University, Oklahoma Christian University, Pepperdine University, Rochester College, Southwestern Christian College, York College, and the many additional post-secondary institutions of higher education affiliated with the Churches of Christ are united in our rejection of the degraded public debate about the status of our Muslim neighbors.

(current change.org petition)

Issues to address re: the petition

• Improper use of and association of the term “church of Christ”

(Acts 11:26; Romans 16:16)

Issues to address re: the petition

• Improper use of and association of the term “church of Christ”

(Acts 11:26; Romans 16:16)• Improper affiliation of the Lord’s church

with human institutions(Acts 20:28)

Issues to address re: the petition

• Improper use of and association of the term “church of Christ”

(Acts 11:26; Romans 16:16)• Improper affiliation of the Lord’s church

with human institutions(Acts 20:28)

• Improper antipathy towards the autonomy of the local church(Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

The phrase is not an

adjective!

Improper use of the term “church

of Christ”

Improper use of “church of Christ”

“Church of Christ college students” (title, petition)“Urge Church of Christ colleges…” (title, petition)“…congregations of the Churches of Christ” (petition)“I hope all fellow CofC alums will sign and share” (comment)“I’m not from the Church of Christ denomination, but as a fellow disciple I was moved by this call to imitate Christ.” (comment)“As a life-long member of the Churches of Christ…” (comment)“Our Church of Christ colleges should not…” (comment)

The Lord’s church is unique, and thoroughly equipped to do the work God

intended for it to do.

Improper affiliation of the church of

Christwith human institutions

Improper affiliations

“Urge Church of Christ colleges…” (title, petition)“…the many additional post-secondary institutions of higher education affiliated with the Churches of Christ” (petition)“We ask that our colleges pray…” (petition)“I hope that all fellow CofC alums will sign and share.” (comment)“Our Church of Christ colleges should not stand in alignment with hatred and intolerance…” (comment)“As an alum of Pepperdine University, I am hopeful that Pepperdine will use its influence among Churches of Christ to encourage…” (comment)

Bigger is NOT better.

Consolidation is a rejection of God’s

will.

Improper antipathy towards church

autonomy

Antipathy Towards Autonomy - 1

“Since no denominational body exists to articulate policy on behalf of the congregations of the Churches of Christ, it is incumbent on leadership in individual churches and in the various colleges and ministries of the church to coordinate with one another in creative ways to express the shared concerns of the congregations. We therefore implore colleges to collaborate with nearby churches and mosques to determine the most appropriate and useful local expressions of solidarity we can extend to our Muslim neighbors.” (petition)

Antipathy Towards Autonomy - 2

(Purpose of signing), “Because I think that the unique organizational structure of Churches of Christ as a tradition can contribute positively to a grass roots movement towards God’s hospitality and neighborliness...” (comment)

It is not enough to determine to do good. First, we must determine to align our view of what is “good” with that of God Himself.

Then, we must do that good thing in the way God directs, respecting His authority.

(Matthew 7:21-23)

Conclusion