NEO-BRETHREN
The
Neo-Brethren
By Jean Gibson & William MacDonald
The theological world is familiar with the terms Neo-Orthodox and
Neo-Evangelical. Now we can add a third: Neo-Brethren. In all three cases,
trusted words are used but new interpretations have resulted in an entirely
different meaning. In the case of the Neo-Brethren, new ideas, practices, and
changes are advocated which are significantly different from the mainstream. If
the early brethren could visit some of these churches, it is doubtful that they
would find much resemblance to what they considered to be the New Testament
pattern.
We freely admit that we don't have to be frozen
into practices unrelated to New Testament teaching, practices that are matters
of culture or tradition. However, it has become common for some Neo-Brethren to
take matters on which the Scriptures teach clearly and Label them
"traditional." These men reinterpret the Bible to fit the culture of
the day or their own whims. They want to appear to be true to the principles,
however, in subtle ways they change them and undermine them. Here are some of
the general features of Neo-Brethrenism. Obviously not every item is true of
every individual or church.
1. They emphasize numbers in attendance with diminished concern for
biblical principles, or anything that would interfere with church growth.
2. There is a weakened emphasis on the Breaking of Bread, its general
importance, its frequency, and Spirit-led participation by the brethren. The
service tends to be increasingly structured.
3. Sermon topics are chosen on the basis of popular appeal; that is,
what the public wants, rather than on the whole counsel of God. Frequently
themes are based on secular psychology and contemporary buzz words rather than
systematic exposition of the Scriptures. It is a popularized pulpit with
"show-biz" techniques.
4. There is a general lack of attention to those things that lead to
spiritual revival: prayer, conviction, confession, repentance, and obedience.
Dependence is on church marketing strategies. The offence of the cross is
missing.
5. Some leaders teach the equality of men and women in regards to their
standing in Christ (with which all agree), but fall to recognize the
Scripture's teaching that men and women have different God-given roles in the
church and in the home. Any other position is condemned as traditional and
oppressive, as robbing the church of women's gifts, and as a denial of the
priesthood of believers. Because it may be a possible cause of offense to
visitors, women are often actively discouraged from wearing a covering.
6. Public ministry is largely confined to one man, preferably one who is
professionally trained. This would disqualify the Lord as well as the apostles.
There is little opportunity for younger brothers to develop their gift.
7. Too often there is a scornful attitude toward assemblies and their
distinctives. Church principles are reduced to a few simplistic qualifications
that almost any evangelical church could meet. Both publicly and privately,
early leaders of the so-called Brethren movement (especially Darby) are held up
for strident criticism.
8. Those described in the preceding paragraph still want to classify
their churches as Brethren churches. In this way they retain financial and
medical assistance yet demonstrate no real allegiance to the assemblies or
their practices.
9. The tendency is to centralize all important ministries in the hands
of a few paid staff member, with virtually no distinction from the clergy-laity
system. It is not uncommon to relegate shepherding functions to paid
psychologists.
10. All this results in dividing assemblies into two factions. This
divisiveness is furthered by forming fellowships and holding conferences for
research and review of Brethren history. Actually these seemingly innocuous
gatherings are used to denigrate the movement and promote the tenets of
Neo-Brethrenism listed above. This results in a polarization of the assemblies.
It would be far more honest and aboveboard for the Neo-Brethren to
dissociate themselves from the assemblies and form whatever kind of local
church they favor. We certainly need revival and a fresh working of the Holy
Spirit among us. There is a great deal for which we should repent. However, we
don't need to abandon scriptural principles. We just need to practice them
better.
