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If Mike Cope and other proponents of open fellowship are correct,
then churches of Christ should close their doors and cease to
exist. After reading Mike Cope's ecumenical sermon preached on
April 21, 1996 at the Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas
where he is minister, I inquired of him why he did not become
a Baptist pastor. The question seemed legitimate, and Mike Cope
favored me with a reply.
To his letter I responded on Feb. 3,1997, but I did not get a
rejoinder. In part I wrote:
By reading your sermon it seems inherent that you think you and
the congregation have now cycled to the top level. If not, what
was the point of your series on the three stages? Did not the
gnostics claim superior knowledge?
Since you have attained or are striving to be at the apex of spiritual
knowledge (which includes open fellowship) then I think it is
a fair question as to why you do not become a Baptist preacher.
Your sermon indicates you have now repudiated the basic and distinctive
teachings of the Bible cherished by churches of Christ, and your
letter states you accept Baptists as "my brothers and sisters."
You have forsaken what you call your "heritage." Surely
you would be more comfortable with the Baptists and would become
one of their most eloquent apologists.
Your response "that's not my heritage" as to why you
could not change does not seem reasonable. If being in the top
tier enables you to see that open fellowship with the Baptists
is acceptable, why should it be a problem to change? Saul of Tarsus
had a great heritage but when he was convinced of a better way,
he changed. Now if you are in the highest cycle of truth could
you not gain a new and better heritage as a Baptist preacher?
You say you disagree with "general Baptist teaching (e.g.
once saved always saved)." What other key Baptist doctrines
can you not espouse? What about: voting and claiming a saving
experience; baptism is not essential to salvation; the prayer
system of salvation for alien sinners; observance of the Lord's
Supper other than on every first day of the week; a direct operation
and influence of the Holy Spirit; the name Baptist; Baptist manuals;
legislative conventions; instrumental music; missionary society
and other doctrines and practices. Already your sermon says salvation
is by faith only, a
Baptist teaching. As a Baptist preacher you could teach the key
doctrines and as your sermon said, "Let the walls come down."
This is the hue and cry of the Promise Keepers.
You call the Baptists "my brothers and sisters." It
is my understanding (in my tier) that Jesus taught that those
who do the will of my Father are "my brother, sister and
mother" (Matt. 12:50). The Baptists historically have rejected
God's plan of salvation of grace through obedient faith.
If you really want the walls to come down, you can have universal
fellowship with devout, sincere Muslims, Jews, Catholics, all
Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, Zorastrians and the whole world.
Why draw the line?
If the doctrine of your April 21, 1996 sermon is the truth, then
all churches of Christ should close their doors and merge with
any of the denominations. Likewise all Christian universities
and gospel papers should cease to exist. The Herald of Truth should
stop.
If the elders of the Highland church believe and support your
sermon and your doctrine, they should communicate this to all
individuals and congregations who financially support the Herald
of Truth ministry.
I sent a copy of my letter to the elders of the Highland Church
of Christ but I did not get a reply. On May 28,1997, I called
the Herald of Truth office and I spoke to two persons and received
the following information. The Herald of Truth is now under the
Herald of Truth Ministries. It operates with an Executive Director.
It has an 11man board made up of elders of the Highland
Church of Christ. Ultimate control is under the elders of the
Highland church which has 32 elders. It has only one radio program
of 2 minutes called "A Caring Touch." A second radio
program is planned for later in the year. It has a 30minute
weekly television program called "Hope for Life's Journey"
which appears on 3 cable networks. None of the old Herald of Truth
programs is being used. There is a ministry for counseling, literature,
annuities, and marriage and family seminars. It is likely that
individuals and congregations do not know that the gospel is not
being broadcast as was true when the program began. There is a
sizeable trust fund for annuities. Annually a 3 day marriage and
family seminar is conducted with up to 800 in attendance. The
cost is $200 per couple and the rest is provided by the Herald
of Truth. In 1997 the program will be in San Antonio. One featured
speaker is not a member of the church. He is John Trent who is
one of the prominent leaders in Promise Keepers. He is President
of Encouraging Words of Phoenix, Arizona. I was assured that Mike
Cope's doctrine would not be involved in the Herald of Truth programs.
I perceived it does not want to get involved in the Mike Cope
problem. I understood that the elders have had dialogue with Mike
Cope and he has not repeated his message of April 21. However,
it is likely he still believes that some Baptists are his brothers
and sisters.
It would be blessing to hear again on the Herald of Truth men
the likes of E.R. Harper, George Bailey, James D. Williford, and
Batsell Barrett Baxter.
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