Reason, Or Revelation?
One of the most difficult things the race has ever had to learn in the realm of religion is that our service to God is to be based on revelation—not on reason. From time immemorial, men have sought out and devised ways of their own in which to serve God; they have verily had a "zeal for God," as Paul testified for the Jews, but that zeal has more often than not been directed into channels of human contrivance and following patterns of human reasoning. Not very often had it been according to the precepts or patterns of divine example.
A case in point is the "missionary society" question of a hundred years ago. Churches of Christ were probably less zealous for mission work than they should have been. We make no defense for any lack of zeal or for any indifference they may have had along those lines. But there arose within the churches a group of people who were certain that the failure to do the proper amount of mission work was due to the lack of a "method." So, trying to overcome one evil, they rushed headlong into another, and worked out and devised a Missionary Society. They then called upon all the churches to support and back their organization.
Faithful and godly men all through the church arose in protest. Over and over again they called for some New Testament precept for, or example of, such an organization. None was forthcoming. The advocates of the Society said, "if you don't like our plan, show us your plan." Those who opposed the Society said they had no plan save the New Testament; and that there was no precept and no example in the New Testament that would justify a Missionary Society. And so the battle raged.
The passage of the years has shown the folly of the Society advocates, as it has vindicated the righteous stand of those who opposed such an innovation. It was by human reasoning, not by divine revelation, that the Societies were introduced. Their opponents pleaded for a "thus saith the Lord" for whatever was done. Christians always have stood by that cry. If they cannot find a "thus saith the Lord," then no matter how reasonable and proper the action may seem, no matter what sanction it may appear to have in "good sense," no matter how great the pressure for its adoption, it will not be reached nor adopted.
The Lord commanded that the gospel should be preached "into all the world." Christians have never been either "anti-missionary" or "anti-foreign missionary." On the contrary, they have been insistent that the gospel be preached to all men. But they have insisted that there must be a New Testament precept or a New Testament example that will justify whatever method is used. And "missionary societies" were clearly without warrant or authority from the revelation of God.
It is the revelation of God, not the reasoning of men, that must determine what Christians do. They have no choice in the matter, and want none. God's word is sufficient; God's way is enough.
— F. Y. T.