Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jackk@shasta.stanford.edu (Jack Kouloheris) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Critique of the Boston Church of Christ by Rev. Tim McAndrew Message-ID: Date: 12 Aug 90 08:51:12 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Stanford University Lines: 21 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article you write: >>Is there some reason why we would be particularly interested in an >>analysis of the Boston Church of Christ? Does it have some >>--clh] I think the reason that others might be interested is that there seems to be a *subset* of the Church of Christ denomination associated with the Boston Church of Christ. Other churches include Crossroads Church of Christ (Gainesville, Fla.) and Berkeley Church of Christ (Berkeley, Ca.). Their primary evagelism focus seems to be on University campuses, through their dorm bible studies. The bible studies are advertised as being "non-denominational", but indeed only one interpretation of scripture is allowed. There is a strong emphasis on works as proof of one's faith and salvation. They only recognize their baptism by immersion as being valid. They told me point blank that all other denominations (from Baptist to Catholic and everything in between) were going straight to hell. They said "Why do these churches call themselves "Baptist", "Lutheran", etc. ? We are the only Church of Christ, we are called by His name." Members who drop out, or decide to attend a different church are systematically shunned. They have come under attack in some quarters as exhibiting cult-like practices.