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Unity

Writer's picture: Rev. Kevin K. AdamsRev. Kevin K. Adams

Disciples History Moment for February 2, 2025

 

February 1, 1763 was the birth of Thomas Campbell, near Newry, County Down, Ireland. Thomas was the father of Alexander Campbell one of our denominational founders. In the late 1790s to 1807, Thomas Campbell labored unsuccessfully in Northern Ireland and Scotland to bring about unity among differing Presbyterian groups. At the time, the Presbyterian Church had split into Old Light, New Light, Burgher, Anti-Burgher, and Seceder divisions, as well as Regular Presbyterians. All of these differing divisions in the Presbyterian Church would not worship or commune with each other. Thomas felt that these divisions stemmed from “human opinions.” While Thomas strived to bring these fractions together, he was unsuccessful.

 

Once Thomas arrived in America, he believed this new land would afford the opportunity to start anew with a movement that had no sectarian divisions in the church. In 1809 he wrote the Declaration and Address, called “one of the most important documents on the ecumenical movement to come out of North America.”(1) Throughout this document he states: “The church of Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one.”

 

Despite the inertia of division and party spirit that existed in Thomas' time, and still exists in our world today, we, as Disciples, continue to strive toward unity in a fragmented world.

 

Rev. Kevin K. Adams


(1) Article by Lester G. McAllister from The Encyclopedia of the Stone -Campbell Movement

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