Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline Protestant denomination emerging from the American Restoration Movement co-led by Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell in the early 19th century. Formally organized as a denomination in 1968, Disciples are known for their commitment to Christian unity, weekly communion, believer's baptism by immersion (though other modes are accepted for those baptized elsewhere), an open communion table, and a congregational polity. The denomination is theologically progressive and an active member of the ecumenical movement.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Nuanced
Salvation in Christ; specific formulations vary across the denomination
Atonement & Ransom
Varies
Christ's death brings salvation; multiple atonement theories are discussed
Predestination
Varies
No official position; Arminian instincts predominate in the tradition
Original Sin
Varies
Human sinfulness affirmed; Augustinian original sin not universally taught
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Varies
Afterlife affirmed by most; specific views vary widely
Hell
Varies
Hell not a defining doctrine; universalism is accepted by many Disciples
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life in God's presence affirmed through Christ's resurrection
Second Coming
Affirms
Hope of Christ's return affirmed; no specific eschatological system
Millennium
Varies
No official millennial position; speculative eschatology discouraged
Ecclesiology
Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
John 1:1 affirmed as statement of Christ's divinity and pre-existence
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Varies
Isaiah 7:14 interpreted variously; virgin birth affirmed by most Disciples
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Jesus affirms faith as church foundation; congregational authority emphasized
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's mercy and sovereignty; no binding predestination doctrine
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Nuanced
Justification by faith; works are fruit and evidence of genuine faith
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Baptism of believers in Trinitarian formula; central to Disciples practice
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Hebrews 1:8 affirms Christ's divinity and eternal kingship
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
No binding eschatological position; amillennial tendency
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created all things; theology compatible with scientific understanding
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Critical scholarship notes textual uncertainty; resurrection central
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
Textual critical recognition; mercy teaching affirmed broadly
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Textual uncertainty recognized; Trinitarian formula affirmed centrally
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Protestant canon affirmed; deuterocanonical books not canonical
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd not canonical; non-apostolic Christian literature
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship as Lord's Day; Sabbath law not binding on Christians
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; medical care is accepted without restriction
Military Service
Varies
Peacemaking emphasized; no binding pacifist position
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas and Easter observed; liturgical calendar increasingly followed