Changes

Prior to 1906 the Churches of Christ and the [[Disciples of Christ]]<ref>Formally, the denomination is called Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).</ref> were listed in US Census records as one and the same movement, when the two groups parted ways (and, ever since, have been recorded as separate movements).

Prior to 1906 the Churches of Christ and the [[Disciples of Christ]]<ref>Formally, the denomination is called Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).</ref> were listed in US Census records as one and the same movement, when the two groups parted ways (and, ever since, have been recorded as separate movements).

However, long before then the two groups had serious disagreements over the use of music in worship and missionary societies.  More important was a fundamental division between the views of two early leaders of the movement: [[Alexander Campbell]] believed in progress toward the Kingdom of God and was both optimistic and not hostile toward the secular world. [[Barton Stone]], on the other hand, wanted a radical separation from the world, and he was pessimistic about human nature and the prospects for progress.

However, long before then the two groups had serious disagreements over the use of music in worship and missionary societies.  More important was a fundamental division between the views of two early leaders of the movement: Campbell believed in progress toward the Kingdom of God and was both optimistic and not hostile toward the secular world, while Stone was pessimistic about human nature and the prospects for progress and wanted a radical separation from the world.

Ultimately, the Disciples evolved into a centralized denomination which has increasingly become theologically and politically liberal.  The denomination is an active member of both the National and World Councils of Churches and is ardently committed to social change.  On the other hand, the Churches of Christ maintain an earlier system of fellowship between congregations which does not involve any surrender of congregational independence.  Furthermore, the Churches of Christ are theologically conservative and tend to avoid political controversies (though they will speak out against abortion and homosexuality).

Ultimately, the Disciples evolved into a centralized denomination which has increasingly become theologically and politically liberal, is ardently committed to [[social justice]] and is an active member of both the [[National Council of Churches]] and the [[World Council of Churches]].  On the other hand, the Churches of Christ tend to be theologically conservative and politically neutral (though they will speak out against abortion and homosexuality), and maintain an earlier system of fellowship between congregations which does not involve any surrender of congregational independence.

From the end of the Civil War to 1917, [[David Lipscomb]] dominated the Churches of Christ and managed to balance the views of Campbell and Stone. After Lipscomb's death, the Churches of Christ moved away from the [[premillennialism]] of Stone and Lipscomb and embraced Campbell's views. Foy Wallace, whose views prevailed among the Churches of Christ from the 1930s through the 1950s, continued the movement away from the thought of Stone and Lipscomb.<ref>Richard T. Hughes, "The Apocalyptic Origins of Churches Of Christ and the Triumph of Modernism."  ''Religion and American Culture'' 1992 2(2): 181-214. 1052-1151</ref>

From the end of the Civil War to 1917, [[David Lipscomb]] dominated the Churches of Christ and managed to balance the views of Campbell and Stone. After Lipscomb's death, the Churches of Christ moved away from the [[premillennialism]] of Stone and Lipscomb and embraced Campbell's views. Foy Wallace, whose views prevailed among the Churches of Christ from the 1930s through the 1950s, continued the movement away from the thought of Stone and Lipscomb.<ref>Richard T. Hughes, "The Apocalyptic Origins of Churches Of Christ and the Triumph of Modernism."  ''Religion and American Culture'' 1992 2(2): 181-214. 1052-1151</ref>