ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 10, 2022
“Raccoon” John Smith was one of the unique individuals in our denomination’s history. He became an itinerant preacher for this new movement after hearing Alexander Campbell speak. In fact, Smith was so compelling that he baptized over 2,000 people in 1827 and nearly that many in 1828. Those are some pretty good numbers. Smith was drawn to the ideas presented by Campbell because of his own struggles with ideas like predestination and the total depravity of all human beings. Yes, some Christians believed both of them, and some still do. These concepts made no sense to Smith, especially after his two young children died in a cabin fire and his wife died shortly after from grief and shock. Were such happenings predestined? Were his children totally corrupt and repulsive to God as some taught? Life experiences, even some of the most painful, can become lessons that shape our thinking about God and faith. It is interesting that Smith’s theology did not become more complicated in response to those painful events. Instead, he found a very simple and accessible understanding of the Good News. This was a significant reason for his success in the years that followed.
O Merciful God, when so many try to overthink and overcomplicate your gift of love, give me the courage to speak and live your limitless and unconditional love for all. Amen.
