In James 2:7 the writer speaks of those who “blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called.” There is no doubt today that the name ‘Christian’ is one of the most misused and abused terms on mortal tongue. In this age of ‘christian’ counseling, credit unions, theme parks, restaurants and all kinds of irreligious things profaning the name of Jesus (and at the same time churches calling themselves everything EXCEPT the name of Christ), it is especially important that we know the truth on this great doctrinal issue.
In the Restoration Movement, the appropriate title by which God’s people are called was hotly debated. Moses Lard was one of the leaders who gave great thought to this subject of scriptural names. His work, which appeared in Lard’s Quarterly, Volume II: April, 1865, is a classic example of the scholarly efforts put forth by preachers of the Gospel to uphold that ‘worthy name’ which gives God, through Christ, the glory that is due Him. In this first part (of 2) Brother Lard addresses ‘purity of speech’ and three words/phrases which can (and have been) corrupted by men: baptism, gospel, and Holy Ghost religion.
‘Abuses of the name Christian’ by Moses Lard
The remainder of the article will soon follow.