In the fifty years from 1955 to 2005, churches of Christ have dwindled from 3.0 to 1.267 million members and from 18,000 to 12,963 congregations. While the population has doubled in the same period of time, membership in churches of Christ has declined 58%. At the average rate of decline of 34,660 members or 1.16% per year, churches of Christ will vanish by 2042. The facts above demonstrate the crisis that confronts churches of Christ. The year 2042 is not a prophecy, but a guesstimate. Whether or not it's an accurate date, this small volume discusses eight problems that contribute to the crisis and deals with the issues. Even if there were no problems, and no impending extinction, denominational concepts of the body of Christ shouldn't be harbored among Christians striving to avoid denominationalism and the catastrophic damage it's caused in the religious realm. Were there no crisis, local churches should still be independent workgroups of disciples. While we hold doctrine to be extremely important, the attitude that we can spiritually splendidly murder others in the defense of it is totally anti-scriptural. Were there no crisis, we still need to cultivate the skills for dealing with brethren with whom we disagree. God doesn't need us to determine for others what the truth is on any controversial subject. Much more importantly, he desparately desires that we show forth his nature in the way we deal with each other. Few will deny that we fail to teach and learn from the entire Bible, not just the New Testament, the way serious disciples should. We've experienced authoritarianism and codependence for decades, perhaps not knowing what to call them, and how to remedy them. In short, most of us will agree with the horrific effects of at least some, if not all, of these eight problems on churches of Christ.

An eighteenth century Scottish poet wrote concerning war: "Rash, fruitless war, from wanton glory waged, is only splendid murder." An older preacher used this quotation when he wrote concerning a particularly brutal doctrinal attack on another elderly preacher by a group of younger, treacherous preachers. While many controversies among Christians and churches aren't this vicious, many Christians and congregations simply don't know how to navigate personal and doctrinal clashes; and thus, do more harm than good. Such situations expose some noble and naive souls to some pretty treacherous Christians. Yet, many Christians consent to much worse than Saul did at Stephen's stoning while "consenting to his death" by just holding the coats of the stone-throwers. Most members, whose jobs aren't even on the line, refuse to ratchet up their courage to be bothered by congregational problems and decisions. They may just want difficulties handled by the congregational leaders so they can avoid being involved. Consequently, many Christians go blithely on, consenting through ignorance to mistreatment of others that goes on behind the scenes.

Comprehensive scripture and topic indexes of 11 fundamental works on covenant eschatology, including seven of Don K. Preston's larger works, J. Stuart Russell's The Parousia, Sam Frost's Misplaced Hope, and Dawson's Essays on Eschatology.

Denominational Doctrines deals with the most common misconceptions in the religious world today. Developed after eight years of daily, live call-in radio programs, it reveals Samuel G. Dawson's keen insight into many of the denominational doctrines and beliefs of those we try to teach. As a result of those call-in radio experiences, he put the information into book form to share more widely with others. While written in an accurate and forthright manner, Denominational Doctrines approaches those who are mistaken with kindness and love. Explained: Accurate quotations from official denominational sources show exactly what believers of the different philosophies believe. No one you are trying to teach can make a charge of misrepresentation. Examined: The denominational doctrines are compared with scripture to see if they are really true. Thus, the book teaches how to answer denominational arguments. Exposed: Not only are the denominational doctrines exposed as coming from man rather than from God, but the book makes a strong plea to the reader to become just a New Testament Christian.

This book deals with the issues Is sexual intercourse a right or a condition of marriage? In the Bible, betrothal was marriage, not engagement to be married. What is civil government's interest in marriage? Common-law marriage in the Bible. Is fondling sexual intercourse? Why most adulterers in the Old Testament were not stoned to death. Was God really loose on divorce in the Old Testament? Is the Sermon on the Mount Old or New Testament teaching? Is celibacy refraining from sex or refraining from marriage? Two problems that have to be worked to resolve any unscriptural divorce and remarriage situation. What are the three ways a person can commit adultery? God doesn't hate all divorce, at least equally. Must one divorce an impenitent fornicating spouse? Every exception clause in the Bible contains a necessary implication. Is there a "guilty party" in Mt. 5.32 or Mt. 19.9? May one guilty party put away another? How does an unjustly put-away person put away a fornicating spouse? Why whether a put-away fornicator may remarry is hardly the issue. Four questions, which if answered, may lead to a solution of every question on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Is divorce and remarriage private or church business? Church limitations in dealing with divorce. Can a local church study these issues for itself and determine its own conduct on these matters? If not, let's not hear any more about local church autonomy.