Chapter 4: Christ and Unauthorized Things
"Most notable among the Jewish practices unauthorized by the Law is the synagogue system. The whole of the Old Testament is absolutely silent about this institution."
"There is not even a hint of Jesus' condemning this unauthorized institution. Instead, by His own participation in synagogue activities, He placed His stamp of approval upon it (Mark 1:39; 6:2)." Page 41
Chapter 5: Do Scriptures Teach the Authority of Silence?
"On the one hand, some say that if we approve of anything not expressly approved in Scripture, we are adding to God's Word. That is, we are adding the equivalent of the statement, You may do this thing....On the other hand, others say that if we forbid anything on the basis that the Scripture says nothing about it, then we are guilty of adding to God's Word. That is, we are adding the equivalent of the command, You shall not do this thing." Page 51
"Paul writes to Timothy: 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work' (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Based on these verses, the argument ... is that the Scriptures furnish us with a list including every good work. Anything that is not on this list . . . is not a good work, and therefore is sinful to do.
"In the context, Paul is admonishing Timothy to continue in the truths of Scripture which he learned from his childhood (verses 14-15).... the Old Testament writings, since there were no New Testament writings during Timothy's childhood. They . . . provided all the equipment Timothy needed for doing good works of any kind. It is a long step from here to the idea that the Scriptures (Old or New) provide a list of everything we are allowed to do.
"Those who teach this idea do not even allow the Old Testament Scriptures to be used in compiling the list, even though that is all Timothy had....Good works listed in the Old Testament are not allowed." Pages 72-73
Chapter 6: Do Examples Prove the Authority of Silence?
"I have recently read of some new (and strange) examples of the supposed authority of silence. These are the prohibition of polygamy, homosexuality, and bestiality."
"Since wives were excluded when God said "wife," they were excluded by what He said, not by what He did not say."
"Do we reject polygamy on the basis of what God did not say, or on the basis of what He did say?"
"In like manner, we do not go to silence, but to the Word of God to learn that homosexuality and bestiality are forbidden (Leviticus 18:22, 23; Romans 1:26, 27; I Corinthians 6:9, 10)." Pages 93-94
Chapter 7: Can the Law of Silence Be Consistently Applied?
"Have we in non-instrumental Churches of Christ been consistent in our application of the principle of the prohibitions of silence? The answer to this question is an unequivocal no. Instead, we have been very selective in our application of it. In fact, consistent application of the principle that silence prohibits is virtually impossible, and no one is willing to accept every prohibition this principle would imply.
"There are many things not expressly authorized that are practiced by all of us. We are inclined to consider those things acceptable that we ourselves practice. It is these inconsistencies that have been the bases for many disagreements and divisions among us. It should be obvious that any principle that cannot be consistently applied is not a valid principle." Page 97
"No one applies the law of silence strictly, no matter what version of that law a person subscribes to....There has never been consistency in its application; indeed, there cannot be. If we cannot be consistent in applying the principle, then perhaps we should rethink its validity." Pages 117-118
Chapter 8: Determining What the Lord Has Prohibited
"It is right to be concerned about what the Lord allows and what He does not. None of us wants to be found opposing God's will." Page 119
"All who accept the Bible as divine authority agree that when the Bible specifically forbids a thing, that thing is not acceptable." Page 120
"Although some acts are not specifically prohibited, they may be in violation of principles that are specified. For example: Scripture does not expressly forbid printing and passing counterfeit money or selling bogus securities, but there are many Scripture teachings that are violated by these acts." Page 121
"There are commands which are exclusive in nature. They automatically exclude or prohibit anything that would result in a failure to obey the command. Go prohibits stay. Stand prohibits sit. The reason is simple: it is impossible to do both at the same time. When actions are mutually exclusive, such as sitting and standing, then to command the one is to prohibit the other. It is not silence that prohibits, but the command, which naturally prohibits any action contrary to the command...." Page 122
"There is a kind of law that, although not written on stone or paper, is written in our very nature. It is sometimes called the natural law. This law was given by God when He created man. He wrote it in the very nature of man." Page 125
"When something is forbidden or excluded by this law, it is not silence that forbids, but that which God has written in the heart of man." Pages 125-126
Chapter 9: A Plea for Unity
"I have seen a thing that is astonishing. One among us who has pointed out the need for change in the Churches of Christ has been severely criticized and rejected in parts of our brotherhood for even suggesting such a thing. Yet, when we are constantly at one another's throats and the Restoration Movement that was intended to promote unity has instead degenerated into a multitude of divisions, how can we not recognize that something is terribly wrong?" Page 129
Conclusion:
"This book is intended to disturb our minds about our present methods of determining divine authority. If it has succeeded in doing that, then it has served its purpose. May we be led to be less judgmental of others, as each Christian is left free to find God's will for his own life without having the trappings of human doctrines and traditions forced upon him. 'Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage'" (Galatians 5:1).
