by Stan Mitchell

In her recent book Useful Idiots, Mona Charen speaks of the impulse some people have to "blame America first." In her view, there are those who will, as a reflex, blame America every time something goes wrong in the world. She speaks of an attitude where they will take anybody's side against that of their own country.

It must be a sign of the times, because I often sense the same attitude towards the church of Christ. Brethren will speak admiringly of the qualities of various denominations (and there are good qualities in many of them), but when it comes to their own fellowship, they seem to "blame the church of Christ first."

Please understand. I am not saying that we cannot speak to our leaders about our concerns and our deep desire to honor God better as a fellowship. I am not saying that we can do no wrong. The church is comprised of imperfect people. Of course we can make mistakes!

But it hurts me to hear "us" speaking mockingly of our great fellowship. I'm heartbroken when people flippantly refer to the "CoC" rather than lovingly repeat the name by which we are called.

American democracy is big, rambunctious and often flawed; its call to liberties and human rights is still, politically, the best hope of the world. The Church of Christ's call to go back to the Bible has been dented and misdirected at times by our flaws, divisions, and personal ambitions, but its call to follow Christ alone, and scripture alone, is more than the best hope of the world.

It is its only hope.

"Do not grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door!" (James 5:9, NIV).