Expert: Onaga Thomas - 11/27/2009

Question
The Church of Christ seems to adhere to the "Regulative Principle of Worship" (RPW). The RPW basically states that worship is limited to those things mentioned in scripture by command, example or inference and all else is prohibited. The RPW pre-dates the Restoration Movement by at least several hundred years and is related to Calvinism, Anabaptist's and Reformed Presbyterianism.  Since a number of the Restoration Movement leaders were Presbyterian's, it seems reasonable to me to think that the Church of Christ's adherence to this principle is at least partly driven by the early Restoration Movement leaders RPW history.
The "Normative Principle of Worship" (NPW) on the other hand takes the stance that things not mentioned in scripture are allowed as long as they are within the keeping of peace and unity of the Church.
When one looks at the history of the "Church of Christ", one sees a pretty remarkable example of non-unity. The Churches of Christ disagree to the point of non-fellowship over Sunday Schools, Christian Institutions (institutionalism), Benevolence to nonbelievers, Wine vs. Grape Juice, Cooking or eating in the Church building, One vs. Many Communion Cups, Paid Ministers, Instrumental Music, Missionaries, Order of Worship, Communion of other than Sunday's, Conventions, etc. etc. I don't think I can possibly mention all the "non-fellowship" issues.
Although certainly not perfect with regard to unity, the Independent Christian Church (one of the 3 branches of the Restoration Movement), which practices at least to some degree the NPW doesn't have a history of non-fellowship over issues like I've mentioned above. At least when it comes to Unity, doesn't history lead one to the conclusion that the NPW is superior to the RPW? If God wished to dictate worship practices in the New Covenant as He did in the Old Covenant, wouldn't the scriptures of the New Testament have contained explicit guidance just as the Old Testament contained? How can the Church of Christ ignore all the divisions their RPW Theology history has created and, in the light of Jesus' prayer for the Unity of Believers, confidently believe that they are on the correct path (or paths in the light of non-fellowship issues)?

Answer
Thanks for your question Neal

 This is the first time I have heard of the (RPW) so I can not state if all or any Church of Christ is associated with that principle.  Nor did I hear of the NPW before I read your question.  So, can we as Christians take things that are not mentioned in scripture and allow them as long as peace and unity is kept in the Church?  I wanted to know if you would give me an example or two of an NPW which is not mentioned in the scripture and I can better try to answer your question(s).  Have a blessed day

Onaga