Faith

Are We the Only Christians Going to Heaven?

Published

1 day ago

July 15, 2026

faithandfreedo

Faith Facts

Early Restoration Movement Churches of Christ embraced the motto “Christians only, but not the only Christians,” seeking to follow Jesus alone while acknowledging sincere believers across denominations
A survey of 139 church leaders and members reveals a significant divide between those who maintain an exclusivist view and those who recognize Christians in other faith communities
Black Churches of Christ historically used the slogan to affirm spiritual legitimacy amid racial segregation, focusing on dignity rather than doctrinal boundaries

A familiar accusation echoes through many Churches of Christ today: “You think you’re the only ones going to heaven.”

Yet the early 19th century American Restoration Movement held a radically different vision. “Christians only, but not the only Christians” was their rallying cry—a commitment to follow Jesus alone without man-made creeds, while humbly acknowledging sincere disagreements within the Body of Christ.

An informal survey of 139 church leaders and members from 30 states reveals that while most are familiar with this historic saying, the church community remains deeply divided over its meaning and application today.

“I seek to be simply a Christian, wearing Christ’s name and submitting to His authority,” said Bill Robinson, minister for the Upper West Manhattan Church of Christ in New York.

Steve Cloer, director of the Harding School of Theology’s Center for Church and City Engagement in Memphis, Tenn., said the phrase “encapsulates the heart of the Restoration.” “We seek to be Christians — nothing more, nothing less. And yet, we acknowledge that we do not have everything figured out either.”

“We seek to be Christians — nothing more, nothing less. And yet, we acknowledge that we do not have everything figured out either.”

But not everyone remembers this inclusive vision. Some grew up in a more exclusionary tradition.

“Growing up, being a Church of Christ member was more of a very exclusive faith community — that we were the only ones who ever had a chance of being admitted to heaven,” recalled Bruce Robins, a deacon of the Laurel Church of Christ in Maryland who was raised in a family of Church of Christ preachers in Searcy, Ark.

Heath Cary, a deacon of the Maryland Heights Church of Christ in Missouri, also remembered a more exclusionary mindset growing up in Churches of Christ in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Because of that, Cary said, he wants to distance himself from baggage that includes “a desire (at least stereotypically) to legalistically define … who is in and who is out.”

For Jay Plank, minister for the RiverWalk Church of Christ in Wichita, Kan., experience with other believers has supported the concept of being “not the only Christians.”

“I’ve met too many people not of the Restoration stripe who live and breathe the love of Christ,” Plank said. “If only Restoration folks are saved,” he added, “what about all who lived between A.D. 33 and the early 1800s? Are they all lost? … We have no exclusive claim to eternal life, and dare not be so presumptuous as to believe we can usurp God by saying who is and is not a child of God.”

Meanwhile, Black Churches of Christ have viewed the slogan through an entirely different lens, according to Aaron Sayles, a member of the Newport News Church of Christ in Virginia.

“The slogan was about survival and dignity, not doctrinal boundary drawing,” he said. “White Restoration leaders used the slogan to fight denominational creeds. Black Christians used it to fight exclusion, segregation and racial humiliation. So, for Black Churches of Christ, the slogan meant, ‘We are Christians, even if white Christians refuse to treat us like brothers and sisters.’ It was a declaration of spiritual legitimacy in a world that denied their humanity.”

Criticisms of the Slogan

While the idea of avoiding exclusivist attitudes resonates with many members of Churches of Christ, some also cautioned against endorsing error or denominationalism.

“I do not claim to be the final judge of every soul, because the Lord knows those who are His,” said Robinson, the Manhattan minister. “But I do not identify with any use of the phrase that either has an ecumenical intent to fellowship those who practice error or weakens the necessity of obeying the Gospel, abiding in Christ’s Word, or honoring the one body, one faith and one baptism revealed in Scripture.”

“I also think that ecumenism has crept in,” concurred Connie Stinnett, a member of the Grace Point Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Ark., who grew up in a Methodist church. “And I’m personally not comfortable saying that, basically, anything goes. I do believe that God has made it clear what He expects, particularly regarding salvation.”

Some respondents challenged part or all of the slogan entirely.

“Christians are only in the church of Christ,” argued Samuell Pounds, minister for the Hilltop Church of Christ in Winter Haven, Fla. “The Lord does not have children in another body. They are plants, which the Lord did not plant — unauthorized religious bodies or groups,” he said of denominations.

Mike Stress, a member of the River Road Church of Christ in New Port Richey, Fla., also disagreed with the “not the only Christians” aspect.

“Anytime someone identifies what ‘kind’ of Christian they are (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc.), it indicates to me that they are not a true Christian because they are saying that they place their trust in what a person said over what Christ said,” Stress wrote. “I studied my way out of a denominational church,” he added.

J.D. Williams, a retired preacher in Kannapolis, N.C., was also raised in a denominational Missionary Baptist church. He warned against the phrase: “Basically, it says, ‘Although you are in a denomination, I believe you are a Christian like me!’ How can you teach anyone the truth when you are saying they don’t need it?”

“Basically, it says, ‘Although you are in a denomination, I believe you are a Christian like me!’ How can you teach anyone the truth when you are saying they don’t need it?”

Others had a very different objection to the slogan, concerned that it may inadvertently encourage division.

“I think the ‘Christians only’ part ends up being self-defeating,” said Dominic Venuso, minister for Rochelle Church of Christ in Illinois. “It essentially is a slogan for a group which is saying, ‘We are Christians only.’ But who are ‘we’? As a slogan, it ends up reinforcing a sectarian group identity.”

“I don’t think it’s possible to be a ‘Christian only’ in the strictest sense,” opined Clay McFerrin, a member of the Chisholm Hills Church of Christ in Florence, Ala. “Even without doctrinal differences, an individual’s Christian identity and practice are almost inevitably influenced by their gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status and/or politics.”

The slogan “has become the very thing it tried to fight against,” added Rich Gould, who preaches for the Riverside Church of Christ in North Augusta, S.C. “It is now used especially by some in the Churches of Christ to say that if you have a denominational name on the sign of your building then you are not a Christian in the first place. … We must understand that if we are asking for everyone to believe everything the exact same way, then we are asking for uniformity, not unity.”

For James Koenig, an elder of the Northside Church of Christ in Temple, Texas, the slogan is effectively a creed itself.

“Our guiding principle is the Gospel, not a man-made cliche or mantra,” the elder said. “If this phrase is the church’s guiding principle, then the bigger message of Christ’s salvation is being missed.”

Cooperation or Condemnation?

Most of the respondents believed the average church member is unfamiliar with the slogan — and with Restoration Movement history generally. When it comes to the idea behind the phrase, Churches of Christ seem to be split.

“We have in place a divide between what I call the Conservative Mainstream Churches of Christ and the Moderate Mainstream Churches of Christ,” said Leonard Allen, dean of the Bible college at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. “The Conservative stream … tends to hold that there are not ‘Christians in the sects’ (denominations). The Moderate stream tends to hold that there are.”

The more exclusivist view, he added, became dominant among Churches of Christ as they separated from the Disciples of Christ in the late 19th century.

“I have seen tension in two ways,” said Steve Cloer. “One is that the movement at times has crystallized, and we have thought that ‘we have figured things out’ and we ‘are the only ones’ faithful. On the other side, we have become denominational in our thinking, where we are simply ‘Church of Christ,’ and we acknowledge that we are simply another brand among others. I think it is important to navigate both of these cautiously.”

At the same time, several felt the acceptance of Christians among other groups has increased in recent years.

“My generation may be the last one that still remembers the sectarian attitude that church of Christ members were the only ‘true’ Christians,” said Kyle Heffley, an elder of the Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, Ark. “However, I also think that attitude was already dying then and has almost completely died today. As it should.”

The Greenville Oaks Church of Christ in Allen, Texas, teaches that belonging to a Church of Christ “is not a test for faithfulness to God, dependence on Jesus and living with the Holy Spirit,” said member Mike Stoniecki.

Many respondents also expressed an openness to cooperation with groups outside Churches of Christ — particularly for benevolence and community activities.

At the Walled Lake Church of Christ in Michigan, “our benevolence program collaborates with Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran and community organizations to serve the community,” said elder Roger Woods. “Let the Bible speak and do so with love, and bridges will be built that will ultimately plant seeds that will grow,” he added.

Tim Tripp, senior minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Russellville, Ark., offered an especially conciliatory approach.

“If they believe that Jesus is the son of God and have faith in his name, I generally consider them to be brothers/sisters in Christ and on the mission of Christ,” Tripp wrote. “I seek to build relationships with them and partner with them in activities where we both can participate in good conscience.”

But most respondents were equally wary of cooperating with denominations in a way that could be seen as supportive of doctrines they disagree with.

Martin Pyle, who ministers for the Riverwood Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn., said his congregation will “gladly engage” with denominational churches in activities that don’t involve worship — such as a homeless ministry or an Easter egg hunt.

“We cooperate to the extent possible without compromising our core identity/doctrines,” Pyle said. “Would we join with a Muslim congregation for shared prayer? No. Would we cooperate in picking up trash in our community? Yes. Would we cooperate with a local Baptist church in a prayer service? Yes.”

“I don’t believe we can cooperate in areas in which we would be teaching the Bible,” echoed Kenneth Mills, a member of the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Ark. “I believe we need to be respectful and cautious.”

“There are doctrinal differences within our congregation. … If getting everything right were the basis of our fellowship, there would be none.”

For Rob Sparks, minister for the Fernvale Church of Christ in Tennessee, being “not the only Christians” is more about having the humility to recognize that no one is a perfect follower of Christ.

“I mean, there are doctrinal differences within our congregation, and we cooperate internally. Why would that stop at the doors of our church?” he asked. “When we disagree, we disagree as sisters and brothers in Christ, not as Christians and non-Christians. … If getting everything right were the basis of our fellowship, there would be none. Hence, the importance of the Restoration Movement’s call to move toward Jesus wherever we start from.”

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith

Kentucky Pastor’s Unwavering Faith After Unthinkable Church Tragedy

Published

10 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

faithandfreedo

Faith Facts

Pastor Jerry Gumm, 82, continues to lead Richmond Road Baptist Church one year after a gunman killed his wife and daughter inside the sanctuary and shot him multiple times
The pastor’s steadfast faith remains unshaken despite losing his family members in the horrific attack
Gumm declares that the tragedy will not prevent him from continuing to worship and praise God

One year has passed since an unspeakable act of violence shattered the peace of a Kentucky church, but the resilience of its pastor stands as a powerful testament to the strength of Christian faith in the face of devastating loss.

Jerry Gumm, the 82-year-old pastor of Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, has emerged from tragedy with his faith not only intact but stronger than ever. On that terrible day, a gunman entered his church and opened fire, taking the lives of his beloved wife and daughter while shooting Pastor Gumm multiple times.

Despite surviving severe injuries and losing two of the people he loved most in this world, Pastor Gumm remains resolute in his commitment to serving God. The elderly pastor has made clear that this horrific attack will not stop him from praising the Lord or leading his congregation.

His unwavering dedication to his faith exemplifies the Biblical promise that nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ—not tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution. Pastor Gumm’s testimony serves as an inspiration to Christians facing their own trials, demonstrating that true faith endures even through the darkest valleys.

The Richmond Road Baptist Church community has rallied around their pastor, witnessing firsthand what it means to trust in God’s sovereignty even when circumstances seem incomprehensible. Pastor Gumm’s continued ministry stands as a living example of Christian perseverance and the hope that sustains believers through unimaginable grief.

In an age when many might understandably turn away from faith after such tragedy, Pastor Gumm’s steadfast commitment to the Gospel reminds us that God’s grace is truly sufficient in our weakest moments. His story challenges believers to examine their own faith and ask whether they would have the spiritual fortitude to continue praising God after such devastating loss.

The church shooting that claimed two innocent lives and nearly took Pastor Gumm’s life as well represents the kind of senseless violence that has increasingly targeted houses of worship across America. Yet even in the face of such evil, the light of Christian faith refuses to be extinguished.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith

Supreme Court Justice Reveals Bulletproof Vest Threat After Dobbs Leak

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2026

faithandfreedo

Faith Facts

Justice Amy Coney Barrett testified to Congress that she received a bulletproof vest following intense threats after the 2022 Dobbs decision leak
Barrett and Justice Elena Kagan both advocated for increased security funding for the Supreme Court in congressional testimony
The unprecedented leak of the draft Dobbs opinion sparked widespread protests and threats against justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett revealed to members of Congress that she was provided with a bulletproof vest amid serious threats to her safety following the unprecedented leak of the draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022. The disclosure came as Barrett and fellow Justice Elena Kagan appeared before lawmakers to request additional security funding for the nation’s highest court.

The leak of the Dobbs draft opinion in May 2022 marked an extraordinary breach of Supreme Court protocol and ignited a firestorm of controversy across the nation. The final decision, issued in June 2022, overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion regulation to individual states, representing one of the most significant rulings in the Court’s modern history.

Barrett’s testimony underscores the intense atmosphere justices faced following the leak. Pro-abortion activists organized protests at the homes of conservative justices, prompting concerns about judicial independence and the safety of Court members and their families. The threats became so severe that federal law enforcement increased protective measures for justices and their families.

Justice Kagan joined Barrett in emphasizing the need for enhanced security resources. Both justices, despite their differing judicial philosophies, united in their appeal to Congress for adequate funding to protect the Court and maintain the rule of law. Their bipartisan request reflects the gravity of the security challenges facing the judiciary in an increasingly polarized political climate.

The Dobbs decision represented a watershed moment for the pro-life movement and American constitutional law. By returning the question of abortion to elected representatives in state legislatures, the Court restored the people’s ability to enact laws reflecting their values and beliefs about the sanctity of life.

The threats against Justice Barrett and her colleagues highlight a troubling trend of political violence and intimidation directed at public officials who make decisions based on constitutional principles rather than political pressure. For Christians and conservatives who value the rule of law and the protection of innocent life, the safety of justices willing to stand on principle remains paramount.

Congressional leaders from both parties have expressed support for increased security measures, recognizing that an independent judiciary requires justices who can deliberate and decide cases free from fear and intimidation. The security funding request comes as the Court continues to face high-profile cases touching on fundamental questions of religious liberty, life, and constitutional governance.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith

This 14-Year-Old’s Mission Is Turning Heads in Christian Music

Published

8 hours ago

July 16, 2026

faithandfreedo

Faith Facts

Fourteen-year-old Christian artist Tate Butts has released his debut EP “Something To Believe In” with a mission to point young people to Christ.
The young singer is using his rapidly growing platform to share the Gospel with his generation through contemporary Christian music.
Butts represents a new wave of young believers committed to reaching their peers with a message of faith and hope.

A rising voice in Christian music is capturing attention not just for his talent, but for his unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel. At just 14 years old, Tate Butts has released his debut EP “Something To Believe In,” and his mission is clear: use every opportunity to point his generation toward Jesus Christ.

In an era when many young people are walking away from faith, Butts is swimming against the cultural tide. His approach represents a refreshing dedication to using entertainment and artistry as vehicles for eternal truth rather than fleeting popularity.

The teenager’s debut project arrives at a crucial moment for American youth, who face unprecedented challenges to their spiritual formation. From social media pressures to secular indoctrination in schools, young believers need encouragement and role models who aren’t afraid to stand firm in their convictions.

Butts embodies the kind of boldness that built this nation—a willingness to speak truth regardless of cultural pushback. His commitment to his faith platform demonstrates the kind of character parents pray their children will develop: conviction coupled with purpose.

Christian music has long served as a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship, particularly among younger audiences. Artists who use their gifts to glorify God rather than themselves provide an alternative to the moral confusion prevalent in mainstream entertainment.

The young singer’s approach reflects biblical principles about stewarding talents and opportunities for Kingdom purposes. Rather than chasing fame for its own sake, he has anchored his growing platform in a mission larger than himself.

His emergence also speaks to a hunger among many young Americans for authentic faith expression. Despite narratives suggesting younger generations have abandoned Christianity, countless teens and young adults are seeking genuine spiritual connection and biblical truth.

The debut EP’s title, “Something To Believe In,” resonates with a generation searching for meaning beyond materialism and relativism. In a culture that often leaves young people adrift without moral anchors, the message of Christ offers the stability and purpose they desperately need.

Butts’ commitment to his faith mission at such a young age reflects strong spiritual formation, likely rooted in faithful parenting and church community. His example demonstrates what’s possible when families prioritize discipleship and encourage children to use their gifts for God’s glory.

As the young artist’s platform continues to grow, his steadfast focus on pointing others to Christ serves as an encouraging reminder that God can use anyone willing to surrender their talents to His purposes. Age is no barrier to effective ministry when heart and calling align.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.