Looking Unto Christ

In 1954, several years before the Church's 250th Anniversary, Dr. Floyd E. Mallott who had served as Professor of Old Testament and Church History at Bethany Biblical Seminary since 1928, wrote a book Studies in Brethren History. The following excerpt - Looking Unto Christ - is taken from the concluding chapter of his book.

But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters. ... And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:24-28, 33)

This scripture is a parable of the Christian life and a graphic vindication of the Church of the Brethren today. ...

That company of tossing, rowing, sweating and disturbed disciples may stand as an image of the institutional Church. In recent times the winds of social change and environmental upheaval have risen stronger and grown more boisterous. The Christian Church everywhere has felt the impact. ... we have observed the waves of environment beating upon that company of Christian believers whom we call the Brethren. The Brethren have not taken refuge in the ivory tower of metaphysical creedalism. They have insisted ever that religion be applied to the affairs of daily living.

But that presupposes a standard. The standard is Jesus. As Peter could walk across the waves while he had his eyes on Jesus and then began to sink when he looked downward, so the Church. The Brethren have no message for the world except to tell men to keep their eyes on Jesus. They have insisted on this for themselves. ...

The call of the Brethren to look at Jesus only has commonly taken the form of emphasizing certain ethical teachings of Jesus which tend to be overlooked in the Christian world. In a former day, Brethren felt that nonswearing and simplicity or "plainness" were principles which they needed to emphasize before their fellow Christians. In recent years the great burden of the Brethren testimony has been peace and effort looking toward a peaceful world. We have sought to direct the eyes of Christians to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Again, the Brethren testimony to the non-Christian world has been the message and spirit of Jesus. Our mission work has been heavily buttressed by hospitals, dispensaries, schools, and various forms of co-operative effort. We have endeavored to make out of non-Christians the highest type of practicing, ethical Christians.

A thread of continuity has run through this history. The purpose to live according to the New Testament, set forth at Schwarzenau, has been the vital core of this fraternity's life. Brethren have been struggling with their environment. ...

To appraise the degree of ultimate success is impossible and unnecessary. Life is not a finished product. The Church has never been assimilated in the purposes of the unregenerate world-society, even though it has at times seemed to accomodate its forms to contemporary social life. The Church is not of the world, but the Church militant is always in the world. It is in the world for a purpose - to serve the Lord Jesus and to carry His Word. ....