Quest to Restore God’s House – A Theological History of the Church of God

Volume I, 1886-1923, R.G. Spurling to A.J. Tomlinson, Formation-Transformation-Reformation Authored by Wade H. Phillips In this first volume of a projected three-volume set

Earlier this fall I read, “Quest to Restore God’s House” by Wade H.Phillips, this is a history of the Pentecostal movement in and around Cleveland, Tn. Phillips writes well and his research is good and since I grew up in the area and knew some of the history I found the book interesting.
It is the word RESTORE and the emphasis on restoration that I find troubling. The Pharisees and the Sadducees of the N.T. were about restoration but Jesus was about a new covenant. The book of Acts was about a newness of approach. My friend Rev. Wayne Roston used to sing,: there is nothing to go back to, praise God sweet heavens in view.” When you read Phillips book about all the infighting,the factions and even law suits against the brethren, the word restore is the last word that I would be thinking of. Rather let us think of building a fresh new church, depending on the wisdom of our generation and the continuing leadership of the Holy Spirit.