David Lipscomb was a remarkable man. As a very conservative thinker and gospel preacher, he influenced an inestimable number of Christians in the second half of the 19th century. As editor of the Gospel Advocate for some 50 years, he included a “Queries and Answers” column as a regular feature. One of the hot issues of his day had to do with the possibility of people in religious denominations being bona fide Christians. It’s a question still worthy of our consideration. The following is Lipscomb’s response to a very hostile and lengthy question from another preacher who disagreed with him. Note the distinction Brother Lipscomb draws between one’s obedience to scripture, as opposed to obedience to a human creed. His opening sentence also demonstrates a rather pithy sense of humor. I believe David Lipscomb was correct on this point, and his response will hopefully spur each of us to further study.                        
 Steve Dewhirst
 
Do Human Creeds Make Christians?
by David Lipscomb (1831-1917)
It is singular to me that a teacher of the Christian religion, of experience and knowledge, should ask such a question as that. It is undoubtedly true that nothing can make a …