I have understood that all Christian denominations consider themselves "restorationist" to the extent that they believe they always have the true church system of the revelations of Christianity from the Christian scriptures and traditions. Catholic and Orthodox Christians have told me that they are restorationist (which means there is nothing to restore I guess) because they abide by the authentic Christian religion.
Hi.
That's what I thought too.
I attend a Calvary Chapel, and our goal is to teach the bible, verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation, and keep doing it until Jesus returns.
This idea of ensuring that everyone who comes to Jesus is to follow him as is defined in the bible.
Having read the ask about article I'm struck by the idea that while we really need to follow Jesus "as defined in the first century", we read in Titus 2
Tit 2:11-14 WEB 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12
instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
Shouldn't we focus on living sober, righteous and godly lives in our respective present ages, whatever age that happens to be?
And if Jesus tarries for another 1000 years or longer, wouldn't the Jesus followers of each of those respective ages/eras want to know him and honor him in the circumstances they are living, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7?
Technology is changing. What they had 100, 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 1980 years ago is different than we have now.
We're able to talk with people on the internet, using smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and other devices that didn't exist 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.
I can't imagine a single Jesus follower who'd want to JUST be a religious person, and wind up missing Jesus altogether.
Everyone who comes to Jesus, even if they don't really understand the truth, they want to know him and live a life that honors him in every way.
Instead of trying to shove modernity back into what you think is an historical box, ask God to teach you how to live here, and now for the purpose of showing those who have yet to meet him, what he says and came to do.