Back to Restoration Movements Overview Campbell

Thomas and Alexander Campbell, the Declaration and Address, the Christian Baptist, and the Millennial Harbinger.

Thomas Campbell (1763-1854) was a Seceder Presbyterian minister from Ireland who came to America and wrote the Declaration and Address of 1809, the movement's founding manifesto. His son Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) carried the plea further, editing the Christian Baptist from 1823 and the Millennial Harbinger from 1830, preaching across the American frontier, and publishing The Christian System in 1835. Together they argued that the New Testament is a perfect constitution for the church, that creeds are the flags of division, and that a restored ancient gospel and ancient order could unite all Christians.

Campbell ClaimThe church of Christ is one, its constitution is the New Testament, and Christians should speak where the Scriptures speak and be silent where they are silent.

Main ReceiptsThomas Campbell, Declaration and Address (1809); Alexander Campbell, The Christian Baptist (1823-1830), The Millennial Harbinger (1830-1863), The Christian System (1835).

Live DisputeOpponents called the Campbells anti-creedal innovators who dissolved the church into sects; the movement's own families later disagreed over how far to institutionalize the plea.

Component Map

6 pieces that have to be kept distinct.

Thomas Campbell's PleaThomas Campbell's Declaration and Address of 1809 proposed that Scripture is the only rule of faith and practice and that nothing should be required of Christians that is not as old as the New Testament.

The Christian AssociationThe Christian Association of Washington, Pennsylvania, was formed in 1809 as an association of churches, not a new church, to promote the union of all Christians.

Alexander Campbell's LeadershipAlexander Campbell brought his father's plea to maturity, editing the Christian Baptist from 1823 and the Millennial Harbinger from 1830 and preaching restoration across the frontier.

The Christian BaptistThe Christian Baptist attacked creeds, clerical hierarchy, and sectarianism, and called for a restoration of the ancient order of things in doctrine, worship, and church government.

The Millennial HarbingerThe Harbinger, published from 1830 to 1863, looked for the millennium through reformation, Christian union, and the moral transformation of American society.

The Christian SystemCampbell's 1835 treatise was the movement's systematic theology, covering Scripture, faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the kingdom.

Receipt Trail

Start here before drawing conclusions.

Declaration and Address (1809)Thomas Campbell's founding plea for Christian unity based on Scripture alone.

The Christian Baptist (1823-1830)Alexander Campbell's aggressive reform journal attacking creeds, clerical hierarchy, and sectarianism.

The Christian System (1835)Campbell's systematic statement of the ancient gospel and the ancient order.

The Millennial Harbinger (1830-1863)Campbell's later journal of Christian union and moral reformation.