Charles R. Brewer
Encyclopedia
Dr. Charles Richard Brewer (1890–1971) was a notable Church of Christ professor, preacher, poet, and leader. Born in near Gimlet Creek in Giles County, Tennessee, Brewer's career included many publications, television and radio shows, and a renown for biblical learning. His funeral in Nashville, TN was attended by some 3,000 people. (He died due to complications resulting from an injury that he received in a car crash.) Brewer was named "Speaker of the Year" in his final year (http://www.therestorationmovement.com/brewer,charlesr.htm) and eventually a "Lipscomb Legend" by the university (http://alumni.lipscomb.edu/page.asp?SID=13&Page=155). He was scheduled to speak at Pepperdine University
, in April of his last year, where he was to receive the school's annual Most Distinguished Service Award. A belltower that was built on the campus of Lipscomb University
in 1935 was dedicated to the memory of Charles R. Brewer after his death, and it bears his name to this day (http://news.lipscomb.edu/filter.asp?SID=14&fi_key=100&co_key=2318).
), George Peabody College, Hardin-Simmons College, University of Texas, Vanderbilt University
and the University of Chicago
. He taught at David Lipscomb College in Nashville and at Abilene Christian College (now Abilene Christian University
) in Abilene, Texas
. He taught Bible, English Literature, drama, Greek, French, and Latin. Ever the Renaissance man, Brewer's thesis at Hardin-Simmons was on Shakespeare.
Brewer also served as president of the Nashville School of Preaching. This school was for men who wanted to preach but couldn't afford the tuition and the cost of regular colleges and universities. It still exists today in Nashville, TN (http://www.crievehall.org/Nashville_School_of_Preaching/).
. According to one of his former students, who received his help in starting a church in Syracuse, NY, Brewer "was very willing to go anywhere to plant a church, even if it was small, because he was so zealous to help people become Christians" http://tccnet.org/Irene_book/03Chapter%203%20-20Childhood%20to%20Wedding.htm.
His succinct formulation of soteriology
reflects what many in the Churches of Christ believed in the mid-20th Century:
“Here are some steps that God wants you to take:
1. Believe in the Lord with all your heart (Acts 16:31).
2. Repent of all sin (Acts 2:38).
3. Confess your faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9).
4. Be buried in baptism (Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-27).
If you obey those simple commands you will then be added to his church (Acts 2:41, 47).”
(Taken from Be Not Dismayed, pages 43–44.) Reprinted here http://www.wbcoc.org/drs/radiosermons/Radio73.htm
This is the traditional approach to salvation in the Churches of Christ.
Brewer, Charles R. Above the Shadow: Poems and Sayings of Faith, Courage, Hope and Mirth. Nashville, TN: Williams Printing Co., 1964.
Brewer, Charles R. Be Not Dismayed: Messages of Cheer and Lessons of Truth. Nashville, TN: World Vision Pub. Co, 1958.
Brewer, Charles R. "Course of Study." Word & Work 23 (1930): 289.http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/digital/ww/WW2310/W2310289.HTM Brewer's announcement of the impending opening of the Nashville Preaching School, which still exists today. (See also http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ww50/WW50_B.HTM.)
Brewer, Charles R. A Missionary pictorial: biographical sketches and pictures of men and women who have gone from the United States as members of churches of Christ to carry the gospel to other lands : together with articles and poems written for the purpose of stirring churches and individuals to greater activity in the effort to preach the gospel to every creature under heaven. Nashville: World Vision Pub. Co., 1964.
Lambert, Gussie. In Memoriam. Shreveport, LA: 1988. pages 32, 33. (reprinted here http://www.therestorationmovement.com/brewer,charlesr.htm)
Gurganus, Irene. George and Irene Gurganus's Autobiography I Married the Pope contains a few remembrances of Charles R. Brewer. http://tccnet.org/Irene_book/03Chapter%203%20-%20Childhood%20to%20Wedding.htm
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
, in April of his last year, where he was to receive the school's annual Most Distinguished Service Award. A belltower that was built on the campus of Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville between Belmont Boulevard to the west and Granny White Pike on the east...
in 1935 was dedicated to the memory of Charles R. Brewer after his death, and it bears his name to this day (http://news.lipscomb.edu/filter.asp?SID=14&fi_key=100&co_key=2318).
Education
Brewer attended David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb UniversityLipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville between Belmont Boulevard to the west and Granny White Pike on the east...
), George Peabody College, Hardin-Simmons College, University of Texas, Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
and the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. He taught at David Lipscomb College in Nashville and at Abilene Christian College (now Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
) in Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
. He taught Bible, English Literature, drama, Greek, French, and Latin. Ever the Renaissance man, Brewer's thesis at Hardin-Simmons was on Shakespeare.
Brewer also served as president of the Nashville School of Preaching. This school was for men who wanted to preach but couldn't afford the tuition and the cost of regular colleges and universities. It still exists today in Nashville, TN (http://www.crievehall.org/Nashville_School_of_Preaching/).
Biblical knowledge and preaching
Brewer was known to amaze people on his television program "Know Your Bible" with his arcane knowledge of the Bible. His style as a lecturer and preacher was less contentious than that of his more famous brother, G. C. BrewerG. C. Brewer
Grover Cleveland Brewer was among the most famous 20th-century leaders in the Churches of Christ. He was said to be "among the giants of the brotherhood" . "G. C." Brewer was named for U.S. President Grover Cleveland, "G. C." Brewer is generally known by his initials. G. C...
. According to one of his former students, who received his help in starting a church in Syracuse, NY, Brewer "was very willing to go anywhere to plant a church, even if it was small, because he was so zealous to help people become Christians" http://tccnet.org/Irene_book/03Chapter%203%20-20Childhood%20to%20Wedding.htm.
His succinct formulation of soteriology
Soteriology
The branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation and redemption is called Soteriology. It is derived from the Greek sōtērion + English -logy....
reflects what many in the Churches of Christ believed in the mid-20th Century:
“Here are some steps that God wants you to take:
1. Believe in the Lord with all your heart (Acts 16:31).
2. Repent of all sin (Acts 2:38).
3. Confess your faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9).
4. Be buried in baptism (Acts 2:38; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-27).
If you obey those simple commands you will then be added to his church (Acts 2:41, 47).”
(Taken from Be Not Dismayed, pages 43–44.) Reprinted here http://www.wbcoc.org/drs/radiosermons/Radio73.htm
This is the traditional approach to salvation in the Churches of Christ.
Select bibliography
See especially Charles R. Brewer at the Restoration Movement site, http://www.therestorationmovement.com/brewer,charlesr.htmBrewer, Charles R. Above the Shadow: Poems and Sayings of Faith, Courage, Hope and Mirth. Nashville, TN: Williams Printing Co., 1964.
Brewer, Charles R. Be Not Dismayed: Messages of Cheer and Lessons of Truth. Nashville, TN: World Vision Pub. Co, 1958.
Brewer, Charles R. "Course of Study." Word & Work 23 (1930): 289.http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/digital/ww/WW2310/W2310289.HTM Brewer's announcement of the impending opening of the Nashville Preaching School, which still exists today. (See also http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/ww50/WW50_B.HTM.)
Brewer, Charles R. A Missionary pictorial: biographical sketches and pictures of men and women who have gone from the United States as members of churches of Christ to carry the gospel to other lands : together with articles and poems written for the purpose of stirring churches and individuals to greater activity in the effort to preach the gospel to every creature under heaven. Nashville: World Vision Pub. Co., 1964.
Lambert, Gussie. In Memoriam. Shreveport, LA: 1988. pages 32, 33. (reprinted here http://www.therestorationmovement.com/brewer,charlesr.htm)
Gurganus, Irene. George and Irene Gurganus's Autobiography I Married the Pope contains a few remembrances of Charles R. Brewer. http://tccnet.org/Irene_book/03Chapter%203%20-%20Childhood%20to%20Wedding.htm