Alexander Russell MAIN

MAIN, ALEXANDER RUSSELL (b. Dumbartonshire, Scotland, 9 Feb 1876; d. Roseville, NSW, 13 Oct 1945). Churches of Christ educator, editor and statesman.

A Free Church of Scotland family, the Mains migrated to farming in Victoria in 1892. Converted during a visit of A B Maston, a leading Churches of Christ evangelist, Alexander Main followed him to Melbourne, took employment in the movement's printing house and was soon evangelising publicly. In 1900 he was appointed evangelist (the term then used by the Churches of Christ for their ministers) with the Ann St church in Brisbane. Returning to Melbourne in 1903, he was based at the Footscray Church, and was soon lecturing to aspiring clerks and other lower middle class supporters of Churches of Christ. In 1907 Main began teaching at the newly-established Churches of Christ College of the Bible, concurrently completing a Melbourne BA with honours in philosophy. From 1910-1938 he was principal of the college.

Main had already developed a capacity in journalism, and from 1914 to 1941 he was editor of the Australian Christian, the movement's journal. Occupying these central roles, Main easily fulfilled presidential and advisory appointments for Churches of Christ, and was widely recognised as their leading Australian spokesman for thirty years. In retirement, he inaugurated the denomination's Sydney College at Woolwich 1942-44. 'In an age when doctrinal issues were the focus of attention, this brilliant Scot exercised an authority in matters theological such as had never been contemplated before, and which was never possible afterwards.' (Chapman, One Lord, 124). He was seen as the one man to speak with authority, and deploying his logical skills, to confute assailants, both within and without the Restorationist fold. He dominated conferences and expanded his sphere through his many articles in Australian Christian. He took the Bible to be his authoritative base above any claims of tradition or indeed the efforts of some Restorationists to claim special authority for their own pronouncements. This did not save him from the criticism that he was influenced by liberalism, following the development of similar controversy in American circles in 1917, attacks which continue: 'move[s] to Liberal U.S. Disciple viewpoint ... Differences ignored ... Increasing fraternisation with denominations' (Roper, Voices 297).

Main was a controversialist, but one aware of the modest intellectual attainments of his supporters. This reinforced his reference to the Bible as the standard of faith. Nevertheless he argued the need for training and intellectual leadership and even for credal formularies within his denomination. He challenged the extreme Arminianism of some Churches of Christ spokesmen who emphasised the conversion experience, or even the act of baptism, as the key salvation event. He focussed more on the divine act of the atonement, appropriated by faith. Consequently he adopted a conservative view of the status of the children of believers, denying any operational power to baptism alone.

Main also argued for cooperation with other denominations, bringing criticism upon himself from more rigid Restorationists unwilling to accept the notion of denominationalism, or the possibility of cooperation with those outside the movement. In the 1930s he urged participation in the Faith and Order Movement, and was commended for his brotherly dealings with other Protestant leaders, though he could not cooperate with Roman Catholics. His own view of the role of Restorationists was 'Our work of building, of construction and reconstruction, will never be complete till the New Testament faith and life are found in all the earth, until the scattered hosts of the people of God constitute one body, united in one God and Lord and Spirit, holding one faith, one baptism and one hope; till the light of the glory of Christ shine on every man for whom the Lord Jesus died'. (Chapman, One Lord, 139)

G Chapman, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: A history of Churches of Christ in Australia(Melbourne, 1979); D Roper, Voices Crying in the Wilderness: A history of the Lord's Church with special reference to Australia (Adelaide, 1979)

BRIAN DICKEY