The Great Writer Society
A Parable
Once upon a time, there was a writer. He wrote about subjects that were very important to the people of his community. He observed the difficulties that arose because of certain conditions in the culture. Along with having much concern for the people, he also understood why the problems existed and knew the solutions to their hardships.
The writer carefully and skillfully explained in several volumes the causes of the situation and the solutions. However, the base cause of the rough conditions were the ideas and life-styles of the people, and only a few of them were interested in changing their culture. The few who saw the correctness of his diagnosis and cure became very close to him and each other. Because they spent much time speaking to him and reading to each other from his writings, he gave his volumes into their custody.
These friends organized a society for the purpose of advancing this man and his writings. Since the writer's views were distinguished from the ideas of the majority, the society was named "The Separated Society." They were also know as "The Great Writer Society." When the society met, several of the members read from the volumes, talked about things the writer had done, and endeavored to implement his remedies. They met frequently with each other to honor the writer and encourage each other to follow his instructions. Whenever they saw another member, their conversation centered around the writer and his writings. Thus, society members were noted for their devotion to the writer and his writing.
Generations later, the society continued to exist. However, it had evolved over the years. Members began to talk to each other about different writers and other writings. They often discussed the practical results of the changes in atmospheric pressure (the weather) experienced by the community. They shared personal stories about each others' social, familial, occupational, and medical experiences and situations. Each local chapter of the society elected a president to be responsible for educating the members about the volumes of the founding writer - freeing the others to pursue other interests. They often promoted the president, and they promoted the society with slogans such as "Find Happiness at a Society Meeting," "We Adore our Society," "People with a Plan," and "The Society with Foresight."
Their programs began to evidence an existence primarily for the purpose of keeping the society together. Devotion to the founding writer became confused with participation in the society's activities. They initiated new members who had little interest in the founding writer or his writings. Instead of seeking members devoted to the founding writer, they looked for people who wanted to join their society because of what the society offered. They began promoting the society by appealing to cravings of the culture. Overall, they began to look a lot like the conditions the writer had originally sought to replace. They integrated the culture's views and practices into the society. Instead of being separated from it, "The Separated Society" had become "The Culture Club." *
* also known as "The Secular Society"
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Cautions for the Church
The previous story is an illustration of what happens when 'those who are called out of the world to serve Christ' depart from Biblical instruction. Below are some cautions to those who seek to honor the Lord Jesus Christ (The Great Writer) and His Word.
- Scripture does not instruct the church to have as an objective an increase of our numbers.
- Our desire shoud be for the salvation of multitudes of people - for individuals - not for 'numbers.'
- Scripture instructs the church to proclaim the good news, to take care of each other, and to grow spiritually.
- God will provide the proper numerical increase (Acts 2:47).
- In our desire for many others to be saved, we must not neglect or reject Biblical instructions and principles.
- Scripture does not instruct the church to promote itself.
- The church exists to honor the Lord, not to honor itself.
- If a group tries to get people to join them because of their positive traits, those who join will have a commitment to the group, not to the Lord.
- As believers, we are to proclaim (the good news of) Christ!
- We are not to advertise ourselves, including our love for each other, our programs, or our leaders.
- We are to 'show' (do) our love. If we truly love each other, the actions of love and obedience to God will point to Christ, not to ourselves.
- Scripture does not instruct the church to use any and every means to proclaim the good news to the world.
- Scripture gives prescriptions for all activities of the church - including evangelism.
- Some methods are not compatible with the message.
- Scripture does not instruct the church to welcome those who are not true followers of Jesus into our numbers.
- By definition, the church is those who have come "out of" the world to follow Jesus.
- Inviting unbelievers to join believers in giving praise to God and in serving Him competes against the unity and fellowship of believers, which is only through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Scripture does not instruct the church to be agreeable to the world - including their desires and ideas.
- Scripture tells the church to expose the darkness with the light of God's Word.
- Scripture tells the church to be separate from the world - in beliefs, methods, activities, and purposes.
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The Meaning of the Parable
During His life here on earth, Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, God, salvation, sin, forgiveness, faith, prayer, eternal life, and other important spiritual realities. His teachings and actions gave answers for the problems of mankind. He gave hope to those who accepted His words.
The teachings of Jesus and His apostles have been preserved in writing - the Bible. However, because the root cause of mankind's problems is sin, many have rejected Jesus and His words. Thus, many have not turned from their self-centered lives and believed in Jesus so that they can receive His remedy for their plight.
The few who believe the words of Jesus and His apostles unite with Him and other believers. Believers are called out of the world - they are the 'church' - and are given the responsibility and privilege to join together in following and teaching the Bible.
Believers assemble to read, study, and proclaim the Word of God for the purpose of worshipping God. Along with these meetings, our conversations with each other are to encourage each other to follow His Word and proclaim to the world that Jesus is Lord and Savior. By doing so, believers are known as Christians - followers of Jesus Christ.
For two millennium, believers have been faithful to serve and worship Jesus according to the Word of God. However, there have been times when they departed from God's instructions and allowed the ideas and practices of the world to dilute and pollute their dedication to God. Some have shown more interest in the writings of men than in God's Word. Discussions about other subjects have been allowed to take priority over study of the Bible. Moreover, there are currently many groups of (those who are called) believers who have copied the structure of secular institutions. Rather than being led by a plurality of godly men as taught in the Bible, they have chosen one person to rule like a C.E.O. of a company and be the official teacher. Some use this as an excuse to neglect personal Bible study and the proclamation of Jesus to the world so they can engage in self-centered pursuits. Instead of exalting Jesus, they seek to increase the number of members by promoting their figurehead (the pastor) and their organization with mottoes such as the following: "I love my Church," "The Church Led by a Purpose," or "The Church with a Vision." Inviting people to attend meetings has become a replacement for encouraging believers to godly living and evangelism.
In addition, devotion to church programs and meetings has been allowed as a replacement for obedience to Jesus. Churches seek to gain new members by offering to fulfill the self-centered desires and ideas of people who show little evidence of humble repentance toward God or faith toward the Lord Jesus. The result is members who no longer separate from the desires, practices, and ideas of the unbelieving world. The church is giving place to a religious social club; the family of believers is being defiled by the customs and cares of the world.
Instead of replicating godless and worldly sinners, the Great Writer Society must always be composed of faithful believers who represent the gracious and wonderful Savior.
"instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Titus 2:12-14
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Rom 12:1-2
