Organisasjonene som ble Nehushtan?
Et tekstkutt som kan belyse farene ved at den troende stand blir altfor avhengige av 'organisasjon og apparat', slik at den enkelte medvirkende, individet, blir 'avskiltet', isolert og 'befridd' for initiativ.Det vises dertil hvordan denne utviklingen rett frem kan føre med seg avguderi -- idet organisasjon og embete forventes å inneha alt initiativ, tillegges slik tillit, og avventes slik ledelse som den troende med rette kun skulle se hen til sin Gud etter.
Kan det minne litt om Moses' kobberslange, et engang rettelig "embete" som folket senere kom til å dyrke som gudebilde?
Teksten er sakset fra et skriv som sikter mot 'jehovas vitner', og er skrevet av en forhenværende JV'er som har brutt med bevegelsen, Thomas Cabeen.
Vi forsynte oss med utsnitt som kan ha mer alminnelig gyldighet i det norske kristne klima, og hoppet over en lang bibelhistorisk innledning.
Det er jo noe brutalt mot opprinnelig opus, men forfatteren har jamen uttrykkelig tillatt bruk av utsnitt.Emnet er ikke overbetont her til lands og skulle fortjene mer fokusert innsats, dette skal kunne brukes som et foreløpig notat.
Kan vi bli kultiske uten å høre til en attestert og botanisert kult?
In the centuries since the death of the apostles, many religious organizations have been formed, often with very sincere intentions, to provide fellowship, escape persecution, and attempt to protect believers from false teachings. Does God Work Through An Organization?
by Thomas W. Cabeen, an excerpt
However, in time, the original founders die and the membership grows. Active, influential members of these organizations may sooner or later lose sight of the original purpose of forming the fellowship or organization. Lacking faith in Jesus’ ability to meet his disciples’ needs, or moved perhaps by a sense of responsibility, or by opportunities for financial gain, power or prestige, they may hide behind the lofty stated goals of the organization and maneuver things so they gain increased control over others.
The terrible consequences that ultimately result when this process matures are written in blood and tears across the pages of history. Leaders of these organizations may claim to represent Christ, and insist that they have authority to speak in his name. Declaring that they have the right to interpret the Bible, they expel anyone who disagrees with those interpretations. They may substitute their own views for the pure message of the Bible, and increase membership through human means such as the promise of security within the organization. They may maintain their membership through (psychological manipulation etc.), dictate rules and regulations to their members, demand loyalty and financial support, and browbeat sincere persons with the tyranny of authority.
All these actions bring great dishonor to Jesus Christ. After describing at length the type of loving conduct that his true followers would produce, Jesus warned: “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.” He said “those men” could be recognized by their conduct or “fruits,” not as an organization but as individuals. (Matt. 7:15-20) This is why organizational growth or size does not necessarily show God’s approval and blessing, for Jesus said “many false prophets will arise and mislead MANY. -- Matt. 24:11
Organizations are not wrong in themselves. They may provide a way to channel resources such as time, energy or money. In the wrong hands, however, a religious organization may use these resources for purposes other than to honor Jesus Christ and his redemptive work. Then, when individuals within the organization choose to focus on Christ, they may find themselves at odds with other members for the organization. They may face a choice, since the organization’s leaders may threaten them, label them as “dangerous” to other members, or expel them.
This is nothing new. If members of a religious organization hate us or call us apostates because we are faithful to God and his Son alone rather than to the organization, and exclude us from their fellowship as a result, remember Jesus’ words of comfort: “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” --Luke 6:22, 23 ; compare 3 John 9,10.
Peter stated: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) Paul added: “(God) is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:26-27)
Our response to God can occur in any place, at any time, and must happen on a personal basis. God bought each of us as individuals with the blood of his Son. He wants each of us to personally repent of our sins, accept forgiveness, and come to Jesus. “Come to me,” Jesus said, “... and I will refresh you.” --Matt. 11:28.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Bible says that God spoke to mankind through prophets in pre-Christian times, and through his Son in the Christian era. There is absolutely no evidence anywhere in the Bible that even suggests that God ever established or worked through a small group of special representative servants who regularly acted as his administrators, revealing his messages or expressed will to the rest of his faithful people. That is why there is not a single exhortation in the Bible to identify or exhibit loyalty, faithfulness, obedience, or cooperation with such an approved representative group.We cannot transfer our personal accountability before God to another person, and, as we have seen, an organization cannot take responsibility for anything. Paul said: “Each of us will render an account for himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12) On the day when we must render an account to God for how we lived, a record of loyalty to an organization will be no substitute for a fine record of faith in God and resulting good Christian conduct toward others, especially Jesus’ followers.
(omredigert...)
Does God Work With Individuals AND an Organization?
In view of the overwhelming evidence that God has always communicated his will through individuals, someone may ask: Is it possible that God communicates certain things to us individually and other things through an approved organization which acts as a prophet?This concept is based on the idea that an organization can act like a person. Association with an organization can influence its members to copy the viewpoints of its leaders, express themselves in a similar way, or act in a uniform manner. It may appear that the organization has a “mind” of its own. But ( . . . ) an organization has no capability for independent thoughts, feelings, or opinions. It is not a separate entity like a person.
( . . . ) After World War II, the Nazi organization never went on trial for war crimes. But individuals who were associated with it did. An organization cannot be punished for crimes. It bears no accountability. But people do. That is why Jesus said, referring to his arrival in glory, that he would ... separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He continued, showing that he would base his judgement on personal conduct rather than blind loyalty to organizational rules or beliefs. --Matt. 25:31-46
It is easy to lose sight of these simple facts when confronted with evidence of the enormous accomplishments that are possible when individuals pool their efforts. But huge buildings and other material achievements do not impress God nor necessarily indicate his favor and blessing. --Gen 11:6
( . . . )
We should not be intimidated or fooled when the leaders of a religious organization point to visible marks of “success” as an indication that God has blessed them or is backing their work. God has absolutely unlimited resources and abilities. He has no need for any buildings, printing presses, financial support, or any type of organizational structure to multiply his resources, as if there were things he could not do by himself.God has none of the limitations associated with organizations. Organizational rules and regulations that may be the best possible compromise to govern the behavior of people as a group may be unfair to individuals within the group. God, on the other hand, can give personalized direction to everyone. We can rely on the fact that our heavenly Father knows our individual needs and will supply them in the best possible way. --Matt. 6:31-33; 1 John 5:13-15,20.
The conclusions presented herein, if accepted, may create a problem for persons who may be considering whether to continue to associate with their organization. If they choose to leave, they may wonder where to go. Even if they have serious doctrinal disagreements with the organization, they may consider simply staying with it, since the consequences for leaving, especially on doctrinal grounds, may include rejection by friends and family, plus slander and gossip. Leaving may not seem worth that abuse, especially if one goes off in search of “truth” to another group or church, only to find that the new church has certain doctrines correct, but not “the whole truth.”
Searching among organizations to find “truth” may be fruitless and frustrating. But it is certainly not the only, nor the best, alternative. Actually, the decision should not be about choosing between organizations at all.
No person or group of persons, and thus no organization, church or religious group knows everything about God or his ways. So no one can find “the truth that leads to eternal life” by searching for the correct explanation of Bible passages or “proving” doctrinal positions. “Truth,” in the Bible sense, simply isn’t found there.
Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Therefore, knowing truth in the Bible sense must begin with a relationship with Jesus Christ, simply accepting him as God’s Son and our Savior, Mediator, Lord and King. (1 Cor. 3:11) When many of Jesus’ disciples left him because they didn’t understand some of his teachings, he asked the twelve, “you do not want to go also, do you?” Peter replied: “Lord, whom would we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus’ apostles were not about to leave him and go elsewhere in search of truth. They knew that no one else could give them life. Peter’s reply to Jesus’ question shows that he understood that the question was not about where to go, but about whom to trust. The apostles recognized Jesus as the only source of truth, and knew that they could trust no other person or group of persons to give them teachings that would lead to eternal life.
The apostle John assures us that we have been given understanding (intellectual capacity) so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true -- even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)
John continued: Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
(v. 21) Why this warning? Because people tend to follow other persons or religious systems in place of Christ.Watchtower publications refer to the organization in terms the Bible uses to refer to Jesus Christ. Witnesses say they are “in the truth” to mean they are “in the organization.” The organization is presented as handling “all the king’s interests” on earth, really everything that Jesus said he would handle personally.
To attribute to an organization such capabilities as being a source of God’s spirit, His blessings and direction, or providing a channel through which pure teaching, leadership or protection from enemies comes, amounts to nothing less than idolatry. (Compare Ex. 32:4) And persons who focus attention on an organization rather than on Christ Jesus are false prophets.
Rather than following any man or group of men, follow only Jesus Christ. He has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” (Matt. 28:18) Based on that firm foundation, fellowship with other Christians, whether you prefer it more or less structured, takes on a whole new dimension. Seek and you will certainly find other true Christians with whom to share the pure joy of belonging to and sharing Jesus’ love, guided by God’s spirit and his Word the Bible, to his eternal glory and praise.
. . .Som avvent kultist er forfatteren kanskje blitt i frieste laget i forhold til dogmatikk, men uten noen skade for hans sentrale argumentlinje her.
Er det forresten så lett, dette han antyder helt til slutt?
Å finne sanne israelitter uten svik, og uten uheldig binding til menneskelig feilende organisasjon og apparat?
Ikke så at vi skulle forsvare det uholdbare med blanke skuldertrekk, dog....