written bkp) a meeting took place at the Woodsfield church of Christ. Woodsfield is known
by conservative brethren as the leader of digression in the Ohio Valley. Several preachers
and church members concerned about the liberal movement met with the preacher and
elders at Woodsfield to discuss our differences and the issues that have been dividing
churches over the past several decades.
The Occasion
The opportunity arose when two brethren from the Center church of Christ wrote a
letter to the Woodsfield church of Christ. There were two pages of questions all stemming
from the recent Woodsfield church of Christ Youth Ralley. At this youth rally were singing
groups, drama clubs and skits that were performed in front of the assemblies. The
brethren writing the questionnaire were just looking for book, chapter and verse for what
is being practiced by this congregation wearing the name of Christ.
Entertainment Vs. Education
The excuse used by the Woodsfield church of Christ was that all of their methods, i.e.
plays, skits, singing groups, taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. While learning can be
accomplished while being entertained, is it the most effective form of education? Is it the
Bible method of education? Jesus Christ, His Apostles and gospel preachers for centuries
afterward have educated by public proclaiming and private teaching of the gospel. Paul
said, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard (emp.KM) the word of truth, the gospel
of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed...." (Eph.1:13, cf. Acts 19:1-5). There
is no command, example or necessary inference that we are to teach by entertainment.
Has the gospel lost its impact? Cannot the attention of our young people be kept by
hearing the old, old story? Must we show them instead of tell them? Must we act it out
instead of hearing and believing it? I stand with Paul to say, "I am not ashamed of the
Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth"
(Rom.1:16). They can slice it anyway they desire, but what occurred was entertainment
and even the denominations know if you bring them in with entertainment, you have to
keep them with entertainment. If the children of light can see this in the denominations,
why cannot they see this within themselves?
The Plant is Bearing Fruit
How did the Woodsfield church of Christ get to the point of having these groups in their
assemblies? Did they all of the sudden have a great idea and put it into practice? Only they
can answer how this practice was accepted by all. I cannot answer this with certainty, but
I am positive that it came about by the process of desensitization. Long ago the seed was
sown that skits are acceptable. Possibly lessons were acted out in Bible class the excuse
being, "it is an effective way of teaching". Now these children have become teachers and
the next step of acting these out in front of the assembly is "not that bad", or "it is an
effective way to teach". Now such groups are indifferent to the point of letting others
worship for them (i.e. singing groups) and being entertained by drama groups. And yes,
some of these things occur in their Lord's day assemblies.
Brethren, the idea is to teach and preach the gospel and those with a sincere heart will
respond and repent. If we attempt to "bring them under the sound of the gospel" with
games and gimmicks we are employing novelties that, do not have a command, example
or necessary inference. May we strive to look like the Lords church, as opposed to
employing the devices of the denominations.
Trouble's Brewing
This attitude and acceptance of our entertainment culture is troubling to see in those
who wear the name church of Christ. As discussed last week, "the plant is bearing fruit" in
the liberal churches as we see the magnitude of what has transpired. But the seeds are
germinating among sound conservative churches. Appearing are props, costumes, robes
all under the reasoning, "children learn by seeing and feeling." One congregation, labeled
sound, after their VBS class brings children in front of the assembly to act out their Bible
lessons while female teachers stand in front of the congregation to direct them. Another
church is continually changing their props so children can act out their Bible lessons on
Sunday morning. These are just a few of the things that are occurring in the brotherhood.
What's going on?
What are these brethren doing? They are planting the seeds of a Thespian church. A
Thespian church is one made up of actors and everything must be acted out to entertain,
from the preacher down to the Bible class teacher. In a generation or less these
congregations will be battling people wanting to have singing groups, "worship teams",
skits played to educate, etc. The time to stop this is before it starts. Brethren, burn those
seeds!
Jesus Wouldn't Entertain
In one of Jesus trials, Herod wanted to be entertained. Luke records, "And when Herod
saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season,
because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done
by him" (23:8). But Jesus wouldn't do it. Herod had heard the teaching of John the Baptist
and didn't repent. Possibly Jesus performing a miracle and satisfying Herod's desire to be
entertained would cause him to believe in Jesus. Jesus saw through it. If he didn't repent
at John's words, neither would he repent if he saw a miracle.
Another time Jesus would have had the perfect opportunity to bring people to him was
in the performing a miracle. If entertainment is a proper way to bring people "under the
sound of the gospel", Jesus could have done so by letting them see His miracles. After all,
it was a good work. Notice what he told the leper in Matthew 8, "And, behold, there came
a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And
Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately
his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man (emp.KM); but
go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a
testimony unto them" (v.2-4). Now if Jesus was just concerned about getting people there
by any possible means, He would have said, "go and tell everyone". In John 6, when Jesus
fed the five thousand, they continued to follow because of the food. John 6:26 says,
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye
did eat of the loaves, and were filled". He rebuked them for the reason that they followed.
Would Jesus try to bring them in by physical means? If you do, you have to keep them by
physical means! Jesus drove this point home by teaching some hard sayings and they left!
Jesus wouldn't entertain to win souls and neither should we. Let us not be guilty of
minimizing God's word and buying into societies philosophy of the need to be shown to be
taught. Rather let us have faith in the word and teach the word and those with sincere
heart will repent.
