(For Christians) Why Human Organization Is Unnecessary

by AuldSoul 39 Replies latest jw friends

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  AuldSoul

  Coming out of JWs, one of the most thorough studies I have done is on the topic of human organization. I have been very careful with this study for two reasons: (1) If human organization IS important, then "Where else do we go?" is an important question whether or not that is the question Peter asked Jesus; and (2) if human organization is NOT important, it allows us to see Christianity, fellowship, and our personal relationship with Christ in a whole new way.

  I set out to determine whether human organization was necessary (and therefore, important), not to prove that it is unnecessary. I will start by presenting the basic arguments I have heard in favor of the necessity of human organization. If you have others I don't list, please supply them here.

  (1) The apostles deciding on a new apostle to fill out an even dozen.

  (2) Jesus sending out the 12 and then 70 with instructions and "by twos."

  (3) Elders and ministerial servants in the 1st Century Christian congregations.

  (4) Acts 15 (need more be said?)

  (5) Instructions to Timothy and Titus regarding qualifications for appointments to offices of oversight.

  (6) The organizational systems of the Israelites (i.e. the Levitical priesthood, the divisions of chieftans, the kings, the prophets).

  If there are more that I have missed, please list them. You might have one I haven't considered that proves my results wrong. I will be getting back to this tonight to reveal the results of my studies.

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
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  aniron

  I think that were humans come together for any purpose "organisation" comes about. Otherwise chaos would happen with each doing their own thing. Whether its a party at home or running a buisness, "organisation" is needed.

  The problem arises when the "organisation" starts to control the people and not the people controlling the "organisation".

  This occurs usually when people allow either one person or a number of persons, to be in charge of the "organisation". These then start to take power upon themselves to run the "organisation". To the exclusion of others who are members of the "organisation".

  With Christians who are individuals and have a personal relationship with Christ. But at the same time scripture tells them not to stop meeting together. From what Auldsoul posted its clear that early Christians were "organised" to some extent. But to what exent did that "organisation" impinge upon a Christians everyday life and relationship with Christ. As far as I can see early Christians came together to support and encourage each other. Scripture also warned that people would come in and try to take over congregations, teaching their own thing. This is were "organisation" falls down. It is no longer there to support or encourage but to control.

  Through the centuries we have seen what has happened when "organisation" takes control. Whether its the Watchtower or Catholics, or any other religious group.

  The "Organisation" becomes the main object. Being Christian and Christ becomes a side issue.
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  TopHat

  Every little church in every little town on every little prairie has a BIG Corporate HQ's somewhere. It's a business.
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  AuldSoul

  aniron,

  Thank you for those thoughts. It is along those lines that my post this evening will run, with one distinction: The Scriptures seem to strongly indicate that the Holy Ghost is the unifying and organizing force for Christians, not men. So while organization is needed to a degree, it is the Holy Ghost that organizes as needed, not humans. As soon as humans start to interfere with the operation of the Holy Ghost, the organization becomes oppressive (to some degree or other).

  I will also be showing why the current model of gathering to listen to a preacher (or preachers) is detrimental to personal relationship and individual spirituality. Using, primarily 1 Corinthians 12-14.

  Gotta get ready for work, now. Later!

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
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  Honesty

  Every little church in every little town on every little prairie has a BIG Corporate HQ's somewhere. It's a business. TopHat

  You don't say. How did you arrive at this conclusion?
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  jwfacts

  Your examples highlight that Christianity was 'organized'. What needs to be distinguished is the difference between being 'organized' and belonging to 'An Organization'.

  Can a person serve God organizing to discuss his Word with a group of people, or must it be by attending a meeting that discusses the journals of a specific Organization, discussing the viewpoint of the leaders of that Organization?
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  vitty

  Isnt the congregation or church an organization.........?
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  TopHat

  You don't say. How did you arrive at this conclusion?

  You SEE! You learn something new everyday....glad to have helped you in some way!
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  drew sagan

  Ray Franz has some very good material in his book 'In Searc of Christian Freedom' regarding this topic. So many things run smack in the face to the idea that one single Christian organization must be a representation of the only true church upon the earth.
  
  Classic of this idea that the only central authority in the life of a Christian is Jesus Christ alone is this account found in Mark 9:

  Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
  
  38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
  39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

  
  
  The Watchtower plays a very easy trick on it's believers. First it gives you in essence 'Hidden Bible Secrets THEY Don't Want you to Know About'. Once you believe that only they are the only people who are willing to speak the truth on this earth (by believing their Bible interpretations) you give in to any other absurd doctrine that comes out of their mouth. 'They where so right about everything else, how could they be wrong about this?' is the way we reason on it. Of course, this kind of a game can only last so long for a portion of us who never let our questions and problems about the organization leave us.
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  Narkissos

  "(For Christians)" aside...

  What if, in both Judaism and early Christianity, there was what we can construe as pro-organisation and anti-organisatio trends, coexisting and reacting to each other? Luke-Acts, Ephesians and the Pastorals being a good example of the former, the Johannine literature a good example of the latter?

  The irony of course is what starts as an anti-organisation trend may end up as a hyper-organised one (e.g. Russell -> Rutherford/Knorr).