"As It Appears From Where I Sit"
What a thing appears to be, in most cases, depends upon where one is sitting. One might be sitting in the middle of the desert, and something appears in a distance, looking like water or a city, but we all know these are referred to as mirages. Looking down at an automobile from 8,000 feet, it appears to be about an inch long, but from a more practical standpoint, we look at it and realize it is twelve to fifteen feet (most anyway). I have known of one newly converted, coming to the services for the first time, seeing how friendly everyone was, crying "peace, peace," when actually the appearance was wrong, for there was "no peace." (Ezek. 13:10)
Our title is the same as the one used in the following article. While a portion of it has been quoted and to which reference has been made in a former article in this paper, we think a complete quotation here would be somewhat enlightening to some. This article is taken from the Cedar Rapids Christian (bulletin of the church which meets at 1500 First Avenue Northwest, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) dated Sept. 13, 1959. (Vol. II, No. 27) Dan H. Woodroof, evangelist and publisher.
Picnic Sunday
"There is something about a church get-together that can not be replaced by anything else or any other church activity. Some may consider such things as unnecessary to church work. Indeed, if the church is built only on picnics and suppers, it will be a weak church ("dead as the chicken and cold as the ice cream", someone said). But, a strong church, spiritually, is one that likes to be together in recreation.
Our picnic Sunday at Ellis Park is designed to benefit the gospel meeting. Brother Claude Woodroof will not be able to visit in every home during the week. But we can all be together for a meal in the park.
I may have been reared differently from some in the church, but we always felt that we had as much responsibility to support a church picnic with our presence and enthusiasm as we had to support any activity of the congregation. I say that because, as Christians, everything we do is to be done for strengthening and enlarging the kingdom of God.
Sure — it's a little more trouble, and it may cost a little more (and that's doubtful) to fix a picnic lunch with visitors in mind, than it is to go home and feed the family. I also know that by the time we eat and visit together and have a ball game that there won't be much time to go visit kinfolks, or take a snooze before evening services. But seriously now — isn't it time we began to really put the kingdom first? I know that there are members of the church here who do not even know the name of some of the other members and wouldn't recognize each other on the street. Is this your case? Then prepare your lunch Sunday; if you see a visitor at worship, invite them to be your guest! Let's begin operating as "the body" of Christ in all things. If you are a member of the body then you should take some part in every activity of the body.
In conclusion: PRAY FOR THE MEETING! Dan Woodroof"
We of course are wondering where he was sitting when this "appearance" came to him? What is this "something" in a "church get-together, that cannot be replaced by anything else or any other church activity?" Is it the association of Christians, or is not an assembly to worship God the best association? Is it the common meal engaged in there, or is good home-cooked food at home no good? As far as entertainment is concerned, is there no other group (even at home or the YMCA) that can provide entertainment that can "replace" that "ball game" to which reference is herein made?
Is this "something" a thing he could not or would not name? What is there about this association, entertainment or eating that cannot be replaced, and probably under most circumstances by better association, entertainment or eats?
Brother Woodroof declares these to be "church activities." Where is the authority in God's word for the church providing social association, (that's what this kind is, you know,) entertainment or feeding the belly (in the absence of an emergency as a famine, etc.)? From where I am sitting, I cannot see that in the Bible. Is brother Woodroof sitting in the desert, thinking he is seeing something he actually does not?
"Some may consider such things as unnecessary to church work." Now I wonder why anyone would so consider? Could it be because they choose to "not think above that which is written?" (1 Cor. 4:6)
"A strong church, spiritually, is one that likes to be together in recreation." How ridiculous! This recreation does nothing for the strength "spiritually," profiting but little in the way of bodily exercise. (1 Tim. 4:8)
"Our picnic — is designed to benefit the gospel meeting." If this is not enough to show that some preachers are advocating and promoting the "social gospel" concept which for years we have condemned, I know of nothing that would convince some. Why not open our eyes?
"We had as much responsibility to support a church picnic with our presence and enthusiasm as we had to support any activity of the congregation." How sad! Yes, sad indeed, to think one would spend eternity in a devil's hell for not eating a half-burned wiener at a gathering ordered by the brethren (not God), the same as if he murdered, lived in adultery, or forsook the assemblies, or God in general? " — everything we do is to be done for strengthening and enlarging the kingdom of God." A "church bazaar" is as much authorized as a "church picnic." Hence, if the picnic is justified on the grounds of "strengthening and enlarging," by what authority can we exclude the "church bazaar" which would "strengthen and enlarge" the church (probably more than the picnic)?
After these statements, our brother was brazen enough to say, "But seriously now — isn't it time we began to really put the kingdom first?" Or in other words, "Coming to this picnic is obeying God and putting the kingdom first." How close to blasphemy can one get?
It is refreshing to notice that our brother has enough after-thought, after saying this picnic is for the help of the meeting and just as important as worship or other church activities (preaching the gospel included), to suggest we "Pray for the meeting!"
In a mirage we see nothing. From 8,000 feet we see and recognize the object but not the size or consequences. When seeing how members act sometime, we see good but actually are deceived, not seeing the unrighteousness. Which of these positions is our brother taking? Is he deceived into thinking this is authorized? Can he not see the size and consequences of such doctrine for which there is no authority from God? Or is he actually seeing a "mirage" (pardon me, "church picnic)? From God's viewpoint, things are seen as they ARE, not how they APPEAR! There is indeed "a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov. 14:12).