As Shaw Said It

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 94]

     I confess that I am not especially intrigued by the literary, economical, political, or religious views of George Bernard Shaw. However, I do acknowledge that the "Shavian" wit unleashed some remarks in the last field which are as poignant as they are pungent. Take this one: "The best reformers the world has ever seen are those who commence on themselves." Or, "The churches must learn humility, as well as teach it."

     But the one I really wanted to mention was this: "Any religion that is going to unite man...must have room for mystics, prophets, and for priests, and it must be a religion of such a character as will prevent the priests from stoning the prophets."

     The outstanding thing about the primitive community of grace-sharers was its roominess. It differed from the narrow Jewish sects and Greek cults with their national, racial and cultural distinctions. "Gone is the distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free man, male and female, you are all one in Christ Jesus." The Way could unite the world because it ignored the distinctions which kept it divided. And when distinctions are ignored they are gone. Nothing is more useless than a distinction which does not distinguish.

     But Satan took advantage of our inner feeling of insecurity and substituted other distinctions--intellectual, psychological and notional. Mystics and pragmatists vied with one another to capture the kingdom for their enthusiasts. The priestly group, always dedicated to the preservation of form even at the cost of human dignity, engaged in the great religious activity of all ages, the stoning of the prophets.

     We need to restore the roominess of the ransomed community. We have allowed the space intended for people to become cluttered up with theological tools and unnecessary utensils. Instead of throwing out people to have room for things, we need to throw out things to have room for people--all the people of God. God's house is big enough for all of his family. The Father has begotten no surplus or unwanted children. He loves them all and He wants them with him.

     I am resolved that where I am, all of my brethren will be welcome, regardless of how far they may be from me in their ideas about how the children should implement the Father's will. I shall not split, sunder or sever the brethren from one another. I refuse to shiver the family into fragments over my deductions and views. There is room in the kingdom for a multitude of folk who disagree with me and I propose to receive and love them all. I would rather walk in to meet the Father with my brothers at my side, than to march in before Him in the splendor of isolation.