God And The Elephant

God and the Elephant

A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: “We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable.” So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. The first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said, “this being is like a thick snake.” For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said the elephant, “is a wall.” Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear.

To me this story bears a striking resemblance to the Christian church of the world.

“Really?” you say. “What does an elephant have to do with the church?”

Well, each blind man described the church based on the part that he felt with his hands, and the descritions weren’t anything alike, were they?

An elephant is obviously a huge animal. The blind men didn’t know that. They only knew the part they were able to touch from their prospective below the huge animal.

We know that Giod is vast, that He cannot be contained in any box or container. Even the universe cannot contain Him or wall Him in.

God is a mystery. No one can fully explain Him or describe Him, even though from the beginning of time, man has been trying.

I can’t help but grin and shake my head when I hear preachers expounding from the pulpit as if they have Him fully figured out and they know what He will do in this situation or that. Well, the Bible does make some statements that are absolute in some cases as to what He will do in given situations, but when you read the Bible in its entirety, you learn that overall, God is unpredictable. You think He is going to do this or that, and then to your great dismay, He doesn’t. Job learned that He didn’t have much of a handle on God at all, although His self-righteous advisors were sure they had Him totally figured out.

My former pastor of 25 years, G. Mark Denyes had a saying he loved to quote: “My God sits in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.” Then he would grin knowingly. A very wise man, he had been the witness to many presumptuous Christians who thought they had God all figured out.

Can’t do it! Ain’t happening!

So if we think we really know what God is like or what He will always do in any given situation, or if we try to put God in a box as many do . . . well, we may have missed it by a mile, just like the blind men did.

But did they miss it? Well no, not entirely. The part of the elephant they were able to experience, they described quite accurately.

Like the blind men who experienced only one aspect of the elephant, denominations are much the same. They would likely not agree with that statement. Most denominations feel they have a corner on God, that their doctrine is correct.

Well, to their credit, they should feel that way. They certainly should feel confident in their doctrine and beliefs.

The Baptists are really strong in the area of personal evangelism. The Catholics are a bastion of strength when it come to standing against abortion (God bless them mightily). The Lutherans are strong in salvation by faith, and not by works. The Nazarenes understand humility. The Pentecostals are strong in the understanding and operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The list goes on. Apostolic churches are strong in the authority of the five-fold ministry. Evangelical Free churches are strong in the freedom of the believer and headquarters does not bog their people down with endless rules and regulations. Independent churches are strong on intimate, informal fellowship, often meeting in homes with plenty of food and fellowship.

So what is my point? Each denomination is strong on understanding one aspect or attribute of God, while possible being weak in some others.

And that’s why we need each other . . . because we need to learn from each other.

In the large evangelical events my organization produced across the Midwest, at the outset of planning we would always select an Executive Committee to steer the event. Usually, it was a governing body of five pastors.

I will never forget the committee that was chosen for the Rise Up America event in Bemidji, Minnesota. In the group were pastors from a Lutheran church, an Evangelical Free church, an Assembly of God church, and two pastors from independent Pentecostal churches.

Now, you would think there might be some disagreements among a group like this, but in reality, it was just amazing how they worked together, not grinding doctrinal axes or insisting things had to be done their way. The event was a huge success, and perhaps what was more amazing was what happened after the event. When the event was finished, these pastors were the best of friends. They continued to get together because they missed one another and . . . well, they just wanted to hang out together. The friendship continued for years.

Isn’t that truly how the church should be? Jesus longest prayer in the Bible, in John 17, was all about his followers being one . . . of one spirit and mind, flowing together in love.

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they also may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in you; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you sent me.

John 17:20, 21 (NKJV)

It’s not a pipe dream. It can happen, and I saw it happen before my own eyes. It was glorious!

So, let’s take a lesson from the blind men. Each experienced a different part of the elephant, and their collective experience brought more light to the big picture.

Every denomination has special revelation from God as to His nature. Collectively we can know and understand Him much better than we would isolated in our own denominations.

Together, we are better than we are apart . . . so let’s learn from one another, love one another, and work together. Together, let’s spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

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Photo designed and taken by Lorraine