God's Dorothy And The Church's Oz: The Long Road To Reality
Chad Taylor
Jun 25, 2009
In the original book by L. Frank Baum "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" published in 1900, the "wizard" appears to each of the characters differently or is at least perceived differently. To Dorothy, the Wizard is a giant head; the Scarecrow sees a beautiful woman; the Tin Woodman sees a ravenous beast; the Cowardly Lion sees a ball of fire. Each one sees exactly what they want to see but they all fail to see who the "wizard" really is - a fake. He is not the "Great Oz" at all, but an old man that traveled before them in a hot air balloon. The burning desire to reach their destination obscured reality and drove them to see what they only wanted to see. Once reality came crashing down they were forced to continue their journey without the mirage of smoke and mirrors and special effects. They now had to accept the truth that what they were so desperately seeking for their own self-fulfillment is exactly what they already had in the first place. Today, the current wide spread movement with it's promises of grand spiritual experiences has become a "The Emerald City" or "City of Emeralds" found in Baum's novel. We have become the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion. Our desire for something more than what already is has led us down a yellow brick road of false experiences and sleight of hand. The truth however is just the opposite, it is a world in deep need of a Savior and His matchless salvation recorded centuries ago and bound in Scripture. It is a Church that needs to navigate back to the shores of reality no matter how far she has drifted and anchor again in the bedrock of biblical truth and light.
Gone it seems is the day that it was more popular to be a suffering Christian than a satisfied one. When Hebrews Chap. 11 was read it was with awe and admiration as we saw firsthand from the sidelines of history those that embraced the ultimate call - their life for Christs'. To them it was a guarantee of a "better resurrection" not an easier one. They were a rare breed that garnered the incredible title of, "whom the world was not worthy". "Destitute, afflicted, and tormented" were not taboo but medals of honor on the breastplate of these historic Christians. Today, personalities and personas are heaped upon us to such an extent we have created icons out of Branham's and Allen's who in the end, were left with shame and tragedy; misguided and disillusioned. Would you rather don the mantle of mistakes or the humble attire of martyrs and missionaries? Surprisingly most today would chose the latter. Dissipating it seems are the days when it was more esteemed to be a Jim Elliot who gave his life on the frontlines of violent mission fields or even a Hudson Taylor who poured his life out on the daunting shores of dark China with no accolades or conference invitations. His epitaph should have read, "To live is Christ and to die is gain..."
Paul the Apostle's day the greatest honor was to suffer. Power was not handed out on a "fast track" or a conference line, a catered lunch buffet, or some other surreal spiritual experience the reality was a holy invitation to the gauntlet of suffering and persecution which Paul wore well. The greatest joy in the Bible was discovered in suffering! It was not a last ditch option on the ladder of revelation but rather the opposite - it was the first step into any genuine experience with God. Suffering and self-denial was the undertow of everything that Jesus spoke and did and it sliced through the enamored crowds like butter. It was the only precursor to really following Jesus and to be His disciple, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) It was not a loudly claimed "third heaven experience" or floating orbs in a Kodak snapshot that qualified you to be His disciple. It was rather a self-denying life of less privilege but more power to change the very world you lived in and salvage human souls. "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself..." What follows this self denial? "...and take up his cross daily, and follow me." A cross is not a life absent of suffering or trial but rather a staggering choice every Christian must make to suffer and meet trials and tribulation head on. You cannot "go after Him" unless you are completely willing to "suffer with Him."
As this paradox lives itself out in the Christian's life a power and glory is released that is unprecedented. Today a facade affronts us at every turn alluring us in it's claims of angels, gold dust and jewels. Finally, like Hansel and Gretel the Church has become a candy-coated house filled with every indulgence and flavor. Witchcraft has seduced multitudes into a hypnotic false peace as the world teeters on the brink of utter destruction. Just as the story of Hansel and Gretel the witch lures the children into the Gingerbread House with all of it's candy and sweets only to trick them and ultimately try to eat them herself. The devil comes to kill, rob and destroy the true message of Jesus Christ replacing it with "another gospel". The preaching of God's Kingdom in America is an endangered species in a Jurassic Park of bloated promises and exaggerated experiences leaving millions ignorant of the Suffering Christ and His message of true salvation. It's hard to be with the "least of these" when air conditioned cruise ships with grandiose promises of His presence is your alternative. Paul the Apostle's revelation of Jesus was staggering as he recorded these words, "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered..." (Heb 5:8)
THE DOCTRINE OF MANTLES: THE "OZ EFFECT"
Like the characters in the "Wizard of Oz" we too are seeking desperately for "gifts" or attributes we perceive our spirituality to be unbearable without. The veils of deception appear "holy" as the face of false spiritual experiences parade behind the curtain claiming to be something it is not. Like the old man perpetrating to be "The Great One" there is nothing that he can offer except what we perceive he can. He offers hearts, brains and courage but the reality is it is moth eaten dreams in a closet of man made mantles. Modern movements of our day seem to have a closet full of these for the taking as they defer to doctrines of men and not God. Paul exhorted the early Church to "put on Christ". "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal 3:27). He went even further to enforce this when he confronted this doctrine in the city of Corinth, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor 1:12-13). Who then is Branham and who is Kuhlman and who is Lake? Who is Allen and Dowie? Many of these modern day Christian icons died in complete deception often believing they were "Elijah" or some other biblical character. Many of these doctrines have found their way into the Christian mainstream again as thousands follow the yellow brick road of false promises for a "mantle" or anointing.
Zion, Illinois founded by John Alexander Dowie was a not a Christian institution of divine inspiration but rather a seed bed of disillusionment that became an Emerald City of false hope. A good intentioned man fell off the cliff of egotism and false doctrine claiming to be "Elijah the Restorer" founding the "Christian Catholic Church". Have we changed much today? Rather than "put on Christ" and His anointing we offer the mantles of men before the masses and like "The Wizard of Oz" we hide behind curtains promising this and that. In the stark streets of the world these names mean nothing, their triumphs and defeats are mere echoes to the One who died and rose again. In the Muslim backdrop of the Middle East promises of mantles and mysterious anointing of Etter, McPherson, or Kuhlman will have no effect; your only answer in a maelstrom of death and persecution will be the Name above all names- Jesus Christ. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:13). The doctrine of mantles is on shifting sand and is a mirage to the true Glory of God found only in Christ Jesus . The trumpeting of this message will soon fall on deaf ears as an army of disciples take center stage who have learned to worship God in "Spirit and in Truth". Read further in the Gospel of Luke, "for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15). The "Oz Effect" is dimming and the necessity of Jesus Christ will prevail and His anointing and Spirit will be enough.
A "WONDERLAND" OR GOD'S KINGDOM?
The milk of self-indulgence and Christian pleasure has hypnotized many into a dream world of fixations, fake visitations and a slide show of special effects that have left the crowds numb with false expectation. The modern day minister has become the "Mad Hatter" with endless innuendos of glory and power that is never on the radar of altering the state of the real world around them. Like a gaudy B-rated movie that promised a blockbuster showing but in the end is a cheap seat in a dark theatre of men's imagination. Jesus is not the leading role in this production rather a million manifestations marching to the beat of a strange drum have taken center stage. Scripture is so misconstrued it's difficult to discern fact from fiction as this science experiment gone wrong is unveiled. A Frankenstein of doctrine is unfurled with incomprehensible side effects as Jesus is left on the afterburner of this modern jet stream claiming to be prophetic. Yet behind the scenes is stirring a roar about to be heard above the din of imaginations and idolatry; another company of "Jesus Freaks", martyrs, and modern day missionaries. They will have the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They comprehend as all the saints that stood before them that He alone is Way, the Truth and the Life; there is no other conceivable way into God's Kingdom but through Him. They will refuse to eat the candy and dainties of present "kings and kingdoms" but will be catapulted past the dispensationalist into a real genuine Christ experience. Rather than follow the "white rabbit" of current movements that lead down a endless hole of strange experiences they will stand strong on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
The vision of harvest that Jesus illustrated will be their mainstay as they crash down on the shores of every living creature and Preach His Gospel. They will be a church mature and grown up. They will desire the bone and marrow of His purpose rather than the watered down milk of pleasure and wantonness. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe..." (Heb 5:12-13). They will have the diet of their Master - "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work..." What is His work?! Read the following passage, "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest..." (John 4:35). This army coming now to the front and center will have one driving passion and purpose, TO FINISH HIS WORK. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt 24:14). They will conclude that the only way "home" is to get past the vernacular of their day and into the Kingdom of God. To "seek first His Kingdom" will be an all consuming compulsion moving them into the deep waters of spiritual transformation.
PASSION FOR PLEASURE: THE TRAGIC EXCHANGE
The road to glory is not paved with good intentions and false promises but rather a place of splendid suffering where Christ is revealed in us, "the hope of glory". Let's pray then that we are those "Jesus Freaks", modern day martyrs and a Church that has matured no longer influenced by the infantile teaching of our day. Let's follow the steps of Jesus and the rare company of missionaries who gave their own blood, families, desires and appetites to a greater cause and refused to be a casualty of dispensation. Let's heed the words of another martyr as we race against the clock as our present age gallops to the finish line, "I no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not..." (Jim Elliot 1927 - 1956.) Jesus' passion is still the gospel preached to the poor, the captives and prisoner. What is ours? Ask the Lord now to remove the shadows of shifting pleasure dressed in a spiritual affront that has eclipsed the real Light and Truth and His love will pierce the darkness. You will return "home" to a gospel according to Jesus and reignite your first love. Clear the table of books, c.d.'s and the mountain of distraction and reintroduce yourself to a harvest bursting from the ground around you. The gravity of conferences and the "wonderland" of spiritual experiences will not intoxicate your senses any longer, you will be on fire with new purpose and wisdom.
"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first..." (Mark 10:29-31).
Suggested Reading: Jesus Freaks Volume II: Stories of Revolutionaries Who Changed Their World Fearing God, Not Man - From DC Talk: With over a half-million copies sold, Jesus Freaks has captured the attention of both teen and adult believers worldwide. While continuing the life-changing impact of Jesus Freaks, this second volume will move beyond stories of martyrs to tell the dramatic stories of those who took a stand and changed their world for God. Volume II features testimonies of revolutionaries who took a stand for Christ against the culture of their day, along with new stories of martyrs through the centuries. dc Talk again challenges readers to pray for the persecuted church around the world and openly stand for Jesus.
Chad Taylor