The Parable of the Good Samaritan
30Jesus, [f]taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [[g]unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened. 31Now by [h]coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road]. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him], 34And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii [two day’s wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return. 36Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? 37He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. (Luke 10:29-37, Amplified Version, emphasis added)
Recently, a review of the parable of the Good Samaritan revealed new insight for me. I read about the priest and the Levite who shunned and ignored the man in need, AFTER SEEING him. Unlike possible circumstances today, it was not as if there were already medics at the scene, caring for the man who was beaten. The inference is that the man, who had been beaten, was in a very helpless desperate state. The priest and the Levite represented the religious order of the day. What kept them from taking time to help? For sure, in this example, their religious position did not lend itself to stoop down and help one in need.
After reading the parable, I was reminded of things I had done while a member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). When a member was put “in discipleship”, other members were expected to withhold fellowship and restrict speaking to that member. You may have been able to say “hello”, at times, but no “foolish or loose talk”. I can remember a few times, I went and asked a person in leadership, if I could talk to the person in discipleship. The reason given to not speak or fellowship was so you would not “pull them out of the dealings of God”. For new folks or members who were unaware, it was the first steps to teaching the “grace to shun and ignore”. If you wanted to continue as a part of WOFF, you learned this “grace” or things did not go well. This “grace” was the “law” at WOFF.
Consider this scenario that was played out over and over at WOFF. I participated in this “grace”. There were folks I knew and were close to, that would go “in to discipleship”. I obeyed the expected norm and stopped fellowship with that person. Who wants to pull a person “out of the dealings of God”? So, in that respect, I was an obedient WOFF member.
When a person left or was put out, the “grace to shun and ignore” went to a higher level. As a regular member, if you had a close friend who left WOFF; more than likely you would not be the person who would be designated to communicate with them. Each case was different, especially with relatives leaving. Jane Whaley would give the word who could talk to the person who left. Thus, the church as a whole was required to shun and ignore those who left. Jane Whaley specifically told us all- “If you want to know about someone who left, come ask me! I will tell you if God allows me.” So, that reduced the number of folks who may want to stray from the “grace” given to shun, ignore and cut-off the folks who had left WOFF. The priest and Levite took action AFTER they saw the man who had been beaten. WOFF members were taught and expected to shun others AFTER sharing membership and/or maybe close relationship. Regular members were not thought able to “walk in that place in God” to help folks on discipline or those who had left.
As my time at WOFF was drawing to close, I gave those who loved me and were close to me, an opportunity to walk in the “grace” to shun and ignore me. Their skill had been well developed and I saw the results of this “grace” from another side. As mentioned in an earlier post, one time, I was put in discipleship for reading newspaper headlines and having no conviction that it was wrong. I review the events that led to my exit of WOFF in three previous posts. Here is the link to the first in that series… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1396 . Since my departure, the “grace” which was the “law”, has been ardently practiced by WOFF members. Some folks are very skilled at shunning and ignoring. I learned while beside them, but have since seen a better way. The ability in me, to shun and ignore folks is waning. Thanks be to God, there are some “Samaritans” still out on the road today. One day, maybe I could have the compassion of the Samaritan replace what I learned at WOFF.
Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.
(Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) This is post number 102.