I was reading a thoroughly delightful technical bulletin from an airplane engine manufacturer about engine modifications. Nearly every pilot would like to have a plane that flew faster, went higher, had more power, etc. As a result, many modifications are proposed for the engines by various sources.
“You have an ‘x-engine’ for example, and are told that by simply changing the pistons it will be possible to get off the ground more quickly, to climb faster, and to cruise faster. This sounds wonderful, and it may even be true. You ask, ‘Then why didn’t Lycoming make the engine like this to start with?’ The answer often is, “they did try that and the engines broke up!”
The article continues, “those who want to swap parts of these engines assumes that the manufacturer knows nothing about an engine and simply throws parts together...” However, unapproved design changes have caused burned pistons, reduced operational safety, shortened engine life and other “bad” things. And then this last quote, “Years of experimentation and thousands of engines in the field have given Lycoming engineers ... an excellent knowledge of what will work, and what will not work.” Bottom line - they made it that way on purpose because it was the best combination of power, service and safety! (Lycoming FLYER, Key Reprints, “Look What They Are Doing To Our Engines,” pp. 25-28).
There’s an interesting parallel that happens among many church folk. They come to the Bible with a noticeable lack of respect for God, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of scripture. They feel that they could improve upon the design and work of the church of God. They might want to change the singing or perhaps change the qualifications for elders. Or even remove them altogether. “And since most women are way smarter and more sensitive to the needs of people than men, they should not be excluded from preaching or direct oversight of a local church.”
Paul wrote, (1 Cor 14:37), “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” John wrote, (1 John 1:3), “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” They weren’t just making stuff up as they went along. The church is by God’s design. History shows that those who tampered with God’s design did tremendous damage and created the mess that is now called denominationalism.
- Tim Orbison