While walking around the farm the other day I was observing the instinctual activities of the animals. What I saw was a composite representation of dysfunctional socialization.

   I observed a few work-horses doing most of the labor on the farm. With willing resolve they pulled more than their weight. They were gleaming with sweat from the energy expended by their powerful muscles.

   Meanwhile a couple of donkeys were belligerently balking at what they were being asked to do. They were obstinately self-willed and had a mind of their own that never seemed to coincide with others.

   The cows were laying in the pasture grass ruminating and masticating. Later they would be milked for the benefit of all the babes in the barnyard.

   Several cats were lolling on narrow ledges enjoying the sunshine. A few strokes of affirmation and they were purring with praise. A couple of tom-cats were "mousing," stalking their prey.

   The dogs, being the rascals they are, would periodically harass the cats. They could be seen nipping at the heels of the other animals. The primary reason they are kept around is to guard the property and intimidate intruders.

   There were elegant swans on the pond, feisty geese protecting their young and ducks waddling to and fro. But one unsettling sight was to see majestic eagles with clipped wings grubbing alongside of the turkeys.

The hens were clucking about their eggs, which would never serve their reproductive intent. The roosters were crowing about their prowess. About then the chicken-coop erupted in chaos. One hen had been wounded and the other chickens proceeded to peck her to death. A gruesome sight.

The goats were into everything, of course. It seems as though there is nothing they won't eat. But when they sensed danger, they formed a circle with heads pointed outward and ruthlessly kicked each other to death.    The pigs, as usual, were "throwing their weight around." I guess that is why some refer to authorities with the slang designation of "pigs." Is it not interesting, this propensity for authoritarianism? The lowest ranks rise up to the highest, insatiably power-hungry. Those who would liberate rise up to be the oppressors. It seems to be a never-ending cycle; the liberals eventually end up being the conservatives. Such is the perpetual system of man and his government and religion.

   As you can see, my tour of the barnyard, and the observation therein were easily related to the ways of man, l'homme animal (I Corinthians 2:14 - French translation). Giving tribute where tribute is due, George Orwell masterfully exposed this phenomena in his fairy-story, Animal Farm, from which these thoughts are loosely adapted. But the analogies are glaringly obvious as we relate these animalistic phenomena to the ecclesiastical Animal Farm.

   What has happened to the ecclesiastical farm? The stained-glass barns that dot the landscape of our society contain some dirty barnyards. They are replete with an exhibition of animalistic behavior indicative of dysfunctional socialization.

   Oh that l'homme animal might be transformed into a "holy nation, a people for God's own possession" (I Peter 2:9,10), in order to manifest God's character individually and within their interpersonal social relationships. Such was the purpose of Christ's redemptive action.