Quote:
Originally Posted by NeitherFirstnorLast
Nee's definition of a "local church" is not the definition Lee later gave it. The only thing Nee's "local church" and Lee's "Local Church" TM Have in common are the consonants and vowels in the two words.
|
I will concede that Nee's definition is not entirely the same. But it is more the same than you seem to see. You quoted some of Nee's words that evidence it to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeitherFirstnorLast
"Denominations are not scriptural, and we ought to have no part in them, BUT if we adopt an attitude of criticism and think "They are denominational; I am undenominational. They belong to sects, I belong to Christ alone" such differentiation is DEFINITELY Sectarian."
|
The only sense in which denominations are not scriptural is that they are not spoken of in scripture. But neither is the internet. The real problem is not in the banding together, but in the dividing. And Nee does rightly say that when I speak to point out the differences, then
I am the one making separation.
But when Nee said that denominations are not scriptural, he meant that they are simply incorrect. He is only one step removed from the ones he chastises. How do you claim to not point out who is and is not denominational yet say that being denominational is against scripture. To step back and then say that you should not care about it is a kind of false humility that masks a position. Nee's position is one thing. He just doesn't fight you about it.
In the same way, he believes that any meeting who are not open to any Christian in any way are being divisive. And his own group would seem to be a model of this. But what if some come among the Little Flock that hold to infant baptism? Who would not remain silent about it? Who even push it? There eventually will be a position taken by the group to either silence them or send them on their way.
And that is the way it should be. But because of that, even the Little Flock is sectarian. It
does hold to certain doctrines. But it speaks as if it does not and that others are incorrect for doing so.
That is the problem.
And you are correct to point out that Lee makes a much bigger deal about it all. But the underlying definitions are the same.