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Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner
All three men had great strengths and great weaknesses though Paterno was, imho, undone by subordinates.
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20 some years ago I could not understand why the LC’s, who talk more about the oneness of believers and the cross of Christ than any other Christians, could be on the verge of a major schism. Each one of us, one by one, whether with loved ones or without, were forced to take sides. I eventually decided not to, and so I left due to the conflict.
It was not until I studied Darby and the Plymouth Brethren that I could understand “great men.” How could lowly JNDarby daily visit new believers on long dusty roads every afternoon, and then publicly rebuke and shame notable and fruitful ministers and scholars like BWNewton and George Muller? These conflicts were totally irreconcilable to me. How could ones like Darby have life-altering visits with new believers in the afternoon, and then damage these same believers in the evening by publicly destroying other well-respected ministers?
I first needed to understand “great men.” Their inner drive to be on top can at times supersede all other positive virtue. Jesus addressed this drive repeatedly while on earth, humbling His disciples. With Paul, we only see this power displayed in Antioch with Peter when the truth of the Gospel was at stake. Paul got this message from the Lord. He never used his authority on perceived rivals in the church. Unfortunately, all the LC leaders we have discussed have missed that memo. The most powerful rises to the top, and others must line up behind, waiting for their chance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner
This story touched me deeply. I didn’t think of it at the time but here now, as I continue in this thread, it strikes me that I experienced something similar back in 1982. It has nothing to do with hero worship or exaltation of leaders. Brother TC came to my house on a gravel road, a dusty gravel road, where six people met once a week for the purpose of supporting us, lifting us to something higher than a mere Bible study. It’s amazing to me to realize that we still have a testimony that remains 42 years later.
You and others have pointed out what you believe are TC’s failings many times in these spaces. I am presenting a different view. If you think I’m guilty of exalting him or others such as WL, that’s fine. It matters not to me. It isn’t true, though. If you don’t believe me allow me to introduce you to many brothers who think I’m too critical of everybody and everything. Actually, I don’t need to do the introductions since you know many of them.
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Brother SC, I’m sorry if I gave the impression that you have overly exalted a man. You were the recipient of a blessed “afternoon visit.” Others, however, were victims of those “evening meetings,” where brothers got beat down into submission. With most “great men” in the Recovery the conflict here is never recognized. Kind, brotherly shepherding in the afternoon easily becomes public “ice-baths” in the evening.
Jesus said these things ought not to be. No man on earth, especially in His church, should ever be on top. That system of thought, whether Papal or MOTA. is not of God. I’m thankful you could reject that thought and stay. I had to leave in order to reject it.