Local Church Discussions - View Single Post - Can you dismiss WL's ministry because of his sins?

Cal · 11-29-2011, 07:07 AM

Very clear post, OBW. I understand your point and generally agree. Basically I hear you saying that Lee forfeited the benefit of any doubt. I've said this before myself.

It's that benefit of the doubt that the LRC movement poured so liberally on Lee. To the point where they made him the "minister of the age." Such a person automatically gets all the benefit of the doubt. In addition Lee even got the benefit of our feeling guilty for doubting him!

I have never felt about any historical figure the way I was made by the movement to feel about Nee and even more so, Lee. It was as if there was this aura of specialness bestowed on them that compelled us to follow them no matter what, to actually fear not following them.

I've often wondered what Lee would have had to have done for his most loyal followers to put him aside. I have to imagine that if he had in a public meeting taken out a gun and shot John Ingalls between the eyes some would have still considered him the minister of the age. Such is the craziness of the whole MOTA mindset. It's a mindset with no fail-safe or off switch. Like the Energizer bunny it just keeps going and going and going. The MOTA became as good as God himself. Better even because he is more practical and doesn't have to be perfect!

The issue whether to dismiss Lee's ministry or not is really a minor one. Simply look at him as you would any other teacher: Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Murray, Darby, Graham, Warren, Myer, or any more minor teacher if you prefer, and ask how you view their teachings. What does their living tell you? Do you tremble at the thought of possibly rejecting the instructions of some God-ordained MOTA? Probably not. So why worry about it with Lee?

One reason. You were conditioned to.

It is this conditioning that must be purged, along with any remaining belief that things call MOTAs exist. Only then will you be able to view Lee and Nee clearly, and only then will you know how to handle their ministries.

As long as you believe in the MOTA, you are a slave to all kinds of thoughts you shouldn't even have to process.

11-29-2011, 07:07 AM	#34
Cal Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Posts: 4,333	Re: On Dismissing Lee Because of His Sins Very clear post, OBW. I understand your point and generally agree. Basically I hear you saying that Lee forfeited the benefit of any doubt. I've said this before myself. It's that benefit of the doubt that the LRC movement poured so liberally on Lee. To the point where they made him the "minister of the age." Such a person automatically gets all the benefit of the doubt. In addition Lee even got the benefit of our feeling guilty for doubting him! I have never felt about any historical figure the way I was made by the movement to feel about Nee and even more so, Lee. It was as if there was this aura of specialness bestowed on them that compelled us to follow them no matter what, to actually fear not following them. I've often wondered what Lee would have had to have done for his most loyal followers to put him aside. I have to imagine that if he had in a public meeting taken out a gun and shot John Ingalls between the eyes some would have still considered him the minister of the age. Such is the craziness of the whole MOTA mindset. It's a mindset with no fail-safe or off switch. Like the Energizer bunny it just keeps going and going and going. The MOTA became as good as God himself. Better even because he is more practical and doesn't have to be perfect! The issue whether to dismiss Lee's ministry or not is really a minor one. Simply look at him as you would any other teacher: Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Murray, Darby, Graham, Warren, Myer, or any more minor teacher if you prefer, and ask how you view their teachings. What does their living tell you? Do you tremble at the thought of possibly rejecting the instructions of some God-ordained MOTA? Probably not. So why worry about it with Lee? One reason. You were conditioned to. It is this conditioning that must be purged, along with any remaining belief that things call MOTAs exist. Only then will you be able to view Lee and Nee clearly, and only then will you know how to handle their ministries. As long as you believe in the MOTA, you are a slave to all kinds of thoughts you shouldn't even have to process.