Quote:
Originally Posted by John
So, when we look at the Barbers and attempt to discard their written experiences and observations as an extreme, remember that their extremes are what we all experienced. Their experiences don’t just frame the edges of some philosophical argument, their pain is our pain, unless we somehow intellectually divorce ourselves from the body of Christ.
I am very sure that we would have more of these same kinds of testimonies if the ones with the experiences knew where to come and weren’t too afraid or traumatized to share them.
Here is the bottom line for me: Local Church and Living Stream Ministry defenders want to sweep these things under the rug. They only want to be judged on their doctrines; they don’t want us to look at the fruit. Well, the Barbers are fruit; my son’s friends from OKC are fruit; and the unnamed children from other places are also fruit.
May those who have the courage to write be appreciated and prayed for. May their writings stand as a testimony against those who lord it over the flock in The Local Church. There came a day in history when former children of the Roman Catholic Church took a stand against the abuse they experienced from the all-powerful clergy. Eventually, even the pope felt it necessary to apologize.
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I am grateful for all the testimonies I read on the BARM forum, and here. Please forgive me if I mischaracterized some of them. The Lord remembers all the sheep. He keeps the 99, and finds the lost one as well. May all those "lost sheep" find the shepherd. Thanks for sharing, John. Peace to you & to all those who find the strength to speak up.