[aron]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Lee likened God the Father to the power plant, God the Son to the transmission lines, God the Spirit to the flow of electricity, and our own spirit to a light switch. We all thought this was "revelation from the throne."

It may actually have been a word from the Lord given to brother Lee. Remember that one of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 14 is the gift of "interpretation". The problem I have with Lee's interpretation is what follows it, as shown in your testimony which continues below.

We were instructed that all we had to do was "flick the switch" to turn on the light and thus activate God. It was all so "scientific," one of his favorite words. There was no discussion about a relationship between us and God. God was an electric power for us to employ for our every need. ... time to "flick the switch," and turn on God.

The problem I have here is that Lee's interpretation, the story, now has become the prime directive in the assembly. I would have the same beef with Igzy's story if it were used to manipulate or control me. God's word here has been simplified to man's formula. God's word is our command (see e.g. Psalm 147:15, Psalm 119:89), and now God's word has been replaced by someone's story. Just like "man becoming God" and "God's economy" and "the new way" and "the practice of the vital groups" and all the rest.

We now controlled God, and how exciting is that! Just fire up your spirit when necessary, and God is immediately activated. Just flick the switch by calling His name or pray-reading a verse.

We thought that we had God in a box, to be directed at will. "Turn to your spirit, brother!!" Actually, we were in a box. The mysterious leading of the Holy Spirit had been replaced by a formula. Can you imagine Peter telling the cripple in Acts 3 "Just turn to your spirit!!" Or Philip telling the Ethiopian in the chariot not to bother thinking about Isaiah 53, "just call O Lord Jesus!!" I remember those days: forget about your situation, your failures, your confusion, and scream whatever words your handler presents you.

In the midst of this new "science," many seemed to lose sight of obeying the Lord, worshiping God, following the anointing, studying the scriptures, and so forth. Our relationship with God suffered. Our ears to hear His voice were damaged. ... Fortunately for me, there was some resistance in the GLA...I was blessed to know many brothers who preferred to find God in the word of God rather than in Witness Lee.

I enjoyed my time in the Local Franchises of the LSM, mostly because of my relationships with those who seemed to have genuine relationships with God. Through their faith I vicariously touched a distant God, and began to sense His love. But gradually, little by little, those relationships were replaced by directives from Headquarters. The Maximum Brothers would arrive and impose the latest story line. Like in Animal Farm, where suddenly two legs were better than four. Or in 1984, where suddenly Oceania is at war with Eastasia instead of Eurasia. The truth was not a Person but today's party line.

Like OBW said, did Paul suddenly have an "out of body" experience and insert 1 Corinthians 15:45 (b) out of the context of the narrative, or was he telling a story in which that phrase was a subordinate part? Who are you going to believe, Witness Lee's version, or that of Paul? If the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews says "We see Jesus" in the Psalms (and elsewhere in the OT) and Witness Lee says, "No, we don't", which story do we follow? If the Bible speaks about righteousness and Lee speaks about "God's economy", which one are you going to pay attention to?