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Originally Posted by Igzy
This is basically the problem I have had to figure out. How could Lee be able to share so many Spirit-filled things and yet be so flawed and wrong in other ways? But I've seen the plain fact is the same is true for so many of God's servants, from Abraham on. If we had to be perfect to receive ministry gifts from God we'd never get any, you and me especially. It's not about the man, anyway. It's about whatever Spirit and Truth he shares.
One can acknowledge Lee's gifts without having to fall into the MOTA trap. One can give him credit for what he had without excusing things he did. Martin Luther ended up a Jew hater. Does that make you want to write him off as a man of God? Solomon had thousands of women. David was a murderer, as were Moses and Paul. How about them?
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Well said.
This is a difficult concept to grapple with. As long as we only allow two possibilities, both of them extremes, then we will constantly battle over the merits and demerits of many historical figures, especially Lee. For me personally, while researching Darby and the first Brethren split, I came across some realization that helped me understand great men. They were capable of doing great things both good and bad. Things which were totally contradictory, and which things more "limited" men just cannot reconcile.
Nearly every person who has ever been confronted with the Recovery, has a polar viewpoint of Lee. In a nutshell, he is either loved and nearly idolized, or he is hated and demonized. In the larger scheme of things, I think there is a third possibility, one which acknowledges both the good and the bad.
The best historians tap into this model. The great church historian Philip Schaff had the incredible ability to evaluate men of history in an entirely foreign context, distant in time and space and culture, yet without bias. The Biblical record is also in this way. Every notable figure, from Adam onward, with few exceptions like Joseph, has a record of failures which all mankind now knows. Thank God for that! For a sinner such as I, that is also good news!