Quote:
Originally Posted by zeek
Nee only recognizes one exception to the principle of absolute obedience to authority ...
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Just the phrase "absolute authority" negates the matter of mercy so indigenous to the concepts of love and grace surrounding the cross of Christ. Where was "absolute authority" when the disciples wanted the Lord to judge those performing wonders, but not in their circle of fellowship. Where was "absolute authority" when Paul, the supposed archetype MOTA of God's New Testament Economy did not slay the slave Onesimus on the spot for abandoning his owner, Paul's own friend Philemon.
No one here is sponsoring anarchy in the kingdom of God, but isn't it extremely self-serving for any minister to elevate himself to prominence as the Minister of the Age, and then teach "absolute authority" in order to control God's people from disobeying your directives or voicing concerns about your leadership?
These are the same kinds of cultural mandates which created millennia of Chinese dynasties. It may sound "spiritual" to unsuspecting westerners when sprinkled with a few O.T. stories, but no other minister would espouse them, including the original apostles.