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Originally Posted by aron
Everyone and everything was a continual subject of dismay for Brother Lee. "Deformed" and "satanic" Christianity, the local churches, the BBs, the "Lord's recovery", and all the local church attendees; who could match his high expectations? Only the dear departed WN and a few sainted forebears like Miss Margaret E. Barber who could do no wrong.
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Local Church legends surround the likes of Miss Barber. She could quickly identify all Christian speakers as being without life and without Spirit. Apparently, after all her censures were dispensed upon the church of God, she alone was perceived as having any life and Spirit.
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Through Miss Barber, Watchman Nee obtained a foundation for his spiritual life. When the young Brother Nee would admire the eloquence, knowledge, ability, zeal, or natural power of persuasion shown by a Christian speaker, Miss Barber would point out that these things were neither of life nor of the Spirit. They could stir people up but could never minister life to people. She paid more attention to life than to work. She also warned the young brothers against doing a popular work, which would bring shipwreck to their spiritual life. By deliberately putting himself before Miss Barber’s instruction and strict rebukes, Brother Nee received much help.
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It is just incredulous to note that, though the Recovery leaders had ancient attitudes towards the role of women in Christian service, they have exalted Miss Barber as the mother of all Recoveries. She alone is credited with raising up Watchman Nee, the Seer of the Age. Though the scripture is silent on her methods, her practice of castigating the brothers ought to catch someone's attention. Legend has it that only Nee could survive her brutal treatments, while all others backslid in defeat, stumbled by her dress downs.
Where is the scriptural justification for using strict rebukes on all the saints? Where is the scriptural support for sisters to do this? Is not this practice of rebuking in the Recovery contrary to the pattern presented by the Apostle Paul as he cared for the churches? Is it not the least bit ironic that Philip Lee, the profligate son elevated to Witness Lee's most trusted co-worker status during the New Way era, would become infamous for berating all the elders in the churches?
When it comes to abuse and harsh rebukes of others, it's so easy even a caveman could do it. Are not these the weapons of the Gentiles? The Lord Jesus continually instructed the apostles about not using these techniques, so how could these become the long lost recovered practice enabling the Minister of the Age to get perfected, and subsequently develop a "perfecting plan" missed out on by two millennia of church history?