Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
This has been my sense too. Especially when it comes to the Life-Studies. Hardly authoritative or comprehensive. When tested, the Life-Studies are a prime example of parts of the Bible he didn't like were left out.
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Indeed, and it was worse than just the parts he didn't like. I think all preachers have pet philosophies, ideas and theses they like or avoid, and this should be welcomed in a diverse faith community; if this was all Lee was doing, espousing his different view, then fine, his books would have likely earned a place on many a Christian or spiritual bookshelf…. but, with Lee, there is more to the LifeStudy than this.
The whole ministry had a hidden agenda, a self-perpetuating sales agenda which was engineered into every volume produced. In LifeStudy it seeped from every page: get the young ones in, keep them controlled, organize sisters and brothers, get their money, don't let them give it to charity; LifeStudy is not ministry material but propaganda, an instruction manual.
There is no place for this in spiritual books - if the author has an agenda, it becomes worthless or worse.
What value there was in Nee's theology, Lee poisoned it in trying to make the books serve his purpose. And it's difficult to see where the poison ends and the clear water begins, so stirred up has it been over a couple more generations of cult members spreading the word. LifeStudy is some of the ugliest propaganda you will read and it pained me it was the only reading allowed at the Church in Hong Kong.