[Arizona]

All,

I have been following this banter regarding idolatry in the LC with some interest and would like to offer my own opinion on the subject (as I am wont to do).

First, as has been previously mentioned, I believe the major problem here is that a clear definition of "idolatry" has yet to be offered. Do the LC saints really idolize W Lee or his vision concerning the church? Or is it more a question of overexaltation,,, or hero worship,,,,, or maybe misplaced veneration? Many groups in the history of christianity have fallen into a somewhat similar pattern,,,, ie Wesley and the Methodists or Darby and the Brethren, and maybe Zinzindorf and the Moravians.

To my thinking, idolatry is a serious matter that concerns our very relationship with God. The OT speaks to wood and stone; gods created by man's own hand. These are false gods,,,, representations of the gods of our imagination, our own thoughts. In today's world we are surrounded by people who have created their own "image" of God. Americans are more subtlely deceived by their christian religious traditions in that many actually hold their culture as god instead of the true God as revealed through the scriptures and in the person of Jesus Christ.

The teachings of the inner-life saints, particularly in the late 1800's, brought us a more sophisticated concept concerning idolatry. I think we can realize that "images" can be held in our mind that are not according to the revealed truth of God's word. But I do think that these images must be concerning God Himself, ie His nature, His character, His love, His righteousness, etc. I do not know that we can classify over-appreciation as idolatry.

On the other hand, I dont have a problem with saying that any group, including the LC, is more than likely permeated with the personality; the spirit, the thought and concepts, of any one teacher that holds a predominate position. It is inevitable. W Lee certainly believed he was creating a new culture; a new language, new traditions, new dress, etc
The real question is whether this culture is the works of man's own hands, and does it really rise to the level of "idolatry".

Finally, I would say that the bottom line, for me, concerning idolatry, is that it is really man worshiping himself, as Lucifer looked at himself, and he was impressed with what he saw. Pride. The perversion of God's creation.

I have many opinions, but little time. May be God's mercy to you all.

Much grace.


Arizona