Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
At the beginning of his book, Philip Lin states that he won't be portraying Lee as being "perfect". Maybe that is meant to get everyone to let their guard down. Then later on in the book there is his description regarding Lee's absolute authority in regards to even the small things like arranging furniture and hanging pictures. Does that present a view of "imperfect Lee" or "always-right deputy-authority Lee"? They can pay lip service to whatever they want, but I think it's pretty clear how they regard Lee.
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The Blendeds were in a conundrum at Lee's passing, with the "raptured or martyred" theory. Watchman Nee of course was martyred (in Blended lore) so he made the grade. Fully sanctified, Body Soul and Spirit. But what of Lee? Not raptured, or martyred? 1,000 years in a holding room? A big problem in this culture if your leader isn't up to God's standard. Lee being held as "perfected" was a way around that. Then he wouldn't need a "summer school" to finish the transformation process. Therefore according to his acolytes he'd run his course, and a crown of glory surely waited for him.
In this mindset, if the Deputy God (DG) is at imperfect, then the whole system, the whole conceptual edifice of God's current move and speaking may be threatened. The fabled 'God's New Move' might really be an old move of men, with a coat of white paint. Therefore Lee, by position as DG, simply had to be supreme everything. Recognition of imperfection anywhere could threaten the perception of functional perfection everywhere: teachings, interpretations, and leadings.
Viewing the Asian-centric cultural imperative, it seems that authority of the Maximum Leader must be unchallenged for social harmony to prevail. Whether it was the Emperor of the Han dynasty, or Chairman Mao of the Red Guards, or the apostle of the age, the humble bondslave of Christ Witness Lee, the DG must always be right - the good of the Collective (read: the church) demands it. For example, even 40 years after his death, if you criticize Chairman Mao publicly you'll lose your job in the PRC. Social order demands the exaltation and perfection of the DG; here, scripture must yield to culture, even in the supposedly normal, biblical church life.