Hello Gubei, and others
Could be your MBA text books gave a spin that gave you a distorted view of how capitalism actually works. Over the years I have hired several young graduates from top business schools with majors in finance. They all have told me that they started from scratch with us in learning how the economy and investments actually work. Sometimes I have a similar thought about the LSM and all of their trainings etc. The BBs such as Ron Kangas, Andrew etc. really do not have a clue as to how God’s economy actually works. I brought up the Chee Foo situation to illustrate that something is way off in somebody’s practice and understanding.
May we assume for a moment that the description of the church in Ephesus etc could be practical and is preferred to what we find today. Good ole IGZY has put his finger on the deal breaker. That is the issue of authority. The whole notion of “the Work” and “Deputy Authority” creates a fertile ground for the flesh of man, (as you, Gubei have been appealing to for an explanation for the problems) to create more division while cloaking itself in spiritual talk and reasons.
The New Testament urges us to walk in humility and endeavor to keep the oneness of the S/spirit and to arrive at the oneness of the Faith. We are not admonished to be under the authority of the right set of elders, who where appointed by the right apostle, who is a co-worker in the right “work,” which is under “the Apostle of the Age.”
One thing is certain. In the New Testament “elders” were not bosses. I am including some teaching on what is a biblical elder in my book on the LC history. Maybe that would be a good discussion for this forum and contrast that with the LSM version of eldership?
By the way I admire how both Igzy and Gubei have hung in their with their views and concerns. Prov 25:2, It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. NASB May we all search out the truth and practice of the oneness of the Body of Christ.
I certainly appreciate the sentiments of OBW shown below. This topic does make you want to throw up your hands or wind your watch or jump through a hoop backward due to the frustration. I have spent many years considering, searching and trying to figure out how to proceed. I probably have a ways to go yet. Please posters, weigh in. We all can learn and be perfected.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
I both enjoy and despise this discussion. ...
I enjoy it because it puts the spotlight on those who claim to be “the” ones with “the” elders. ...
But the most despised part of the discussion is that in every case, any argument between two or more groups about who is “the” church with “the” elders ignores the many existing assemblies that were there before any such exclusive group came along and claimed to have the Holy Grail of churchism.
They scoff at so-called divisions as they add one more to the mix while saying that they are not a division because they say they are the one church for the city. On whose authority? Not on scripture’s.
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Hope, Don Rutledge
A believer in Christ Jesus, who is seeking to be a true disciple.