Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
The way that WL used his teaching of “God’s economy” was very crafty. First of all, his usage of that phrase took up a completely different meaning than what it actually means in the Bible.
In 1 Tim 1:3, the NIV renders Paul’s charge as being to “not teach false doctrines any longer”. In the RcV, a different rendering is used: “not teach different things”. Why is this significant? It is readily apparent that “false doctrine” has a much more precise meaning than “different things” What exactly does it mean to “teach different things”? Do you see what I’m getting at here? The phrase could mean just about anything.
WL took advantage of this. He also told everyone that “doctrines kill”. He took the emphasis off of doctrine and placed it upon the idea of “different things”, which he so presumed to define. Eventually, the notion within the LC became that to “teach different things” is to teach anything not taught or endorsed by LSM. The worst of this was when WL began dismissing entire books of the Bible.
In 1 Tim 1:4 (NIV), teaching false doctrine is put in contrast to “advancing God’s work”. It’s a simple charge, I think we all can understand what Paul was trying to convey here. Other renderings of “God’s economy” in verse 4 include: “the stewardship from God” and “godly edifying”. These other translations seem more meaningful, at least to me. Therefore, I think WL’s focus on the word ‘economy’ allowed him to take an idea that perhaps had some esoteric undertones when compared to the more well-known phrases, and he ran with it. In essence, he made a huge deal out of a simple matter and eventually constructed it into a false doctrine, trying to assign a meaning that had nothing to do whatsoever with the context of these verses.
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This is an interesting observation! You basic say that Lee first distorted some Bible verses then gradually replaced with Lee’s things and finally only the teaching endorsed by LSM left. This way would lead us to a place filled with Lee’s stuff labeled with God, Christ or Bible. In this case, how can you prevent person worship Lee if he/she enters the place?
This reminds me Mao’s trick. Communist based on Marxism, Leninism in the beginning. After a while Mao’s thought was added. Through many times power struggle, Mao basically criticized every one finally he gave Chinese people two options: (1) Mao’s thought (2) Mao’s thought. Please pick your choice. Finally all Chinese people in mainland worshipped Mao.
Who was the original author, Lee or Mao? I think none of them.
I think following verses applicable here (Ephesians 6:12-18[NKJV]):
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.