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Originally Posted by Unsure
2: Is there anything in the outline or text that immediately stands out as questionable, or is a deeper analysis required?
Could I use this document as both an explanation to outsiders on what the LC claims to believe, and as a starting point for analyzing, deconstructing, and tearing down its questionable points?
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Questionable: If the economy of God is Witness Lee's hermeneutical masterpiece, then why didn't Paul write, "Pay attention to the economy of God, which is God's dispensing Himself into humankind...", etc etc? Paul didn't say that, but WL does. From whence cometh the notion? From the whole Bible, you say?
Then why studiously ignore the teachings of Jesus, who also included the word 'oikonomia' in His parables, to mean "responsibility" and "obedience", i.e. stewardship? Why turn away from the teachings of Jesus in order to craft your formulation? WL tried systematic theology to the edges of his hermeneutic, then it vanished - systematic, hermeneutic, and Bible itself. It's almost as if when WL didn't teach something, it didn't exist - yet there it is, in black and white, printed in the pages of his beloved Bible.
Also questionable: why translate 'ekklesia' as "church" where it fits your meaning, and as "assembly" elsewhere? E.g. Acts 19:41, etc etc? Again, selective readings to fit your narrow understanding, which understanding you then declare not only to be universal, but the center of God's plan.
Maybe if WL had spent time in seminary, he wouldn't have come up with so many odd ideas. A little more guidance was in order.