[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by JJ

The music issue being discussed in this thread is a good example of many unnecessary "straight jackets" in "the Lords Recovery" (TLR) that can be seen through by careful scripture reading. I suspect blindness to legalism versus nefarious motives in the earlier days of TLR. These were never washed out of the Living Stream Ministry. I have met a few TLR "saints" who listen to contemporary Christian music outside of the meetings. So, it is not universal.

Witness Lee spoke of avoiding divisions over music many times. And, piano and guitar were the only instruments I ever saw used in meetings. The longer I observed what was going on in the recovery (from inside and outside) for many years, I came to the conclusion that Lee had adopted many things from his Brethren experience, what he learned from Nee, and from many truly spiritual saints who came into "the recovery who had non-biblical legalism regarding music and many other things, and really didn't know any better. But, this is just conjecture (God knows the heart).

Excellent observation JJ! Yes, I can testify that Witness Lee spoke of avoiding divisions over music. Actually he spoke rather strongly about not letting ANY "non-essential" divide the Church or the churches. The problem is that he ended up elevating many non-essentials - many teachings and practices established by himself - above the teachings and practices described and prescribed in the New Testament. To this very day, we see the affects of this in the teachings and practices in the Local Church.

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