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Originally Posted by OBW
The introduction of various doctrinal differences over the years has created a problem with certain aspects of the oneness of the body. But not all aspects.
Added to all that went before is the problem of "ground." It has always been differences of opinion. And Nee's "ground" is just one more opinion which came along to separate us into yet another (or more) new group. Devising another disputed doctrine called "ground" does not cause the position on it to rise above any other difference of opinion and put the blame upon everyone else.
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The subject of oneness is a tricky issue, and I think that you have a good point here. Divergence in opinions/doctrines is something that divides, that is a given. The caveat to that hopefully that none of us are naive enough to think that somehow we can all be organized to be 'one', or that there is even a simple solution to the problem. Is it unfortunate that Christians have so many disagreements? Yes. Is it avoidable? I don't think so.
When Jesus prayed for oneness in John 17, the goal was a simple one, that the world may believe that He had been sent by the Father. Oneness is for the sake of testimony. It is not for the sake of proving or validating a certain practice or method of organizing people.
The missing part of the equation, is of course how to be 'one'. I do not have the answer to that and I don't even presume to completely understand what that means. I do know what won't create oneness. Insisting on practices will never create anything close to oneness. Where I think oneness starts with is not purposely instigating differences of opinions or divisions, kind of like not sticking your hand in a beehive. Those in the LC have long felt that they have developed practices necessary for oneness and thus proceeded to force such practices. Whether or not those practices were good was overshadowed by the fact that they were mandated.
With that in mind, I want to address the following statement that WL made:
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Originally Posted by Witness Lee
THE GROUND OF LOCALITY BEING FOR ONENESS NOT FOR DIVISION
I regret to say that some of the saints who have read our publications concerning the ground of locality have used them to cause division. Some have said that they are taking the ground of locality in a certain city and that they do not want to have fellowship with others. This is a true division. The ground of locality is for oneness, not for division. If we take the ground of locality as a standing to be independent from other believers, we are divisive.
Witness Lee, Enjoying the Riches of Christ for the Building Up of the Church as the Body of Christ, Chapter 13
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This an interesting statement by WL, because here he admits that practicing the ground of locality can and has caused division. Granted, he didn't attribute any of the blame to himself (and this should have been done before anything else), but the division that he speaks of needs to be
at least taken to be a possibility by those in the LC.
I take no issue with WN or WL seeking after oneness or even thinking that they had the prescription to make it work (had I been in their shoes I would have been no less naive). Although WL's statement can be taken as a much needed admission, it still contains the implication that somehow there is a correct way to practice locality that will produce oneness. It is time for those in the LC to start considering the misplaced blame and why this practice has failed to accomplish what it was intended to accomplish.