[testallthings]

To ZNPaaneah

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" (S. G. Tallentyre, referring to Voltaire. Often attributed to Voltaire.)

and I would like to add, and I will never misquote or misrepresent you, even if you were the devil himself.

Using quotations is the only chance we can give to our "opponents" to defend their point of view. An accurate and contextualized quotation is our Christian duty to avoid misrepresentation, misinterpretation, etc., especially when quoting those who are not more able to defend themselves (that is those who passed away). Unfortunately sometimes, due to the intensity of the discussion and the numerous posts to reply to, we might unintentionally be less accurate than we usually used to be. I am sure it happened to me, somehow and somewhere, so I would be glad if someone could point out my mistakes in order to amend them.

Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, that every idle word which men shall say, they shall render an account of it in judgment-day:
Mat 12:37 for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The words we speak and write today will not be unnoticed in that day. So it is better to be very careful, and as James says,

Jas 3:1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
Jas 3:2 For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

W. Lee treatment (or mistreatment) of other Christians (or Christianity) has become proverbial.

Imagine someone complaining about the products sold in a supermarket.
A: Your products are !@#$$%%#! There is nothing good in this supermarket. This is !@#$%^&! and that is !@#$%^&! I will never buy anything from you !@#$%^####!#!
This goes on for years, maybe decades. Finally, this very person buys few products from the so despised supermarket. Logically the reaction of Mr. B. would be something like this,
B: You #!#@@$%@^%$#!!#@ hypocrite!!!! You !!@@##$#!! and !!###!##^%@%!
We all have the right to shop were we want and to buy what we want (after all even the best companies do not manage to produce all excellent products, so it is unavoidable to pick here and there), but it would be polite, and much more Christian attitude, to avoid useless criticism.

I can never forget when I heard W. Lee (in a video. Sorry I don't remember which one, and I doubt I will ever watch it again. So for this story you have only my word. Can I be trusted?) relating how he met a missionary to China. Lee asked him, Do you know Madam Guyon? Do you know...........[another famous Christian]? Do you know ….... [another famous Christian]. The “poor” missionary answered no to all those questions. Then Lee said, “A nothing has come to China!” (if he said those words to the missionary or to the audience of his message I cannot tell). This were shocking words. This are words a Christian should never say.

This was very different from W. Nee's attitude towards missionaries.

I answered, "I dare not criticize your mission, though I do not believe it is according to the full thought of God. I believe it was God's will to establish it so that the servants of God in Western lands could come to China to preach the gospel. I have nothing to say regarding the mission as a body, for the Scriptures speak of companies of workers, and if you feel it should be organized, should have officers, and should bear a specific name, you must answer to God and not to man for that. Who am I that I should criticize the servants of the Lord? But while I do not criticize, I cannot copy, because God has not revealed that as His will and way for me. Regarding the mission as a mission, I have nothing to say, but I have serious questions regarding the churches formed by the mission. (Collected Works of Watchman Nee, The (Set 2) Vol. 30: The Normal Christian Church Life, Chapter 10, Section 6)

We all make mistakes, as you said. How true. I had my share in it. In my opinion, you yourself made some inaccurate statements, too. I write this not to shame you but to exhort you.