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Originally Posted by Koinonia
That would all be very nice, if it were true. I have heard many LC members, including top coworkers, boldly declare that they follow Lee. On more than one occasion, I have heard Ron Kangas boldly and defiantly declare, "I am not ashamed to say that I follow a man."
During the Summer Training of 2015, I heard RK decry certain Christians for referring to themselves as "Lutherans" and "Wesleyans," and then say, "What a shame if we were to call ourselves 'Lee-ites.'"
However, I immediately recognized the absolute ridiculousness of this statement considering that most Lutherans and Wesleyans know nothing about Luther and Wesley; yet, very, very many in the LCs are 'Lee-ites'--whatever they call themselves.
In the same way, you focus obsessively on what people call themselves, yet seem to ignore the heart and the spiritual reality.
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The scripture focuses on what people call themselves and names. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, in 1 Corinthians 1:12 and 3:4 the emphasis was on what they
said. Paul was not instructing them not to follow himself, or Peter, or Christ. He was telling them not to
say they follow them.
In 1 Corinthians 1:13 Paul says "were you baptised in the name of Paul"?
To the person who says they are Lutheran he would say "were you baptized in the name of Luther"?
The context is divisions, and names and what we call ourselves in relation to that.
RK's context in following a man, I presume are in relation to following the
ministry of the man.
When we read and follow Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Does that mean we are following Paul? Well yes in a sense. Suppose someone reads and follows Matthew, are they following Matthew? Yes in a sense. There is no problem unless one says "I am a Paul-ite" and the other " I am a Matthew-ite".
So no problem if 50, 70 or 100% of a church follows Lee's ministry, unless they call themselves a Lee-ite then it's a problem.