Nigel Tomes once shared that
"Scripture documents the successes and failures of God’s servants. Both tragedies and triumphs are faithfully recorded. The failures of Abraham, David and Solomon appear in sacred writ. Peter’s denials and Paul’s regression to Judaic vows are not concealed. However Christian groups are often reluctant to critically assess their own history. Too frequently reverence for their “founding fathers” leads them to view their past through rose-colored glasses and to portray an idealized picture to others. Successes are highlighted, while mistakes and missteps are covered over. Instead of history, this produces hagiography,1 “sanitized accounts,” which reassure the faithful but offer few lessons for the future. The Bible shows this is not God’s way. Over a decade has passed since Bro. Witness Lee finished his course. Shortly after his passing some visiting Great Lakes brothers were given a guided tour of Brother Lee’s home on Ball Road, Anaheim, CA. They were led into his private bedroom where dresser drawers were opened to display Brother Lee’s orderliness. This produced a lasting impression. It caused some to ask—Is Brother Lee’s home being turned into a shrine? Has the veneration process begun? In some quarters it seems so. Some suggest God blessed Brother Lee’s every action. Others endeavor to portray Bro. Lee’s final repentance as an apology for the churches’ mistakes, not his own personal missteps. It seems the Lord’s recovery is producing hagiography rather than history. Consequently important chapters in the recovery’s history have not been adequately addressed."
www.twoturmoils.com/DignifyingAuthority.pdf
Rev. Dr. Ka-Tong Lim Collin County Chinese Fellowship Church, Plano, Texas
“For the last several years, consciously or not, I have heard much positive and negative information regarding the private life of Brother Nee. As I cannot figure out if it is true or not, I am not brave enough to follow either side, but only to pray and ponder. When will this puzzle be solved?
Only for the sake of the name of the Lord, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will Christians who know the facts be willing to step forward bravely and speak out of a sense of justice. It would be helpful for the children of God to solve this puzzle. There would be no more sadness, anger, weakness and tears, for we would receive comfort from the Lord. In case of a similar situation happening in the future, we would not be shocked, like a bolt from the blue.”