Quote:
Originally Posted by UntoHim
I even strongly resisted believing anything about "the fermentation of the present rebellion" until I heard the personal testimony of many trusted and esteemed brothers, including John Ingalls, who related many of the things to me personally in his living room. At that point it was not just "smoke" to be concerned with, the flames of the fire were blazing bright right before my eyes. Denial was futile.
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For many years I was a loyal and trusting footsoldier in the Recovery. I trusted LC leaders unreservedly, more than my own parents in fact, and had no reason to question any of the historical accounts I was told. I heard WL's story of Nee's excommunication by the Church in Shanghai in 1942 many times. Lee informed us that Nee was as pure as the driven snow, and was constantly being persecuted from within and without the church.
As the story goes, someone started a rumor about Nee. The elders heard about it and then confronted Nee, asking if he was "living with another woman." Being so "pure" in heart, he said "yes," knowing that the woman living with him was his own mother. Without even investigating the actual facts, the elders then proceeded to excommunicate him, and terminate his ministry. That was the story I heard about Nee's excommunication.
Honestly folks I believed the story. I used to believe a lot of things I was taught in the Recovery. Yes, I was naive. We all were. But I suppose every one who ever lived believes a bit of hagiography about their favorite sports star, movie celebrity, religious leader, or historical figure. Some folks still believe in super heroes.
But let's think about Lee's story here. Was this all smoke as in "smokescreen" to keep the faithful from knowing the truth? Notice that Lee never put this tall tale in his biography of Nee,
Seer ... Does anyone really think that those Shanghai elders could be so stupid and impulsive? They were appointed by Nee and shepherded the largest church in the movement. I'm sure they had confronted all sorts of moral "irregularities" dealing with diverse saints for years. Nee was their chief minister. Would they not prayerfully, carefully, and painstakingly examine any accusation against Nee?
Of course they would! Lee's fabrication of events
on its face bears no credibility to honest scrutiny. Is not it plainly obvious that his brief fictional account was a diversion from the truth, carefully designed to quell suspicions? So, when confronted with lies, we are forced to consider what was he hiding? What should we not know? Why lie unless the truth is too nasty to confront. So, for me, whether or not Dr. Lily Hsu is completely accurate in her
Memories of Nee is besides the point.