Local Church Discussions - View Single Post - The Recovery of The Local Churches in Vietnam

Trapped · 09-10-2020, 12:34 PM

Hodos,

I still owe you a response about the minister of the age (MOTA) (although you do reference deputy authority in your latest post and there is some overlap between the two concepts), but just wanted to respond to a part of your latest post very briefly.

Regarding one city/one church - I can personally testify to having left the LC and gone to another church (a dreaded "denomination") and have participated in taking the table outside the LC. I didn't get struck by lightning. I didn't get hit by a car. And most importantly, God has not left me or turned a cold shoulder towards me. I think many others here can say the same thing. This type of teaching is a classic fear-based type teaching known to be used by abusive groups - "if you leave us for whatever valid or invalid reason, for whatever bogus or even scriptural-sounding reason, you will suffer condemnation/judgment/repercussion!!" I may be too strong here, but I think there are some grounds to say it this strongly: if anyone is being gripped by a fear other than the fear of the Holy One, then that fear is from the devil. There is a good Christian song that sums it up well: "Fear is a liar." God desires that no man perish, and sent His Son to accomplish this fact. He will not turn around and cause the perishing of one of His children who goes to meet with other blood-washed, Spirit-filled believers.

Regarding the 1999 absolute statement to LSM, do you happen to have a copy of that statement? Did LSM, or anyone, respond to the statement, and if so, how did they respond? I'm blanking on what was happening in the LC in 1999.....was this part of a larger number of churches in the world signing allegiance statements, or was this unique to Vietnam at the time?

Trapped

09-10-2020, 12:34 PM	#24
Trapped Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 1,523	Re: The Recovery of The Local Churches in Vietnam Hodos, I still owe you a response about the minister of the age (MOTA) (although you do reference deputy authority in your latest post and there is some overlap between the two concepts), but just wanted to respond to a part of your latest post very briefly. Regarding one city/one church - I can personally testify to having left the LC and gone to another church (a dreaded "denomination") and have participated in taking the table outside the LC. I didn't get struck by lightning. I didn't get hit by a car. And most importantly, God has not left me or turned a cold shoulder towards me. I think many others here can say the same thing. This type of teaching is a classic fear-based type teaching known to be used by abusive groups - "if you leave us for whatever valid or invalid reason, for whatever bogus or even scriptural-sounding reason, you will suffer condemnation/judgment/repercussion!!" I may be too strong here, but I think there are some grounds to say it this strongly: if anyone is being gripped by a fear other than the fear of the Holy One, then that fear is from the devil. There is a good Christian song that sums it up well: "Fear is a liar." God desires that no man perish, and sent His Son to accomplish this fact. He will not turn around and cause the perishing of one of His children who goes to meet with other blood-washed, Spirit-filled believers. Regarding the 1999 absolute statement to LSM, do you happen to have a copy of that statement? Did LSM, or anyone, respond to the statement, and if so, how did they respond? I'm blanking on what was happening in the LC in 1999.....was this part of a larger number of churches in the world signing allegiance statements, or was this unique to Vietnam at the time? Trapped