Titus Chu spin off-help?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by SpeakersCorner

So we talk in code. And I broke your code as you (somewhat ) did mine. All three men had great strengths and great weaknesses though Paterno was, imho, undone by subordinates.

That’s what I’m talking about. TC always gave us the impression that WL’s ministry burden was “undone by subordinates.” He held WL in the highest reverence, yet nearly despised all the Blendeds, eg “those 5 little boys.” Paterno did nothing wrong himself except for “covering the brother.” Sounds like nothing more than sordid LC behavior, “covered up” by others.

Like your early “contempt” for Knight, I am convinced that is the safest approach. In a world of idolatry, even among Christians, being overly skeptical of exalting our leaders is healthy. The Bible holds them to higher standards, and so should we. In the Recovery, WL and WN and TC have long been canonized into sainthood. Don’t you see the danger in that? The danger in bestowing such honors is too great to overcome.

You mentioned a story from 1982. I have another one from Columbus about that time. TC was invited, and a gifted brother from Willoughby showed up to the meeting. The brother BR had stopped meeting for awhile, and had grown a beard. Out of the blue, TC said that if a brother grows a beard, then it shows that his heart is cold towards the Lord. The comment was startling and inappropriate. Why shame a brother like that in a meeting? It’s not like the brother had a chance to respond. Why not greet him warmly? Pride at large on the bully pulpit!

What then was the lasting message? No spiritual man has a beard. Every brother with a beard has a cold heart towards the Lord. I literally had that pathetic thought in mind for 20 years at least. So judgmental of me! Then one day in the early 00’s I was studying the Plymouth Brethren in order to understand the division we were going thru. I got this book “Chief Men Among the Brethren.” Nearly all the brothers had beards! Imagine that! George Muller, Robert Chapman, etc. all had beards. Finally, I was delivered from that careless judgmental comment spoken 20 years ago from the pulpit. Unfortunately brother BR never returned. Then I also realized it was merely cultural - Chinese can’t grow beards, hence they condemned them.