LSM’s Deification Doctrine—Biblical or Blasphemous? Nigel Tomes

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Igzy

When I first encountered the movement, the point of emphasis was always "Christ and the Church." Who could argue with that?

While there are references from Paul concerning the church as the body of Christ, does that elevate reference to the church to essentially an equal billing with Christ?

I do not simply disagree with your comment that it is "pure and uplifting." But I wonder if the statement is, by definition, incorrect even though we did not think of it as meaning something over-elevated. It surely was something that we committed ourselves to as if it was to Christ. And while we are charged to be devoted (maybe even committed) to each other, is that intended to be the same as what we are to Christ? Or just equal to what we are to ourselves?

Was the church something that was seen as definitionally pure and Christ-like, therefore seen as a version of stand-in for Christ? Was (and maybe still is) the church a non-RCC form of saint to be all but prayed to? To take our focus off of Christ and his commands and place it on something else (even something we think of a pure and uplifting)?

I know that the rhetoric concerning the church increased over time, but was it truly "pure and uplifting" in the beginning, or did we just not see the error in it?

As for where it eventually went, there is no question. But if it was so easily morphed beyond what might be acceptable, maybe it never really was. Just too close to notice.

Not saying, but asking.