The LCS Factor

[OBW]

I still think that the general line of inquiry into idolatry is not that profitable. And Shawn has said it in a different way:

Originally Posted by Shawn

First, your critical examination of the fruit of the hearts of the LC’ers falling into idolatry, seems to parallel the BB’s “examination” of contemporary Christian music leading to idolatry that is being enjoyed by the Young People around the GLA. To argue against their criticism is to attempt to prove there are no idols before the listeners; and who can say we are without idols? So, your argument is valid only on the base that anything and everything can lead to idolatry, or, who is without idols cast the first stone.

While I am more than sure that there is plenty of idolatry in the LC, are we really able to discern what is and what is not idolatry in any particular LC member or leader? No matter how hard you try to make a case, I believe the answer must be “No.”

Why? Because we do not know the thoughts and intents of the heart. All we see are actions, and they may give an indication, but they do not reveal the truth of the heart.

Outside of the LC, there are many who would be excited to get to hear certain particular Christian minister who has come to town for some kind of seminar. Is this idolatrous? For one person entering the seminary, the answer may be “Yes.” For the one following them in the door, the answer is “No.” Can we tell the difference from the outside? No.

Neither can we make such sweeping statements about any of the LC members or leaders. And if we are simply painting everything that could come between a person and Christ as idolatry, then search your own heart. Is ambition idolatry? Maybe. Paul mentioned that some may seek to be an elder (or desire to be, or whatever the translation you look at says). This is a level of ambition. Is this ambition sinful? No. But some ambition is. Some ambition becomes something that is put above Christ. In the broader definition of idolatry, it now fits. Do we know where any particular ambition fits? We may guess, and that guess may be good in some cases. But do we really know?

Rather than collect a lot of things together that we think we know the underlying heart about and put a label on it — idolatry — why don’t we just look at each clear error for what it is. It is unnecessary to search the heart about why Benson took a trip to Houston to slander Jane. That he did says enough. He did the deed. It speaks volumes without the label of idolatry attached to its motives. It even says something about whether he should be in leadership.

It is unnecessary to figure out why a series of elders and their wives went to such great effort to convince BlessD to marry someone she didn’t want to marry. They did it (unfortunately successfully) and the consequences fall partly (mostly?) at their feet. (We can never avoid our own part, no matter how small we think it is.)

Was any of this because they put something ahead of Christ? Isn’t every error we make for that reason? Isn’t the reason that we are unable to forgive that person (or whatever) because we put our holding the anger/offense over and above the command of Christ to forgive? Doesn’t that technically fit the definition of idolatry if it is something that is simply above Christ? Doesn’t that make the label of idolatry almost meaningless?

Now I’m not diminishing true idolatry, even the kind where some have elevated the LC, or Lee and his teachings effectively above Christ. But can we truly identify that (other than within ourselves)? Or can we merely speculate, and if we have the position, make that speculation to the person potentially guilty of the sin so that they might be awakened from their stupor and see their error. I do not see that identifying the LC leaders as complicit in the underlying problems of the LC second generation and/or their marriages as due to idolatry solves anything. Instead it seems more to be a way to point a finger and say “that’s really bad.” We already know that. But we’re going to keep saying it over and over. “Let’s all say ‘that’s really bad’ together for three minutes.”

I won’t actually put it in, but that “beating a dead horse” smilie is tempting right now.

Last. As I said in my second paragraph (the first one after Shawn’s quote), “I believe.” This is my opinion. Some think that this discussion is important. I wasn’t sure at first, but now do not agree. I have now said why. Consider it. It would be better to not just dismiss it without thought. But either way, take it or leave it as you will.