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[OBW]

If the goal of this thread is reconciliation, then I believe that Indiana is going about it in the wrong way.

The reason that reconciliation is needed is that certain remaining leaders of the LRC effectively ousted JI and others, using lies to hide the truth that was behind the events of the mid to late 80s. BP and RG claimed early on that JI's problem was strictly "local" and had nothing to do with the LSM. But reality was that the LSM ruled the churches, with none effected more than the two where the LSM resided.

But no matter the cause of the problems, the ongoing problem is that BP, RG, RK, etc., will not discuss the matters with anyone, especially anyone outside of their ranks. I see only two ways that this will begin to change.

The first, and least meaningful would be some kind of near death-bed reflection that causes them to recognize their error. But if their attempt at some kind of apology or reconciliation is as feeble as was Lee's it will be near pointless.

The second would be for someone that they respect to point at the error in their ways. Sort of like Nathan did to David, although I doubt they would respond well if the "pointing" is as direct as Nathan did to David. And they don't respect Indiana. They want him to go away. They probably wish that they had the authority that Constantine gave to the leadership to silence even minor variations as heresy. That would allow them to drive him away for good.

So even if this Dr. Mouw could ever be such a person, he is now seen as being called into action by the one they despise. It reduces any possibility of respect by the BBs to near zero. Or at least collective respect. Individually, they may respect him, but as a group, there is a pressure to keep in line. The dirt that the past holds over all of them is strong.

The BBs may have been successful at getting Passitano (sp?) and company to change their tune. But it was not at the behest of an outsider. It was at their request to change their image with the larger Christian community. And they didn't actually have to change to do it. Just look like it. Spin their teaching to the outsiders without changing anything.

At times, I think that the only kind of reconciliation that can happen with the LRC is that you capitulate in full. Even then you are only allowed into the outer court. Still a bit of a leper.

And wanting to be reconciled with the LRC is like wanting to be reconciled with your favorite dictator, or with those running the Spanish Inquisition. It seems that it is better to leave the LRC as the one that has been excommunicated and let them come back and show that they have changed. Constantly trying to reconcile with them demonstrates that they are right and you are wrong. If they are actually wrong, why do you want back in with them.

For both JI and Indiana, I understand the desire for reconciliation. Their position is more like when God spoke through the prophets saying that He wanted Israel to return to His ways, in which case he would be so wonderful to them. But as long as the naughty children refuse to listen to wise counsel, there can be no reconciliation.

Let the LRC come to you. They have effectively been excommunicated from you. Reconciliation in that situation requires that they change. Not you. To grovel for their allowing you is to desire to follow in their folly so that fellowship can be restored, and you follow them into their excommunication. A little like sending someonw to prison for rehabilitation and then at the first parole hearing, note that they are still thieving murderers, and since you can't let them back into your society, you ask them if you can join them in prison.

I am not closed to there ever being the needed reconciliation. But in the correct sense, the ones who are now treated as sinners (Matt 18) are the BBs, not JI or Indiana. And there is no sign that the BBs are changing. So they remain sinners. The last thing you want is to join them in their sin.