Andy Anderson on the "Overcomers"

Originally Posted by Ohio

Rather the "Having ascended to the height, He led captive those taken captive." Years ago Phil Comfort shared with me that "the weight of Christian scholarship" felt this section of scripture referred to those in Paradise under the earth (mainly O.T. believers looking forward to the Messiah) being taken into heaven. This was a fulfillment of Psalms 68.18.

This was contrary to Lee's teachings, but Comfort at that time was on his way out the door.

Ohio, could you please say more about what happened to Phil Comfort? You've referred to him several times. Now he seems to be a respected accepted Greek scholar. Why did he leave? What does he now think of the local church?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Ohio, could you please say more about what happened to Phil Comfort? You've referred to him several times. Now he seems to be a respected accepted Greek scholar. Why did he leave? What does he now think of the local church?

Phil came to the LC in Akron early 70's, moved to Willoughby when it started, and then migrated to Columbus in August '77 during Lee's move to the campuses. He was a school teacher and elder when Titus Chu demanded that he serve full-time. In ~'81-'82 TC forced Phil and family (either during or after the 10 month labor) to move to Cleveland. In Cleveland, TC was just brutal on Phil, challenging him, criticizing him regularly, and shaming him in front of the other brothers.

Phil moved back to Columbus late '82- early '83 and he was definitely not the same. All those close to Phil wanted to hear from him what had happened, apart from TC's spin, and gathered with Phil on occasion. Everyone of those brothers, from that point on, had no more respect for TC. Phil decided, perhaps in concert with his family, to transition back into "life" by enrolling at OSU for a Masters degree in English. He was no more in the eldership, but did meet with the saints and testified and prayed in our meetings. Tensions later grew and exploded at times between the remaining leaders and TC. TC was never interested in making "friends" in the church, but he sure was good at making enemies. All the brothers in Cleveland and beyond, however, sided with TC.

Phil's love for the Bible in the original language of Greek was always with him. After the Masters program, he eventually landed at Wheaton College near Chicago, where he thrived at Wheaton teaching and writing. I remember sitting in an leaders' meeting years ago and TC confronted Bill Orsborn of Buffalo, who was then is Hanover Park, for not being able to bring Phil back to the churchlife. How typical of TC to place these demands on others, when he himself was the source of the offense.

I understand he has traveled extensively. Here is a bio link. Here's a pic.

Several years ago another poster, who was then an elder and GLA co-worker, made comment to the effect, "some in the churches regret that our hearts were not big enough to receive Phil and his portion." I immediately challenged his statement, with the counter, "let me suggest that it was Titus Chu himself whose heart was not big enough to receive Phil and his portion." Phil and his wife G. loved the church and the church loved them. They were a definite blessing to the church in Columbus where I got to know them. The problem was simple. Titus was threatened by other gifted members. He abused them to keep them in line. Phil is now just one more brother in a long list of precious brothers who found out the hard way how brutal TC treats his people, and has moved on.

[MacDuff]

Ohio

If this is the same Phil Comfort I'm thinking of, he's written some great books on the original text of the New Testament. His loss would be a great loss to the Recovery. But then, from what I've been reading, his loss would be power for the course. He has written Bible commentaries, but I haven't read them. With his background they should be interesting.

MacDuff

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by MacDuff

Ohio

If this is the same Phil Comfort I'm thinking of, he's written some great books on the original text of the New Testament. His loss would be a great loss to the Recovery. But then, from what I've been reading, his loss would be power for the course. He has written Bible commentaries, but I haven't read them. With his background they should be interesting.

MacDuff

Comfort has been gone now for 30 years. He is just one of many who have been mistreated and then departed. Back in 1985 I was very upset about the way TC treated people like Phil, but eventually time passed and anger subsides. Then in 2003 about the time I had suffered abuses locally, I learned more dear brothers were hurt by TC, and on top of that I learned how abusive Lee was towards brothers like Al Knoch who simply tried to protect his saints in Anaheim from the likes of the Lee Family.