The God-Men: An Inquiry into Witness Lee & the Local Church

[UntoHim]

Ray, thanks for taking the time of starting this thread. I think it is worthwhile for us to review, mainly because the Local Church has changed quite a bit from the 70s (and somewhat for the better I might add). The bottom line, however, is that many, if not most, of the accounts, descriptions and criticisms found in this book were valid and largely accurate at the time they were written. I will repeat something I said from the outset:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Something to keep in mind is that both of these books were produced in th 70s at a time when The Local Church was somewhat secretive and extremely uncooperative towards all outsiders (Cult busters or no). The authors were forced to fill in a lot of blanks when it came to writing about the teachings and practices. So I don't think the "unscholarly" term applies as much as incomplete and or not fully accurate....and considering who they were dealing with it's a wonder they got as much information as they did. Not giving excuses, but these books need to be placed within the context of the time they were produced. Nevertheless, in the case of the Mindbenders, I don't think the Local Church should have been included with non-Christian cults such as the Unification Church and Hare Krishna, and in the case of The God-Men, I think the book cover played upon any prejudices the American public may have against Asian believers.

Originally Posted by NeitherFirstnorLast

UntoHim, this book is nothing like what you have suggested here (perhaps you're relying on something you heard while you were within the "Local Church"?). Rather than being "unscholarly" or "incomplete", "The God-Men: An inquiry into Witness Lee & the Local Church" is in fact very well researched and thoroughly documents what Neil Duddy uncovers in his four years of research WITHIN the Local Church. Duddy also went out his way to check the facts with the men best equipped to give them to him: Witness Lee and the closest members of his entourage.

Ray, I don't think you carefully read what I wrote...at least this reaction from you indicates that you didn't. No worries though, this happens all the time around this place!

Anyway, I just wanted to remind everybody of the timeframe we are dealing with here. Even society in general has changed greatly from the 70s. This same goes for little sub-cultures like the Local Church. Again, it does not change the facts as they were presented in the book....so let's carry on, shall we?

[NeitherFirstnorLast]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Ray, I don't think you carefully read what I wrote...at least this reaction from you indicates that you didn't. No worries though, this happens all the time around this place!

My apologies brother, I meant no offense! I was only saying that what I'd heard about the book doesn't seem to jive so far with what I've now read.