Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee

[zeek]

Nee only recognizes one exception to the principle of absolute obedience to authority:

The whole New Testament stands behind delegated authority. The only exception is found in Acts 5.29 when Peter and the apostles answered the Jewish council which forbade them to teach in the name of the Lord Jesus. Peter answered by saying, "We must obey God rather then men." This was due to the fact that the delegated authority here had distinctly violated God's command and trespassed against the Person of the Lord. Such an answer as Peter's can only be given under this particular situation. In all other circumstances we must learn to be subject to delegated authorities. We can never bring in obedience through rebellion.

Other than that, even slavery and subordination of women is OK. Women, children, and slaves are instructed to obey authority unconditionally no matter how tyrannical. No wonder the leadership suppressed this book in the USA. Nee's teaching is diametrically opposed to American values.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by zeek

Nee only recognizes one exception to the principle of absolute obedience to authority ...

Just the phrase "absolute authority" negates the matter of mercy so indigenous to the concepts of love and grace surrounding the cross of Christ. Where was "absolute authority" when the disciples wanted the Lord to judge those performing wonders, but not in their circle of fellowship. Where was "absolute authority" when Paul, the supposed archetype MOTA of God's New Testament Economy did not slay the slave Onesimus on the spot for abandoning his owner, Paul's own friend Philemon.

No one here is sponsoring anarchy in the kingdom of God, but isn't it extremely self-serving for any minister to elevate himself to prominence as the Minister of the Age, and then teach "absolute authority" in order to control God's people from disobeying your directives or voicing concerns about your leadership?

These are the same kinds of cultural mandates which created millennia of Chinese dynasties. It may sound "spiritual" to unsuspecting westerners when sprinkled with a few O.T. stories, but no other minister would espouse them, including the original apostles.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by zeek

Nee's teaching is diametrically opposed to American values.

I would say much more than Nee's teaching, the LC/LSM practice of deputy authority is in opposition to AMerican values.
Meaning LC/LSM teachings on deputy authority is 100% with the coworkers/elders/secular leaders. While husbands and parents are excluded. I seem to recall portions of Lee's ministry where he tried to de-emphasize the parental love for our children. That we could love out children too much.

Based on Nee's teaching if an elder/coworker was to "touch" my children, that would be usurping the father's/parental responsibility as deputy authority. In non-LC Christian circles them emphasis is not as deputy authority, but as shepherds of the home. As I see, it is the responsibility of each parent to lead their children to Christ.