The LCS Factor

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Thankful Jane

Dear Ohio, I agree that blame primarily rests with the BB type leaders, but I don't think the rest of us can claim innocence because of this.

I am more and more convinced that this matter of "guilt by association" has no merit in the age of grace. Israel is a pattern for our admonition, but the N.T. provides no basis for this. We are no longer judged by our parents bad behavior.

Originally Posted by Thankful Jane

The story of Ai in Joshua 7 comes to mind. When there was sin in the camp, all Israel suffered, and God seemed to consider that all the children of Israel were guilty of the sin (Josh 7:11). All Israel had to submit to examination until the source of the sin was nailed down. It appears that all witnessed the discovery and the judgment. That's more of the sense I have about all of this. The way God alerted them that there was a problem in the first place was by letting Israel be defeated before their enemies. I think we've had major clues of such defeat for many for years, but those who should have done as Joshua did and rent their clothes, hit the dust, and then tracked down the problem failed to do so:

I still see no judgment upon all of Israel for the sin of one. This story is similar to Corinth. The whole church suffered thru the sin of one, but Paul's admonition was to purge out the old leaven, via godly fellowship with the offender, who did repent and was restored. Joshua was forced to examine Israel, and the idolator was judged by fire. Let's be careful not to misapply this type. If we judge all Israel because of the sin of one, then all Israel should be burnt with fire. If we judge all the church in like manner, will there be enough firewood in the world?

This matter of "guilt by association" frankly scares me, and that's why I have protested repeatedly. History is replete with martyrs slain by well-intentioned religious folks who felt they were serving God. I know this seems extreme, but an O.T. story was cited which ended in holocaust. (see Joshua 7.15) The RCC has used this same story to justify their diabolical schemes via slaughter of whole villages and prison inquisitions. How far do we carry out O.T. stories?

Let me propose another thought for this story, based on the patterns of the N.T. All prospering congregations of believers have healthy oversight by elders. One of their roles at times is to examine the church in prayer and fellowship and seek the Lord for any reason that they are short of the Lord's blessing. Just as Joshua sought the Lord in prayer, the Lord may wait until some do this before He exposes some matter. Our Lord has a heart of love and blessing towards His people, but neither is He mocked.

The tragedy of the LC's for decades was to look to Anaheim for the way of blessing and for the reasons for which there was no blessing. This has robbed the Lord of His rightful place as the Head of the church and the Son of Man walking in her midst. Anaheim became a rival to God's own Son. The "ministry" became a rival to His word. Hence, very little blessing exists in the LC's, to the point that some would even say there is a kind of curse upon them.