"God in life and nature but not in the Godhead"

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by JJ

Agreed! That's what happens when we don't just chop part out, and add words like "becoming God" to make it our "high peak truth". "Being regenerated of incorruptible seed" doesn't say "We are God in life". "That we might become partakers of the divine nature" doesn't say we are God in nature.

Did Witness Lee ever emphasize the qualities other than godliness in this list? Why not, because that is what godliness looks like.

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:4

Appears the key word is may become. It doesn't say will become. Condition appears to be having escaped corruption that is in the world.
Question is, did Lee escape "corruption that is in the world by lust" in order to be a partaker of the divine nature?

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Terry

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:4

In the LC, they like to use a certain metaphor when discussing deification: "you are what you eat", and it is often applied to this verse in 2 Peter. All too often silly statements like these are used as "proof" of what Lee taught. My all time favorite is when Lee would pose a rhetorical question in attempt to prove a point, but I digress...

In regards to this verse, I would agree with Terry that escaping the corruption that is in the world by lust might be a more worthy goal than worrying about what become partakers of the divine nature really means. If someone has problems with financial schemes and failed motorhome businesses, the lust of money might be a problem. If that person's sons are accused of immoral behavior, that is also a problem needing addressing. The person in question would have done well to deal with the obvious before making such lofty claims.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Freedom

In the LC, they like to use a certain metaphor when discussing deification: "you are what you eat", and it is often applied to this verse in 2 Peter. All too often silly statements like these are used as "proof" of what Lee taught. My all time favorite is when Lee would pose a rhetorical question in attempt to prove a point, but I digress...

So when I eat steak I become a cow?

The Bible, and particularly the gospel and epistles of John make clear that when we believe in Jesus, he gives us eternal life, and that life comes from God the Father. But, having God's life doesn't make us arrogant, boastful, and least of all sinful. Rather it should make us more humble, serving and encouraging others, and die to ourselves rather than lording it over one another. And certainly more holy. That is the litmus test.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

In the LC, they like to use a certain metaphor when discussing deification: "you are what you eat", and it is often applied to this verse in 2 Peter. All too often silly statements like these are used as "proof" of what Lee taught. My all time favorite is when Lee would pose a rhetorical question in attempt to prove a point, but I digress...

I remember one training. A young brother was rehearsing Lee's point here, "you are what you eat" during the testing time, and used the example, "If you eat chicken, then you become a ..."

Suddenly he realized what he was saying, and stopped himself. He was at a loss for words, and a few laughs from the audience smoothed over the embarrassment. Such was some of the "theology" of the LC.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I remember one training. A young brother was rehearsing Lee's point here, "you are what you eat" during the testing time, and used the example, "If you eat chicken, then you become a ..."

Suddenly he realized what he was saying, and stopped himself. He was at a loss for words, and a few laughs from the audience smoothed over the embarrassment. Such was some of the "theology" of the LC.

Funny... and sad at the same time, because I bought it all.