Quote From Today's Watchman/Witness Wednesday

[Sons to Glory!]

Okay, but I actually didn't ask how they got into print, just which books were the best (and worst).

Many on here may be quite biased against ANY of their publications, so let me start it out by stating one best for each.

NEE - The Normal Christian Life Several I know, including myself, have gotten (and continue to get) liberating help from this book.

LEE - The Speciality, Generality, and Practicality of the Church Life In reading this book with some Ohio LC bros (back in the 80s), I had perhaps the strongest bubbling-up enjoyment of the Lord I've ever had.

Alright, load up your cannons . . .

[OBW]

StoG,

It's been too long to try to say what might qualify as the best.

But I would never rate them according the kind of "bubbling-up enjoyment" I got from them because emotions are fickle.

As for The Normal Christian Life, as I no longer have printed versions, I wanted to at least peruse the book briefly before making any (very old) comments and note that they have either left it out of the LSM online collection, or changed its name.

But I will say this for Nee's books. The ones that made it to regular Christian bookstores were mostly of the "inner life" genre. And while there is nothing entirely wrong with that phase/side of Christian thinking, it is too caught up in introspective and "spiritual" things/activities. (I put "scare quotes" around "spiritual" because I am not convinced that it is true spirituality in the Christian sense, though it surely is in the broader sense.) Sometimes it might be accurate to call them "faux spirituality" because they often have the veneer of uber spirituality while being rather thin in practical application. And since there is no such thing as a spiritual/secular divide to a true Christian, anything that has no real application to regular "secular" living is not really very spiritual. Add to it the fact that Nee was also pushing his peculiar/sectarian teachings even in those books and you have more to avoid.

As for the others — like Authority and Submission, and the Normal Christian Church — whatever might be of value in them is only found sandwiched between what should not be taken seriously, therefore of little value as a resource (unless you are studying abnormal Christian teaching).

The short version of my answer would be that (from my perspective) trying to decide which Nee/Lee books are the best is sort of like trying to decide which dangerous, illegal drug you would rather be forced to take. They all provide highs and are highly addictive, but it all comes at a severe cost. Maybe snorting a little coke might be less onerous than the almost instantly addictive effects of heroin or some of the others. But it is still nothing to desire.

Back to the books . . . .

I know this may seem over-the-top. But even if you are sure you can ferret out what is wrong in any of them, would you rather take your chances, or reject them all and find something truly worthwhile elsewhere? Another way to ask that question is, "are you sure that their teachings are safe enough risk remaining captured in their fog of garlic?" I know that the "church life" is appealing, and the people are worthy of serious consideration. But they are equally trapped circling a spiritual drain of sorts. Is it in your best interest to hang on to any of it?

I realize that I am often the most outspoken in this way. Mostly because I am certain that anything you find there that is truly of value can be found elsewhere. And it won't be hiding the same kinds of errors that it will be when it comes from Nee/Lee/the LC.

Not saying nothing else has any problems. But the nature and severity of those problems are on an entirely different plain in the LC.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by OBW

But I would never rate them according the kind of "bubbling-up enjoyment" I got from them because emotions are fickle.

Gosh, and I thought I asked a pretty simple question! (BTW: The "bubbling-up experience" came with a lot of light)

[OBW]

BTW, does anyone have an answer to the "where is The Normal Christian Life" in the LSM online books question? I would like to look at that book again — at least a little.

[Trapped]

current Watchman Wednesday quote:

If any person desires to think, he must possess memory, imagination and reasoning power; but the Christian has presently lost these powers, hence is unable to think.

All I can say is: what?

This is unintelligible gibberish. Anyone have any ideas what he means?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Trapped

This is unintelligible gibberish. Anyone have any ideas what he means?

Easy. Nee was willing to do all the thinking for us, all the thinking we will ever need. Who wouldn't follow such a man, who would do all of our thinking for us?

Isn't this basically the LC message we heard from Lee? The steady drumbeat of "Thou shalt have no opinion" translates into "you are unable to think for yourself. Let me do that for you."

Almost sounds like those "re-education camps" China has become famous for.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by WatchmanNee

If any person desires to think, he must possess memory, imagination and reasoning power; but the Christian has presently lost these powers, hence is unable to think.

Wow - did he really say that? And what's the source or book?

[UntoHim]

Quote from The Spiritual Man. StG I'm surprised you would question if Watchman Nee ever said such a thing. His writings are filled with these kind of concepts. It's classic Nee. And to be sure, Witness Lee never disavowed anything Nee ever wrote or spoke - in fact he doubled down on much of the mystical/metaphysical nonsense. Where do you think he came up with his unbiblical and dangerous "get out of your mind" garbage?
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