New Light from Old

[Hope]

Originally Posted by djohnson

Actually Hope I know people who know Max personally and I have read some of his writings. That's how I know he is not stupid. You mention Orange County and Texas but my impression from your posts is Max wanted to take over the entire movement in place of Witness Lee. I find that quite a stretch considering most of the movement is in the Far East - then and now. Mr. Rapoport would have had to be the village idiot to think he could take over a predominantly Asian movement when he did not know their culture or language. He may have "wanted" to in an abstract kind of way the same way I wouldn't mind a private jet to avoid the airport lines when I travel. But for him to really think it possible in practical terms...I'm not buying it. Do you seriously think he thought he could get the Far Eastern leadership on board to agree with him in taking Lee's place? I don't. Has he directly admitted this to you Hope i.e. that he thought taking over the entire movement including the Far East was a realistic possibility?

Regarding my term "passive wimps" I am not necessarily referring to anyone in the LCS but as a general statement. Further my criteria for leadership is not merely the ability to get things done but of course the biblical standards as described in 1st Timothy.

Hello djohnson,


You are cracking me up. You know people who know Max and have read some of his writings. The only writings by Max I am aware of were articles in the "Rivers" magazine. Is this what you had reference to or has MR written more formal articles? The "Rivers" articles were more in the way of testimony and exhortation and I cannot see getting a gage of a person's intellect from those articles.

MR was not dumb but very capable. He rose to the top of the LCS in a very short time. He is very talented. He believed he would be heading up the LCs in North America, Europe and Africa etc. He was not going around with a map staking claim to this country and that. He wanted to lead men, people and I can never remember him referring to the Far East as a sphere where he expected to have direct influence. He did visit there and was a speaker in conferences.

MR was the ultimate people person. He was interested in leading and coordinating with elders, churches and co-workers. He believed there were many short comings in the leading ones during those days and they needed leadership and it happened to be his leadership. There can be no doubt that MR and his inner circle saw him as the heir apparent to Witness Lee and some told me the mantle had already been passed.

dj, don't think MR's ambition was something sinister. He loved to preach the gospel and see sinners saved. He believed the LCs were not up to standard here. He loved to shepherd new believers and see them live a happy strong Christian life. All of us have mixed motives. He also enjoyed the spot light and enjoyed being up front. Look up extrovert in the dictionary and you will see a picture of a young Max Rapoport.

Enough said on this subject. dj, be at peace. But it was a power struggle.

In Christ Jesus there is hope for us all,

Hope, Don Rutledge