Quote:
Originally Posted by awareness
You could have a higher level of fellowship with Gene than with most. But he was too independent for Mel's comfort.
The local church of Witness Lee couldn't/can't truck very well with the independent types. Those of critical self thinking wasn't/isn't going to last in the local churches of Witness Lee (Leeites). Only those at the top get to be thinkers. Only those at the top don't have to get out of their mind.
|
The book of Galatians highlights these same dangers facing Apostle Paul. Whether these present day ministry zealots were bringing "new flows" from Anaheim, or the early church Judaizers were bringing Jewish customs to the people of Galatia, their motives were the same. By removing us from Him who called us (1.6), they stole our freedom in Christ, bringing us into slavery and subjection to them (2.4-5). Many used their reputation and their connections with movement leaders (2.6). They appeared to be zealous of us, though wrongly, with the goal that we all would be zealous of a man other than Christ (4.17) and in the end boast in us, not in our love for God, but in our flesh (6.13).
While at the time, things were not so clearly known, looking back from our present vantage, we can readily discern that WL's many "flows" and "new ways" subtly were designed to bring the entire recovery under subjection. Those who left quietly were pitied of pending dooms. Those who voiced opinions, based on their views from the scripture, were often beat into subjection. Those who spoke up loudly were branded rebellious. Those whose protests gathered traction were deserving of public shamings.
The endeavor to return to the pure word of God was considered the most dangerous saying of all.
Many times I have asked myself why in the world would a "spiritual" man such as Witness Lee place his own profligate son Philip as 2nd in command, not just of operations at a publishing house, but as a ruler over other workers in "the work." The answer appears simple. Philip was a ruthless, unprincipled man whose chief talent was to beat others into submission. Ray Graver basically testified as to this, "
when Philip beats you down, you just have to get up, and then go back to him again for more." In this way Witness Lee played the classic "
good guy, bad guy" with the Recovery. One thing was for certain, Philip was just hired on as a thug. Remember Philip's gleeful response after tape recording his father's telecon tongue-lashing of Titus Chu, "
now I got him."