Quote:
Originally Posted by Indiana
“He let the violations of the oneness of the Body occur, and he did so “at any cost”, losing co-workers, churches, and saints. He was after a new way, new “elders”, and a new mentality in the “churches”, while he labeled those who raised challenging questions as slanderers, perverted ones, rebellious ones, and so forth. He showed little regard for keeping the oneness of the Body. He was “cleaning house” and starting something new."
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Indiana, I can still remember, several years ago, reading the many accounts of the first Brethren split and then afterwards reading accounts such as yours of what really happened during the "
new way" of the 1980's. All of us in the LC's at that time just "bought into a program" which was like "white-washed sepulchers" -- beautiful in facade, yet full of dead men's bones. We heard so many things from "the ministry" which turned out to be simply "stage props" covering up what really was happening "behind the scenes."
For me, what was perhaps the most unsettling, was the treatment (
or should I say mistreatment, abuse, and slander) of godly men like George Muller and John Ingalls. They stood in the way of the extensive "housecleaning" efforts by John Darby and Witness Lee, of successive ages. Both of these men, "
oracles of the age," continually shrouded themselves with talks of "oneness of the body," yet in reality cared little for this oneness. They had a another "agenda," in which they, and they alone, would be the "star" attraction. They successfully manipulated truths and facts in order to persuade "the faithful."
Leading elders such as Muller and Ingalls, with their numerous "concerns," were the chief obstacles to their "stage production." Everything and everyone became expendable. Just baggage to be discarded. The ends justified all means. "Get with the program or get out." The "commander in chief" of the Lord's amy was leading us into battle, and there may be "a few casualties." Ones like John Ingalls should be considered "collateral damage."
Throughout church history, many, especially insiders, when writing about John Darby and Witness Lee, have chosen to dismiss their many "mistakes," looking rather to the "greater good" of their many labors. Their demands for a "special place" in the body of Christ, filled with "special honors," and entitled to "special license," should not go unnoticed.