Quote:
Originally Posted by bearbear
The interpretation of David's interaction with Saul encapsulated in the teaching of Deputy Authority is faulty and has been misused to protect leaders from all evaluation and accountability. That's not what David did. What David did was "not kill Saul". If you read the interactions between David and Saul, David has no hesitation in exposing Saul's unrighteousness, although he did it in a way couched in grace and mercy. This is consistent with principles set forth in the New Testament where we are told to confront leaders when they sin.
1 Timothy 5:20
But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
Matthew 18:15
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over."
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Thank you for your sensible post.
On the point that "David did not kill Saul", but did expose his unrighteousness,
yet couched in grace and mercy, this was the attitude of each former leader toward Witness Lee in my contact with them.
Although they were indeed killed by brother Lee, they would not kill him. They were very soft instead, caring for their spirit and remembering him with a grateful heart, understanding who he was to them and to the churches for so many years.
Unquestionably to most, Witness Lee's contribution to the church was invaluable, as was Watchman Nee's before him. But these were men; not gods; they had certain failures that seriously impacted the whole Body of Christ, as their weaknesses became manifest.
To the poster "Unsure", in the following link is a history of the deputy authority teaching and practice, including its early development in China with Watchman Nee, where authoritarian behavior, as seen in the Local Churches today, took root.
http://twoturmoils.com/DeputyAuthori...dofOneness.pdf