Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
Unregistered,
A passage I’ve referenced before, which I believe casts a shadow of doubt on WL’s doctrine of deification is Acts 14:11-16
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (NKJV)
Notice how Paul and Barnabas were very quick to clear up the misconception that they were anything but human beings, they emphasized that were “men with the same nature as you”. How does this compare with what WL taught, that we could become God in life and nature? Needless to say, I believe that it is presumptuous for those in the LC to do things like go around declaring that they are “god-men”. Paul and Barnabas would have nothing to do with that. Neither should those in the LC. I think that ultimately, WL found support for his teachings and quickly disregarded anything in the scripture that detracted from his teachings.
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Dear Freedom, oh dear me...
Thank you for your insightful quotation from the Bible proving that Witness Lee was egregiously wrong about God intending man to share his life and nature. Very scholarly.
However, I have a humble quotation of my own, nothing much, just a few words from a poor, old, ignorant fisherman. In fact, that you may not lay a charge before our brother, I won't even quote that fisherman with that version you loathe so much (RcV); no, let me dust off an old and humble edition of the NIV and take the words directly out of there; I guess that should steady the needle on your cult-o-meter...
So, anyway, what do you make of the following words? How would you reconcile them with the astute observation you have made above?
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may [partake of] the divine nature..." (2 Peter 1: 3-4) NIV
(n.b. words in parenthesis are from KJV)