Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
So - autonomy was a thing to be desired when the Westerners had control, but when Nee had control suddenly autonomy wasn't so good anymore, and centralization once again became the organizing principle.
|
The Spirit's way (Acts 13) to reach the Gentiles was via Antioch, the way of fallen man was to model the Judaizers, who directed all the faithful back to
Jerusalem.
After fallen men took hold of all the Asian and European churches, and Jerusalem was destroyed, they directed all the faithful back to
Rome, to the Pope, the Holy See, the Vicar of Christ.
Autonomous Brethren congregations sprouted up all over Great Britain, led by the Spirit to return to the scriptures, until the lust for power gripped them, and in the bloody aftermath of strife and division, Darby, Wigram, Trotter, etc. directed all the faithful back to the
London, Park Avenue "brothers fellowship" for safety and security.
Nee began with indigenous local churches which spread through much of China. After his hiatus into business, he decided to direct all the faithful back to
Shanghai apparently for further "training."
Lee took hold of a segment of the more serious Jesus People Movement by stressing Nee's initial ideals, which were very appealing to Viet Nam-era-Americans raised in denominations, but wanting something more. That was quite prevailing until Lee reverted back to his old ways via orchestrated 10-year "storms," at which time he instructed all the faithful back to
Anaheim for the recovered "interpreted" word which alone would build us up.
Is there a pattern here somewhere?
