Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I think your question here exposes errors in WL's ministry. He saw "contending" as a military battle, with himself as commander-in-chief fighting against all others. His way created loyal footsoldiers faithful to his program, us vs. them mentality. Thus WL regularly stated that our condition (in the faith) was far outweighed by our corporate standing (on the ground of oneness.)
Paul, however, saw this as a personal struggle, striving to remain in the faith, walking by faith, living by faith, striving for the reward. To Paul, personal faith was everything.
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Very well said.
The biggest question — one that will never be answered in this age, if at all — is whether errors in direction, like the "contending" issue, were a matter of just not recognizing the clues to the base meaning, or were part of a scheme to look at things differently just to separate everyone's thinking from the way(s) they might have previously thought. And in doing that, to set himself (Lee or Nee) apart from other Christian teachers in the minds of his followers.
In hindsight, I am not entirely sure, but I lean toward believing it was some kind of intentional thing with less than charitable motives. Maybe not intending to become almost heretical on some things, but desiring to be a stumbling block. You either have to get in line or get out because uncertainty just didn't work.