Witness Lee's economy

Paul Miletus · 08-19-2008, 04:47 AM

cityonahill, since you know well what the local church meant by the "economy of God", could you please tell us your understanding regarding this "economy of God"? What is this "economy of God" all about? I would presume you will support your answer from the Scriptures.

Many thanks.

cityonahill · 08-19-2008, 05:40 PM

Sorry Paul, but I can't support an economy theology from the scriptures because there is no scriptural basis to support it. All you can go on is Lee's definition.
(I"m not saying the word "economy" Oikonomia isn't in your bible)
Rather, I'm saying Lee basically reads the whole bible through that word!

*since you've asked(even though you have provided no scriptural support for your belief...you can only regurgitate Lee terminology), I personally(along with most scholars and christians) believe that the word "oikonomia" is quite controversial and not generally excepted in amongst mainstream scholars. That is why other versions of scripture don't say "economy"...
The reason for this debate (even though most don't debate it...only Lee) is that a century after Paul's letters were written, many copies were made. Some differences between the originals and the copies crept up and the early church leaders held a council to determine the final outcome (council of Nicea 325A.D.) They determined to let the original copies from the first century A.D. be the only ones used because of the obvious timing and accuracy issues. Somehow, witness Lee needed a foothold to wedge in his false teachings, and the rejected copy of Ephesians is where he found it! The original Greek text uses the word "Koinonia" or community rather than economy. As you look at the context, "koinonia" is easy to understand and needs no further teaching from Lee.
Furthermore, the term "economy" is such a general and vague term that it was so easy for Lee to redefine it as he saw fit. It was just the vague word he needed to seal the deal with his plan of THE "way", the theme of the whole bible, and so on...

I'm currently doing my degree in NT studies and came accross this info in a commentary by Gordon Fee, F.F. Bruce, and T.L. Johnson,...it is refreshing to read a commentary written by more than one man.

there are some blogs and arcticles you can see for yourself that "koinonia" is the greek word that was in the original copy of Ephesians...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koinonia

Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 352

Robinson, “Communion; Fellowship,” pp. 752-753 in Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

http://inchristkoinonia.blogspot.com...uilding-3.html

cityonahill · 08-19-2008, 05:49 PM

Also,

since I've presented a bible based defense for "koinonia" it must be noted that Martin L. did not have to dig through controversial texts that were rejected by the church for centuries in order to find "justification by faith" It was right there already in context plain as day!
and for you to even compare Lee's economy with ML's Justification is not a very solid stance.

Another thing, If lee "stands on the shoulders" of so many people, and it's ok for him to critique their teaching, then who can stand on his shoulders and critique his teachings?

*Don't answer that Paul because if your honest, you may be labelled "divisive"

08-19-2008, 05:40 PM	#2
cityonahill Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 67	Sorry Paul, but I can't support an economy theology from the scriptures because there is no scriptural basis to support it. All you can go on is Lee's definition. (I"m not saying the word "economy" Oikonomia isn't in your bible) Rather, I'm saying Lee basically reads the whole bible through that word! since you've asked(even though you have provided no scriptural support for your belief...you can only regurgitate Lee terminology), I personally(along with most scholars and christians) believe that the word "oikonomia" is quite controversial and not generally excepted in amongst mainstream scholars. That is why other versions of scripture don't say "economy"... The reason for this debate (even though most don't debate it...only Lee) is that a century after Paul's letters were written, many copies were made. Some differences between the originals and the copies crept up and the early church leaders held a council to determine the final outcome (council of Nicea 325A.D.) They determined to let the original copies from the first century A.D. be the only ones used because of the obvious timing and accuracy issues. Somehow, witness Lee needed a foothold to wedge in his false teachings, and the rejected copy of Ephesians is where he found it! The original Greek text uses the word "Koinonia" or community rather than economy. As you look at the context, "koinonia" is easy to understand and needs no further teaching from Lee. Furthermore, the term "economy" is such a general and vague term that it was so easy for Lee to redefine it as he saw fit. It was just the vague word he needed to seal the deal with his plan of THE "way", the theme of the whole bible, and so on... I'm currently doing my degree in NT studies and came accross this info in a commentary by Gordon Fee, F.F. Bruce, and T.L. Johnson,...it is refreshing to read a commentary written by more than one man. there are some blogs and arcticles you can see for yourself that "koinonia" is the greek word that was in the original copy of Ephesians... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koinonia Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 352 Robinson, “Communion; Fellowship,” pp. 752-753 in Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia http://inchristkoinonia.blogspot.com...uilding-3.html __________________ "If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do..."(2 Cor. 10:7)*

08-19-2008, 05:49 PM	#3
cityonahill Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 67	Also, since I've presented a bible based defense for "koinonia" it must be noted that Martin L. did not have to dig through controversial texts that were rejected by the church for centuries in order to find "justification by faith" It was right there already in context plain as day! and for you to even compare Lee's economy with ML's Justification is not a very solid stance. Another thing, If lee "stands on the shoulders" of so many people, and it's ok for him to critique their teaching, then who can stand on his shoulders and critique his teachings? Don't answer that Paul because if your honest, you may be labelled "divisive" __________________ "If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do..."(2 Cor. 10:7)*

08-19-2008, 04:47 AM	#1
Paul Miletus Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 106	cityonahill, since you know well what the local church meant by the "economy of God", could you please tell us your understanding regarding this "economy of God"? What is this "economy of God" all about? I would presume you will support your answer from the Scriptures. Many thanks.