Dana Roberts' Misunderstanding Watchman Nee
As you read through the below article by the BARM calvinist tritheists (and see Dana's witch hunt), Justyn Martyr (a nickname he gives himself) and Abugain at bereans.net, please observe a couple things. They mimick what Dana Roberts wrote in his book in 1980, "Understanding Watchman Nee". This is the same source Richard Fisher depends on as he tries to deceive the reader by accusing that which spiritual as being "mystical". The truth of this mistaken assumption is that mystical pertains to man's emotion (see Stephen Kaung's, "The Splendor of His Ways" showing the second friend to be emotionally causing the mystical, which is lacking, and Nee's own words against the mystical. The spirit is the organ for spiritual life which runs deeper than the outer man's emotion. There is a hostility to Nee by CRI, Fisher and BARM's Justin-Abugain because of what Nee is not. Nee is not a calvinist, nor is he non-osas arminian, but he is an osas arminian. They are defending their calvinism in their head by going after one who speaks profoundly against calvinism, and they are going after Nee because he does not hold the fallen bipartite view. There is an unwritten rule by calvinists, don't talk about calvinism but go after the person with everything else you got or can make up to discredit the him, and that will then prove calvinism is true, so they think.
Biased Sources
There is the repeated use of a book sold by Witness Lee's Living Stream Ministry in Hong Kong called "The Normal Christian Faith" which is a book nowhere to be found by Christian Fellowship Publishers (in The Complete Works by Stephen Kaung) or at Christian Literature Crusade (by Angus Kinnear). It appears this so-called work of Watchman Nee is a concoction produced by the modalists of Witness Lee and may not entirely be what Nee said. Never does Abugain ever cite from these latter two sources, always looking to some cult's (Living Stream Ministry) declaration of what Watchman Nee said to further their agenda for modalism. Therefore, we may consider such efforts of no account, since such work is not corroborated in the rest of Nee's writings, no matter how many times Abugain utilizes this one book from Living Stream Ministry. May this be proof enough Justin-Abugain is being disingenuous. Does this not appear to be biased to you? If you want to call someone "mystical" shouldn't there be the evidence for it? We don't go to the criminal (Witness Lee) who sinned the sin of bearing false witness against Watchman Nee by altering his writings and seemingly generating new ones that cannot be confirmed.
Biblical Locality is True
The Corinthian church was not spiritual, but a carnal church, yet Lee says it was on proper ground (see quote below). Watchman Nee proved clearly modern-day city Biblical locality in Which Church Should I Join? Witness Lee did not appreciate true Biblical locality because he had a central-hub called The Local Church and Living Stream Ministry. Watchman Nee's writings have shown me that he was one of the most spiritual Christians that has ever lived. This is proven by his agreement with 1) our being tripartite, 2) osas arminian, the way God saves, 3) partial or separate rapture, 4) gap restoration, and 5) Biblical locality. Amen.
Summary of the Below Article
(a) It is yet another attempt to marry Nee to Lee when Nee would have refused Lee, having seen what Lee became in his modalism doublespeak and having a God complex;
(b) modern day cities are Biblical localities and should not be outlets for a central-hub called The Local Church cult; and
(c) the underlying impetus behind the tag team of Justin-Abugain below is calvinism, pretrib onlyism and tritheism. The same calvinism of Leeism has the pride they were premade for salvation; that is, thinking they were totally deprave so they could not choose God. So they think they must have been saved beforehand, and not others, to cause them to believe robotically. This could never glorify God. Watchman Nee separated himself from these things and is blamed for being osas arminian. He believed God loves to give us the choice which is made in His image to grace His life with if we choose correctly.
Troy Brooks
| QUOTE |
|
One has the Apollonian
ground, one has the Petrine
ground, one has the Pauline
ground, and one even says
that Christ is their ground.
What are these grounds? We
must be clear that they are
all divisive. Only
Corinth is the right ground.
The ground of locality is
the one unique and uniting
ground upon which the church
can be built. The unique
proper ground of the
church is the locality where
the church is. Today we have the same thing in a city such as Los Angeles. There is a church built upon the Presbyterian ground, a church built upon the Baptist ground, a church built upon the Methodist ground, and so many kinds of ‘churches’ built upon so many kinds of grounds. In one city, there are many kinds of ‘churches.’ Why is this? Simply because they are on so many different kinds of grounds. And all these grounds are divisive. "The Practical Expression of the Church," (Volumes 6 & 7 Booklet), 5 by Witness Lee |
Church of Recovery (aka “Local Church,” “Lord’s Recovery”)
Founder:
Witness Lee aka Li Chang-Chou (1907-1997), a co-worker of Watchman Nee who worked with him in 1933.
Watchman Nee has been, and still is, held in high esteem as a spiritual leader with deep insight. Yet his theological position is deeply mystical. [Dana] Roberts is certainly correct when he says, [in Understanding Watchman Nee, p. ix], that Nee's books continues to influence the interpretation of the Bible in evangelical circles. Unfortunately, they have been significant force in the growing mysticism in the way many interpret the Bible. However, rarely does one hear a voice of caution when Nee is mentioned. In fact, I find many sincere Christians shocked and offended when I suggest that Nee's writings should be read and scrutinized carefully for major errors. Yet, as we shall see directly, Nee is often far from mark. Nor is his mystical theology innocuous. It has already born some tragic fruit.[1]
Main Address in the U.S.A:
Anaheim, California[2]
First "Local Church” in the Philippines:
Church in Manila (1930) – located Sta. Cruz, Manila
"Local Church" Statistics:[3]
1985.....605 Local Churches (129,042 members worldwide,
mostly in Taiwan).
1990.....500 Local Churches in the Philippines.
Publishing Arm:
Living Stream Ministry
Sources of Authority:
1. The Recovery Version of the Bible -– this was spearheaded by Witness Lee along with a number of Local Church members. Only The Recovery New Testament has extensive footnotes written by Witness Lee.
“The Recovery New Testament -- Originally labeled ‘The Gold Bar,’ this is the name given to the first edition of the Local Church's New Testament, The Recovery New Testament. Individual New Testament books were bound together in this single volume in 1985 and was published by the Living Stream Ministry. The overall size, shape, and distinctive gold edging coined this name. The second edition of The Recovery New Testament, published 1991, was printed in England by University Press, Cambridge. The binding and print quality of this second edition rivals that of many recognized study Bibles, such as the Ryrie Study Bible. The Recovery New Testament contains a number of extensive footnotes, all of which are written by Witness Lee, which are supportive of his particular theological slant.”[4]
Lee and the Local Churches believe that there is only one proper version for it’s members and that is the “Recovery Version.”
“First, a Christian needs a proper version of the Bible to progress in his Christian life. Therefore, you need to purchase a Recovery Version. This version is the best translation of the New Testament available today. It is up-to-date and easy to read. It has an outline to help you obtain an overview of what you are reading. It contains footnotes to explain some of the hard-to-understand truths. It also has references to help you locate verses that corresponds to the verses you are reading for your study.”[5]
They have also painstakingly translated Lee’s Recovery Version of the New Testament into Filipino language (1991). This Bible was named, “Ang Bagong Tipan: Salin sa Pagbabawi” which was translated by The Editorial Section of Living Stream Ministry. They have also informed the would-be readers that all notes, charts and references were actually translated from the writings of Witness Lee. It was published in Seoul, Korea and was translated into Filipino in the Philippines. This Study Bible with matching commentary by Lee is very much inclined in his own preconceived and heretical version of the Trinity i.e. modalism in triune form. An example of his commentary on John 14:7 in the Filipino translation reveals,
“Ipinakikita ng kapitulong ito ang Tres-unong Diyos para sa pamamahagi ng Kanyang Sarili tungo sa loob ng mga mananampalataya. Siya ang nag-iisang Diyos, ngunit Siya ay tatlo-ang Ama, ang Anak, at ang Espiritu. Ang Anak ay ang pagsasakatawan at kahayagan ng Ama (bb. 7-11), at ang Espiritu ay ang realidad ng at pagkatanto sa Anak (bb. 17-20). Ang Ama ay naihayag at nakita sa Anak (ang Anak ay tinawag ding Ama – Isa. 9:6) at bilang Espiritu (IICor. 3:17) ang Anak ay nahayag at natanto. Ang Ama sa loob ng Anak ay nakakubli, ang Diyos Anak ay naipakita sa gitna ng mga tao, at ang Diyos Espiritu ay pumapasok tungo sa loob ng tao upang maging kanyang buhay, kanyang panustos ng buhay, at kanyang lahat-lahat. Samakatuwid, ang Ama na nasa loob ng Anak, at ang Anak na naging Espiritu, ay ang Tres-unong Diyos na namamahagi ng Kanyang Sarili tungo sa loob natin at naging ating bahagi upang matamasa natin Siya bilang ang ating lahat-lahat sa loob ng Kanyang maka-Diyos na Trinidad.”[6]
This is what Lee was saying: the Son is the embodiment of the Father and when He resides in the believer He becomes the Holy Spirit so that the Triune God can be experienced. In fact this harmonizes with Lee’s statements in his books, quoted in the book, The New Cults edited by Dr. Walter Martin:
“Thus, the three Persons of the Trinity become the three successive steps in the process of God’s economy.”[7]“In the heavens, where man cannot see Him, God is the Father; when He is expressed among men, He is the Son; and when He comes into men, He is the Spirit. The Father was expressed among men in the Son, and the Son became the Spirit to come into men. The Father is in the Son, and the Son became the Spirit—the three are just one God.”[8]
“Like wise, the Father, the Son, and Spirit are not three Gods, but three stages of one God for us to possess and enjoy.”[9]
These statements by made Witness Lee are apparently the beliefs of a modalist whether he along with the Local Church leaders admit it or not.
2. Writings of Witness Lee -- Although pretending to allow Local Church members to read other Christian materials, the truth still surface that he wanted each members to be familiar and grounded first in the Local Church theology.
“I do not feel burdened to charge the saints to go home and study beyond what is in the truth lessons, but all the elders should promote the reading of the Recovery Version (the Local Church New Testament), the gold bar, in the homes plus all the Life-studies (Bible commentaries) and other publications by the Living Stream Ministry. These will be their library books. Besides attending the meetings to learn the truth, they should read these spiritual publications every day.” [10]“My burden is that we must take good care of the young ones among us. Do not bring them into peril so that they will be occupied with the wrong things. We have a pure system of publications which comprise all the main things of the divine, spiritual, and heavenly things. These publications are very adequate for all the young saints among us to have a good foundation laid and a strong standing established. Then they could go on, not to learn more things from the old books, but to check the old books and get themselves confirmed. For us to bring the young ones into the old books without consideration is a peril and a risk. It is not safe. What you young ones can use as reference books, however, are the dictionaries, lexicons, and concordances ....These are the only things which I would recommend for you young ones to use-the lexicons, the dictionaries of languages, and the concordances of the Bible.”[11]
“We do not need to control the saints, and even more we do not need to stop them from reading what they want. As leaders in the Lord's recovery, however, we should conduct the saints the right way....The publications which can help and serve the Lord's recovery in carrying out His New Testament economy for the fulfillment of His heart's desire, I still would say, are the Life-studies and the Recovery Version with the notes. Since this is the case, why would we not wisely conduct the church toward this way? For example, if someone asks us the best way to drive to Phoenix, we should conduct him to the straightest way.” [12]
Other Supplementary Materials in the Philippines:
- The Economy – a newspaper-size newsletter written in English that reports Local Church activity around the world. This also contains the teachings of Witness Lee as explained by the Local Church elders including their prayer focus.
- Fellowship (“Pagsasalamuha”) – a newsletter written by the Local Church in the Philippines containing their teachings, converts testimonies, church announcements, prayer items, etc.
- Other reading materials available in the U.S.A. are the Firstfruit, The True Report, Voice, etc.
Main "Local Church” Apologetics Materials:
1. Answers to the Radio Bible Answer Man Vol. 1 -– a refutation of the Local Church authorities against Dr. Walter Martin’s lecture at Melodyland Christian Center in Anaheim, California on October 2, 1977.
The Truth: 1977 -- Walter Martin was the founder and first director of Christian Research Institute, San Juan Capistrano, California. Martin critiqued Witness Lee and the Local Church in public lectures. The Local Church threatened Martin with legal action. Their threat was ignored. No legal action was taken. No action was taken against him as the result of the publication of his book, The New Cults, which contains an excellent treatment of the Local Church. The Local Church spent an estimated $40,000 in paid advertising in the Santa Ana Register and other papers to defend their claim to be perfectly orthodox in its beliefs and practices, as the result of Martin's public criticism.[13]
One may begin to wonder, why no legal action was taken against Dr. Martin and C.R.I? After all, they have threatened a number of Christian publishers and writers to sue in court if they will not retract their literatures exposing Lee and the Local Church as a cult.
2. An Open Letter Concerning the Local Church, Witness Lee, and The God-Men Controversy –- This booklet was written by Dr. J. Gordon Melton as a refutation to the book, The God-Men that exposes Witness Lee and the Local Church as a cult.
Who is Dr. J. Gordon Melton? Dr. Melton, a United Methodist minister, is the Director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion and a visiting scholar at U. C. Santa Barbara. His doctorate was received in 1975, from Northwestern University, in the History and Literature of Religions.
Is Dr. J. Gordon Melton equipped to handle such intricate theology? “Melton came out in support of The Local Church movement of Witness Lee against Spiritual Counterfeits Project, concerning their book, The God-Men (An Open Letter…) It is this author’s [Moran’s] opinion that Melton, for the sake of collecting research information, has been too polite and civil in his approach to conducting research of religious movements. In fact, on page 35 of the volume 27, issue 2, January, 1995 issue of ‘Freedom’ magazine, a publication of the Church of Scientology. Melton is among a group of scholars and theologians that Scientology recommends for objective information regarding religions and religious liberty. Another person recommended Newton Maloney, joined Melton and others as an expert called upon to defend the Local Church in the God-Men case. Why would Scientology and Local Church recommend someone like Melton in the first place? Could it be that Melton comes across as someone not concerned or qualified not to pass critical judgments on groups such as Scientology and the Local Church? Consider these comments made by Ron Enroth and Melton, from the book they co-authored, Why Cults Succeed Where the Church Fails:
Enroth: I come from the perspective of viewing cults and their impact on individuals and families as basically negative and deleterious. I think that’s the case primarily because it’s my view that the cults’ basic assumptions, their truth claims, are anchored in theological error. I’m very concerned about the distinction between truth and error with regards to the teachings and doctrines of cultic groups. I do not see that same concern in Dr. Melton’s work… From my perspective, looking at some of Dr. Melton’s work, I see very little of the evangelical Christian/biblical critique in his work… But I think that the value judgments that characterize my writing are largely absent in his… Christian cult watchers, as they evaluate Gordon’s work, see very, very little in the way of a specific biblical critique of the groups commonly known as cults.
Melton: And I have, not being a theologian -- and I make no claim to be one -- a difficult task in sorting through doctrinal questions to do an adequate theological analysis of most groups' beliefs. I'm a church historian with most of my theological work in historical theology, not systematics. That's part of where I'm coming from. I also have another problem...I have a problem as to where to draw the line -- what's heresy and what's evangelically kosher. What is acceptable doctrinal deviation?”[14]
The truth according to the Spiritual Counterfeits Project (SCP): “After acknowledging his inexpertise and uncertainty in theology, Melton further emphasized that his personal leanings influence the theological judgments that he does make:
I have trouble drawing the line, and I tend to be inclusivistic rather than exclusivistic (Enroth & Melton, p. 5).
With those disclaimers in mind, it is disconcerting to realize that Dr. Melton was allowed to express his theological opinions as an expert witness at the default hearing [Lee vs. SCP, Duddy, and Schwengeler-Verlag case].”[15]
3. The Truth Concerning the Trinity: Two Answers by Witness Lee -- this is a compilation of Lee’s two booklet entitled, “The Revelation of the Triune God According to the Pure Word of the Bible” and “What A Heresy—Two Divine Fathers, Two Life-Giving Spirits, and Three Gods.” The first part redefines the “Triune God” term to suit their own preconceive belief while bringing you to the second part which justifies their modalistic teaching about Jesus being the “Father” and “Holy Spirit” using Isa. 9:6; 1 Cor. 15:45b; & 2 Cor. 3:17 while refuting their critics on this subject. Although Lee confesses that he opposes “modalism” by stating,
“The charge that I am a modalist is false, and I absolutely repudiate it. Modalism teaches that God is not at the same time Father and Son and that the revelation of the Son ended with the ascension. The permanence of the Father, Son, and Spirit was denied by modalism. Modalism is a heresy, and we do not believe in it.”[16]
What Lee says is that he contradicts the other teachings of the modalists in terms of the above statements. But the fact cannot be denied that even though Lee has fine-tuned his theology by saying he believes in the “eternality” of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that all three Persons “exist at the same time,” he still falls under the category of being a modalist. This is because by interpreting Isa. 9:6; Jn. 10:30; 14:8-9; and 1 Cor. 15:45 he concluded,
“Therefore, it is clear: The Lord Jesus is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, the very God and the Lord.”[17]
4. Modalism, Tritheism, or the Pure Revelation of the Triune God According to the Bible -- The Local Church writer, Ron Kangas, begins by defining the terms, mode, modal, modalism, and modalist. Then he proceeds on citing a brief history of the early beginnings of modalism. Next topic deals with the definition of “tritheism.” To inform the readers that some Christians are themselves accused of being a “modalist” and “tritheist” citing Gregory of Nyssa (A.D. 330-395), Marcellus of Ancyra (A.D. 320-374); Jonathan Edwards; Tertullian; Augustine; and Athenagoras. Inspite of this, the fact still remains that these Christians held an orthodox view of the Trinity while Lee and the Local Churches does not.
5. The Truth Concerning The Ultimate Goal of God’s Economy: A Refutation of J.S.’s Slanderous Accusations -- This booklet was a refutation written by four of Lee’s apologists against the booklet of a certain “J.S.” entitled, “The Worst Blasphemous Words of Witness Lee against God.” This booklet clarifies that Lee teaches men can become God although “not” in the Godhead as they state it.
According to one letter of a Local Church member named Joel Tan of Hall 2 on their newsletter The Economy:
“For God to become man means He is a God-man. Like, for man to become God, it doesn’t mean that we leave our humanity. We are still human. We are both God and man. God was God first and man later, while we are man first and God later. The result of God becoming a man is that He enters into us, and yet continues to sit in heavens. The result of man becoming God is that we become completely like God. What the Lord Jesus was, likewise we will be.…”[18]
The title cover of their pamphlet during the 1994 Year-End Conference even stated, “God Became Man That Man May Become God In Life and Nature But not in the Godhead.” This has a striking similarity with the teachings of Mormonism because of their belief in “man becoming God.” Dr. Walter Martin wrote,
One Mormon official named Lorenzo Snow once said, “As man is, God once was; as God is man may become” (Prophet Lorenzo Snow, quoted in Milton R. Hunter, The Gospel Through the Ages, 105-106)[19]
Unbiblical Beliefs:
1. Although they have written in their statement of faith booklet entitled “The Beliefs and Practices Of the Local Churches” the affirmation below,
“We believe that God is the only one Triune God – the Father, the Son, and the Spirit – co-existing equally from eternity to eternity.” [20]
This is not an assurance that they are to be acknowledged and embraced as brethrens in the Lord. In fact, this statement is a double-talk because Lee redefined, even fine-tuned, the term “Triune” in order to suit an ancient heretical belief known as modalist monarchianism. Although an ancient modalist (or “Oneness” proponent) may dismiss the Trinity doctrine as of “pagan” origin, Lee and the Local Church states otherwise. Lee may “detest” modalism in some of his writings like the following,
“Some of our critics say, ‘When Witness Lee teaches that Christ is the Father and the Spirit, he is teaching modalism and denying the co-inherence and co-existence of the three Persons of the Godhead.’ I deny this accusation. If the critics were to ask me whether I believe in Matthew 3:16 and 17, where the Son is standing, the Spirit is descending, and the Father is speaking, I would answer that I believe it at least as mush as they do. All three, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, were present at the same time. I fully believe in the co-inherence and co-existence of the Three of the Godhead…. The charge that I am a modalist is false, and I absolutely repudiate it. Modalism teaches that God is not at the same time Father and Son and that the revelation of the Son ended with the ascemsion. The permanence of the Father, Son, and Spirit was denied by modalism. Modalism is a heresy, and we do not believe in it.”[21]
Lee and the Local Church people do not understand that modalism is not just a matter of not believing in the eternality of the Son and the co-existence of the Three Persons of the Godhead. The fact that they also believe and teach Jesus is the Father and the Spirit aside from being the Son, they are promoting Sabellianism in a new form. But inspite of how Lee dressed-up his theology Christians are still able to discern that he is a modalist proponent. E. Calvin Beisner incorporated Lee under monarchianism in his book God in Three Persons,
“Monarchianisms is represented today by the United (‘Jesus Only’) Pentecostals and by the smaller sect which calls itself the ‘Local Church,’ led by Witness Lee.”[22]
We could only speculate that the reason why they did not make their statement of faith clear is for them to penetrate the camp of mainstream orthodox Evangelical Trinitarians. In fact they have been successful in landing on The Christian Centennial Almanac of the Special Centennial Issue of Evangelicals Today to which their designation reads:
The Church in the City
(Dr. Watchman Nee), Ministry Areas: MM, Major Cities[23]
This practice of Lee’s deception goes back during the time of Arius, the heretic, when trying to win the favor of Emperor Constantine and the Church as a whole wrote a creed (i.e. statement of faith) that represents what he believes but lacks the main body of his teachings about Christ. States E. Calvin Beisner,
This brief creed was presented to the Emperor Constantine, at his request, and was an attempt by Arius to win his way back into good favor with the Church as a whole. Schaff noted that “It is heretical not by what it says, but by what it omits.” The denial of the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit is simply ignored in this statement. Nothing stands here which would contradict the Nicene faith, but neither is there anything to contradict what Arius had earlier taught and which, in ensuing controversies, it became clear what he continued to believe. It’s inferiority in precision to other creeds of the time, not to mention it’s lack in orthodoxy, is readily apparent. It was a creed made to be misinterpreted, for Arius hoped that by this to hide from Constantine his denial of true Trinitarian faith.
We believe in ONE GOD, the Father Almighty; And in THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, his Son, who was begotten of him before ages, the Divine Logos, through whom all things were mad, both those in the heavens and those on the earth; who came down and was made flesh; and suffered; and rose again; and ascended to the heavens; and shall come again to judge the quick and the dead. And in the HOLY GHOST; and in the resurrection of the flesh; and in the life of the world to come; and in a kingdom of heaven; and in one Catholic Church of God which extends which extends to the ends of the earth.
In fact, many Christians will be surprised to know that the great “Christian” man known as Watchman Nee whom they highly respect is actually a modalist. Nee explained in his book The Normal Christian Faith about Jesus Christ whom he believed became the Holy Spirit,
“Not only is He the very Creator, He was also the Christ that put on the flesh. And now He is in us as the Holy Spirit. The Christ in the flesh is over! Now the Christ in the Spirit lives forever in us.”[24]“You must proclaim, ‘I believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. I believe that He is now the Holy Spirit.”[25]
Their definition of the word “Trinity” or “Triune God” is not exactly the same as the orthodox Christians define it. Lee states:
“The Spirit is the realization of the Son, and the Son is the embodiment of the Father. In other words, the Father is the embodied Son, and the Son is realized as the Spirit. If we have the Spirit, we have the Son and the Father. When we called on the name of the Lord Jesus, the Spirit entered into us. The Spirit within us is the Triune God because the Spirit is the realization of the Son, who is the embodiment of the Father.”[26]
If that statement sounds “modalism” or “oneness” to your ears then you are definitely right. While Christians believe in perichoresis or mutual indwelling of each Person of the Triune God with one another which is also known as consubstantiation (John 10:38), we are careful not to state that each Person is a Trinity by themselves.[27] Lee even goes further to write in the same book above that the “Triune God [actually] become a man” (p. 28). This is against the word of God since it is not “Triune God” who became man but specifically Christ the Son of God only (Phil. 2:8; Rom. 9:5). In fact, the fangs of Lee’s teachings are pulled when he wrote,
“Our organic union with the Lord is also in the Spirit. Christ and the Spirit are not two separate persons. They are one person. This is a mystery that is beyond human understanding. Christ is the Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45b; 2 Cor. 3:17).[28]
2. Lee and the Local Churches believe that “God Became Man That Man May Become God In Life and Nature But Not In The Godhead” (1994 Year-End Conference Booklet). In one of their official newsletters, The Economy, it states,
“God’s salvation is for us to be god-men completely, within and without. In Hebrews 2:10, He is bringing many people into glory. He is our Captain. God wants us to go through some process to enjoy the riches of salvation. He is not going to change our environment, but to change our inward constitution. In simple terms, God’s salvation is: ‘God becoming man that man may become God.’“For God to become man means that He is a God-man. Likewise, for man to become God, it doesn’t mean that we leave our humanity. We are still human. We are both God and man. God was God first and man later, while we are man first and God later. The result of God becoming a man is that He enters into us, and yet continues to sit in heavens. The result of man becoming God is that we become completely like God. What the Lord Jesus was likewise we will be. He was the first one to enter into glory. He is our Eldest Brother, and also our mould.…”[29]
3. Lee and the Local Churches believe that the Son of God (the incarnation of God the Father) became a man, crucified and resurrected and became the Spirit (His divine nature) in order to come into men and mingle or blend with their spirit (or human nature) resulting to their becoming one with the Triune God in the spirit (a form of hybrid). This whole process will eventually make them corporate God-men because the Triune God mingled with the tripartite man.
“God's purpose is to obtain the church by dispensing Himself into man and making Himself one with man. In order to dispense Himself into man, God must be triune, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Furthermore, man must be in God's image and have a spirit to receive God and assimilate Him. One day, the Son of God, the embodiment of the Father, became a man (John 1:14). Passing through human living, crucifixion, and resurrection, He became the life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45). As the Spirit, He comes into us and mingles with our spirit (1 Cor. 6:17). Through this process there is brought into being a hybrid life, an entity composed of the mingling of the divine life with the human life. This is the church. God is no longer the unprocessed God, but the processed God. He has accomplished everything necessary to come into us as the life-giving Spirit. Now we must believe in Him and call on the name of the Lord Jesus. When we do this, the life-giving Spirit comes into our spirit, and the mingling of the divine life and the human life takes place within us. This mingling produces the church.”[30]“Do you know what it means to be a real Christian? To be a real Christian simply means to be mingled with God, to be a God-man. It is not enough to be a good man; we have to be a God-man. A good man might be a man of the tree of knowledge, the result of which is death (Gen. 2:17). A God-man is a man of the tree of life (Gen. 2:9). In his spirit, God is mingled; in his heart, God is dwelling; in his soul-mind, emotion, and will-God is occupying. This is a real normal Christian… We would realize that we are ‘peculiar,’ ‘strange,’ set apart from the society because God is mingled with us.”[31]
“The Body of Christ is a reality, and the reality of the Body of Christ is the union and mingling of God and man, to live out a corporate God-man.”[32]
4. Lee and the Local Churches believe that theirs is the only “true” church.
“Since there is one God, there is only one church. Since there is only one Christ, there is only one Body (Eph. 4:4-5). Therefore, there are not many churches, but one church universally. We practice the church life of this universal church in each locality. Acts 8:1 tells us of the ‘the church in Jerusalem,’ Acts 13:1 mentioned the church in Antioch. If you live in Anaheim, you are in the church in Anaheim. If you live in Berkeley, you are in the church in Berkeley. These are called local churches. All local churches on the earth throughout the ages compose the universal church. They are all one universally and spiritually.”[33]
A “church in Manila” elder once claimed that there are many believers in other denominational churches,[34] however, this continues to be a question because of the above statements.
5. In spite of their double-talk that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone[35] we are faced with the following facts:
a. Receiving “another Jesus” -- The Local Church “Jesus” is not the true Jesus of the Bible rather a “Jesus” who became the embodied Father and resurrected to be the Holy Spirit for the consummation (or process) of the Triune God.[36]b. Baptismal Regeneration -- Lee and the Local Churches believe that water baptism is a testimony of their salvation[37] but other literature shows it’s essential for salvation in addition to faith.
“Formerly, when we were leading people to salvation, we first considered them as seeking friends. After hearing the gospel and believing and receiving the Lord, they had to successfully pass through an interview concerning baptism. It was only after they had passed the interview that they could be baptized and saved. Now we have changed. As long as a person believes, he can be baptized immediately, and he is regenerated and saved. Furthermore, the Bible says, ‘He who believes and is baptized shall be saved’ (Mark 16:16). It does not say that one is baptized after he is saved. Baptism is not carried out after a person is saved; baptism is part of the process of being saved. It is not that one believes and is saved and therefore should be baptized. Rather, it is that one believes and is baptized and therefore is saved. We must be clear concerning this matter.”[38]
“Baptism is a testimony before men. All believers should be baptized in order to be saved not only before God, but also before men. The Lord Jesus said: ‘He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.’ Mark 16:16. Through baptism, God transfers us from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God. For this reason, the Lord Jesus said: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:5).”[39]
6. Extreme emphasis in Church Localism -- Witness Lee and the Local Churches believes that there should only be one local church in every city and obviously that is the Church of Recovery while the rest of what they label as “denominations,” and “sects” are of Satan.
“If we do not have the local church [i.e. Church of Recovery] today, practically speaking, we do not have the church. The local church [i.e. Church of Recovery] is the practicality of the church. The church today is practically in the local churches.”[40]“One has the Apollonian ground, one has the Petrine ground, one has the Pauline ground, and one even says that Christ is their ground. What are these grounds? We must be clear that they are all divisive. Only Corinth is the right ground. The ground of locality is the one unique and uniting ground upon which the church can be built. The unique proper ground of the church is the locality where the church is.
“Today we have the same thing in a city such as Los Angeles. There is a church built upon the Presbyterian ground, a church built upon the Baptist ground, a church built upon the Methodist ground, and so many kinds of ‘churches’ built upon so many kinds of grounds. In one city, there are many kinds of ‘churches.’ Why is this? Simply because they are on so many different kinds of grounds. And all these grounds are divisive.” [41]
“(Satan) has taken another by creating all the sects, denomination and divisions in the body of Christ… God is moving in these days to recover. What is the way of His recovery?... the recovery of the proper unity. Not until these three are recovered among us will we have a proper adequate church life.” [42]
“Ang Romano Katolisismo at Protestantismo, gayon din ang Hudaismo, ay pawang nahulog sa loob ng kategoriyang ito, nagiging isang organisasyon ni Satanas bilang kaniyang kagamitan upang pinsalain ang ekonomiya ng Diyos.” [43]
Even Watchman Nee believes that “unless our aim, work, and living today are for the church—that is, for the accomplishment of what God is after—we are a big failure.” [44] We can say that Nee is referring to the Local Church because his next statement reveals, “For this reason God establishes a local church in every city. The local church is the miniature of the magnificent church of God, a small-scale model expressing the New Jerusalem. The will of God is to establish the church, the Body of Christ, the New Jerusalem.” [45]
"Local Church" Divisions:
Factions occurred in the Local Churches because of a controversy fanned by a 20-page booklet, Reconsideration of the Vision. As a result, a number of Local Churches and Local Church elder disassociated from the Living Stream Ministry office. A report was done by Christian Research Journal,
“The effects of the controversy have been far-reaching. Former elder Robert Smith says that several congregations around the world have doubts about their continuing association with the Living Stream Ministry office (the publishing and ministry arm of the worldwide movement, which is run by Philip Lee [Lee’s son] and which represents the authority of Witness Lee). At least one congregation, the Church in Rosemead (California), has broken ties altogether.“The extent of disaffection varies widely. Some are not yet willing to abandon Lee, but they do believe he has erred in practice to such an extent that he should no longer be personally followed; and yet they continue to adhere to his doctrines and call for a reformation within the ‘Lord’s Recovery.’ Still others have broken with Lee’s teachings as well as his leadership. Many in this latter category are now attending churches outside the movement.” [46]
Things to Remember Before Talking to a “Local Church” Member
- A Christian needs to be aware that a Local Church member will not consider your church as a genuine expression of the body of Christ in your locality because according to them there should only be one local church in every city which is the “Church of Recovery” sometimes called “church in Manila,” “church in Paranaque,” “church in Malabon,” etc.
- A Christian needs to be wary that whenever a Local Church elder or member speaks of Jesus Christ, he is referring to a “Jesus” who is also called the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, a belief known as modalism or “Oneness.” A Local Church elder or member will immediately refuse to be branded by such “names” and even say that they are not one but this is a double-talk.
- The mere mention of the word “Triune God” by the Local Church elder or member is not worthy of trust because Lee redefined the word “Triune God” to fit his theology.
- In case you brought up a controversial literature exposing the heresies of Lee and the Local Church, the Local Church elder or members are trained to deal with those long time issues by countering it with “An Answer to the Radio Bible Answer Man, Volume 1” or suggest that you visit their website..
- A Christian must know some if not all of the major teachings of the Local Church in order for him to be an effective witness for the Lord.
- A Christian must be properly grounded in the orthodox teaching of the Christian faith before he engages in a doctrinal conversation with a Local Church elder or member.
- A Christian must be knowledgeable of the arguments used by a Local Church elder or member in order to refute their theology effectively and accurately.
How to Start a Conversation with a “Local Church” Member
Christian: Do you believe that salvation is by grace through faith?Local Church Elder: Yes we do! In fact, that is what “The Beliefs and Practices Of the Local Churches” states, “In order to be saved, one must have a living faith in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…” [47]
Christian: So do you believe that there are Christians in other churches other than yours since they themselves teach that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ?
Local Church Elder: Yes I do believe that there are also Christians in other denominational churches!
Christian: If there are Christians in other “denominational churches” then do you believe that Lee and the Local Church elders teaches the same teaching as the Evangelical churches?
Local Church Elder: Why do you ask?
Christian: Because I do not think that “Local Churches” and the Christians in the Evangelical churches agree with one another in terms of Who Jesus claims to be. Christians do not believe that Jesus as the Son is the “embodied Father” and the “resurrected Spirit” like what Lee teaches. They are Trinitarian in the full sense of the word. Lee had redefined the term “Triune God” to suit a modalistic monarchianism theology and whether he accepts it or not he is a modalist in the strictest sense or a “Oneness” proponent, a belief condemned even by apostles and the early church Fathers.
Local Church Elder: I did not know that you are well informed about our group. But how can you explain 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (NIV) Doesn’t this verse refer to the Lord Jesus as the Holy Spirit?
Christian: It is a good thing that you have raised up a verse that Lee managed to used in teaching that Jesus is the Holy Spirit. Please study the verses with me from 14-17,
14 “But their [i.e. Jews] minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.15 “Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
16 “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord [i.e. Christ], the veil is taken away.
17 “Now the Lord [i.e. Yahweh] is the [Holy] Spirit…”
Local Church Elder: Wait a minute. How come you mentioned in verse 16 that “the Lord” refers to Christ and when you read verse 17 why is it that you refer to the Spirit as “Yahweh” and not Christ?
Christian: I know you would react that way, but allow me to continue.
17 “…and where the [Holy] Spirit of the Lord [i.e. Christ] is there is freedom.There are a number of reasons why we cannot see Paul as referring Christ to be the Holy Spirit in that particular verse:
- The verse does not actually say, “Now ‘Jesus’ is the Spirit…” but unfortunately Lee supposes this verse to mean that way.
- Paul sees to it that he makes a distinction between the “Lord [God who] is the [Holy] Spirit” and “the Spirit of the Lord” meaning “the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ” in verse 17.
- He made it clear earlier in verse 3 of that chapter that the Holy Spirit is not Jesus Christ Himself, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God…” You will notice that Paul place a distinction between Christ and the Holy Spirit in this verse.
- Paul was explaining Exodus 34:34-35 in 2 Corinthians 3:16 therefore concluding that the Lord Yahweh whom Moses was turning to without the veil covering his face is the Spirit Himself therefore validating the third Person’s divinity.
There is a close relationship between the Holy Spirit and Christ in this verse but each of them is still distinguishable by proper biblical study. By teaching Christ as the “Holy Spirit” Lee and his followers tend to quote the word “pneumatic Christology” used by some writers in the past in order to justify their ancient heresy known as modalistic monarchianism. I encourage you to reexamine your beliefs by studying the Bible again without the aid of Lee’s commentary writings.
Local Church Elder: Thank you for that encouragement. Yes, I will reexamine my belief and study the Bible without the aid of any Living Stream Publications. Please pray for me as I do it with the help of the Holy Spirit
Christian: Praise God! I will, friend, I will.
(Note: Encourage the Local Church member to study the Bible using proper hermeneutics.)
Notes: