一位在美國地方召會聖徒真實的心聲
送交者: Nicodemus 2005年3月14日16:42:39 於 [彩虹之約]http://www.bbsland.com

一位在美國地方召會聖徒真實的心聲 (see attached for the English Original)
譯文如下：
　　我在地方召會聚會。我一點兒也不認為地方召會是「邪教」；但是，我認為她們（我們－指地方召會）的光景，就是當一個基督徒團體把自己看得太重之時，所會發生之光景的典型。
　　在地方召會中，特別是我認識的一些聖徒，都是非常親切、寶貝的聖徒，他們都非常愛主。他們也愛主的話（不是只有恢復本聖經）。然而，也有一些人很重視人工的方式，並且堅持「非聖經」的作法，如「與職事是一」。這種作法確實產生一個壓迫人的氣氛。不過，先不論（一些領頭者）嘗試去達到合一這件事，我們必須知道，各地地方召會的景況和觀點是大異其趣的。
　　很多聖徒確實被目前的光景所擾攪，他們也知道，（主的恢復）有一些事物是不健康的。同時，在他們個人的基督徒生活中，他們追求在日常生活中去跟隨主。並不是所有在地方召會中的聖徒，都贊成這種專注在一個（主的）僕人身上，而犧牲了對基督之專注的教訓與實行。
　　但是，我必須承認，我確實認為李常受弟兄是主一個真實的僕人。我不認為他是不會錯的。我認為他確實犯了一些錯誤。但是，我也相信他的職事，從過去（而且還會持續下去）就有極高的價值；並且，我個人也從他的職事獲益。說實在的，我認識一些從未和地方召會一同聚會的基督徒，他們確實從李受弟兄的著作得幫助，如同他們從倪柝聲弟兄的著作得幫助一樣。
　　我加入這個討論區的原因，是因為我觀察到這裡呈現了兩種立場，而我認為真理應當是在中間的某處。我認為地方召會，或說李常受弟兄，並不當受這裡某些言論的鄙視。（我不是要『醜化』（mischaracterize）任何人，如果我說得太過，請不用掛心的改正我。）但是，我也不認為，評論的人是在作「假的控告」。在這裡之地方召會的信徒，知道他們在談論什麼。並且，我參與這些談論，首先，是希望那些認為地方召會不過是個邪教（cult）的人（譯者註：括號未翻譯的話請參英文原文，或看看有誰可以把它翻得更清楚），能夠知道事情比（用邪教一詞去描繪）還多得多（我想，應當是指不能只是把地方召會說成邪教）；第二，是希望那些把這些評論貼上「謊言」和「控訴」而沒有真正引述其內容的人，或是那些缺少個人評述，而僅僅大量引用水流職事站之書籍的人，能夠學習，他們若肯（細心）聽這些批判，就可以從中學到一些東西。
　　完全無庸置疑的，李常受弟兄確實被稱為「時代性的職事」、「神的出口」或是其它頭銜。他似乎也為此背書。而這是不可原諒的。基督是我們的目標、我們的生命、我們的愛、我們的中心和我們的一切。沒有任何人可以取代祂的地位。
　　但是，這也不是李常受弟兄的全部。我在訓練和特會中見過他很多次，他身上確實是有謙卑、溫和、恆忍和其它基督徒真實的美德。我不是說說而已。我也不是要替他辯護。有些人在本討論區中說，李常受弟兄沒有得救。我依據我基督徒的良心說，這不是真的。他是一個弟兄，也是主的一個僕人。我知道在這裡有些人把他看成異端（heretic），或許（雖然我不是學者）這個可再深入討論。但是，聖經中有太多的真理，是我已過所不明白的；許多基督徒生活的經歷，是我從前所沒有摸着的；直到我聽到李常受弟兄的講論，或說直到我讀了他的出版（我才明白更多聖經，並經歷到更多基督徒的經歷）。我不認為我被騙了。我認為，我得到生命的傳輸，就如我從地方召會之外許多的執事得到生命的傳輸一樣。
　　地方召會信徒所掙扎的，就在於發現到這麼一個為主忠信並親愛的僕人，竟然有如此基本性的錯誤，特別是在神借着獨一的職事，只有一個獨一的行動，和類似的事情上。如同本討論區某些討論一樣，李常受弟兄在晚年，公開為了錯待其它基督徒而悔改；也為了所帶進眾召會當中之驕傲的靈而悔改。那個悔改是真實的。可惜，他所興起的後繼者，並沒有跟隨（李弟兄的悔改）。
　　已過在地方召會中聚會的信徒，有一些人經常參與本站。我不認為你們是「消極」或「背叛」，或是其它類似之無聊的說法。我完全相信，你們正（或最少說你們可以）在地方召會之外跟隨主。並且，你們許多的反應都是正確的。
　　但是我能證實：得幫助來愛主耶穌，同時享受李弟兄的著作以及許多「非恢復」的著作，不帶任何輕視的與非地方召會的基督徒交通，充分領略主的同在與祝福，與留在地方召會之中是不相衝突的。（譯者註：意即，你能同時作這些事，也能同時留在地方召會中）換句話說，在最低限度，我和任何不用自己的思考，而只是擁有膚淺、引用李氏的、洗腦式之意識型態（來與人交通）的信徒，就無法相合。坦白說，我很少遇到這樣的人（但是，是的，確實有些人是如上所描述的）。
　　我在這個討論區中，讀到有些人在地方召會中，由於受到錯誤之教訓和實行的影響，加上缺少基督徒的愛，婚姻因而遭受破壞與摧毀。我為這個感到難過。我很驚訝，這種事竟在我們中間發生，因為，宗教的狂熱是很可怕的事，而有時候，我們竟會推廣這個。
　　但是，我可以說，自己的婚姻，在地方召會中得到幫助。我也知道許多已婚者誠實的見證，他們的婚姻在破裂邊緣，是因來到地方召會聚會才得恢復。我不是杜撰的。在地方召會中，曾有許多（現今還是）人的家庭得到幫助，包括我自己的。
　　總結來說（避免漫談得太長），在地方召會中有許多愛主耶穌的人，他們為着如何往前有許多禱告。主並未引導他們離開。反之，主把他們留在這裡，他們在裡面尋求主。或許，有些在此討論的人，會把這些人看作被誤導，或是無法脫離他們所依靠的。我卻不認為如此。我認為，主確實在地方召會中，許多親愛的聖徒心裡作工；主沒有叫他們離開，但是，卻叫他們在這些危難的光景中跟隨祂。而這才是一個真實的「恢復」。
　　地方召會的聖徒所努力的目標－主在約翰福音十七章所說之一的彰顯，乃是真實的。或許，強調「地方立場」只是某一種方法，而不是實行上要維持一的獨一方法。無可置疑的，以為只有在這個道路中聚會的基督徒，才是主今時代行動之一部分的想法，乃是不恰當的。但是，那些認為一的實際彰顯能討主的喜悅，並付上代價去追求這一的人，也是為了要討主的喜悅；因此，定罪他們也是不恰當的。某些實行會帶進濫權與獨特（如閉關弟兄會）是不可否認的；這是必須拒絕的。但是，渴慕並盼望神能得着一群人，以起初的愛愛祂，專屬於祂，遠離傳統宗教系統的光景，則是可鑑賞的。並且，我在地方召會之中，看到了這個。

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一位在美國地方召會聖徒真實的心聲

I meet with the local churches. I don't at all consider them a 'cult,' but I do think they (we) are an example of what can happen if a Christian group takes itself too seriously.
There are many people in the local churches, certainly the ones I know, who are very dear, precious believers, and who love the Lord very much. They also love the Word (and not just the Recovery Version). But there are others who have a heavyhanded approach and insist on non-Biblical matters like being 'one with the ministry.' And that can indeed produce an atmosphere of oppressiveness. However, it should be understood that even among the local churches (and despite attempts to create uni????ity), there are varying conditions and perspectives.
Many saints are sincerely troubled by the present situation, and know something is unhealthy. At the same time, in their own Christian lives, they are endeavoring to follow the Lord in their daily walk. Not everyone in the local churches agrees with the teachings and practices that focus on one servant at the expense of focusing on Christ.
But I should admit, I do think Witness Lee was a genuine servant of the Lord. I don't think he was infallible. I think he made real mistakes. But I also believe his ministry had (and continues to have) tremendous value, and I have benefitted from it. Indeed, I know Christians who never met with the local churches who still were helped by his writings, as they were helped by Watchman Nee.
The reason I decided to enter into the discussion on this forum is because to my observation there are two sides depicted here, and I honestly think the truth is somewhere in the middle. I don't think the local churches, or Witness Lee, are as deserving of contempt as some here seem to think. (I don't mean to mischaracterize anyone, so if that's going too far feel free to correct me.) But I also don't think the people who are making those comments are 'false accusers.' The people here who have met with the local churches know what they are talking about. And I guess I would just like to enter into these conversations, first, so that people who think the local church is simply a cult, to be rejected hook, line and sinker, can learn that there's much more to it than that; and second, so that people in the local church who respond to criticisms by labeling them as 'lies' and 'accusations' without really addressing them, or who simply paste huge quotes from LSM books without personal commentary, can learn that they have something to gain from listening to those who are critical.
It is absolutely indisputable that Witness Lee has been called 'the minister of the age,' 'the oracle of God,' and other titles. He seemed to endorse this. And that's inexcusable. Christ is our goal, our life, our love, our center, and our everything. No man should ever take His place.
But that's not all there was to Witness Lee. I saw him in trainings and conferences many times, and there was also humility, meekness, longsuffering, and genuine Christian virtue with him. I'm not just saying that. I'm not trying to vindicate him. Someone on this forum said that brother Lee was not saved. I can only say with my Christian conscience, that's not true. He was a brother, and a servant of the Lord. I realize some here consider him a heretic, and maybe (though I'm no scholar) that can be addressed. But there are too many truths in the Bible that I never understood, and too many experiences of the Christian life that I never touched, until I heard this man speak, or until I read his publications. I don't think that means I'm deceived. I think that means I was given life, just as I have been given life by ministers outside of the local churches.
What many believers in the local churches are wrestling with is the recognition that a very faithful and dear servant of the Lord could also be fundamentally wrong, especially in this matter of God having one unique move, through one unique ministry, etc. As has been referred to somewhere in this forum, at the end of his life, Witness Lee publicly repented for mistreating other Christians, and for the spirit of arrogance and pride that had come into the churches. That repentance was genuine. Unfortunately, for the most part it has not been followed by the brothers he raised up to take the lead.
There are several consistent participants here who were past members of the local churches. I don't consider you 'negative,' or 'in rebellion,' or any other such nonsense. I fully believe you are (or at least can be) following the Lord outside of the local churches. And a lot of what you react to is accurate.
But I can attest that it is possible to stay in the local churches, be helped to love the Lord Jesus, enjoy brother Lee's writings and simultaneously enjoy numerous other 'non-recovery' writings, fellowship with believers who do not meet with the local churches without any sense of disdain, and be fully aware of the Lord's presence and blessing. In other words, at the very least, I don't fit anyone's stereotype of a shallow, Lee-quoting, brainwashed member who can't use his mind. Frankly, I know very few people like that (but yes, there are people like that).
I've read elsewhere on this forum that marriages have been damaged or destroyed because of improper teachings and practices, and a lack of Christian love, in the local churches. I am so sorry for that. I am not surprised that such things happen among us, because religious zealotry is a terrible thing, and sometimes we promote that.
But I can also say that my own marriage has been helped by being in the local churches. And I know many married couples who have honestly testified that they were on the verge of divorce, until they started meeting in the local churches. I'm not making that up. There have been families who were, and are, helped by being in the local churches, including my own.
And to sum it up before rambling too long, there are many people in the local churches who love the Lord Jesus, and who are very much in prayer concerning how to proceed. The Lord has not led them out. Instead, He has kept them here, and they are seeking Him within. Maybe some here in this forum will interpret this to mean that these people are still being misled, or are unable to break away from their dependence. I don't think so. I think the Lord is working in the hearts of many dear saints in the local churches, and the Lord is not telling them to leave, but telling them to follow Him in the midst of a troubling situation. And that truly is a 'recovery.'
What Christians in the local churches are fighting for is real: an expression of oneness, that the Lord spoke of in John 17. Maybe emphasizing the 'ground of locality' is simply one way, and not the only way, of practically maintaining that oneness. And it is no doubt improper to presume that only Christians who meet this way are part of the Lord's present move. But it is equally improper to condemn these Christians who are trying to please the Lord and who believe that a practical expression of oneness is pleasing to Him, and is worth paying a price for. The fact that it can lead to abuses and peculiarities (i.e. the Exclusive Brethren) is something that can't be denied, and this must be resisted. But the desire and hope that God would gain a group of people who love Him first and belong to Him alone, apart from traditional religious systems, that's something to be appreciated. And I see that here, in the local churches.