There's a link to all the E Volumes courtesy ctrussell.fr
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
My Official Withdrawal from the L.H.M.M. Organization
The following article is part one of our series, now moved to this web location...
FLAG DAY
June 14, 2016
From Bro. Regan C. Balman
To my dear brethren in Christ within and without the L.H.M.M.,
and to those in other Truth groups or isolated or merely interested,
Peace to you all in the name of our Present King and Lord Yeshua who is the Messiah!
As both an elder in our local ecclesia and as a husband and father it is my duty to make my position clear, to show my friends the proper way as I see it, through both the Scriptures and through Brother Russell's advice. I don't speak for our whole class.
I do use the word organization because it's become apparent that it is too sectarian for us to the point where we can't seek the Truth nor speak the Truth within the confines of that sectarianism.
I also represent other consecrated brethren in our class who came to similar conclusions based solely on their impressions and observations.
We have always remained free from sectarian groups, denominations etc., and we wish to continue to remain free in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. (Gal. 5:1)
They may say there is no organization to withdraw from. It is the sectarianism and the subsequent errors creating the atmosphere of an organization that I withdraw myself from.
I love all the brethren affiliated with the L.H.M.M. dearly and wish them no offense. I was asked by members of our class to look into recent controversies within the organization over a year ago.
Their kind request led me on a research trip of discovery into the very origins of what was once a movement to service people outside the Truth, but now is much more an organization serving those inside the group.
Among many things, one item stands out: We cannot agree with having a "Spiritual Leader" (sic) in the person of their Executive Trustee. And by claiming to be "God's chosen organization earthly" they very much resemble the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Those within the movement may beg to differ, however Russell and Johnson were the only ones authorized to be "Pastor and Teacher " as the only remaining "Star Members" to the churches of Revelation. (Rev. 3:14)
Certainly no self-confessed crown loser and Great Company member should ever take upon himself such a role as "Pastor", even if he is the rightful successor to Bro. Johnson as "Executive Trustee".
This could be a dual office only in the days of Brothers Russell and Johnson. No specially chosen Pastor/Teacher can bring forth meat from the storehouse in the same manner as they did because they were little flock members. (Luke 12:32)
The L.H.M.M. are certainly in legal and Scriptural accord to have someone hold this office and may choose whomever they wish to do so. The research proves that the office of Executive Trustee must be a business office only. No one can claim to be "leader" of the Lord's people!
My research clearly details that, just as J.F. Rutherford perverted the movement of Pastor Russell, so Brother Johnson's ministry was similarly corrupted after he left the scene.
There is enough troubling evidence against "Pastor" Raymond G. Jolly that I personally do not read articles from the Present Truth or Bible Standard magazines unless they were written before October 22nd 1950 when Brother Johnson was changed to glory.
Neither do I accept that Brother Johnson was the last Saint on Earth, which is something impossible to be proven through the Bible, yet is a key doctrine of the L.H.M.M. today, essentially becoming the entry point doctrine to accepting another unprovable doctrine - that of "consecrated Epiphany campers" - similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses "Jonadabs" error.
Arguments for the existence of "consecrated Epiphany campers" as a class are bereft of Biblical substantiation. It was never taught at all by Pastor Russell nor by Brother Johnson. The scant efforts made to defend it are largely incoherent. There is little need to defend the doctrine as criticism is unthinkable in the current climate.
These errors long ago concocted a strange brew causing a general drowsiness to set in among the brethren. Current leadership is not without blame for accepting, promoting and creating new errors to support past errors regarding justification and consecration even flirting with Ransom denial though they must be unaware of it.
Frankly that is why today among the L.H.M.M. there are so many milk toast, lukewarm, watered down sectarian talks with far too much focus on their Executive Trustee. Conventions became a virtual sales pitch to support the E.T.
These errors entered after 1950, so their creed bed of today was made way back then. While still cozy because of retaining much Present Truth, it is a bed far shorter than the honest, objective Truth seeker can comfortably stretch him or herself out upon. (Isaiah 28:20)
Brother Russell once advised a certain Methodist who rejoiced to read Present Truth in Zion's Watchtower, but who wanted to complain about sectarianism within Methodism. He wanted to go back to that church and explain it to them.
Brother Russell said to this man that his course was incorrect. He advised this brother he needed to leave the organization, otherwise he would look like a grumbler.
"Let us remember that grumbling and talking against sectarianism while sticking to it, and avoiding the real issue, is not the honorable straight-forward course in the sight of our fellow men; and yet more important, such a course is not approved of God. "Z849
He also advised him to request that his name be "blotted out" of their book, and while letting them know that he still loved them, he was to explain he was leaving the body of Methodists, not the body of Christian believers.
And as he explained what Jesus taught us in Matt. 9:16 that putting a new patch on an old garment would only rend it, I realized that to change the L.H.M.M. from within will be just as impossible.
Christian duty requires me to post my research online, however I do not wish to appear as a grumbler. So in accordance with Brother Russell's advice I'm signing off from whatever affiliation I may have had with the L.H.M.M., and cancelling all subscriptions, but not intent on closing any friendships.
I credit the L.H.M.M. with dispensing much Truth around the world. Indeed when learning the Truth back in the 1980's my favorite tracts were the older L.H.M.M. tracts as they were always closer to what Pastor Russell taught than the other Truth groups were able to publish.
My family and I are greatly fond of the brethren in the L.H.M.M., and other Truth groups we've encountered. But while filled with wonderful Truth people, the teachings have enough leaven to ferment the whole mass of Present Truth. Gal. 5:9 We are simply interested only in studying the Truth. Matt. 24:28.
Again I will be posting my report in the coming days and weeks. My door is always open for discussion and fellowship.
Meanwhile my advice is for every ecclesia to separate from all sects and divisions, and to make Pastor Russell the chief elder of your ecclesia, with Jesus as the Head.
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32, 2013 Seattle L.H.M.M. Convention text)
Still and always your brother in Christ,
Regan C. Balman V.D.M.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
The Truth is the one thing that draws us together. It is the only thing that upbuilds us in grace, faith and knowledge.
The chief lesson is that of mutual helpfulness, "building one another up in the most holy faith."
We must not nurture a false peace for the sake of unity! Jas. 3:17It's important to say what you believe and why. That's what builds true character. We should know full well what elect classes are available to us and what are not. [2 Tim 2:15]
We need to know who we are as a class as the Lord's people of faith during this "Time of the End" [Dan 12:4]
Great Company bunglers and errorists have robbed the Lord's heritage of their understanding, and possibly of their class standing. How will you respond?
With the desire only to help and never to hurt, I present this in the spirit of peace and goodwill, to whom it may concern, and come what may. [Romans 12:14-21]What could be more crucial to our understanding as we hurtle through this present anarchy phase and onward rushing toward the long promised Kingdom of God in it's blessing phase?
FLAG DAY
June 14, 2016
From Bro. Regan C. Balman
To my dear brethren in Christ within and without the L.H.M.M.,
and to those in other Truth groups or isolated or merely interested,
Peace to you all in the name of our Present King and Lord Yeshua who is the Messiah!
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal. 5:1
Although I'm not a pilgrim or evangelist with the L.H.M.M., I must be absolutely clear that I do now publicly withdraw from their organization, thus ending any opportunity to serve among them now or in the future.My Official Withdrawal from the L.H.M.M. Organization
As both an elder in our local ecclesia and as a husband and father it is my duty to make my position clear, to show my friends the proper way as I see it, through both the Scriptures and through Brother Russell's advice. I don't speak for our whole class.
I do use the word organization because it's become apparent that it is too sectarian for us to the point where we can't seek the Truth nor speak the Truth within the confines of that sectarianism.
We have always remained free from sectarian groups, denominations etc., and we wish to continue to remain free in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. (Gal. 5:1)
They may say there is no organization to withdraw from. It is the sectarianism and the subsequent errors creating the atmosphere of an organization that I withdraw myself from.
1. Sectarianism = Errors Against the Lord's Arrangements
"Organization, as commonly understood, and as illustrated in the various sects to-day, we could in no sense commend; it is a bondage contrary to the spirit of Christ and the apostles, as well as to their words. Such organization prevents growth in knowledge, as well as hinders the rejection of errors of wood, hay and stubble, already received. It selects by purely human election certain men as the only authorized teachers, and so binds them to traditions, that they can neither walk nor teach others to walk in the path of the just, "which shineth more and more unto the perfect day," while they remain in such organizations. Hence, such organizations are not only not of God, but are radically opposed to God's methods." Pastor C.T. Russell Z836
"We are not forming an organization of any kind; for the Laymen’s Home Missionary Movement is not an organization; it is a movement, a voluntary activity in which the Lord’s people cooperate in service to people outside the Truth." PSL Johnson
I love all the brethren affiliated with the L.H.M.M. dearly and wish them no offense. I was asked by members of our class to look into recent controversies within the organization over a year ago.
Their kind request led me on a research trip of discovery into the very origins of what was once a movement to service people outside the Truth, but now is much more an organization serving those inside the group.
Among many things, one item stands out: We cannot agree with having a "Spiritual Leader" (sic) in the person of their Executive Trustee. And by claiming to be "God's chosen organization earthly" they very much resemble the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Those within the movement may beg to differ, however Russell and Johnson were the only ones authorized to be "Pastor and Teacher " as the only remaining "Star Members" to the churches of Revelation. (Rev. 3:14)
Certainly no self-confessed crown loser and Great Company member should ever take upon himself such a role as "Pastor", even if he is the rightful successor to Bro. Johnson as "Executive Trustee".
This could be a dual office only in the days of Brothers Russell and Johnson. No specially chosen Pastor/Teacher can bring forth meat from the storehouse in the same manner as they did because they were little flock members. (Luke 12:32)
The L.H.M.M. are certainly in legal and Scriptural accord to have someone hold this office and may choose whomever they wish to do so. The research proves that the office of Executive Trustee must be a business office only. No one can claim to be "leader" of the Lord's people!
from E vol 9 134
"It will be noted that while God has given the non-starmembered teachers of the General Church and the more prominent local elders visions and dreams, He has never given them to see a thing as a new doctrine. This privilege is limited exclusively to our Lord acting in the star-members. Any attempt on the part of a non-star-membered teacher or of a non-teacher as the first one to work out a doctrine would be speculation, and would, therefore, not result in uncovering a new truth, but would result in error. " PSL Johnson2. "Pastor" Jolly = Rutherford = Errors Against The Truth
There is enough troubling evidence against "Pastor" Raymond G. Jolly that I personally do not read articles from the Present Truth or Bible Standard magazines unless they were written before October 22nd 1950 when Brother Johnson was changed to glory.
Neither do I accept that Brother Johnson was the last Saint on Earth, which is something impossible to be proven through the Bible, yet is a key doctrine of the L.H.M.M. today, essentially becoming the entry point doctrine to accepting another unprovable doctrine - that of "consecrated Epiphany campers" - similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses "Jonadabs" error.
Arguments for the existence of "consecrated Epiphany campers" as a class are bereft of Biblical substantiation. It was never taught at all by Pastor Russell nor by Brother Johnson. The scant efforts made to defend it are largely incoherent. There is little need to defend the doctrine as criticism is unthinkable in the current climate.
These errors long ago concocted a strange brew causing a general drowsiness to set in among the brethren. Current leadership is not without blame for accepting, promoting and creating new errors to support past errors regarding justification and consecration even flirting with Ransom denial though they must be unaware of it.
Frankly that is why today among the L.H.M.M. there are so many milk toast, lukewarm, watered down sectarian talks with far too much focus on their Executive Trustee. Conventions became a virtual sales pitch to support the E.T.
These errors entered after 1950, so their creed bed of today was made way back then. While still cozy because of retaining much Present Truth, it is a bed far shorter than the honest, objective Truth seeker can comfortably stretch him or herself out upon. (Isaiah 28:20)
Brother Russell's Advice
Brother Russell said to this man that his course was incorrect. He advised this brother he needed to leave the organization, otherwise he would look like a grumbler.
"Let us remember that grumbling and talking against sectarianism while sticking to it, and avoiding the real issue, is not the honorable straight-forward course in the sight of our fellow men; and yet more important, such a course is not approved of God. "Z849
He also advised him to request that his name be "blotted out" of their book, and while letting them know that he still loved them, he was to explain he was leaving the body of Methodists, not the body of Christian believers.
And as he explained what Jesus taught us in Matt. 9:16 that putting a new patch on an old garment would only rend it, I realized that to change the L.H.M.M. from within will be just as impossible.
Christian duty requires me to post my research online, however I do not wish to appear as a grumbler. So in accordance with Brother Russell's advice I'm signing off from whatever affiliation I may have had with the L.H.M.M., and cancelling all subscriptions, but not intent on closing any friendships.
I credit the L.H.M.M. with dispensing much Truth around the world. Indeed when learning the Truth back in the 1980's my favorite tracts were the older L.H.M.M. tracts as they were always closer to what Pastor Russell taught than the other Truth groups were able to publish.
My family and I are greatly fond of the brethren in the L.H.M.M., and other Truth groups we've encountered. But while filled with wonderful Truth people, the teachings have enough leaven to ferment the whole mass of Present Truth. Gal. 5:9 We are simply interested only in studying the Truth. Matt. 24:28.
Again I will be posting my report in the coming days and weeks. My door is always open for discussion and fellowship.
Meanwhile my advice is for every ecclesia to separate from all sects and divisions, and to make Pastor Russell the chief elder of your ecclesia, with Jesus as the Head.
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32, 2013 Seattle L.H.M.M. Convention text)
Still and always your brother in Christ,
Regan C. Balman V.D.M.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Why Say Anything?
Errors must be correctedBecause the Truth matters most of all.The Truth is the one thing that draws us together. It is the only thing that upbuilds us in grace, faith and knowledge.
The chief lesson is that of mutual helpfulness, "building one another up in the most holy faith."
We must not nurture a false peace for the sake of unity! Jas. 3:17It's important to say what you believe and why. That's what builds true character. We should know full well what elect classes are available to us and what are not. [2 Tim 2:15]
We need to know who we are as a class as the Lord's people of faith during this "Time of the End" [Dan 12:4]
Great Company bunglers and errorists have robbed the Lord's heritage of their understanding, and possibly of their class standing. How will you respond?
With the desire only to help and never to hurt, I present this in the spirit of peace and goodwill, to whom it may concern, and come what may. [Romans 12:14-21]What could be more crucial to our understanding as we hurtle through this present anarchy phase and onward rushing toward the long promised Kingdom of God in it's blessing phase?
Read on...
Monday, July 04, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)