"Local Church" Research Papers

Research articles on "Local Church" beliefs and practices from a theological, psychological or sociological perspective.

• Jim Moran and Light Of Truth Ministries

  The ministry of Jim Moran, who spent a year and a half observing and studying the "Local Church" from the inside.
• The Teachings of Witness Lee of the "Local Church" (Church of Recovery)

  A theological analysis of the teachings of Witness Lee, by a contributing author for The Bereans, an apologetics research ministry based in the Philippines. (External link)
• Watchman Nee and Witness Lee Believe Jesus is the "Holy Spirit"

  An article concerning the "Local Church" version of the Trinity, published by The Bereans. (External link)
• "Man Becoming God" as Explained by Witness Lee and the "Lord's Recovery"

  An analysis of the "Local Church" doctrine of human deification as compared with historical and current mainstream views, published by The Bereans. (External link)
• An Open Letter Concerning the Local Church, Witness Lee and the God-Men Controversy

  An open letter by church historian J. Gordon Melton regarding The God-Men, a book critical of the "Local Church". The book was successfully sued by the movement under unusual legal circumstances in the mid 1980's. Melton testified for the "Local Church" in the default hearing. (External link)
• Watchman Nee and Witness Lee

  By Miles J. Stanford. A survey of the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. (External link)
• Boston Christian Bible Study Resource on the "Local Church"

  An analysis of the "Local Church" movement done by Steve Amato of The Boston Christian Bible Study Resources. (External link)
• The Local Church of Witness Lee: A Theological Analysis

  Spanish-language theological analysis of the teachings of the "Local Church" movement. (External link)
• "...That We Might Be Made God"??

  A response to an article in Affirmation & Critique, a "Local Church" apologetic newsletter, analyzing and criticizing its stand on the controversial "Local Church" doctrine of human deification. This paper is in the form of an open letter to a representative of Living Stream Ministry.

  See also:

  • "...That We Might Be Made God"
    The original article from Affirmation & Critique. (External link/PDF)
• The Local Churches: A Cult?

  An essay, written by former "Local Church" member Kris Rhodes, criticizing the viewpoint that the movement should be considered a "cult".

  See also:

  • Author's Story
    Personal testimony of the author. (External link)