In specific contexts of the Pentecostal community, discussing a theology of Spiritual Authority is only possible by bringing the work of Watchman Nee on Spiritual Authority into the mix. Little is known about Watchman Nee and the rapid development of his Christian assembly known as the “Little Flock” in the West.
Watchman Nee
Nee is believed to have launched his earliest church meeting in 1922 in the Fuzhou, Fujian province of China. Born into a Methodist backdrop, Watchman Nee’s core beliefs remain a bit ambiguous since he felt that his ministry was not for “expounding the Scriptures, preaching the ordinary gospel, paying attention to prophecies, or anything outward, but for laying stress on the living Word of life.[1]”
In an open letter from the 24th edition of another publication called The Christian, Nee would write that the “bible contains numerous teachings which ordinary believers cannot fully understand[2].” However, when describing the events following a time of waiting and praying, Nee would write of a “special testimony” God had placed on him, in contrast to the “ordinary testimonies” of many others.
He would go on to write in the same open letter:
Therefore, I am ready to give up the work of expounding the Scriptures, which thing I would like to do the most, in order that I might bear the specific testimony which God has freshly committed to me….hence, by means of the coming issues of The Present Testimony, according to what we have received from God, we shall specifically explain ‘the deep things of God’ to the Body of Christ.”
This passion for communicating what Nee considered to be a “special testimony” to the Body of Christ was established on the belief that he had “received the commission from God to help His children specifically in matters relating to spiritual life and warfare.[3]” As he would continue to write in the same open letter, “In every age there is a unique truth especially needed for that period. For those of us living in these last days, there must also be some specific truth which we especially need.[4]”
While it is unclear how Watchman Nee understood his “special testimony” and his view of a “unique truth” alongside the Word of God, further readings of the works written by his hand[5] indicate—at times—a heightened degree of private interpretation, not so much of scripture, but of actions and activities within the kingdom of God.
One such example is in Issue 2 of The Present Testimony when he describes actions or activities that are not entirely void of self. He writes, “In God’s eyes, every action that is not a result of a clear understanding of God’s will is sin.[6]” He goes on to write, under the same section, that “we may be committing sins while saving souls. If we try to exhort others to turn to the Lord merely according to the gospel we have understood and the experience we have acquired, without trusting in God Himself, in God’s eyes, we are not saving souls but committing sins.[7]” In describing sin, Nee says, “As long as man seeks anything, does anything, or acts in any way by himself, he has sinned, regardless of whether the thing he seeks after or does is good or bad.[8]”
A Cautionary Approach to Watchman Nee
These examples from the writings of Watchman Nee are not meant to serve as a condemnation of his writings nor a “layup” for the condemnation of the book on Spiritual Authority. Truly, as one reads through the Collected Works of Watchman Nee, many pragmatic—sometimes deeply profound—observations are made.
Yet, while one should never expect to agree with everything written by anyone commenting on biblical principles and doctrines, one caution on reading through Watchman Nee is that there are many instances of biblical commentary or extrapolations of beliefs that originate, not from careful exegesis[9], but through the means of special revelation.
Of course, this does not mean we cannot glean insights from Watchman Nee if they are aligned and backed up by a careful reading of God’s Word. It simply means that when reading anything published by those other than the authorized biblical texts, we must exercise wisdom when navigating complex topics.
As we continue this series on Spiritual Authority, we will begin to examine the work on Authority and Submission based on the compilation of notes[10] from twenty lessons delivered initially between 1948 and 1949 by Watchman Nee to co-workers in Kuling, Foochow.
Let’s drop one paragraph from page 71 of Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee as we set the stage for the next article.
Whether the one in authority is right or wrong does not concern us, since he has to be responsible directly to God. The obedient needs only to obey; the Lord will not hold us responsible for any mistaken obedience, rather will He hold the delegated authority responsible for his erroneous act.”
Now, that is a loaded statement. We will take a deeper look into this statement and others as we continue.
[1] From the second issue of The Present Testimony on October 20, 1936.
[2] The Christian, December 1927.
[3] Open letter published in the first edition of The Present Testimony (January-April 1928).
[4] ibid
[5] Many later works of Nee, including Spiritual Authority, were compiled by others from oral lessons at various locations.
[6] Issue 2 of The Present Testimony under the “What is Sin” subheading.
[7] ibid
[8] ibid
[9] With the publication of The Christian, we see a more enhanced entrance into exegetical disciplines. His 50 messages used for training on Kuling Mountain are also an insight into a more studied Watchman Nee. However, many of his teachings are a unique mixture of insightful biblical exposition and, frequently, oddly mystical ideas and eisegetical interpretations.
[10] Notes from Brother K. H. Weigh, Mrs. Weigh (Lin I-tien), and Brother Change Wu-cheng serve as the source materials for Authority and Submission, as well as other works from the Kuling Training.