Fuller and Living Stream Ministries in Conversation

Fuller, represented by President Richard J. Mouw, Dean Howard J. Loewen, and Professor Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, has been involved in a theological consultation with the organization that continues the work of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, Living Stream Ministries (LSM). Also known as Local Churches, LSM is doing missionary work in China and among Chinese people. At the request of LSM, these consultations have entailed meeting three to four times a year over the last two years to investigate doctrinal issues that have caused controversy around the organization.

Some Evangelical Christians have accused Local Churches, often labeled as a cult or sect, of modalism (the ancient heresy according to which Father, Son, and Spirit are just different names or “modes” of the godhead), truncated Christology in which the two natures are “mingled” together, an erroneous view of salvation in terms of the ancient (and currently Eastern Orthodox) idea of theosis or deification, and sectarianism because of their alleged refusal to acknowledge other churches as true churches. 

As a result of a careful study of all main literature produced by the movement, the conclusion was reached by the Fuller representatives that LSM’s views concerning Christ, Trinity, and salvation fall within the parameters of orthodox Christianity and that, therefore, the label “cult” is inappropriate. At the same time, Fuller strongly encouraged LSM representatives to continue reflecting on their views of church and ecumenism as well as Bible interpretation.

To read the jointly produced statement summarizing consultation findings, visit http://www.lctestimony.org/FullerStatement.pdf.