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A Search for "The Truth"
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The Workers' Words Exposed by Lloyd Fortt.
Check Out Even "MORE" Terminology at this LINK:
"Language of Truth" - The Way of the Workers and Friends
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Labour
To work an area by holding "Gospel Meetings."
Labourers
Workers. Preachers of the Two-by-Two cult.
Lamb
A sweet and innocent animal which is none too bright of mind. The sacrifice of a lamb is not understood as a blood sacrifice, but exhibits rather innocent and unthinking yieldedness to its master. When one gets the "spiritual" message from the workers, all members are to be "lambs" to the "Ministry."
Lamb of God
Jesus is described in Scripture as the Lamb of God. The workers make use of this scriptural identity to show the members of their church that they should quietly yield to the "slaughter" - which is to say that they should not ask questions, and they should not feel it a burden to give themselves up to the workers' direction (interference) in their lives. Jesus is held to be the "way shower" (example). As the Lamb of God, He is supposed to have showed us how to yield to anything that comes from God. Couple this with the members' firm belief that the workers are sent by God, and you might begin to understand how it is that they yield to the workers every whim. Seldom will a member expect the workers to follow that same example, and they thereby become unwittingly directed by men or women who claim to be sent by God. The "example" the workers are expected to live by is merely that of the style of preaching; unmarried, homeless, salaryless, etc. - just as they teach Jesus did, according to their interpretation.
The Biblical teaching that Jesus was the blood sacrifice given for all the sins of man, thus freeing believers from the penalty of their sins has no part in Two-by-Two understanding when encountering Biblical usages of this term.
It is believed that Jesus came to show men that it is
indeed possible to live a sinless life
through "self-sacrifice," "self denial,"
and, of course, by belonging to the "right church."
Lamp
The lamp to light the world! "The Truth"! Yet, this is a "light" which is shrouded in secrecy, keeping itself out of sight of the world, and even keeping its doctrines secret from its adherents.
How ridiculous!
Law
"Ornamental rings are superfluous and are among the ornaments that should be put off. There is a reason for this. The end toward which the Lord has always labored is to make His people different. We are intended to be different in spirit, different in appearance, different in our manner of life. This is what makes us a light in the world around us. If we were like the world, which is living in darkness, there would be no light. Our only hope of being a light is by being different. " Senior Worker.
The preceding statement by a very prominent worker,' sums up the entire subject regarding the laws of the Two-by-Twos. Anything that can be done in modesty to make one appear different is desired. People are bound to notice that one is different and from curiosity, inquiry will be made as to why.
This idea is related to "Radiation Evangelism,"
where witnessing is done silently by differentness.
There are two types of law that the workers enforce and preach; all the while claiming that they have no laws, rules or regulations. The first and most obvious is that which governs appearance. The second type is that which the workers call "The Unwritten Law." Both are in fact unwritten, the difference between them is that the rules governing external appearances are made very clear, while the second law is quite ambiguous, e.g., a parent can literally say anything to his child as a law of this category and expect obedience, and workers can use this law to discipline a member when they do not want to say openly exactly why they are disciplining him.
The first type of law is fairly rigid, and well defined through hints, glances, facial expressions, shunning social actions and occasionally it is even spoken. The second type is completely arbitrary - called into existence at the whim of a worker to suit his or her purpose. The most obvious laws exhibit themselves in the appearance of the female members. This is the dress code, or clothing law.
Modest clothing is demanded of women in particular, but it goes much further than just a restriction (in most areas) that the women wear dresses hemmed below the knee, and never anything that resembles pants. It attempts to restrict the styles to styles that were current in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The clothing worn by the female workers is to be the type of clothing that is worn by any female member who is thought well of. The female workers are to be held as an example in all respects of appearance for the female members of the group, and in the same way the male workers are to set the standard of appearance for the male members. In no case whatsoever is any member encouraged to be attired in anything close to current styles, even current modest styles. In the late 1960s and early 70s, for example, while the men of the "world" wore ties that were anywhere up to five inches across, most of the men in the cult wore ties that were very narrow, three quarters to one inch across. The suit pants of those years were bell bottomed, or at least straight legged, and fairly tight in the body, but the men of the cult wore pants that were baggy and pleated near the pockets
The idea is Evangelism by Sore Thumb,
and gives the common member a sense of "Sacrifice"
that teams one with the workers who have "Sacrificed All."
Many people have been encouraged in heresy throughout church history by this type of camaraderie; the minute that someone is solidly in agreement with one's stand, the assumption is that that stand is correct, and a revelation from God. The only way to combat this human frailty is to compare the stand with Scripture; not just look for one verse or two that can be allegorized to support the stand, but to look to Scripture in the context of the whole counsel of God. One must be careful to realize that such study is no small task because studying Scripture to establish some idea or other presupposes that the person doing so wants to find scriptural support for the idea. This is where one easily can slip into the "interpretation trap. " In other words eisegesis rather than exegesis, or reading one's ideas into Scripture, rather than forming one's understanding from Scripture. Prayer is essential in seeking God's truth, since we can consciously or unconsciously misinterpret anything to justify our desires and preconceptions.
All of the above process seems to have been largely ignored by the workers in regard to assessing their appearance laws.
The Scriptures used to support the whole idea are grossly twisted in order to do so.
The assumption that the workers are constantly being guided by the Holy Spirit in all that they decide precludes prayer on each decision, and results in heresy upon heresy, and legalism upon legalism. Then, in order to protect the idea of constant guidance from God, one is tempted to use truth in a pretty abstract way; thus we find secrecy and lies used to protect a preconceived idea. The workers have been faced with the accusation of believing in salvation by works alone ever since their group was founded in 1897. They are not too concerned as to what outsiders accuse them of, but if they allow their members to get close to Christians so as to have fellowship with them, this heresy will be exposed uncontrollably, and loss of members is bound to occur on an escalating scale. For this reason the workers lie to their members, and formulate doctrines and laws that keep their converts separated from Christians. The lie used is "We have no laws, rules and regulations." Below are two completely opposing quotes that are related to the topic of "law."
Following these, is a quote that attempts to mediate between the two:
"We aren't saved only by Christ's redemption. There is one thing we must do. We must present our own bodies as a sacrifice. Some of us may leave a big question mark in God's eyes." Senior Worker, Hayden Lake. 1949.
"We don't set down a list of rules or regulations and tell them what they can and cannot do. They are satisfied in Jesus." Senior Worker, 1977.
"Sometimes we say that in God's Kingdom there are no rules, no regulations, no forms or traditions, but if we have a proper understanding of God's Kingdom, we will find to our advantage and benefit, that God hasn’t left us without some guiding influences to govern and to guide our lives. If this were not true, where would we be? Everyone would go by his own thinking. God gave us this new nature first of all, then an understanding that made us want to be under the new rule. The point is, are we willing to walk according to this rule?" Senior Worker. Olympia Convention 1957.
Left Field
"Sometimes people think that what we're telling them is kind of far off; kind of off in left field and doesn’t mean very much, and they canÔt quite understand it. And that's true, that's true. God's truth - when Jesus preached the gospel, he very often talked about - talked in parables. And he was kind of - ah - kind of vague to people; talking about seed, and talking about making bread and - ah - all these different things."
Senior Worker, Glen Valley Convention, 1990.
Here Gordon Winkler, who is a senior worker and well respected among the members, was recorded as proudly confirming that their preaching is "off in left field."
Liberties
This is a term used to indicate sexual involvement outside of marriage.
Liberty
The professing person has a new found liberty to live according to an unwritten and unspoken law; that which is demanded by the workers.
It is indeed a rare type of liberty - better known as bondage.
Life
The "more abundant life" that is believed to be possessed within this group is a life of anxiousness around workers to appear hearty in "The Faith," a sentence of dowdy appearance for the women, no friends outside of "The Truth," few social gatherings, no movies at all, plenty of meetings one must attend and try hard not to sleep in them while the brain is being numbed by gobbledygook and deception, no television, none of what the workers describe as appearance of evil (dating), and condemnation to feeling second best if one has married, thus avoiding becoming a preacher; to name but a few of the better things!
Light
Example, covenant and understanding:
"Jesus will beget a new life in us through the gospel. It refreshes us. God gives this spirit to people when their lives are prepared by the gospel. Then we have cleansing when we are willing to walk in this light or this covenant. If we have received Christ into our lives." Senior Worker, Post Falls Convention.
Little Visit
A visit from a worker or two, in which the attempt to force an "errant" member to comply with the accepted views, or practices of the cult is the main purpose. Failing this, that member is likely to be deemed to have a "bad spirit," and recommendations will be left that the member "is no longer expected to take part in the fellowship meetings." In ordinary language, they excommunicate in this fashion if a member refuses to comply with their wishes.
(See also, Excommunicate.)
Living Bread
The preachings of the workers.
This term also is used to denote the content of the saints' "testimonies." (The words of the workers or "saints" as spoken at a Meeting; this even includes Scriptures that are spoken.)
Living Witness
A doctrine that began to be taught early in the mission of the founding preachers, which was based on Henry
Drummond's theory of Biogenesis (i.e., only life can beget life), spiritualized to inform one that he cannot be born again unless he hears the "gospel" from one of the Two-by-Two preachers, who claim exclusive title to the delivery of eternal life, since they alone are supposedly the agent of salvation.
The genuine Cooneyite sect now has rejected this doctrine, as well as the office of "Worker."
Living Water
Running water, like that in a stream or river.
Living Word
The workers claim to be the living word, as is exemplified in their living the same style of life as Jesus did, in company with the Apostles, and the Old Testament Prophets; so they think of themselves.
Long-suffering
To suffer the intensities and miseries of "The Faith" for a lifetime.
Lord
To a Two-by-Two, there is very little meaning to the word "Lord," other than as a vague title. Some view landlords as worldly men who exploit tenants. Lords of the British parliament are abhorred. Rulers generally are viewed with an uncaring if not antagonistic and spiteful attitude. The only person viewed with reverence is a worker, therefore, there is very little idea of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
This is evident by the ease with which they have
reduced their Jesus to nothing more than an example preacher or pattern.
Love
Love is claimed to exist in "a wonderful way" while it seemed to me that always I was being watched for slipups. I'm sure that there is love there, but the evidence seemed scarce to me personally, as I observed malicious gossip one about another on a large scale. Reporting on one another to workers was common, but with genuine desire to see the "failure" corrected.
Altogether, the group exhibits the same sort of "love" which may be observed in other peer groups and cults. To a great extent, members' identities, self esteem, friendships, family relationships, and views are formed by the group. Many people find this dependence on others to be comforting, even intensely fulfilling. However, this type of love can be observed in many places besides the Two-by-Two church. The destructive side of such a relationship, too, is well known and widespread. Where dissent and individuality are curtailed, self censorship and obedience to a ruling elite are prevalent, and a fanatical devotion to a world view which denies facts in favor of "a vision" or a rationalization of a tradition, you will find wrecked lives.
No matter how "good" it feels to be part of a group,
to throw true and rational discernment out the window
in favor of a human relationship, tradition, or authorities, is idolatry.
