Secrets of Watchman Nee

by Dana Roberts

Publisher:

Bridge-Logos

, 2005

Overview

Dana Roberts has spent more than a quarter of a century studying Watchman Nee. This volume is a provocative, thoughtful, insightful analysis of the real Watchman Nee: how he lived, what he taught, and how he influenced contemporary Christianity. Roberts also shows how contemporary Christianity and Chinese culture helped to influence Watchman Nee. Because Nee continues to be popular to Christian’s today, it is important that his qualifications and his choice of methods be questioned. Is the Bible the sole compass of his faith? Are his ideas pragmatic, in the sense that they do what they say they do? In this in-depth study, Roberts answers these questions and more by thoroughly surveying and analyzing Nee’s life and thought. Herein, the myths surrounding Nee are unraveled to reveal the man. A vast overview of materials is made available for further study in the extensive footnotes and bibliography.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Reading his books on theological anthropology, many Pentecostals and charismatic church leaders became convinced that not all tongue speaking nor all prophecy have their origin in the Holy Spirit. Nor does the presence of true charismata necessarily indicate a person’s moral integrity.” (Page xvii)

“Nee’s books were more meaningful to the faith seekers” (Page xx)

“Nee is a popular pathfinder in the modern church’s quest for lasting spiritual renewal, his qualifications and his choice of methods need to be questioned. What training and life experiences prepared him to lead others on the way to spiritual maturity? Is the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the sole compass of his faith? Or has some less accurate device detoured him away from the Christian ‘walk in newness of life’ (Romans 6:4)? Are his ideas pragmatic? In other words, do they really do what he says they will do?” (Page xxi)

“On November 4, 1903, in Swatow, a male child, Nee Shu-Tsu, was born. His name means ‘he who proclaims his ancestors’ merits.’ Years later, after the boy’s mission in life became more evident, she proposed a new name, To-Sheng, ‘the sound of a gong.’ The name would remind both mother and son that he would be a ‘bell ringer’ (or Watchman) who would raise the people of God for service.” (Page 6)

“In The Spiritual Man, Nee presents his most thorough interpretation of biblical anthropology. By further distinguishing the functions of the human spirit into intuition, communion, and conscience, and of the soul into emotion, mind and will, Nee feels the believer can properly test whether religious practices are of God or ‘soulish’ deceptions.” (Pages 56–57)

Product Details

• Title: Secrets of Watchman Nee
• Author: Dana Roberts
• Publisher: Bridge-Logos Publishers
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 206

About Dana Roberts

Dana Roberts received a B.A. from Bridgewater State College, MA, a Master of Theological Studies from the New Testament Dept. at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies at Eastern Nazarene College for his research into the theology of Watchman Nee. He has spent many years researching and teaching the differences between Christian Culture and the Non-Western World. He currently resides in China and teaches theology at Hainan University.