The Orthodoxy of the Church

by Watchman Nee

Orthodoxy of the

Genres: Christian

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Watchman Nee (Chinese: 倪柝聲; pinyin: Ní Tuòshēng; Foochow Romanized: Ngà̤ Táuk-sĭng; 1903–1972) was a Chinese Christian author and church leader during the early 20th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by the Communists in China. Together with Wangzai, Zhou-An Lee, Shang-Jie Song, and others, Nee founded The Church Assembly Hall, later which would be also known as the "Local churches" (Chinese: 地方教會). or more commonly as (聚會所) meaning "assembly hall"

Born into a Methodist family, Watchman Nee experienced a religious revival, and joined the Church of Heavenly Peace, Fuzhou in 1920 at age 17 and began writing in the same year. In 1921, he met the British missionary M. E. Barber, who was a great influence on him. Through Miss Barber, Nee was introduced to many of the Christian writings which were to have a profound influence on him and his teachings. Nee attended no theological schools or Bible institutes. His knowledge was acquired through studying the Bible and reading various Christian spiritual books. During his 30 years of ministry, beginning in 1922, Nee traveled throughout China planting churches among the rural communities and holding Christian conferences and trainings in Shanghai. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison until his death in 1972.

Reviews

[Brice Karickhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

My other review today was so long I’m keeping this short.

If you’re into theological hot takes with huge implications, you’ll love this book. It’s about how the 7 letters at the beginning of Revelation, like the rest of Revelation, are prophesy. Nee explains how the first letter concerns the apostle’s church, then the second concerns the persecuted church, the third concerns the church after it was made the state religion of Rome, the fourth concerns the Catholic Church, the fifth concerns the Protestant church, the sixth concerns the Lords Recovery, and the seventh concerns those who have fallen away from the Lords Recovery.

I give this three stars because Nee isn’t the easiest to read, and because read in isolation, this book probably isn’t very convincing. In isolation, it might seem like Nee is just conforming the text around his ideas rather than the other way around. However, if you wanna take the time to read like 100 books by Watchman Nee, you’d probably learn a lot and appreciate his ideas more and more. I’m at like 10 books and I think he’s v cool!

[Anh Dao · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not like the way he interpret the church history to confirm bias the Lord’s recovery is the best. No, God is still working in the flow of history and uses all churches to accomplish his Will. God is God of all nations and he is still working

[Huilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

worth reading and reading again

[Heloisa Heng · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books regarding the church He desires. Based on Revelation chapter 2-3, the 7 letters to the church, only one church was praised.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watchman Nee goes uses the seven epistles to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 as a base to briefly run through church history, summarise the possible conditions of the church today, expound how the Lord says we can overcome these problems, and warn us against falling into sectarianism or spiritual pride (Laodicea).

I think this book serves not only as a good exhortation to live a healthy church life but also, as one might presume, a good expository of Revelation chapter 2 and 3. Watchman Nee touches on each of the key points mentioned in the addresses to the churches and their significance. Reading this book would be a good way to familiarise yourself with them.

[Jeff Noble]

The Orthodoxy of the Church by Watchman Nee (?)

[Alexa Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a book which presents how the church degraded during the history and it also presents the seven churches in Revelation.