北米のブラザレンの問題点を指摘した手紙のオリジナル（5）

前回の英文の続きです。

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4. LEGALISM ANDPHARISEEISM

Inevery generation, it is young people who have been the ones to question theways of the previous generation. That just seems to be the natural way ofhumanity! I have no doubt my children will grow up and question how I dothings too. Young people are idealists, and are quick to find theflaws, malfunctions, and falseness in older ones. The flip side is thatthe older generations are quick to dismiss, underestimate, and begrudgethe younger generation for what would seem to be a shallowspirituality, rebellion, etc. Let me be forthright and describe for youwhat we young people see in the assemblies today and, I guess in a way, inmuch of the older generation which constitute the majority ofassemblies today. (What I say next does not pertain to all, but most.There are always exceptions to every rule. But the following is what wesee as a general rule.) We see PHARISEEISM and LEGALISM at its finest.We see people who are circumcised in the flesh but not in the spirit orheart. Let me explain. We see people who are more concerned about therules; that we wear the right cloths - a suit on Sunday, etc; don'twear make up; don't have earrings; be at all the meetings (or they areconvinced you are backsliding and make you feel awful about it); don't dothis, do that; stay in step or off with your head, etc. We don’t seepeople who truly care whether we are walking with the Lord, enjoying HisWord and growing in grace, or if we are struggling with something in ourlives. In the light of eternity, does it really matter two hoots if awoman wears earrings or not, or is it more important that she is thrivingin her walk with the Lord? Pharisees were known to place burdens on thepeople that were too heavy to bear. We young people find the same thing inthe assemblies. Most young people who have left or just choose not to come intofellowship describe assemblies as stifling. We talk about liberty in theSpirit, but then why is it almost suffocating at times? I am going to giveyou an example of how the assemblies have become like the pharisees, to whomthe external was EVERYTHING but the internal was completely under-valuesand even side-lined.