What Is Truth? – The Trial Before Pilate

[David Lamb]

On June 2nd, 1946, Jesus said, "Maria is My pen. Nothing more. I am the Writer. The Thought is mine. I can do what I want with it, then. And I want My Thought, translated into a Word through an impulse of Love, to go and vivify those who are dying on this earth, where the forces of Evil are so active" (N:45-50). I highly recommend reading A Summa and Encyclopedia to Maria Valtorta’s Extraordinary Work, especially the chapters on the proofs in support of Maria Valorta's writings having a supernatural origin.



On January 28th, 1947, Jesus said, "[...] it is proper to specify that the inspired writer ‘has God as the author'. God, Who reveals or illuminates mysteries or truths, as He pleases, for these instruments of His, ‘spurring and moving them with supernatural virtues, assisting them in writing in such fashion that they rightly conceive with their intelligence and faithfully seek to write and, with suitable means and infallible truth, express all of the things, and only those things, which are commanded by Him, God.' It is God Who, with a threefold action, illuminates the intellect so that it will know the truth without error, by either revelation—in the case of still unknown truths—or exact recollection, if they are truths already established, but still rather incomprehensible for human reason; it moves so that what the inspired one comes to know supernaturally will be written faithfully; it assists and directs so that the truths will be stated in the form and number which God wills, with veracity and clarity, so that they will be known to others for the good of many, with the very words of God in the direct teachings or with the words of those inspired when they describe visions or repeat supernatural lessons.

The Work which is given to men through little John [Maria Valtorta's nickname] is not a canonical book. But it remains an inspired book which I am giving to help you understand certain passages in the canonical ones and especially to comprehend what My time as Master was like and know Me—I, the Word, in My words.

[...] I nor he [little John] say that the Work is a canonical book. In all truth, though, I tell you that it is an inspired book [...]" (N:45-50)

So how do you decide that Maria Valtorta's work is true, and inspired by God Himself? As I said before, there have been many people down the centuries who have claimed to be "filling in the gaps" in Scripture. An example is the so-called "Infancy Gospels", purporting to provide us with details of the early life of Jesus. The bible is God's word; I'll stick with that.

 

[David Lamb]

You, like God, are a living being. Are all your thoughts and words confined between the covers of a book?

But Behold did not claim that all of God's thoughts and words are in the bible, but that (as I understand it) all the thoughts and words He wished to communicate to mankind are.

 

[bdavidc]

I'm just talking about him using his finger to point to himself, and maybe it why it was not written as far as context. Never know. When I remember the Pilate and Jesus incident, I see it very vividly.

Thanks for clarifying. I may have misunderstood your point earlier. If so, I apologize. I now see you were just visualizing the moment with Pilate in a vivid way, not arguing against the text. I appreciate your perspective.

 

[bdavidc]

You have clearly never read the book

Watchman Nee mixes Scripture with mysticism, subjective spiritual experiences, and extra-biblical ideas. His teachings often go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6) and introduce concepts about the soul, spirit, and inner man that are not supported by clear, contextual Bible teaching. He leans heavily on a tripartite division of man (body, soul, spirit) and builds entire doctrines from vague verses or speculative interpretations, which leads to confusion rather than clarity.

For example, his ideas about "soulish Christians" and overly mystical spiritual levels are not found in the Bible. He also teaches a kind of inner light revelation that can override clear Scripture. That opens the door to deception.

I don’t need to read the entire book to recognize when something teaches beyond what is written. The Bible commands us not to go “beyond that which is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6), and we're told to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and reject anything that does not align with sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). I’ve seen enough from The Spiritual Man to know it mixes truth with speculation, mysticism, and ideas that are not taught in Scripture. That’s all it takes to reject it. I follow the Word of God, not the opinions of men, no matter how popular or spiritual they sound (Colossians 2:8). If it doesn't hold up to the Bible, it’s not worth defending.

 

[Manasseh]

Watchman Nee mixes Scripture with mysticism, subjective spiritual experiences, and extra-biblical ideas. His teachings often go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6) and introduce concepts about the soul, spirit, and inner man that are not supported by clear, contextual Bible teaching. He leans heavily on a tripartite division of man (body, soul, spirit) and builds entire doctrines from vague verses or speculative interpretations, which leads to confusion rather than clarity.

For example, his ideas about "soulish Christians" and overly mystical spiritual levels are not found in the Bible. He also teaches a kind of inner light revelation that can override clear Scripture. That opens the door to deception.

I don’t need to read the entire book to recognize when something teaches beyond what is written. The Bible commands us not to go “beyond that which is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6), and we're told to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and reject anything that does not align with sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). I’ve seen enough from The Spiritual Man to know it mixes truth with speculation, mysticism, and ideas that are not taught in Scripture. That’s all it takes to reject it. I follow the Word of God, not the opinions of men, no matter how popular or spiritual they sound (Colossians 2:8). If it doesn't hold up to the Bible, it’s not worth defending.

As I said, you clearly have never read Watchman Nee. Your cut and paste job is nothing more than baseless accusations.
Watchman Nee, who spent the last 20 years of his life in a Chinese prison for his faithfulness to Christ, probably accomplished more for Christ on his worst day, than you or I have in our entire lives.

You may not care for his terminology, but if a genuine spirit filled Christian were to read the section on "soulish" (which is simply Nee's word for "carnal")Christians, to which you refer, they could not help but be convicted, perhaps even transformed.

As a matter of fact, when time allows, I will post that entire section here in the forum, it should be read by everyone who professes to know God.

Have you ever read the Puritan authors, the Reformers? I have, they say some pretty odd things themselves from time to time, as do the church Fathers. And yet, these men clearly knew and walked with God, despite their imperfections.

Nee was and is a man of God, he is rejoicing in heaven at this moment. And I'm sure that if he got anything wrong while down here, the Lord straightened him out up there.

I've been praying for the last two years that God would make me a servant and not a judge, you should try it sometime. Who are you to judge? Oh that's right, your interpretation of scripture is the true and correct one. Just like practically everyone else on this ridiculous so called christian forum.

None of us, especially me, are the soul arbiters of truth. I don't mind the disagreements, or the debate. But people don't debate or discuss around here, they argue, maliciously with harsh pronouncements and criticisms, up to and including accusations that those who disagree with them aren't even believers.

Its reprehensible, its demonic, and it grieves the Spirit of Christ.

"And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul said this by the way, it did not originate with Brother Nee.