Zurich. On behalf of Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, the leader of the New Apostolic Church, the Work Group “History of the NAC” has been looking into some concrete allegations of plagiarism which have been raised against the Church on various internet forums. Their position explains that from today’s perspective, the book entitled “The Completion” does indeed constitute a case of plagiarism.

At the same time, the Church Work Group also makes it clear that they were the first to point out the resemblance between this book and a work published by W.R. Caird and J.E.G. Lutz entitled “Christ’s words on the completion of God’s ways with His church, the people of Israel, and the whole of mankind and the creation” [English title translated from the German] (Augsburg 1879).

The two-page position goes on to say that, from today’s perspective, there is indeed a clear case of plagiarism with respect to the book “The Completion.” It also points out that the then Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff was merely the book’s publisher, not its author. On this the Work Group “History of the NAC” states that the thinking behind Chief Apostle Bischoff’s actions would have to be objectively analysed before anyone might take a disparaging view of the matter. In this context they are examining the relevant question as to whether the Chief Apostle felt that works inspired by the Spirit of God in the Lord’s work were the property of the Church rather than that of any particular individual.

Please read the position of the Work Group “History of the New Apostolic Church”.