Re: Order, Authority, and Authoritarianism -- RSQUBF discussion forum

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 13:55:27 10/22/04 Fri
Author: PECAS
Subject: Re: Order, Authority, and Authoritarianism
In reply to: bruce 's message, "Order, Authority, and Authoritarianism" on 09:38:37 10/22/04 Fri

Bruce,

I enjoyed your post. I like history. I think that historical reference that can provide new incite about UBF is good.

>I did not mean to turn this into a history lesson,

Actually, a history lesson is good. Did not many UBF missionaries talk about the importance of learning God's history or finding our place in God's history? I think that it is beneficial to take points made by UBF leaders and reveal that the authoritarianism and other problems in UBF will result in many hurt and damaged people. If we look at history, we find that the authoritarian style UBF advocates will yield no long term benefit.

>my point is to demonstrate through the example of
>Germany that although it might be natural to wish to
>cling to the security and comfort of an authoritarian
>and paternalistic system it is nonetheless irrational
>and in the end will not lead to necessarily more
>security or order than a more democratic system.

>My point is that we need never be afraid to do away
>with authoritarianism, especially as long as we have
>faith in Christ. Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for
>freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then,
>and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke
>of slavery." Real freedom in Christ means freedom to
>speak, freedom to disagree, and even freedom to
>disobey people. Of course this does not mean we live
>a life of license, indolence, or selfishness. Rather,
>we grow into adults who can speak the truth in love to
>one another and act on these truths without fear of
>estrangement from one another or from God.

This is an important point. In Christ we have freedom. We should not be slaves to men. Unfortunately, UBF leaders only want us to be their slaves that absolutely obey them. If UBF would repent of this and build a ministry on the foundation of Christ's salvation and the joy and peace it brings, UBF would be a fruitful ministry in Christ.

In Christ,

PECAS

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Re: Order, Authority, and Authoritarianism -- Chris, 14:15:35 10/22/04 Fri