Re: UBF Doctrine -- RSQUBF discussion forum

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Date Posted: 11:57:44 10/08/04 Fri
Author: Ward Canfield
Subject: Re: UBF Doctrine
In reply to: Tom F 's message, "UBF Doctrine" on 09:31:45 10/08/04 Fri

There have been many good descriptions of UBF errors here, as in Tom F.�s, and I don�t have much to add, but thought I would pass mine along for what it�s worth�especially to the growing numbers of UBF members who are now thinking more objectively about UBF and considering leaving that fellowship, and visiting this website to help sort out their thoughts.
First, I have to say that there are indeed many Biblical reasons possible for leaving a fellowship, and hence be the right thing to do. Second, no one can push you to leave UBF, any more than anyone can push you to stay�you must follow your own heart and conscience before God. Third, here is my list of main observations about what is Biblically wrong with UBF, in case it may help others still in UBF that are beginning to suspect some behaviors at UBF as being non-Christian. Fourth, others may have better ideas than me, so anyone can feel free to add to the list. Fifth, I�m not interested in arguing about definitions or philosophy here, but mainly in helping some people who are still in UBF and happen to be visiting this website, and are trying to sort through some legitimate concerns they may have about UBF and make a Biblical decision to change their lives (if someone thinks I am wrong about something, I would certainly appreciate it being pointed out, as one Christian to another). If I don't use as strong a language as someone else because the depth of offense by UBF to them was greater, than it certainly is not my intention to minimize their hurt in some way. As for me, I found it impossible to stay and �pray for UBF to change� because of the spiritual blinders core members wear in UBF. Lastly, I have tried my best to clear the logs from my own eye, before trying to point them out in others� eyes. May God help me really always to do that.
In what follows, I�m using the term �senior member� to mean someone who�s regularly attended UBF longer than another, and attained some general recognition of leadership status. The term �junior member� I�m using to mean someone who either has not attended regularly very long, or hasn�t attained some generally recognized leadership status. The term �core member� means one who is a faithful attendant of UBF with some generally recognized leadership status, and who has no plans or thoughts of leaving UB Fellowship. Here are my main observations, my short list of things most unBiblical about UBF.
Again, the main purpose for putting it here is primarily for those still in UBF who are beginning to feel uneasy about certain behaviors in UBF and are wondering what to do, and if someone thinks I�m wrong about something, to see if we can reason it out together rather than just fight over a difference of opinion of some kind and get off-topic. For example, my short list is as UBF was around four years ago. I expect these behaviors haven�t changed. I�ll be the first to stand corrected and praise God if they have, though, and objective evidence can be shown.

UBF ERRORS
1. Fear and pressure tactics used to control peoples� behavior within the system: direct threats, ostracism, disparaging public criticisms, vilifying rumors, fake institutional friendships; one�s spiritual gifts are often defined by senior members and their use also dictated by them (often many are supposed to have and express the same spiritual gift, for example, evangelism, when clearly they do not),
2. Dogmatic adherence to one man�s theology and personal opinions: little or no individual Biblical insights are encouraged�even in private fellowship�nor deviation from the manuscript�s language and main points; following one�s own conscience before God is often disparaged by core members,
3. Unaccountable leadership: no un-Christian behavior can ever be evaluated in leaders by the fellowship; outsiders� criticism is dismissed out-of-hand; senior members are accountable directly to God only�thoughtful and sincere apologies to offended junior members are often regarded as unimportant (although the Bible teaches that it is important��be reconciled one to another�); Budget, revenue, and expense summaries are never disclosed to core members in the fellowship
4. Hubris (exaggerated pride): Many core UBF members think themselves to be the sole remnant of God�s people in this generation, and to be better than any other group in spirituality and in being used by God in world evangelism; other Biblically fruitful Christian groups are often publicly disparaged�apparently for not being like UBF,
5. Ends-justify-the-means philosophy: UBF follows �higher� principles and laws than the world and is therefore not subject to worldly principles or laws if the spiritual ends are deemed more important�regardless of the possibly bad influence on; God�s blessings, when they occur, are interpreted as blanket approval of UBF others.

In conclusion, I just want to make the appeal below to anyone in UBF who is uneasy about things he or she is starting to see in UBF.

EARNEST APPEAL TO THOSE STILL IN UBF
1. Only One is infallible, and he is God; no single human being or group is infallible, no matter how earnest in trying to understand and apply the Bible,
2. No group or human being can be superior in spirituality or purity, no matter how devoted in trying to practice the Bible; everyone is accountable to each other when wrongs are committed�repentance with sincere apology is Biblical,
3. No group or human being can interpret the Bible completely and correctly, no matter how prayerful in trying to study it,
4. No group or human being is favored by God absolutely or automatically, no matter how diligent in trying to apply and teach the Bible.
5. Budget disclosure to core members is healthy to a fellowship, and not unwise and not a sign of lack-of-faith in leadership if you want to see the budget records.
6. God wants you to worship Him in a Biblical fellowship, and can be trusted to help you find one and do so when you leave UBF.

Thanks for reading thus far, and God bless anyone to whom this is written for, to make a decision in God that brings peace of mind, and, a proper place of worship and spiritual growth. By the way, I was in UBF for fifteen years, first at the original Michigan State University UBF chapter when Mssny. Jacob Kim was the real leader (not Mssny's Peter and Ruth Yoon--the supposed "hosts" of the recent MSU International Summer Bible Conference--who were part of the reason for the eventual demise of MSU UBF), and later in Chicago UBF. I was known as a "Professor Shepherd" while in Chicago UBF.

Best Regards in Christ, W.C.

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Replies:

Re: UBF Doctrine -- bruce, 12:49:18 10/08/04 Fri
Dogmatic adherence to one man -- Joe, 09:40:13 10/11/04 Mon