This is a warning and a debate. I welcome UBF members to this
group, but I would also like for them to question the extreme
rigidity of their doctrine.
You don't have to read this. It's not a devotional. However, I
would warn you not to join UBF/One to One Bible Study until the
issues below have been addressed. You may be joining a cult.
*********************************************************************
I once belonged to a campus organization known as the University
Bible Fellowship, also known as One to One Bible Study. On the
surface, the UBF appears to be a normal Christian group. They
believe in God, in Jesus and the bible.
However, they have very rigid belief systems, ones that seem to
be at odds with other denominations. I would almost consider these
people to be a cult. I do not see it likely for them to have
dialogues with the other denominations, let alone share worship with
them, although their influence over Korea and other Asian countries
would be a great asset to the body of Christ. They have many
members. I can only hope that one of them reads this and sets some
doctrinal changes into motion.
But before they can join other churches in worship, they must be
open minded and be able to discuss some very important issues with
us, and not claim to be infallible/having the only source of true
wisdom in doctrine.
The issues are as follows:
1. They have the belief that certain individuals are
predestined to be thrown into hell, i.e. born as Satan in human flesh.
2. They believe that faith or baptism alone is not enough to
attain salvation. You must work hard for God, which will bring your
soul halfway to heaven, and by your faith, God will bring you the
rest of the way into heaven.
3. They believe that the only manifestation of the Holy Spirit
is bringing new converts into bible study, starting bible study
groups and bringing them to Sunday worship service. Other
manifestations of the spirit are minimized. They believe you will be
condemned if you do not `bear fruit'/start bible studies with others.
4. The organization is set up in a hierarchical pyramid. The
group leaders at the top are considered the most wise and
knowledgable about the gospel, therefore, even though you may be
giving bible studies to other people, you answer to the bible teacher
above you.
5. You must graduate from a seminary before you are considered
knowledgable about the gospel. Otherwise you are ignorant and must
be instructed.
6. You do not leave the compound during weekend retreats. You
do not go out and share the gospel with people outside the camp.
Instead you must stay in the building and write bible testimonies.
7. They believe that if the Holy Spirit is working through
you, you will write bible testimonies.
8. Bible studies are regulated in a specific order, starting
with Genesis, then moving to Luke and then other gospels. This way,
other members can ask you what chapter you are studying and they can
get a false sense of superiority, or knowing more than you about the
gospel. Those who are further down the reading list are considered
wiser and more knowledgable about the gospel.
9. They read too far into the bible, gleaning many obscure
metaphors from literal events that transpired in the various chapters.
10. If you go to church in the morning, you are still strongly
advised to go to their Sunday worship services, too, even though they
both are church services, albeit one is in a house instead of a
church building.
11. There must be an implied rule that the bible study leader is
seldom incorrect, because whenever I interpreted the scriptures one
way, the bible study leader would always correct me, even when I was
sure that what I was saying was scriptural.
12. Your religious background before UBF does not matter. You
begin bible study the same way, like you don't know anything.
Two other issues need not be discussed, but I thought them as being questionable.
Group leaders must wear suits and ties on weekend retreats, even though they are unecessary in such familiar situations.
I also suggested `One Tin Soldier' as a hymn, but it was shot down as being an unchristian song, even though I have seen it in a Lutheran song book before.
UBF representitives are welcome to refute any of these points I have brought up, but they must also discuss this with the Christian Furs, and not just try to persuade me that I am incorrect. This must be an open debate.
Their website is at http://www.ubf.org