(From http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fuzzy_Bread/message/141)
From: "Chris W."
Date: Thu Mar 6, 2003 1:55 pm
Subject: Concerning One To One Bible Study/UBF
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.
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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 unnecessary 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.
