Comments on: Moving on

By: BrianK

BrianK — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:46:28 +0000

"Rational arguments and facts do not count much." I have found this to be so true. Such arguments and facts only count if they support one of the fundamental values UBF holds to. I finally realized recently one big reason I had so much difficulty writing messages in UBF: I was trying to reconcile Scripture with Confucian values! My mind was rebelling against doing this, but I had to suppress it by developing my own reality and ideology.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:41:38 +0000

Actually, it’s not so suprising. In the Korean UBF, which is rooted in Confucianism, the person who is older, or has a higher academic title or is from a more prestigous university automatically must be right. In that regard, Paul Hong is probably above any reproach in UBF. He can give advice to everybody, but nobody can advice him. Younger non-Korean people like you or anybody from the “Leadership Council” completely rule out.

Rational arguments and facts do not count much. For example he reminds Abraham that “Four years go very fast.” Normally, you would expect the conclusion “Thus, hurry up and quickly launch the necessary reforms.” Instead, he comes to the illogical conclusion “Thus, please do not try to do too many and too soon.”

By: BrianK

BrianK — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:00:44 +0000

What is most disturbing to me about the 8/21/2011 message in Toledo UBF is the statement to “focus on God”. Jesus gave us TWO things to focus on. A fundamental declaration of Christianity is that all the law and prophets is summed up as “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:34-40). Why should a pastor (and those listening to this message) focus only on God? Are we all supposed to forget our neighbor, and persistently be united in prayer, humbly trusting our leaders?

It is also disturbing to see the focus (yet again) on the ministry of prayer. The ministry of prayer is not primarily what is needed now in Toledo UBF. People there need the ministry of the Spirit, of reconciliation and of healing.

Why does the messenger gloss over verses 6 and 7, then jump quickly to quoting only the last part of verse 8? “Look at verse 8: ‘However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’ Certainly, this does not seem a positive conclusion. Jesus seems to be saying that in the time of his Second Coming, not many people live by faith. Yet, the opposite is true. Will Jesus find faith on this earth when he returns? Yes! Yes!.”

Perhaps Luke 18 has other meanings. Doesn’t even an unjust judge grant justice to outcast people who keep crying out to the Lord day and night?

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”