Comments on: Word, Spirit, Gospel and Mission (Part 3)

By: Joshua Yoon

Joshua Yoon — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:49:37 +0000

Ben, you raised a good question about “the characteristics of UBFriends.” If our exchange of communication through this virtual meetin place is an unofficial activity of UBF organization, then what are official activities of UBF? There can be much more than conference reports, annual reports, marriage and birth annoucements. People have hunger and thirst for dialogue, genuine friendship, close relationship. Some articles have over 1100 views in a few months. Whether this virtual meeting place is official or unofficial, people question, think and write about issues and matters not usually touched elsewhere. I trust that the Holy Spirit who began his good work through this place will continue it and bear good fruit.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 01:10:56 +0000

Perhaps someday a forum of this type will be officially supported by the organization. That would be nice. A few years ago I was working on such an official effort. No one in ubf opposed it. However, because it had never been tried before, no one was sure how it would work out, what kind of oversight would be required, etc. As UBFriends continues to grow and mature and bear fruit, I imagine it could be supported someday. But the same disclaimers would have to apply: that views expressed on UBFriends belong to the individuals who make them.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:44:07 +0000

Yes, Joshua, UBFriends.org is perhaps like “the wind blowing wherever it pleases” (John 3:8).

Perhaps, some bold soul may courageously take the initiative to suggest removal of the label on this website that says, “UBFriends was launched by people who happen to be members of UBF but it is not an official activity of the UBF organization.” “Not an official activity” implies that UBF does not endorse or agree or support what members of UBF comment on here. Is there anything we are doing or saying on this website that is unbiblical or dishonoring to God? Incidentally, this suggestion is not from the admin.

By: Joshua Yoon

Joshua Yoon — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:19:36 +0000

The open dialogue and serious discussion at Jerusalem Council was initiated by the apostle and elders in reponse to the traditional Jewish believers’ insisting on the manadate of circumcision for the Gentiles. Their courage to talk about the elephant in the room is praiseworthy. It was the first step of their obedience to the work of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully we have this web space where we talk about what is on our mind. This is a new work of the Holy Spirit. Hopefully we will be able to have an open dialogue face to face as well and obey the Spirit collectively as members of the body of Christ.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:42:50 +0000

Hi Dr. James, Thanks for being perhaps the only Elder who reads and comments on UBFriends.org. Joe's next article (part 4) speaks about Newbigin's observation and comments of the 2 different ways Westerners have evangelized India, which perhaps is quite pertinent to how our UBF missionaries have evangelized 80 nations so far. When you get a chance to read it, see if you might consider my proposal to being the gracious older Korean missionary to promote an honest open transparent (HOT) dialogue between missionaries and indigenous people, perhaps starting in the U.S.: http://www.ubfriends.org/2011/02/word-spirit-gospel-and-mission-part-4/comment-page-1/#comment-2677

By: James Kim

James Kim — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:31:46 +0000

Hi Joe, thank you for the wonderful series of blogs. This is very relevant topic to our ministry and the church in general.”Again and again it had to be said that election is for responsibility, not for privilege” (Open Secret: Lesslie Newbigin) As you said in your blog, it must have been extremely difficult for the Jewish Christians not to undergo circumcision since this came from none other than God himself through Abraham. But to Paul faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection is non-negotiable/essential. Many other things can be non-essential. Jews were given much privilege as God’s chosen people with purpose; that is to bring the gospel to the end of the world. Privileges were not given just to enjoy them and to be proud. Laws are holy and good and necessary. But it has limitation. From a clinician’s point of view, law is good in diagnostic, but it has severe limitation in treatment/cure. God’s promise was given so that we can accept his amazing grace by faith. When we break the law, we fall into self-condemnation because this points to what I have done for God. When we successfully keep many kinds of laws and rules, we become proud with same reason. On the other hand, when we fail to hold on God’s grace, we can repent and think about what God has done for us again and again. This points to Jesus and makes us humble before God. Jesus summed up Ten Commandments into “Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself”. This is extremely high standard if you think about these commandments honestly. I admit I fail to love my neighbor as myself everyday. But I do not condemn myself. When I fail, the grace of Jesus becomes greater. I come to Jesus again and again. I am so thankful to his abundant grace.

By: david bychkov

david bychkov — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:43:34 +0000

not sure if it is not offtopic, but this reading first time made feel that my activity in this site is not just something fun, but it coould be the part of God plan and mission for me.