PART 5. THE SCREWY XCF THEOLOGY & ROOT CAUSES
The tainted theology at MCF (Melbourne Christian Fellowship) that led to all this is a theology of control by people based on the idea that this makes it 'more real and less mystical' which undoubtedly has some support in Scripture. 'He who cannot love His brother cannot love God' etc.
So it was control by people, but none of the people themselves could minister according to their skills and graces but only by control. Except perhaps at the very top where we watched them lord over us like showmen.
At the end of the day there is very little Scriptural support for the type of control MCF/BCF tried to enact 1993-2010.
Scriptures like
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:6
were used ENDLESSLY to support elders telling us what to do in our private lives (at threat of loss of salvation) and ELDERS BEING THE FACE OF CHRIST. But these Scriptures don't even come close to saying that! If anything they are saying the opposite! God is shining light and knowledge to us DIRECTLY into our hearts!!!!
When the epistles discuss 'obedience', when there are examples it's obedience to GENERIC Christian living or if it is specific edicts and judgements by an elder about a specific person it's about their IMMORALITY - not because they like water sports or want to do a postdoc or start a business.
In Acts 15 when an 'edict' was brought out to the Gentile churches it was summarised in a few points: Abstain from sacrificed foods and idols and if you do that you will do well!
In Titus and 1st & 2nd Timothy (books written to leaders) there are no instructions to keep tabs on the jobs and interests of your flock!
In fact no one in the book of Acts ever 'ran to fellowship'! They ran to Christ and salvation! Not psyching-out sessions.
When the apostles got too busy it wasn't because they were having a dozen meetings a week PSYCHING OUT THEIR FLOCK! It was because they were busy looking after widows and wanted to get back to the study and teaching of the word!
In short: the life of the early Church LOOKS NOTHING LIKE life in XCF churches!
It is another gospel they are preaching. What an abomination.
And they said it was less mystical! Nothing could be further from the truth. Because it was believed they had this 'sight' is was like CLAIRVOYANCE! A session with these men was like attending a seance. You knew they were going to see straight through you with their 'eyes' and it HAD to be the Lord (except when it was 'marred headship').
Of course it was all claptrap and presumption and judgement. What rubbish. What sin.
What possible motivation on BCF's part is there for all of this? Jeff Hammond suggests they are just pawns in Satan's hand. Probably true, but what wayward step led them into his hand? It must be a Spirit of Antichrist against the congregation, not seeing Christ in us'?
But why given that Scripture clearly states we see 'dimly for now' (I Cor 13) would they go for this idea of finding whatever you need to know just by talking to an elder? I think Vic's desire for perfection and control and preeminence led him astray and it beat his need for Scriptural support.
And Vic needed to try and one-up Ray Jackson Snr with his revelations.
Just my two bits.
As far as MCF is concerned it seems to me the elders here are just like teenagers seeking pop-stars because they have this UNQUENCHABLE thirst for 'new words'. When Ray Snr failed they had nowhere to go because Christ isn't enough for them.
Men of MCF & BCF: we have the gospel ALREADY! We don't want it re-interpreted every Easter! We don't need any more books thank-you!