I'm currently reading "What's So Amazing About Grace?" and in it Yancey talks about the Ananias and Sapphira incident with the point of the story being spiritual hypocrisy and how seriously God views spiritual misrepresentation. This was a revelation to me as I don't recall being taught that in this particular example of A&S. Back in the twisted world of Berg & Ilk I remember being taught that this story was about "forsaking all". It was proof positive of what will happen to me as a disciple if I do not turn in everything. The shepherd gave me a class on "forsaking all" the day before I moved in and of course used A&S. So it had quickly and effectively put the fear of God's wrath in me on day one. I happily gave away most of my stuff (I must have clothed from head to toe all the raggedy sisters in the city particularly the ffers!) fearing that should I withhold anything I would drop dead just like A&S.
That fear constantly hovered over me throughout my years in bondage and was cleverly manipulated to encompass not just forsaking material possessions but the forsaking of self, body, mind and soul.
I'm sure Berg must have learned about spiritual misrepresentation as the main point of that story in Bible school but I guess he must have realized that he'd be treading on dangerous ground if he taught it to us because he knew that he was guiltier than A&S and he might be shooting himself in the foot? so highlighted the forsaking all part instead because then he could really lord it over us? I'd appreciate some thoughts on this matter....