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The following report is from O Timothy magazine, Volume 9, Issue 6, 1992. O Timothy is a monthly magazine. David W. Cloud. All rights reserved. Annual subscription is US$20 FOR THE UNITED STATES. Send to Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, , fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail). FOR CANADA the subscription is $20 Canadian. 

Beware of Ecumenism Flying under the Flag of "Revival"

Evangelical and charismatic publications frequently speak of revival these days. But when we look closely at these revivals, or renewal movements, we see the same old ecumenical error. We see a spirit which is antagonistic against doctrine. "Bring Jesus and a loving heart, but leave your doctrines at home," is the spirit of these modern-day "revivals." Christians are being urged to come together and to ignore their doctrinal differences.

The Holy Scripture forbids such a thing. One of the chief purposes of the Bible is for "doctrine" (2 Tim. 3:16). Those who despise doctrine are not following the Spirit of God who inspired the Scriptures.

An article which appeared in Charisma magazine last year illustrates this dangerous false revival spirit. The article is entitled "Revival Dawns on the Pacific Northwest," but it is evident that this "revival" is not Bible-based. Consider a few excerpts:

The so-called Northwest renewal effort began when Multnomah president Joe Aldrich, 49, was disturbed by data that classifies the Pacific Northwest region as spiritually desolate. Only 3 percent of Washington's residents attend church - the lowest figure in the nation, statisticians say. Oregon holds the second-lowest church attendance rate. ...

Acting on the theory that a genuine revival can be ignited only after church leaders have been "renewed and retooled," Aldrich organized a pastors' prayer gathering in the Salem, Oregon, area 18 months ago. It was not a typical ministerial meeting. The participants traveled to a remote spot on the Oregon coast to pray, worship and enjoy fellowship over a four-day period. Leaders representing Baptist, Episcopalian, Evangelical Free, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, and various charismatic and Pentecostal churches united to form a rare mixture of styles, tastes and doctrines that have become characteristic of all the other Northwest renewal sessions.

So far, some 500 pastors from Oregon and Washington have participated in similar events in 18 different cities or rural districts. A total of 45 communities have scheduled pastors' retreats in the near future.

Denominational differences are ignored during the retreats. Prayer, brotherly affection and the worship of Jesus are emphasized. Communion is served each night and hymns are sung, but no preaching is allowed.

In one Northwest renewal meeting, a Lutheran pastor stopped prayers to admit that he could not continue without repenting for speaking against charismatics from his pulpit. His apology prompted a remorseful charismatic pastor across the room to renounce publicly a smug attitude he normally vented toward non-charismatics. ...

Henry Blackaby, director of prayer and spiritual awakening for the SBC's Home Mission Board in Atlanta, says ... reconciliation between some so-called "moderates" and "conservatives" in the SBC has also occurred as a result of solemn assemblies. ...

At a solemn assembly in Orlando, Florida, called by [Southern Baptist] state convention president J.C. Mitchell, more than 600 Baptists sought forgiveness for their own sins and the sins of the nation. "Forgive us for dividing ourselves into two camps," Mitchell prayed during the event as pastors, laypersons and employees wept openly. ...

The grievousness of such a prayer becomes evident when we consider that the division within the Southern Baptist Convention is between those who believe the Bible and those who do not, between those who believe the Bible and those who pervert it with modernistic error. God expressly commands His people to separate from error. What a foolish thing to see a Christian leader asking forgiveness for doing that which God has commanded!

[John] Dawson's [Youth With A Mission area director] theory is that revival cannot occur in a community where Christians are divided -- even if the rifts are rooted in century-old grievances. ... Church leaders today have an attitude that is recognizably different from the attitudes of just a year ago, observes Dawson. "... they are honoring each other and each other's movements." ...

Glenn Sheppard, senior associate for prayer for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, agrees with Dawson. ... "I believe we are entering a post-denominational era," he theorizes, expressing a conviction that various churches and ministries will engage in a deeper level of cooperation as renewal efforts increase.

That level of cooperation was evident at the Kitsap Pavilion in the western Puget Sound area of Washington last September, observers said, when more than 40 churches canceled their Sunday morning services to worship corporately. "When I told my church we were going to meet together with the other Christians in the area, their response was, `It's about time'." recalls Scott Montagne, pastor of Bayside Community Church.

Don't be led astray by the "good words and fair speeches" of those who walking contrary to the Word of God. True revival will never result in carelessness in doctrine. The pastor is commanded to "Take heed unto thyself, AND UNTO THE DOCTRINE; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Tim. 4:16). Obedient pastors will not lead their churches into fellowship with false doctrine under the flag of a supposed revival; they will protect the churches from error.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Rom. 16:17