DR. SMITH TALKS ABOUT THE PROMISE KEEPERS

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June 6, 1996 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - The following is excerpted from an interview with Sword of the Lord Editor Shelton Smith which appeared in the May 31,1996 issue of the Sword --

Question: Promise Keepers is a new phenomenon on the scene today. What can you tell us about it?

Dr. Smith: It's the latest major attempt to ecumenize the face of Christianity in America. Ecumenism is an attempt to "homogenize" the religious scene so everyone will walk the same, talk the same, do the same-and in the same place at the same time-without attention to distinctives or details.

Question: It sounds so good, and a lot of people seem to be tuned in to it.

Dr. Smith: Yes, unfortunately, they are drawing vast crowds all over the country. The sacrifice of Bible truths is appalling, but so few seem to notice or care. The great truths of God's Word should be held dear and precious. The distinctives of the Bible must never be diluted, compromised or set aside. If you hold the Bible precious to your soul, if the Bible is the Word of God, then certain distinctives will be held.

Question: Why are they so successful?

Dr. Smith: Obviously, they are well-structured, and they are strumming chords that a lot of people want to hear. But there is a dearth of Bible knowledge in America and an even greater lack of commitment to what is known of the Bible. The Promise Keepers' success reflects gullibility, and lots of it. There is so much ignorance of the Bible today; it's tragic. People are grasping in their desperation at all kinds of straws. So many do not check it out by the standards of the Bible; they just grab it and go with it.

Question: But Promise Keepers has its own distinctives, doesn't it?

Dr.. Smith: Yes, they do! Their first distinctive is to require you to set aside your distinctives.

Question: What are you saying?

Dr. Smith: The Promise Keepers have their own agenda, and a part of their stated objective requires you to submit to their pre-set program. Specifically, you can't talk about things like eternal security at Promise Keepers. It's forbidden. Of course they wouldn't want you to say anything about standards for music, since they have chosen to use the rock culture, charismatic style of music for their rallies. An observer at the rally for clergy in Atlanta (Feb., '96) said, "The big-beat contemporary music brought the ministers to their feet, followed by giving a 'high five' to all those around them."

Question: It seems that the zeal of Promise Keepers to disregard doctrinal distinctives in itself creates a doctrine, doesn't it?

Dr. Smith: Yes, it does! And it's a man-made doctrine without biblical foundation! It flies in the face of the Bible with its own directives, especially in regard to sound doctrine and separation from false teachers.

Question: But aren't the Promise Keepers' rallies built around good and worthy goals?

Dr. Smith: They have announced the intention to help men build strong families, but recently it seems the major thrust has been (1) unity of all without regard for doctrinal teaching and (2) rebuking racism.

Question: Do you not find some good things which you can commend with Promise Keepers?

Dr. Smith: That's not the issue! You can usually find a few good things in almost anything. But when there are violations of clear Bible commands (which are not only ignored but encouraged) in order to achieve the goals, it's time to say no. When there are too many flies in the soup, you don't eat the soup.

Question: But it's all voluntary participation, is it not?

Dr. Smith: I'm hearing stories about people being pressured pretty hard. The football coach [PK's founder Bill McCartney] made a significantly disrespectful statement toward pastors who weren't lining up: McCartney said, "Our clergy are divided . . . There is no unity of command . . . There is tremendous division in our clergy . . . If a guy [a pastor] says that he doesn't want to go [to the Promise Keepers' Clergy Conference which was held in Atlanta], he needs to be able to tell us why . . . We've got to have one leadership, one leadership only." This incredible summons is way out of line; it's off-base. Pastors who cave in to the Promise Keepers "leadership" are going to be hearing more such demands made upon them. I think his statement is reflective of what may be expected from the Promise Keepers. They want everybody-Baptists, Catholics, everybody-to do the Promise Keepers thing, no matter what. That's untenable, uncomfortable, unwarranted, totally unacceptable.

Question: I've heard that some fundamentalist pastors, just a few, are promoting Promise Keepers. Would you comment on that?

Dr. Smith: It's a serious mistake on their part. But if I were guessing, it's probably a case where the pastor either didn't have the strength of influence to keep his church out of it or the pressure was so heavy on him, he weakened and did it. But whatever the excuse, if he does it, it's a compromise of truth and position; it's a serious blunder (in my judgment); and I would urge him to call a halt to it and reverse himself even now.

Question: But some large church bodies like the Southern Baptist Convention are cooperating with Promise Keepers.

Dr. Smith: Unfortunately, that's true. Despite the widely heralded conservative resurgence within the SBC, there's a spirit of ecumenism that runs deep within their ranks. It's only one of any number of indicators that their conservatism is not fundamentalism.

Question: So in a word, what's your advice to Bible-believing Christians?

Dr. Smith: Steer clear of Promise Keepers! Do not get into Promise Keepers. Give your loyalty to Bible truth, not a superficial unity. Follow Christ based on Bible truths. Don't get ensnared by this newest ecumenical craze called Promise Keepers ("Dr. Smith Talks about the Promise Keepers," Sword of the Lord, May 31, 1996; (P.O. Box 1099, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37133).