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By Ralph G. Colas
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service. These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites without permission from the author. Any articles which are redistributed by e-mail or print must be left intact and nothing must be removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our primary purpose is to provide information to assist preachers in the protection of the churches in this apostate hour. If you desire to receive this type of material on a regular basis, e-mail us, tell us who you are and where you are located, and request to be placed on the list. Also include your postal address and the name of the church of which you are a member. Some of these articles are from the "Digging in the Walls" section of O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 14th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. The Way of Life web site is http://www.wayoflife.org/.]
April 1, 1996 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org)- The following is excerpted from a report in the April 1996 issue of the ACCC Challenge. For a copy of the full report, contact the American Council of Christian Churches, P.O. Box 19, Wallingford, PA 19086-0019. (610) 566-8154. Please include a gift to cover expenses--
"This is an historic event never before matched anywhere in this nation" is the way Promise Keepers (PK) leaders described the gathering of 39,024 clergy in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. Clergymen came from all 50 states, 11 Canadian Provinces, as well as 16 other nations. Texas was the state with the highest number registered--2,657. Participants ranged from retirement age to young men fresh out of seminary, but no women were permitted to attend--even though some attempted to do so as members of the clergy.
PK's founder, Bill McCartney, a former University of Colorado football coach, declared denominational barriers had been removed, and every Protestant group as well as Roman Catholics were welcome to participate. HE SAID ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF PK IS TO BREAK DOWN DENOMINATIONAL WALLS. According to McCartney, "The church is in bondage to the giant of denominational restrictions and another giant of racial and ethnic boundaries. PK is dedicated to uniting men through vital relationships. . ."
While the registration fee brought in $3-$4 million, it is the sale of PK products that is the money producer: polo shirts, $28; windbreakers, $35; sweatshirts, $45; caps, $10-$16; coffee mugs, $5. These are just a few of the items marketed by PK. Tapes, videos, books, and other PK materials also provide substantial income for PK. Their yearly income is reported as more than $110 million! . . .
Joseph Garlington, senior pastor of the non-denominational Covenant Church (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), was the emcee. He announced, "This is God's House we are meeting in these next three nights." He asked the ministers to turn to one another and say, "The Lord is calling." The next "chant" shared with one another was "There is room for you in the body of Christ." This was the beginning tactic to "work the crowd" and to break down any reservations a clergyman might have toward those of a different religious group. The clergy eagerly followed the leaders' suggestions.
Dale Schlafer reported this was the largest and most diverse meeting of God's Church in the world. He said, "Some churches represented have ten members while others have 20,000. THERE ARE PRIESTS, BISHOPS, AND MINISTERS FROM EVERY DENOMINATION IN OUR COUNTRY." He proceeded to relate some had been fasting for 30-40 days, asking the Father "to reunite us."
Bill McCartney, founder of PK, said, "This is a dream come true. Our Father in Heaven has sent out the invitation for Biblical unity. Biblical unity is the only way we will survive in the days ahead. It is based on John 17, `that they be one as we are one.' . . . Contention between denominations has gone on long enough. If the Church ever stood together Almighty God would have His way."
McCartney continued speaking concerning denominational walls. "The Church has never stood together to declare to the giant of denominationalism: `We will no longer be in bondage to you.'" He quoted Paul: "Who are you to judge another man's servant?" . . .
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: McCartney's citation of Romans 14:4 is out of context. The Apostle was referring to judging others on matters not covered in Scripture. The two examples given in Romans 14 are food and holy days. The New Testament gives no restrictions on such things. Thus it is wrong to judge others in this. To apply this to judging the doctrine and practice of denominations is a great error. The Bible's exhortation to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3) is an imperative to judge doctrine and practice.]
The big beat, contemporary music brought the ministers to their feet, followed by giving a "high five" to all those around them. . . .
The final day of the Clergy Conference was under the theme Spreading the Flame. Dr. James Ryle, Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Longmont, Colorado), who is Bill McCartney's pastor, spoke on two great demons: racism and denominationalism. . . . HE URGED THE MEN TO HAVE CITY-WIDE MEETINGS WHERE "DENOMINATIONAL DISTINCTIVES ARE SET ASIDE. Unity is based on our love for Jesus. It is like the Trinity--organic unity." . . .
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: To say that denominational division is sin is to say that doctrine is not important, because doctrine is one of the key things which divides denominations and churches! Some churches teach sound doctrine about Jesus Christ and some teach false doctrine. Some teach sound doctrine about salvation; some, false doctrine. Some teach sound doctrine about baptism; some, false doctrine. Some teach sound doctrine about the Holy Spirit; some, false doctrine. Some teach sound doctrine about the New Testament church; some, false doctrine. Timothy's job in Ephesus was "that thou mightest charge some that they TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE" (1 Timothy 1:3). When a church stands upon the whole counsel of New Testament doctrine, it automatically becomes divided from churches which stand for different doctrine. This cannot be avoided, and it is not wrong. In fact, God forbids sound churches from associating with those who hold different doctrine (Romans 16:17).]
The walls which Promise Keepers is attempting to break down are doctrinal walls, and this is unscriptural and wrong.
[Max Lucado's] message dealt with Denominational Harmony: From Bondage to Freedom. . . . Lucado spoke of PK's statement of faith and emphasized that they are committed to truth and unity, "which are equal." He said, "I submit myself to the Word and there are core beliefs. However, for too long we have allowed our differences to divide us instead of our agreements to unite us." He urged that they subscribe to the premise, "In essentials unity--in non-essentials charity."
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: We wonder if Lucado considers the gospel itself "essential"? If so, how can he yoke together with Roman Catholics who add sacraments to Christ's salvation? The phrase "in essentials unity--in non-essentials charity" is a smokescreen for disobedience to biblical separation. While not every teaching of scripture is of equal importance, the Bible does not divide doctrine into essential and non-essential. Timothy's job in Ephesus was to make certain that NO OTHER DOCTRINE be allowed (1 Timothy 1:3). There is no hint here that some portions of apostolic truth are "non-essential." Paul labored to preach THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD (Acts 20:27). The man who strives to be faithful to every detail of New Testament truth will find it impossible to be comfortable in an ecumenical Promise Keepers-type environment. As one wise man observed, "You will have a limited fellowship, or you will have a limited message."]
He then had the 40,000 call out their denominations all at once, and in the mixed multitude none could be identified. When Lucado asked them who was the Messiah, "Jesus" was the immediate response, and that name came through loud and clear.
Lucado [said] "The sin of disunity causes people to go to Hell!" (No chapter and verse was given.) . . . "The step to unity is acceptance and no longer to speak evil of one another. WOULD IT NOT BE WONDERFUL NOT TO BE KNOWN AS EITHER PROTESTANT OR CATHOLIC? This is a God-sized dream and no one in our generation has ever seen the Church united."
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: This is not a God-sized dream; it is the vision of the Harlot that John recorded in Revelation 17. Promise Keepers is confused about the church. It certainly is not all the alleged Christian denominations. The focus on the New Testament Scriptures is upon the church as a local body of baptized believers organized according to the apostolic pattern for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This is the church which is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3). To define the "church" as the denominations and to call for this hodgepodge of doctrinal and moral confusion "to stand together" is utter confusion. The denominations today are more akin to the Harlot of Revelation 17 than to the church of Jesus Christ.]
LUCADO THEN PLED THAT EVERY CLERGYMAN WHO HAD EVER SPOKEN AGAINST ANOTHER GROUP OR DENOMINATION, FIND A MEMBER OF THAT GROUP AND APOLOGIZE. Steve Green then belted out repeatedly "Let the Walls Come Down." The 40,000 ministers shouted, whistled, clapped, and cheered as they worked to a higher and higher pitch of emotion.
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: We are to apologize for warning people of false gospels and false baptisms and false spirits and false Christs and false sacraments and false mediators and false views of the church and false views of Scripture? We are to apologize for warning of sin and worldliness and compromise? I have spoken against many Christian groups and denominations, because God commands me to preach the truth AND to expose error (2 Timothy 4:1-6). I refuse to apologize for obeying God. By God's grace I am going to keep on exposing error until the Lord takes me to Glory. And by God's grace I am going to name names and be specific about the error and the sin. Oh God, help us have the courage in these evil hours to honor and obey you rather than man.] . . .
Immediately Dr. Jack Hayford began to confess his litany of sins of racism. . . . He begged [African-Americans] for their forgiveness for times he had supported positions that limited or removed public or taxpayer financial support for these minorities.
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: It is not wrong or unscriptural to stand against socialistic redistribution of wealth from those who work to those who do not work. This has nothing to do with racism. The Bible says those who do not work should not eat. There is nothing to apologize for here.] . . .
Dr. Billy Graham sent a message relayed to everyone to "tear down the walls that separate us." . . .
As a planned act of symbolic unity, a communion service followed. . . .
1. Having had the opportunity to cover, with press credentials, many religious meetings (both in the U.S.A. and abroad), THIS WAS PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THEM ALL. While there may be some good things said at a PK conference, this meeting included compromise, ecumenism, apostasy, Jesuit casuistry (the end justifies the means), and hyper-emotionalism, along with a theology based on relationships rather than Biblical truth.
2. PK's announcement that clergy were present from EVERY denomination was unprecedented. McCartney said, "No such meeting was held in the past 400 years, and IT IS EXCITING TO SEE THE DENOMINATIONAL BARRIERS COME DOWN AS WE HAVE PROTESTANTS AND ROMAN CATHOLICS HERE TOGETHER. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING IS TO HAVE THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH."
PK overlooks a basic premise--that unity is based on Truth, not on a hodgepodge of religious fervor.
3. There was no mention--much less emphasis--at this conference that believers are to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11). Never once were the apostate National and World Councils of Churches exposed. Neither was there any teaching against the heretical doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Mormons who participate in PK are never identified as members of a cult. While one speaker said, "We love Jesus--but what Jesus" and added, "there is the importance of sound doctrine," it was never made clear what "sound doctrine" is.
4. When a question was asked at a press conference regarding "laughing revivals"--where those involved "bark like dogs" and "bray like donkeys"--Dr. Henry Blackaby (SBC) said, "WE DON'T TRY TO EVALUATE THAT, AND NEITHER DO WE TAKE A POSITION REGARDING WOMEN SERVING AS PASTORS." Dr. Joseph Stowell [President, Moody Bible Institute] immediately declared, "OUR GOD DOES NOT EVER WEAR AN ANGRY FACE. He deals with compassion."
[O TIMOTHY EDITOR: We don't know what Bible Dr. Stowell uses, but it is not the same one we use! Does he really think God did not have an angry face when He told Moses He was going to destroy Israel for its sin (Exodus 32:9,10), or that Jesus Christ did not have an angry face when He drove the money changers out of the temple? The Bible says the Lord Jesus Christ "looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts" (Mark 3:5).]
5. These thousands of clergymen hugged one another, laid hands on one another's head, and also exchanged names, addresses, and phone numbers. This took place so that when they returned home they could being to network in communication and to begin "prayer meetings" together. They were urged to refrain from "criticism of any other group." PK wants reconciliation in spite of doctrinal differences between churches--even Protestant and Roman Catholic groups. . . .
The 22 Men's Conferences that are scheduled for 1996 have as the theme, Break Down the Walls. Randy Phillips' message to the laymen is "Isolation is the breeding ground for walls--walls of separation. Men, we are coming together in 22 stadiums in 1996 to BREAK DOWN THE WALLS!" . . .
6. PK IS MUCH MORE THAN A GROUP ATTEMPTING TO HELP MEN LIVE GODLY LIVES. IT IS A COMMITTED PROGRAM OF INTENTIONAL COMPROMISE--AN ECUMENICAL TRAIN MOVING FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER. Pastors and local churches who want to stand true to Christ must refuse all and any attempts to lead the sheep into the pastures where poisonous food is offered by this dangerous movement. God's Word reminds pastors that they are not only to feed the flock of God but also to guard it against "wolves in sheep's clothing" (Acts 20:28).