September 14, 2001 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org) - On May 10 I published an article titled "Dave Hunt Speaks at Calvary Chapels." I regretted very much having to write such an article, because I have much respect for Dave Hunt and his Berean Call ministry. I still do, but I felt it was imperative to inform our readers of his close association with Chuck Smith and the Calvary Chapels. In this article I quoted states from the Calvary Chapel web sites and from other sources proving that the Chapels are very ecumenical, that they are Pentecostal in their doctrine of tongues and Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and they have the philosophy that setting high standards for such things as dress and music is legalistic. They helped father the Christian rock movement, in fact. Note the following excerpt from the May 10 article which pertains to their ecumenical position:

"The statement of faith of the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa says: 'We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ.' Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapels, is very ecumenical. In a 1993 book he says: 'We should realize that we're all part of the Body of Christ and that there aren't any real divisions in the Body. We're all one. What a glorious day when we discover that God loves the Baptists! -- And the Presbyterians, and the Methodists, and the Catholics. We're all His and we all belong to Him. We see the whole Body of Christ, and we begin to strive together rather than striving against one another' (Smith, Answers for Today, p. 157). Chuck Smith's ecumenism is also evident from a statement quoted in the December 1995 issue of Sojourner magazine. 'Paul points out that some say, "I'm of Paul," while others say, "I'm of Apollos." He asked, "Isn't that carnal?" But what's the difference between saying that or saying, "I'm a Baptist," "I'm a Presbyterian," "I'm a Methodist," "I'm a Catholic"? I have found that the more spiritual a person becomes, the less denominational he is. We should realize that we're all part of the Body of Christ and that there aren't any real divisions in the Body. We're all one.' A prominent Calvary Chapel associate is Greg Laurie, who is a frequent speaker at Promise Keepers meetings and the Billy Graham Training Center."

One person who read my article wrote to Chuck Smith and received the following reply on August 22nd or 23rd:

"I believe that the Catholic Church is responsible for sending more people to hell than any other institution in the world. I do know true believers in the Catholic church. I think that this is true of most churches. The wheat grows with the tares. Only God knows the heart, and salvation is an individual relationship with the Lord. There are many who attend Calvary Chapel faithfully, but I doubt if they are truly born again, and I am concerned for them and pray for them. It is difficult to paint with a broad brush and say all Catholics are going to hell, for there are some genuine believers among them. I believe that in the messages of Jesus to the seven churches, that the church of Thyatira represents the Roman Catholic church. I am also in agreement with Dave Hunt's book on The Woman Rides a Beast. I feel that for the most part, most of the major denominations are apostate, or well on their way toward apostatism. Yet God has His faithful remnant in each. In Him, Chuck, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa."

The recipient of this note, David O'Dell, forwarded it to me, and thinking that it was a personal note from Chuck Smith to me, I replied to it as follows. I believe it will be helpful for me to publish this reply:

"Thank you for the note, Brother Smith. I am thankful for your discernment about the dangers of Romanism and of the apostasy of these last hours of the church age. I don't see that your statement changes what I wrote, though. Did I misquote you some way in my little article about Dave Hunt? If so, I would be glad to correct it. I didn't say, though, that you agreed withor supported the Catholic Church or modernistic denominations. I simply quoted your ecumenical philosophy that allows for relationships with the Catholic church and the mainstream liberal denominations, that refuses to practice strict biblical separationon the basis of doctrine, and that refuses to publicly and plainly expose ecumenists who are walking hand in hand with Rome and other apostate organizations. The difference between unsaved people within anevangelical assemblyand those withinthe Catholic Church is that one officially preaches a true gospel while the latter officially preaches a false gospel. That is a very large difference, and I am amazed that you would try to equate the two. The Bible does not say we are to allow the tares to grow within the churches. There is to be care in receiving members (Acts 2) and there is to be church discipline for those who have been received (1 Cor. 5; Titus 3:9-10, etc.). The parable that you cited plainly refers to the world, not to the churches. Jesus said the field is the world. Words could not be plainer. Also, I have not said that all Catholics are going to hell. That is not my position and I have never said anything like that. I believe that God eventually leads His people out of false gospels, but it is also true that Revelation 18:4 calls upon God's people to come out of the end-times apostasy, so it is evident to me that some saved people are involved in it. Again, I stand ready and willing to correct any error that unwittingly crept into that article. My desire is to be faithful to the Lord and His word and to befair and honestin my reporting. I consider Dave Hunt a man of God and my love forhim has not changed. At the same time, I strongly disagree with him about associating with the Calvary Chapels and I felt I needed to warn our readers that he is going that route. I realize you could not possibly agree with me about this, as the leader of the Calvary Chapel movement, but I must be faithful to the things I feel the Lord has shown me. Thanks again for the note. David Cloud. August 23, 2001"