Ecumenicalism

(1 Timothy 4:1-2)

Some may ask to themselves “What could possibly be wrong with uniting all Christians?” I am afraid that the above definition of ecumenicalism, while doctrinally dangerous to Bible believers, is somewhat antiquated and unrepresentative of the current worldly movements. As there has certainly been a lobbying among Christian faiths over the years to unite everyone under one umbrella, there is an even bigger movement to bring together everyone of every faith, Christian and otherwise. Remember, there is a church already that touts itself as the universal church—the word catholic means universal.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH—

From the Catholic Catechism: Who belongs to the Catholic Church?

836 “All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God…. And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation.” ³²⁰

837 “Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who – by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion – are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’” ³²¹

838 “The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter.” ³²² Those “who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.” ³²³ With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound “that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist.” ³²⁴

Between 1962 to 1965 the Catholic Church held a council that has been termed Vatican II. One of the products of this council was a “Decree on Ecumenism” in which the church would make it a priority to strive for unity among the faiths. The catch here is that the Catholic Church will not allow any change in behaviors of Catholic faithful and believe that the unity that they speak of is within their own church. Therefore, the ultimate goal is for everyone to become a Roman Catholic.

Sound far-fetched? In an article posted on Catholic.org on March 10, 2010 with Cardinal William Levada the opening line read: “The goal of ecumenism is union with the Catholic Church, a union that transforms the Church by enriching it, the leader of the Vatican’s faith congregation says.”(Zenit News Agengcy—zenit.org)

This desire of the Catholic Church is evidently not just a pipe dream, as apparent in the Anglican congregation around the world that has recently signed on to join the ranks of the Catholic Church.

Unfortunately, the world has forgotten the tyrannical approach that the Catholic Church took on after the Council of Trent (1545-1564) in which Catholic leaders examined every doctrine of Protestants and declared all that believed any of them to be anathema. Not only were those that believed anything outside the confines of the popery to be labeled as such, but also anyone that denied any of the Catholic Church’s doctrines was to be declared anathema, or “a thing hated, or execrable, devoted to public abhorrence or destruction.” (Catholic Encyclopedia—newadvent.com) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

To be completely forward about these things, it is important to understand that despite the more subtle way that the Catholic Church attempts to lure other religions into her grasp at the present time, the affirmations that were made by the Council of Trent have never been rescinded. So, it is only logical that the Catholic Church’s idea of ecumenicalism does not include them being interested in anything but assimilating all people into their abominable belief system through deceit in the guise of peace. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

A very effective, if underhanded, way to ignore important differences between opposing beliefs would be to purposely fail to address the history of wrongdoing, so that the next generation would have no knowledge of the transgressions that brought them to their current state. Thus, not knowing why they believe one thing over another; being easily deceived into taking anything that is fed, as they would lack the knowledge of truth. From an article on Catholic.org posted on 03/01/2010 concerning Sunni Muslims and the Catholic Church: Finally Catholics and Muslims called for “ensuring that the preaching of religious leaders, as well as school teaching and textbooks, not emit statements or make references to historical events that, directly or indirectly, can arouse a violent attitude among followers of the different religions.” He said that textbooks have inaccuracies “and things that don´t help appreciate the other religion or the other person.” This problem applies not only to the history of religion, but to the teaching of history itself, he suggested. “There is work to be done in fact to give a more nuanced view of certain periods of history, whether it is the Islamic invasions of other countries or whether it is the Crusades,” Archbishop Fitzgerald proposed. (Zenit News Agency—Jose Colina)

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hosea 4:6)

TONY BLAIR FAITH FOUNDATION—

Among the most recent ecumenical movements to sweep the world, Tony Blair is making a big push for uniting all the earth’s faiths. With an all-star cast, the former Prime Minister of England is reared to take the world by storm and push his ambition of mixing globalization and faith.

The premise is that faith is an integral part of life and that all people of all faiths should learn and respect the beliefs of all others. This humanistic ideal is not fitting with what the bible teaches. While we must love and respect people, we cannot respect any doctrine that preaches not the gospel of Jesus Christ. Love them, yes.

Accept their doctrine, no! If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 10-11)

One of the recurring themes in this movement is eliminating “extremism” within religion, in which they want to “educate” the next generation to be more accepting of all other beliefs, starting with the schools and continuing into the university level. What does this mean for bible believers? Well, I think the answer is clear that this movement would consider those of us that hold the Bible as our only authority would be “extreme” for the mere fact that in doing so, we are unable to accept other beliefs. Instead, we pray that all would come to know Christ as their savior; for we can follow no other than Jesus Christ. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (John 10:5)

After abdicating his office as Prime Minister of England in 2007 he became a Catholic. In 2008 at the Cardinal’s Lecture at Westminster Cathedral Blair announced his launching of his Faith Foundation. Since then, there has been much work done to unite the faiths of the world through the preaching that it is necessary for all to focus on similarities, instead of differences. The problem with this philosophy is that while it is nice to have common beliefs, it is unwise to let that blind you to the false doctrines that are also part of many religions around the world. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

I fear that these types of Babylonian ambitions will be attractive to some that are not well-grounded in the Gospels. Therefore I urge you, friends, to read your Bible often and comfort one another with the messages of our Lord and Savior, praying always for one another that we do not become beguiled and fall for men’s doctrines.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.(2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Some of the other, prominent world movements are within The Emerging Church, The World Council of Churches and the Maitreya movement. But, all ultimately have the same goal: uniting faiths under the guise of peace and loving harmony. The interesting thing is that in order for any of these movements to succeed, they will eventually all have to culminate into one, lest their stated goal were to fail. If a house divided cannot stand, then certainly several entities working toward unity cannot remain separate and achieve interfaith cohesion.

When the world tries to convince you that you must accept perversions of God’s holy nature and salvation in the name of peace, then hold fast to what you know of Jesus Christ. Remember, He did not come to establish peace, but to call out a people that will follow Him and His Father, with the assurance that the world would hate you for it. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:34-38)

If contending for the faith of Jesus Christ will set a person at variance with those of your own family, who by nature will love you, then how much more will the world be at disparity with you for taking a stand for Christ? Much more, I suspect. But, friends, take solace in the fact that you are never alone on your journey with Christ. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

Friends, pray for one another so that none get enticed into abandoning the faith for the worldly pleasure of false teachers. I suspect that when it is all said and done, that these movements will produce much more the likeness of an unthinking mob than the peace and harmony that is preached. Not knowing why they have come together, but losing their way by doing so. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (Acts 19:32)

—-Anthony Dentler  (a 27 year veteran of the Roman Catholic Church…..now a Born Again Believer Saved by the Grace of God )