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Fundamental
Evangelistic Association
selected
articles from:
©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Is the Gospel the Only Essential?
©FOUNDATION Magazine Editorial,
July-August 1999
A significant
document entitled "The Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical
Celebration" was recently released in the June 14, 1999, issue of Christianity
Today. Without question, this paper will have a far-reaching impact on the evangelical
community and also upon groups beyond those normally defined as "evangelical."
Those of us who are Fundamentalists basically agree with the contents of this study paper.
However, the document contains a crucial action clause of joint affirmation by the signers
indicating not only their commitment to evangelization and "allegiance to
Christ himself, to the Gospel itself '(we can certainly agree with this), but also their
pledge of allegiance "... to each other as fellow evangelical believers" as
well. It is on this point where we, as Fundamentalists, must draw the line.
Of course, it is generally understood that no
organizational unity among the signing Evangelicals will emerge from this agreement-no one
is becoming a member of anything. But the fact remains that a form of unity indeed emerges
among all who choose to attach their name to the document. Not only does each endorser
publicly join all the other signers who make up the "Confirmed Endorsing
Committee" in their agreement to the Gospel message, but they also pledge their
commitment to one another. Many will view this joint affirmation as a practical unity.
The idea that the Gospel is the only essential
doctrine around which believers should unite has characterized New Evangelicalism from its
inception. This basic premise underlies the very purpose of this latest paper as well. But
what has been jettisoned in the process? The ability of one signer to warn about false
doctrine propagated by another signer is no longer possible because it may not be
considered 11 essential" to the faith if it does not concern the doctrine of
salvation. And, because the signers have committed themselves to one another based on the
common Gospel message, they will find it difficult to separate from another signer who
possesses faulty theology concerning the person of Christ, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit
or any other teaching that does not pertain to the doctrine of salvation.
Though we might agree with a fellow brother
regarding the Gospel message, would God have us to covenant with him if we disagree on
other Biblical truths? The Scriptures continually emphasize the apostolic authority and
God-given inspiration behind all Biblical doctrines; surely, this fact alone reveals God's
mind as to what is, in fact, "essential" to Him. The very concept that
"only the Gospel message is essential for fellowship" is simply unbiblical. Jude
commands all believers to 11 earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints" (Jude 3). Does "the faith" include just the Gospel? Absolutely
not! The church's very foundation is the apostolic, inspired truth of God's written
Word-the Faith (Eph. 2:19-2:5). We cannot maintain silence when the public ministries of
evangelical and even fundamentalist brethren teach error. Why? Because the Bible says so:
2 Timothy 2:15-21; 2 Thessalonians 3:6 cf. 2:15; Acts 20:27-32.
As Fundamentalists, we believe the Bible
clearly and persistently demands of the believer that he insist upon not just a pure
Gospel but also sound doctrine. God's Word instructs the believer to identify false
teaching (not just regarding the doctrine of salvation) and to separate from it (Rom.
16:17). We are told in 1 John 5: 1 0-1 1, "If there come any unto you, and bring not
this doctrine [all aspects of the doctrine of Christ, not just this example of heresy],
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God
speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
David Neff, executive editor of Christianity
Today, penned the following words in his editorial comments which introduced the
document:
Last year, two evangelical theologians had a bright
idea. Wouldn't it be wonderful, they said, if evangelicals could achieve a broad consensus
on the gospel and join in a common statement? These theologians felt the pinch of recent
tense discussions over how to define the doctrine of justification [1 994 and 1997,
Evangelicals and Catholics Together, The Gift of Salvation], a key element of the gospel.
They saw the need for a reference document for those engaged in interchurch dialogue, for
theological students, for pastors, for parachurch ministries, for itinerant evangelists,
and for the rest of us.
Many evangelicals certainly did feel a
"pinch" over the two ECT documents previously issued by Evangelical and Roman
Catholic theologians. A previous issue of Foundation magazine dealt with the
redefinition and deceptive spin given to Biblical terms relating to justification and
related truths regarding God's great salvation. Several of those involved in drafting the
ECT documents either helped draft this latest document or were the first to jump aboard
the "Confirmed Endorsing Committee."
To a fundamentalist, the purpose of this paper
seems ambiguous since any professing Evangelical should already understand the content of
the Gospel message. It seems as though this document was specifically intended to promote
unity rather than define the Gospel message itself. The problem with this document is the
unbiblical impression that the Gospel is the only "essential" and that, on other
Biblical issues, differences need to be set aside for the sake of a new measure of unity.
Who are some of the religious leaders who have
signed? Can we join these people and ' therefore, express a unity with, for example, Bill
Hybel's understanding of how to build a super church; Jack Hayford and Pat Robertson's
teaching regarding the Charismatic movement's heresies-, John MacArthur's doctrinal
considerations of the Blood of Christ and Lordship salvation; Bill McCartney's Charismatic
vision of an ecumenical Promise Keeper's movement; Charles Swindoll's promotion of New
Evangelicalism and rejection of separation; Max Lucado's understanding of baptismal
regeneration as a Church of Christ minister; R. C. Sproul's error regarding the literal
fulfillment of coming prophetic events; John Stott's concern that a literal, eternal hell
is subject to question; Kay Arthur's preaching of Bible and psychology?
The Bible requires separation from
disobedience, and It does not allow for identification with error by way of a pledged
fellowship. Many have signed the "Evangelical Celebration," and many more will
certainly sign it in the days to come. Each signature is an endorsement of New Evangelical
compromise and is a repudiation of Biblical, militant, historical Fundamentalism. DWC
D.W.
Costella
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