The Truth About The World Council Of Churches
Marion H.
Reynolds, Jr.
April 19, 1919 - Sept. 3, 1997
©Fundamental Evangelistic Association
[An older (1979) yet timely tract published by
Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Editor FOUNDATION MAGAZINE, Fundamental Evangelistic
Association. A very recent report on the World Council of Churches was published in
the March-April 1999 issue of FOUNDATION.]
"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?" This catchy
question is also the title of a 1978 publication of the WCC. It is an obvious attempt to
answer some of the vital questions and criticisms which are being raised by those who love
Jesus Christ and who value our cherished American freedoms. However, far from answering
such questions and complaints, a discerning reader will discover that the WCC actually
confirms the charges of doctrinal deviations and political radicalism.
This leaflet is written to provide factual, up-to-date information regarding the World
Council of Churches. We are concerned when we find so many true, Bible-believing
Christians who still hold membership in denominations which are a part of the WCC (see
complete listing of USA and Canada member denominations on the last page). We also believe
that others, both within and without the church, who believe in our free-enterprise system
should be informed as to how ecumenical church leaders are seeking to replace capitalism
with some form of socialism or communism under the false label of the Kingdom of God. All
quotations given in this article are either from the above-mentioned WCC publication or
from one of the official documents presented at the meeting of the WCC Central Committee
held in Kingston, Jamaica, January 1-11, 1979, which the author of this leaflet attended
as a member of the press. Thus, all information is strictly up-to-date and fully
documented.
THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES begins with its organization in
1948 with 147 denominations from both Protestant and Orthodox back- grounds. Today, it has
grown to include 293 member d nominations representing some 400 million people. It has
been and is a major force and voice of what is commonly called ECUMENISM, a term used to
describe the effort to bring all churches into "a visible unity in one faith and one
eucharistic fellowship". The WCC, while admitting that the ecumenical movement is
broader than its own institution, claims with ample justification that it is "the
most nearly comprehensive instrument of the ecumenical movement in the world today".
It should be further noted that, while the original goal of the ecumenical movement and
the WCC was "the unity of the churches", the new vision of the WCC is for the
unity of all religions-and, in fact, all mankind. It should be clear to all who have been
watching the WCC that it has become a modern Tower of Babel.
THE DOCTRINAL POSITION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is deceptive. Supporters
of the WCC frequently point to their doctrinal basis when charges of doctrinal heresies
and deviations are leveled against the Council. But be sure to read the fine print! Be
sure to observe how this doctrinal basis is either ignored or stretched beyond
recognition.
THE WCC's DOCTRINAL BASIS SIMPLY SAYS: "The World Council of Churches is a
fellowship of Churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to
the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of
the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." It is hard to find anything wrong with
that, right? However, two paragraphs later in this WCC publication, we read, "Since
the World Council of Churches is not itself a church, it passes no judgment upon the
sincerity with which member churches accept the basis." Did you get that? You can
sign the WCC doctrinal basis whether or not you are sincere and no one will question it.
And in the very next paragraph we read the following: "Some very conservative
churches judge the basis not biblical enough; some liberal churches DO NOT ACCEPT THE
TRINITARIAN FORMULA." What do you think about that? How can anyone claim to be
Christian who denies the Trinity? Yet, the WCC admits it has such churches in membership.
In fact, the WCC actually boasts of and glories in their doctrinal diversities. They admit
that "Ecumenism exists by holding contradictions together." They admit that
"it is impossible to speak of a single 'theology of the Council' as such." We
remind Bible- believers that such unity is not true Biblical unity -it is plain, open
disobedience to the Word of God. II John 9-11 .
WCC DOCTRINAL DEVIATIONS WERE CLEARLY OBSERVABLE from the Central Committee
documents in Jamaica. For instance, note the FALSE TEACHING OF BAPTISMAL REGENERATION.
One document said "Through Baptism every person is made part of the Christian
Community . . ." Again, "Through Baptism we are redeemed from the powers of sin
and death and incorporated into the one body of Christ." Note also the FALSE
TEACHING OF UNIVERSALISM: "Put succinctly, salvation is a total involvement of
God in the world. There is no sphere of life with which human beings, as individuals, as
community or as nations, have to wrestle that is not related to God. Jesus Christ is this
total involvement of God. In His life, suffering, cross and resurrection, all humanity
with its agonies and struggles is judged, liberated and REDEEMED It is this Christ who has
called us as Christians to follow him in God's continuing work of creation and
re-creation" And again, "Christians believe that all human beings are part of a
dynamic pointing towards the messianic Kingdom . . The Biblical witness refers to this
final aim as the 'Kingdom of God' which embraces the two dimensions of redemption of the
whole of creation and personal fulfillment for each human being." No wonder the WCC
is confused in its programs! It is confused in its doctrine!
THE POLITICAL RADICALISM OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is apparent. Just as
in the case of doctrinal diversities, the WCC boasts of its ability to hold together exact
opposites in the realm of politics. They say, "On other issues the churches recognize
strong differences of opinion and seek to maintain a continuing dialogue among their own
members. These differences are not limited to trivial matters. For example, THE WORLD
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES INCLUDES PACIFIST MEMBER CHURCHES .... IT ALSO INCLUDES
REVOLUTIONARIES. Both groups contribute insights to the WCC. They continue to try to
influence each other. And the WCC INCLUDES BOTH WITHIN ITS FELLOWSHIP." There you
have it in their own words.
Do not forget for one minute, however, that when WCC leaders speak and WCC
pronouncements are issued IT IS ALWAYS THE VOICE OF RADICALISM AND REVOLUTION THAT IS
HEARD. There are repeated attacks upon "Western Imperialism" and
"capitalism" but seldom a word of criticism for socialism and communism. Non-
communist dictatorships are repeatedly attacked but no word is ever spoken against the
communist dictators. A few conservative voices are occasionally heard within WCC
meetings-but these rarely, if ever, become a part of the official statements which go to
the governments of the world and to the United Nations as a "representative voice of
the churches". Those who claim that the WCC is becoming more "evangelical"
are either blind or naive. Evangelicals who remain in the WCC are being used as window
dressing to hide the WCC apostasy.
IN JAMAICA, A PRIME TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS THE $85,000 GRANT TO THE PATRIOTIC FRONT
OF ZIMBABWE (actually a communist guerrilla group). The Salvation Army, the Irish
Presbyterian Church and a Lutheran Church in Germany have all suspended membership in
protest. Both the secular and religious press waited for some explanation, some
justification of this atrocious grant to a group which has boasted of murdering
missionaries and shooting down a commercial airplane. But all the press really got from
the WCC was a charge that the news media had misrepresented and falsified the situation.
The WCC Central Committee stood behind its PCR Commission which had recommended the grant
and the executive officers who approved it. They concluded by saying that "although
the adverse image and understanding of the PCR needs to be changed, the content and thrust
of the PCR itself should not be changed." Incidentally, PCR is the abbreviation for
the WCC's "Program to Combat Racism"-but in reality, it should be called the
"Program to Continue Revolution". Over three million dollars has been given to
radical groups around the world. While it is claimed that all moneys in this fund come
from designated gifts, this program could not operate without the administrative offices
and support of the WCC. Those who remain in membership in WCC affiliated churches cannot
be absolved from responsibility for giving this aid to the revolutionaries around the
world.
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW SOCIETY
based on socialistic principles and deceitfully called "The Kingdom of God".
They state: "The participation of the Church in the creation of a new society is not
a secondary or derivative dimension of its existence. It begins at the very centre in the
celebration of the sacraments as an anticipation of what the world is to become ...."
Dr. Philip Potter, WCC General Secretary, quoted from a 1969 WCC Central Committee
directive as follows: "We call upon the churches to move beyond charity, grants and
traditional programming to relevant and sacrificial action leading to new relationships of
dignity and justice among all men and to become THE AGENTS FOR THE RADICAL
RECONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY." He also made it perfectly clear what this involved
when he said, "But the conflict has become intense when it has been perceived that A
RADICAL CHANGE OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED AND NOT THE MERE
PRUDENTIAL TRANSFER OF RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES." Another WCC document stated:
"In the developed countries it means changes in the production structure and
employment policies which will ONLY BE POSSIBLE THROUGH A CERTAIN 'SOCIALIZATION' of
decisions that have so far been taken autonomously on the basis of interests of the
private sector." MR. BUSINESSMAN, MR. and MRS. FREEDOM-LOVING AMERICAN-the World
Council of Churches has made it abundantly clear what their goal is! Are you willing to
sit idly by or even help support this effort to destroy the very foundations of our faith
and freedom ?
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SUBSTITUTES DIALOGUE FOR WITNESSING. Having
substituted the building of a new society in place of the preaching of the gospel of
salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that the WCC should
forsake "witness" for "dialogue" even while claiming that dialogue is
a form of witness, In recent years, the WCC has been engaged in official dialogues with
almost everyone-Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanists, Traditional
African Religions and Communists. As previously noted, the original goal of
"Christian unity" has been superseded with the goal of the "unity of all
mankind". They say, "opportunities and occasions for dialogue cannot and must
not be confined to men of religious faiths but also must involve men of secular
ideologies." This dialogue program is attractively presented as the WCC claims:
"Dialogue offers the promise of discovering new dimensions of understanding our
faith." One repeatedly told of how dialogue "enriches dimensions of
understanding our faith" but strangely, nothing is ever said about proclaiming the
truth of the gospel in such a way that men "turn to God from idols to serve the
living and true God."
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT DIALOGUE IS INDEED ONE OF THE GREAT DANGERS AND DECEPTIONS
BEING PRACTICED AND ENCOURAGED BY THE WCC. What is dialogue? According to their own
definition, dialogue is, ". . . an OPENING OF THE MIND AND HEART TO OTHERS. It is an
undertaking which requires RISK as well as a deep sense of vocation .... THIS OPENING,
THIS RISK, this vocation this sensitivity are at the heart of the ecumenical movement and
in the deepest currents of the life of the churches." Further, the WCC says,
"Love requires us to recognize and respect the integrity of our partners who enter
into dialogue from the standpoint of their faith and commitment." This is exactly the
opposite of Biblical teaching. God says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:11. The WCC tells us that
dialogue is a required form of witness in a pluralistic world, yet they take special pains
to assure their partners in dialogue that they "come not as manipulators but as
genuine fellow-pilgrims ...." The WCC principle of dialogue implies that the
Christian is a searcher for truth rather than a proclaimer of the Truth. The WCC says,
"Be open, be vulnerable, take a risk." The Word of God says, "Beware!"
"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are
ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15. Will you follow Christ or the WCC?
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND THE UNITED NATIONS continue their close ties.
In fact, we might call them "blood brothers". There were repeated favorable
references to all sorts of UN programs in the Central Committee Documents at Jamaica - The
New International Economic Order, the New International Information Order, the World
Health Organization, the World Court, UNESCO, etc. It was reported that "an
intervention was made on behalf of the WCC in the Security Council debate on South Africa
in March 1977." It was stated that they were seeking "to sensitize churches,
inviting them to lobby with their governments . . . as well as to mark the 30th
Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." The WCC issued a special
document promoting the UN sponsored International Year of the Child, totally ignoring the
fact that even though this appeal is made with the image of starving children in mind, the
real thrust of this program is toward socialization of the child and the family.
Individual believers and churches that are opposed to the philosophy and program of the UN
should realize that it is not their voice which is heard in places of power and
decision-it is the voice of the false prophets in the WCC that prevail and speak for you
whether you like it or not.
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES stands for DISARMAMENT and against U.S. NATIONAL
SECURITY. The WCC is geared for a massive propaganda effort against our historic
concept of national security. They want complete and unilateral disarmament-and they want
it now. But it is ironic that at the very time the WCC is attacking America and the
nations of the Free World for wanting to maintain national security, they are insisting on
national sovereignty and security for the many new nations and governments which have been
formed through communist revolutions. Following the WCC "Program for Disarmament and
Against Militarism and the Arms Race" would leave America defenseless against her
enemies. Yet, the Central Committee in Jamaica said that the churches should give
"the highest priority" to implementation of this program. But if you read the
entire document, you find that the WCC has taken this strong position in spite of the
admission that they have not fully explored the underlying theological issues. They say,
"These two meetings . . . have underlined the need for more substantial work; on the
theological issues involved. They have posed questions rather than providing
answers." What dangerous hypocrisy and liberal bias this reveals. Americans should
remember that nations which lose their freedom rarely have a second chance.
THE CONFUSION, DOUBLE-TALK AND CONTRADICTIONS IN FACT OF THE WCC ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE
TO ANYONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN! As the years have slipped
by with little progress toward the goal of "one visible church" their
frustrations have been manifested in the use of clever language to hide their failures.
Instead of "One Church we hear talk of "conciliar fellowship" and
"unity in reconciled diversity" and trying to "relate the right kind of
diversity to the right kind of unity." Through the years, they have followed the old
ecumenical motto, "Service Unites, Doctrine Divides". But in spite of their wish
to ignore doctrine, the issue continues to reappear. At times, WCC leaders introduce new
word games or "theological breakthroughs" which they announce with a great
fanfare, seeking to revive the hopes of their disillusioned followers.
THE LATEST "BRIGHT SPOT" ON THE WCC's THEOLOGICAL HORIZON is the idea that
while they may not all be able to agree on the content of their faith, they can still
agree that there is HOPE. The problem is that they cannot even agree on what that HOPE is.
One of the WCC documents at Jamaica said, "The difference between the hopes expressed
from different parts of the world-Africa, Latin America, North America, Eastern
Europe-diverged so widely that ONE WAS TEMPTED TO ASK WHETHER THEY WERE SPEAKING OF THE
SAME HOPE or indeed whether they can even give a common account of hope." But they
went on to state, "Yet, the common attempt itself has become a source of hope,"
How sad it is that those in the WCC are ignoring the Bible which tells us plainly that our
hope -our only hope-is the return of Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13. How sad it is that they
ignore the teaching of Scripture that the Kingdom of God is not some socialistic kingdom
established through the efforts of man, but a perfect and righteous Kingdom to be set up
by our Lord Jesus Christ in spite of and apart from any effort of man to either thwart or
aid the establishment of that Kingdom. Daniel 2:44. Revelation 19:13-16.
AT THE VERY HEART OF THE WHOLE MATTER IS THE FAILURE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF
CHURCHES TO ACCEPT THE BIBLE as the authoritative, infallible, inerrant, eternal,
unchangeable Word of God. Note the following: "In the WCC we experience both the
possibility for common confession of faith and worship together and also the obstacles to
Christian unity, We are agreed in giving vital place in our thinking to bible study and
worship; we are able to worship our one Lord in the very different way of the churches
represented among us. YET WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF THE
BIBLE REMAINING UNSOLVED AMONG US and of the fact that we are yet part of one eucharistic
fellowship. It is not surprising therefore that there is controversy among Christians
about the meditative use (rather than simply the intellectual study) of the holy books of
other faiths and about the QUESTION OF COMMON WORSHIP BETWEEN THOSE OF DIFFERENT
FAITHS." One speaker said, "The document on Hope coming out of Bangalore had
succeeded in bringing out the fruitful tension between doctrinal unity and union in
radical involvement in human hopes." But it has not settled the underlying
question." What is that underlying question? "The problem is no longer the
problem of loving one another, but the problem of understanding the faith." The
doctrinal basis of the WCC is an empty shell-a front to deceive the unwary. Only by
accepting God's Word as our only, absolute and final authority can we enter into true
unity with those who truly belong to Christ-and at the same time be fully separated from
those who appear as angels of light but are in reality the servants of Satan.
MANY OTHER PROGRAMS AND FACETS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES could be
helpfully presented and documented if space permitted. Take Roman Catholicism for example.
The WCC has grown so close to the Roman Catholic Church that they now say, "The days
of winning converts from each other are over ...." Take the question of communism.
You will never find the WCC to be anti-communist. In fact, they state plainly, "The
story of primitive anti-communism and anti-communist crusades in the Christian Church is a
long and sad one." Red Agents and Communist puppet church leaders sit, work and
propagandize at all levels of the WCC organization. The WCC and the NCC have been decisive
forces in preparing the way for the shameful U.S. recognition of Red China. Though denying
charges of pro-communism, the WCC track record is a long and consistent testimony to the
fact that they are one of communism's strongest and best allies. The WCC is doing
everything possible to indoctrinate young people into the radical, revolutionary
ecumenical philosophy It was reported that four young people, including one WCC staff
person, attended the "11th World Festival of Youth and Students" in Cuba in 1978
They reported a "warm and wholehearted welcome from the Cuban people and the freedom
to move around the island and to talk to the people." And what was the purpose of
this meeting? They said, "These meetings provided opportunities for the Christian
Youth to discuss the issues of the festival and the meaning of Christian commitment today,
AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY IN THE STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE AND AGAINST IMPERIALISM IN
THE WORLD TODAY." Is there any talk of struggling against Communism? Oh, no, it is
only against Imperialism!
THE NEXT THREE YEARS WILL BE CRITICAL YEARS FOR THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES,
largely because of severe financial problems. The fact that most of the WCC money comes
from the USA, coupled with the devaluation of the dollar in comparison with the Swiss
Franc, means that the WCC is faced with what one leader called "The moment of truth
in WCC finances". To avoid drastic and immediate cut-backs of staff and programs,
they approved deficit spending for the next three years, drawing on reserves or even
borrowing if necessary. Financing is apparently already in hand or in view to proceed with
their big conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 12-24, 1979, on the theme,
"FAITH, SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE" and their big missionary-evangelism conference
to be held in Melbourne, Australia, May 12-25, 1980, on the theme "YOUR KINGDOM
COME". The 1979 conference will seek to join religion and science to further
socialism and the 1980 meeting will promote socialism in the name of the Kingdom of God.
IF ONLY GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD WAKE UP AND SEE HOW THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS
USING THE CHURCHES TO DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH AND FREEDOM, what a
difference it could make! If only God's people would immediately withhold support and
withdraw membership from the WCC and then begin attending and supporting only those
churches that refuse to compromise with the ecumenical apostasy, what a difference it
would make! Further loss of support now could be critical for the WCC. Are you one of
those who are supporting the WCC by your finances and membership even while decrying its
heretical, radical programs? If so, why not obey God-COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE (II
Corinthians 6:14-18) and join hands with those who are willing to stand up and speak out
for our God-given liberties which enable us to preach the gospel (good news; of Jesus
Christ instead of a socialist revolution.
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES MEMBER DENOMINATIONS IN THE
USA AND CANADA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; American
Baptist Churches in the U.S.A; American Lutheran Church; The Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Archdiocese of New York and all North America; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Church of the Brethren; The Episcopal Church;
Hungarian Reformed Church in America; International Evangelical Church- Lutheran Church in
America- Moravian Church in America (Northern Province)- Moravian Church in America
(Southern Province); National Baptist Convention of America; National Baptist Convention,
U.S.A., Inc.; National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; National Council of
Community Churches; The Orthodox Church in America; Polish National Catholic Church of
America; Presbyterian Church in the United States; Progressive National Baptist
Convention; Reformed Church in America; Religious Society of Friends-Friends General
Conference- Friends United Meetings; United Church of Christ; The United Methodist Church;
The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
CANADA
The Anglican Church of Canada; Canadian Council of Churches; Canadian Yearly Meeting of
the Society of Friends; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); The Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Canada; The Presbyterian Church in Canada; The United Church of Canada.
(FOUNDATION magazine, reprint from Vol.
XVII, Issue 5.)
