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Tracts and Literature
To Help You Reach the Lost, Grow In Christ, and Sound a Faithful Warning
©Fundamental Evangelistic Association
The
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
The Cup of the Lord or the Cup of Devils?
By M. H. Reynolds, Editor, FOUNDATION Magazine
Fundamental Evangelistic Association
1476 W. Herndon, Suite 104
Los Osos, California 93402
U.S.A.
©Copyright 1986 by the Fundamental Evangelistic Association
Printed in the United States of America by FEA Press
What Should Christians Expect In These Last Days? The Bible Gives a Very Clear Answer.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES:
"This
know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY." 2 Timothy
3:5.
"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.
"But there were false
prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you,
who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought
them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And
through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:
whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth
not" 2 Peter 2:1-3.
What Is the Responsibility of True Believers In
These Last Days? God Says:
"Preach the word: be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine. ...But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:2,5.
"Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 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 9-11.
Preface
THE
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES was organized in 1948 in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. One hundred, forty-seven denominations with a total membership of
293 million individuals were its charter members. Presently, the WCC represents
over 300 denominations with a membership of over 400 million people, making it
by far the largest and most influential ecumenical body in the world. Because of
its tremendous size and because it so often appears to speak for the
"Church," the WCC exercises a great deal of influence both religiously
and politically. However, most of the WCC's power and influence involves only
those in the top echelons of religion and politics. Most church members at the
local level are not even aware that they are a part of the World Council of
Churches. Many would certainly be shocked if they only knew what the WCC is
doing and saying as their representative.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR GOD'S
PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT THE WORLD COUNCIL IS SAYING AND DOING NOW as well as what it
has done and said in the past. Throughout the entire 38-year history of the WCC
we have closely followed its activities and actions, reviewing most of its
publications and attending many WCC Assemblies and other major meetings to
obtain firsthand information We have shared this important information with
fellow-believers through our radio broadcasts and the publication of numerous
articles and special reports. Two of these articles, "The Truth About the
World Council of Churches" and "The World Council of Churches-An
Ecumenical Tower of Babel," are still being widely circulated because of
the important documentation they contain. But we believe the time has come to
provide the far more extensive and intensive documentation which is printed in
this booklet.
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF
CHURCHES - CUP OF THE LORD OR THE CUP OF DEVILS? is
an edited compilation of several articles which were originally printed
separately in recent issues of FOUNDATION Magazine. It is being rushed
into print now at the urging of several Christian leaders who are as concerned
as we are about the manner in which the WCC is deceiving many true believers by
putting on a new face of "spirituality" and "evangelicalism"
calculated to camouflage its continuing religious and political radicalism.
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE WORLD
COUNCIL HAS BEEN AND IS NOW PREDOMINANTLY LIBERAL AND RADICAL TO THE CORE. It is
the voice of Liberalism NOT Evangelicalism which has been heard and seen loud
and clear in WCC pronouncements and programs. For many years, the "voice of
evangelicalism" within the Council was non-existent or so faint it could
scarcely be recognized. Now, some compromising evangelical leaders would like us
to believe that their voice is being heard and warmly welcomed within the WCC.
But in fact, the liberal leaders of the WCC welcome the "evangelical
voice" only because those who raise such a voice within the Council are
satisfied with just being heard. These "evangelicals" have forgotten
the Satanic manner in which the WCC quite willingly accepts all different points
of view theologically, morally and politically, knowing that their ecumenical
homogenization process (blending truth and error) will provide a mixture that
makes error seem more attractive and less dangerous to those who are unaware of
what is actually taking place.
WCC GENERAL SECRETARY, EMILIO
CASTRO, SAYS THE WCC HAS "OVERCOME THE SO-CALLED CONFRONTATION STAGE"
in its present relationships with evangelicals. In the WCC publication, One
World, for January-February 1986, Dr. Castro says, "...a substantial
number of Christian brothers and sisters of evangelical persuasion are open to
the ecumenical movement and willing to participate in it with their testimony.
...I see signs everywhere of a wider participation of evangelicals in the forum
that is the World Council of Churches. I'd like to believe that the perspectives
and experiences of the ecumenical movement are also common riches for our
evangelical brothers and sisters. I see many evangelical writers quoting,
without apology, persons who could be considered pillars in the ecumenical
movement I think we have overcome the so-called confrontation stage; now the
challenge is to make the best of the evangelical contribution to the total work
of the WCC."
IT IS OUR HOPE AND PRAYER that
this booklet will provide true believers with sufficient documented information
to enable them to take their stand for the truth of the Word of God, and against
the errors of the World Council of Churches, and to separate from any
relationship with or support of the WCC. The World Council of Churches, in the
name of "Christian Unity," is paving the way for Satan's One World
Church and One World Government. God says, "Come out of her, my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her
plagues." Revelation 18:4.
Introduction
God says, "Ye cannot
drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the
Lord's table and of the table of devils." 1 Corinthians 10:21. The command
is very clear! God says, "YE CANNOT" - but the World Council of
Churches says, "WE MUST AND WE WILL!"
The World Council of Churches
held its Sixth Assembly in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, July24 - August 10, 1983.
From start to finish this major ecumenical gathering provided abundant evidence
that the WCC makes no distinction between the cup of the Lord and the cup of
devils. In fact, one of their major goals continues to be the visible unity of
the church – just one cup – into which would be poured heathen paganism and
devilish heresies, disguised by evangelical verbiage and scripture taken out of
context. The continual mixing of truth and error which characterized the
Vancouver Assembly clearly revealed that the WCC is drinking heavily from the
"cup of devils" although they call it the "cup of the Lord."
Accurate reporting of a World
Council Assembly is difficult for several reasons. First, there is so much going
on every day from early morning until late at night; it might be likened to
trying to take in everything in an old-fashioned three-ring circus complete with
its many sideshows. Then, there is the complication caused by differences in
language. Even though translation was provided in several languages at most
major sessions by use of ear phones, etc., it was often frustrating to speaker
and listener alike at those times when it became obvious that the proper meaning
was not being conveyed. To further complicate the reporting process, some of the
section meetings were open to the Press – but no direct quotations were
permitted. It was often difficult at the end of a day to sort out which
statements heard or read were official, unofficial, provisional, or
confidential. Complicating matters even further was the endless squabbling over
procedural rules. It soon became clear that many of the delegates, most of whom
(80%) were attending a WCC Assembly for the first time, could not fully
comprehend all that was going on either! ONE FACT DID COME THROUGH LOUD AND
CLEAR – THE WCC IS JUST AS RADICAL AS EVER. THE LEOPARD HAS NOT AND CANNOT
CHANGE ITS SPOTS! IT IS ONLY PAINTING THEM DIFFERENT COLORS!
This eye-witness report of the
WCC Sixth Assembly in Vancouver covers some of the most significant aspects of
this major ecumenical event viewed from the perspective of Scriptural
principles. Many reports have been and will be written by others from the
perspective of theological liberalism or evangelical compromise. Such reports
paint a rosy picture of what took place in Vancouver. Liberals saw it as a great
step forward toward the goal of "one visible church" The majority of
evangelicals were lavish in their praise of what they considered to be
"greater emphasis on evangelical concerns." However, seen in the pure
light of God's Holy Word, this WCC Assembly was not only the most deceptive of
all the assemblies thus far, but represented the most brazen attempt ever to
unite the "cup of the Lord and the cup of devils" in their continuing
obsession for visible unity at the expense of doctrinal purity.
True Believers Will Want to Heed God's
Warnings, Obey God's Commands, and Rest in God's Promises
1 PETER 2:1,2. "But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by
reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with
Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people. WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG
THEM, and be ye separate, SAITH THE LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and
I WILL RECEIVE YOU, AND WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU, AND YE SHALL BE MY SONS AND
DAUGHTERS, SAITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY."
LUKE 12:32. "Fear not, little flock; for it is the Father's good
pleasure to GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM."
MATTHEW 6:33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The WCC and Theological
Liberalism
Before proceeding with
documentation to substantiate the preceding statements, we remind our readers
that the reason God gives such a strong warning about not drinking from the cup
of the Lord and the cup of devils is that the cup of the Lord is absolutely pure
based entirely on the eternal, infallible, inerrant, unchangeable Word of the
Living God. By contrast, the cup of devils is characterized by the fact that it
contains deadly theological poisons, even though a modicum of truth is added to
deceive the unwary. At Vancouver the WCC made another attempt to dignify and
legitimatize heathen paganism and theological heresies as though they were an
acceptable part of the cup of the Lord. Far from becoming more
"evangelical," the World Council of Churches has only become more
skillful in the area of semantic deception! It is also essential to realize that
in order for the WCC to arrive at its unscriptural goal of "one visible
church" it must insist that there is only one cup – the cup of the Lord
– no matter how much error it may contain!
At Vancouver, great emphasis was
placed on "worship." But what kind of worship took place? Was it the
worship of God "in spirit and in truth"? Or, was it worship based upon
the traditions of men? Was it the kind of worship which pleased God or was it
the kind of worship condemned by our Lord Jesus Christ when He said,
"Howbeit, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men"? See Mark 7:6-13.
The ecumenical viewpoint of the
"worship" at Vancouver is perhaps best summed up by an editorial in
the Christian Century which said, "The Worship Services saw the
Assembly at its best." The majority evangelical view was summed up in an
open letter, "Evangelicals at Vancouver" which declared: "The
dimension of worship was both central and spiritually refreshing. At plenary
sessions and in the daily worship services, we enjoyed warm communal fellowship
as we reached out to God in prayer and praise." Both of these views
completely ignore the fact that all kinds of "worship" took place at
Vancouver including pagan Canadian Indian worship and the new liturgy based on
the WCC's "Lima–B.E.M. Document" which is being hailed as a
breakthrough in doctrinal convergence and another step toward eventual doctrinal
consensus among Protestants, Orthodox and Roman Catholics. It was also highly
significant that whereas in the past, the various groups in the WCC merely
witnessed each other's worship, this time there was participation in that
worship.
Pagan Indian Sacred Flame Heralds Start of
Vancouver Assembly
The World Council of
Churches deliberately chose to begin their Sixth Assembly at Vancouver with a
special Native Canadian Indian ceremony in which a "sacred flame" was
kindled in the center of the University Campus by Indian leaders who "added
offerings of dried fish and tobacco to the flame" to symbolize "their
participation in the WCC Assembly." This flame was kept continually burning
throughout the 18-day WCC Assembly and was "used as a source for candles
lit during other worship services." A Native Indian Sweat Lodge, used in
their heathen "purification" rites, was also featured and one of the
evening worship services consisted of Native Indian dancing, chanting, singing
and drum beating. Could things like this be "the cup of the Lord" or
was it "the cup of devils?"
The answer to such a question
should be obvious. But remember that these pagan worship rituals were included
in the WCC program deliberately, and no attempt was made to keep this heathen
participation hidden. Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop Ted Scott, moderator
of the WCC Central Committee, said that this opening ceremony "represents a
recognition that has been growing on the part of the Canadian people, and the
Christian people in Canada, of the deep religious conviction of Native people.
They focus their attention on the Creator, and that creation is unified. We have
to learn something of that reality in our world today."
Indian leaders were quick to note
and comment on the changed attitude of "Christians" toward them and
their beliefs. One of their spokesmen, Art Solomon, astutely observed:
"Just as a tide goes out, it comes back in. Native North Americans once
were taught they were savages; we were dismissed as pagans. Now it has turned
around and some say we come from one of the great spiritual traditions."
Since the Word of God has not changed and since the Indian beliefs still fit the
description given in Romans 1:25 of those who change the truth of God into a
lie, only the apostasy of the WCC can account for this "changing tide"
which now calls the "cup of devils" the "cup of the Lord."
WCC Affirms "Presence of God" in People
of Other Faiths
WCC leaders were proud of
the fact that for the very first time, "three Hindus, four Buddhists, two
Jews, four Muslims, a Sikh and an adherent of Native Canadian spirituality"
were in attendance as officially invited guests. Many Christians do not yet seem
to realize that WCC leaders have long since moved beyond their original goal of
"Christian unity." They now have their sight set on the "unity of
all faiths" or even the "unity of all mankind." Dr. Philip Potter
spelled out this principle in his General Secretary's Report. We quote:
"...believers, as living stones, overcome the separations of racism and are
in process of becoming the true human race made in the image of God; that all,
both women and men, who believe are the priests of the King and Ruler of their
lives, offering themselves and the world to God through their worship and their
witness; that nationalism, with all its excluding attitudes, gives place to a
community which is consecrated to God and his purpose to unite all nations in
their diversity into one house, oikos; and that all are the people of God as a
sign of God's plan (oikonimia–the management of the house) to unite all people
into one human family in justice and peace."
Pauline Webb, a woman British
socialist who serves on the WCC executive committee, brought the sermon at the
opening Sunday morning worship service. She referred especially to the
"members of other faiths" (actually they were representatives of false
religions), giving them a warm welcome as follows: "Especially do we
welcome among us at this Assembly our guests from other faiths, for we are
discovering that in the dialogue with fellow seekers after truth our hearts are
opened to receive new insights from the One who is the Source of all truth. Let
us meet as those who have nothing to defend and everything to share." Such
Satanic reasoning flatly contradicts the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who
said, "I am the way, the TRUTH and the life; no man cometh unto the Father
but by me." John 14:6. Heathen religions are still heathen religions.
Calling them "living faiths" instead of "false religions"
makes them more deceptive but no less dangerous. Yet, an official WCC report
stated: "We witness to the uniqueness of the birth, life, death and
resurrection of Jesus and precisely because of that WE RECOGNIZE AND AFFIRM THE
PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS."
Such heresy is clearly from the cup of devils – not the cup of the Lord1.
Pagan Sikh Leader Responds to WCC Welcome
Spokesman for the
"non- Christian faiths" represented at the WCC was Dr. Gopal Singh, a
leader from the pagan Sikh religion. He began his address, "Mr. Moderator,
sisters and brothers: We are deeply beholden to you for inviting us to this
august Assembly from long, long distances – Hindus and Muslims, Sikhs and
Jews, Buddhists and Zoroastrians – from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia,
Japan and Thailand and even the Soviet Union. We thank you from the bottom of
our heart, especially the WCC which has made this possible." Later in his
address Dr. Singh said, "Most of the world religions – like Hinduism,
Islam, Sikhism and Judaism – believe in one God. ...They also believe in the
soul and in the hereafter, heaven and hell. And, those like the Buddhists who do
not, believe in Compassion to all life. Those who worship the objects of nature
like the American Indians and our own aborigines, only worship life and
life-giving elements, the greatest gifts of God." Now, listen carefully to
the concluding sentence of this paragraph. Singh said, "LET US THEREFORE
NOT QUARREL OVER THE FORMS AND THE RITUALS BUT THE ATTITUDE AND THE SPIRIT
BEHIND THEM." Here was an unquestioned presentation of the "cup of
devils" philosophy presented on the WCC Vancouver platform without any
attempt at refutation or rebuke of error. How any true believer could remain
silent while such outright Satanism is given a platform by the WCC defies
rational explanation. The fact that those who claim to be true Christians and
even evangelical believers tolerate such public promotion of the cup of devils
simply reveals the fact that failure to practice Biblical separation from false
teachers results in loss of spiritual discernment.
WCC Interfaith Dialogue Moderator Questions
"Evangelism"
Dr. Dirk Mulder, moderator
of the WCC interfaith dialogue program, raised some theological eyebrows when he
expressed his views concerning what he considers to be a threat to the on going
interfaith dialogue posed by "evangelism." Mulder "affirmed the
importance of the life and work of Christ" but went on to say that he
"does not believe people are lost forever if they are not
evangelized." Mulder conceded that this raises questions about evangelism
but he said, "that if non-Christians are all lost souls, God has little
connection with the life and proclamation of Jesus." In a personal
interview later with Dr. Mulder, I asked him specifically, "Would you feel
that a Buddhist or Hindu could be saved without believing in Christ?" His
answer was, "Sure, sure!" The WCC proudly pushes its dialogue programs
but they are clearly from the "cup of devils."
I personally interviewed another
of the WCC dialogue leaders following an "interfaith seminar." I asked
him if he thought it was possible for people to be saved who do not accept
Christ as Saviour. He replied, "Yes, I would say indeed there is that
possibility." He went on to say that "God only knows who His own are.
They may be parking under the name of Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics, whatever –
He knows His own." When I asked if he believed in a universal salvation –
that all would be saved, he replied, "On that I'd have to say, 'I don't
know I'm not sure.' " These and similar statements which regularly appear
in WCC publications make it clear that the WCC interfaith dialogue program is
not a witness for Christ but a tool of Satan.
"Tentative" Worship in a
Candy-Stripped Circus Tent
WCC officials and staff
have always placed a great emphasis on symbolism. Instead of using one of the
large meeting rooms on the campus for their worship services, they pitched a
candy-striped circus tent in the very center of the campus. This was to
symbolize two things: their desire that "worship" be central in this
Assembly, and that the tent would be a reminder that they were a "pilgrim
people – people on the way." In official document ME-1, it was explained
that "Our worship in a great tent which reminds us of the pilgrim people;
the presence of Canadian Indians which has challenged us; our moving prayer and
praise in many languages but one spirit of devotion; our struggles to face
divisive issues, the songs of the children - all are part of life together in
the Christian family." The Canadian Indians referred to were not Christians
but pagans. Yet, they were counted as being part of the "Christian
family."
As for the appropriateness of the
WCC being likened to "God's people 'on the way’" it should be
remembered that the "strangers and pilgrims mentioned in Hebrews 11:13 were
an entirely different breed of pilgrims than those who compose the WCC today.
The WCC is trying to build a new "Kingdom of God Society" on earth,
whereas men and women of faith look for "a city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God." Because the WCC has made room in its
fellowship for those with all kinds of views about the Bible, they can only have
a tentative worship – a tentative theology. Indeed, everything about the World
Council of Churches is "tentative," except its determination to attain
an unscriptural religious unity; a peace without God and a humanist-based
political and economic system. Because they have rejected the Word of the Lord,
there is no light in them and therefore their worship, their theology, their
message, their fellowship, their plans and programs must always be tentative and
uncertain.
The WCC worship program at
Vancouver, far from being an inspiration and blessing, was a stench in the
nostrils of a Holy God. The Scripture in Matthew 15:8 immediately comes to mind
where God says, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." God says,
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be
partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils." But the World
Council said, "WE MUST — WE WILL" — AND THEY DID!
Ecumenical Worship With a New Eucharistic Liturgy
One of the great concerns
of the WCC leaders through the years has been the fact that they could not
participate in the eucharist together. At Vancouver a major step was taken to
break that barrier! On Sunday, July 31st, nearly 4000 people gathered in the WCC
worship tent to participate in a brand new eucharistic liturgy which was unique
because of the inclusiveness of its participants. As one ecumenical leader
observed: "Consider that a Russian Orthodox archbishop led prayers; a
German Catholic bishop read the lesson; a bishop of the Church of South India
preached; and Robert Runcie, the archbishop of Canterbury, con-celebrated with a
Danish Lutheran, an Indonesian Reformed, an African Methodist, a Hungarian
Baptist, a Moravian from Jamaica and a pastor of the United Church of Canada –
two of which ministers were women." Yes, inclusiveness is the name of the
game for the ecumenical movement both in doctrine and in worship.
When the World Council's
Commission on Faith and Order produced its unprecedented "convergence"
document on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry in Lima, Peru, in January 1982, it
was widely heralded as one of the most significant events in the history of the
ecumenical movement. This new eucharistic liturgy, based upon the Lima- B.E.M.
document, is likewise considered a major breakthrough in the ecumenical goal of
"visible unity in one faith and one Eucharistic fellowship, expressed in
worship and in common life in Christ." Viewed in the light of Scripture,
however, both the Lima - B.E.M. document and its resultant eucharistic liturgy
provide further proof that the World Council of Churches offers the "cup of
devils" in the name of "the cup of the Lord."
Does the World Council of Churches Have Any
Official Theology?
THE ANSWER IS, NO! Dr.
Emilio Castro, WCC General Secretary, makes this very clear in the WCC
publication One World for January-February 1986. We quote: "THERE IS
NO 'OFFICIAL THEOLOGY' OF THE WCC. THERE NEVER COULD BE. We are not one church
– and even inside the churches THERE IS A PLURALITY OF THEOLOGIES." At
Vancouver there was talk of the need for the WCC to search for" a vital and
COHERENT THEOLOGY" but Castro, the top elected official of the WCC
explains: "Perhaps WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT A COHERENT THEOLOGY in the
WCC. After all, we are the meeting place of more than 300 churches." WHAT
MORE CONVINCING EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO SUPPORT THE FACT THAT THE WORLD
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS INDEED CONTENT WITH A MIXTURE OF THE CUP OF THE LORD AND
THE CUP OF DEVILS!
ECUMENISM MEANS SOLIDARITY,
according to Dr. Emilio Castro, WCC General Secretary. But just what kind of
SOLIDARITY is implied? Certainly it is not doctrinal or theological solidarity
that is in view since, to Castro and other WCC leaders, a PLURALITY of
theologies is not only acceptable but necessary. But when it comes to radical
social, economic and political programs, SOLIDARITY is a must! The WCC gladly
tolerates a PLURALITY of gospels where the souls of men are concerned but they
demand SOLIDARITY in their effort to destroy the free enterprise system and
further the cause of a worldwide socialist-communist revolution.
TO SUPPORT THEIR GOAL OF
"ONE VISIBLE CHURCH," the WCC frequently quotes John 17:21, "THAT
THEY ALL MAY BE ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us: THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT THOU HAST SENT ME"
Claiming that the Church has been ineffective because of its disunity, WCC and
other ecumenical leaders seek to forge a SATANIC UNITY BASED ON COMMON GOALS
rather than a GODLY UNITY BASED ON SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE. The WCC is actually
promoting the cause of atheistic communism around the world and getting away
with this diabolical effort by calling it the Kingdom of God society. The UNITY
and SOLIDARITY so earnestly sought by the WCC "that the world might
believe" is a tragic farce. What do they think the world will believe when
they themselves are content with such a plurality of theologies (beliefs)? THE
ONE VISIBLE CHURCH THE WCC SEEKS CAN ONLY BE THE CHURCH OF THE ANTI-CHRIST WHICH
GOD WILL EVENTUALLY DESTROY Read carefully Revelation 17,18.
The Fantasy of Compromising Evangelicals
In recent years,
compromising evangelicals increasingly fantasize about how the "WCC is
becoming more conservative" and "returning to its evangelical
roots." Such evangelicals are deceived and are deceiving others. They have
forgotten the specific warning God gave in 2 Peter 2:1-3 concerning the
"false teachers" who would come into he Church and use "feigned
words" to deceive God's people. Ecumenical apostates of the WCC do indeed
use much more evangelical, biblical verbiage than they formerly did, but these
words, as they interpret them, are stripped of their original, true meanings and
twisted to provide a deceptive cloak for their theological apostasy and
political radicalism!
The "Voice of Evangelicalism" in the
WCC
While it is true that the
WCC "allows" the so-called "Voice of Evangelicalism – the Voice
of Conservatism" to be heard in its assemblies, that voice carries little
weight. Alas, the presumed "voice of evangelicalism" which is heard in
WCC gatherings is usually the apologetic, soft voice of those who try to add a
few ounces of truth to the WCC's overflowing "cup of devils." Seldom
is a strong, biblical voice ever heard in the WCC – the kind of voice which
strongly proclaims the truth and just as strongly cries out against error!
Evangelicals in the WCC are not changing it for the better – they are simply
providing a defensive armor for the WCC to use against its critics.
Is the WCC Really Becoming More Conservative?
Evangelical leaders are now
claiming that the Vancouver WCC Assembly marked another big shift from
liberalism toward conservatism. However, after sitting through 18 days of
deliberative and legislative sessions of the World Council of Churches in
Vancouver, there is ample evidence to prove that exactly the opposite is true.
While it is true that conservative voices were heard at Vancouver, resulting in
some changes in resolutions or statements, such verbal changes mean very little
to the radical leadership of the WCC since there is no corresponding change in
philosophy or direction. The WCC is still soft toward communism and a bitter foe
of capitalism. The WCC emphasis on the social needs of mankind continues to
obscure man's spiritual needs. Unity is given top priority at the expense of
purity. Peace through surrender – peace through a covenant with the wicked –
is a major concern. There is abundant documentation to prove conclusively that
the World Council of Churches continues to be a major vehicle of religious
liberalism and political radicalism – and that any supposed trend toward
conservatism is, in reality, only a subterfuge to deceive wishful-thinking
evangelicals.
EVANGELICALS WHO STAY IN THE
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ARE DISOBEYING GOD'S WORD. The fact that there are
some true believers in the WCC provides no justification whatever for God's
obedient children to continue their membership in and sup port of the WCC which
is led by false teachers and false prophets.
The WCC and the Shocking Evangelical "Sell-out"
When the World Council of Churches held its Sixth Assembly in Vancouver,
B.C., July 14 - August 10, 1983, it was reeling under the cumulative effects of
the recent unprecedented news media revelations of its political radicalism. The
WCC desperately needed help to offset the growing tide of criticism which was
coming from lay people, many of whom seemed to be realizing for the first time
that the warnings concerning the WCC's radicalism, given for years by
conservatives and fundamentalists, were real and not imaginary. At Vancouver,
the WCC received just the kind of help they needed- repeated favorable
testimonials from evangelical leaders in various WCC sessions, seminars and
press conferences, culminating in an open letter which was signed by the
majority of evangelicals present. This open letter, "EVANGELICALS AT
VANCOUVER" amounts to an outright evangelical endorsement of the ecumenical
movement in general and the World Council of Churches in particular. We believe
the implications of this letter make it one of the most significant developments
of the entire Assembly. In fact, WCC official, Dr. Emilio Castro, who was the
head of the WCC's Division of Mission and Evangelism at the time, went even
further. He was publicly quoted as predicting that this open letter would turn
out to be THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT at the Sixth Assembly. Dr. Castro is very
likely correct in his prediction. As far as we know, this is the first time any
considerable number of recognized evangelical leaders has publicly voiced such a
complete repudiation of the Biblical teaching of separation from apostasy.
Although the evangelical leaders who signed this open letter made it clear that
they did not speak officially for groups from which they came, it will be very
interesting to see what reaction, if any, comes from their own groups as well as
from other evangelical organizations and individuals – especially from men
like Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Bill Bright who have such wide followings.
The Blind Leading the Blind at Vancouver
Before taking a close look at the actual text of the open letter,
EVANGELICALS AT VANCOUVER, we felt it would be helpful to our readers to know
something of the history of the evangelical movement As shocking as the reading
of this letter will be to many Christians, it is simply the result of several
decades of evangelical compromise and failure to obey the Word of God in
fellowship as well as doctrine. The evangelical movement today is living proof
of the disastrous results which come from ignoring God's instructions to
"Come out and be separate" from unscriptural relationships. God says
to His children, "Be not deceived: evil communications [fellowship] corrupt
good manners." 1 Corinthians 15:33. Evangelicalism has long ignored God's
warning. It has been corrupted. It is now blinded to its sin and the inevitable
consequences of its disobedience. Evangelical leaders have become "blind
leaders of the blind."
The Conflict Between Truth and Error
When religious liberalism
reared its ugly head through the seminaries and in the churches of America
during the first three decades of this century, godly pastors and Christian
leaders from almost every major protestant denomination lifted their voices in
protest At this early date, religious liberalism was often referred to as
"modernism." By contrast, those who held firm to the Word of God and
the basic tenets of the Christian faith became known as
"fundamentalists." As this modernist-fundamentalist conflict grew in
intensity; and, as modernism (now more commonly known as liberalism or
ecumenism) gained effective control of most denominations, many fundamentalist
leaders recognized that they could not continue in fellowship with false
prophets nor support unscriptural denominational programs any longer. They
properly recognized that God's order in such situations is quite clear -
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians
6:17. Thus the present day "separatist movement" was born as faithful
fundamentalist leaders in various denominations obeyed God; came out; and began
new churches and denominations which would be true to the Word and free from the
poison of religious liberalism and apostasy.
Tiring of the Battle
At this point in time
(1940's and 1950's), a considerable number of leaders who had formerly been
considered to be fundamentalists and who were certainly not liberal in their
theology, began to tire of the theological battle. They also began to feel that
some of the fundamentalist leaders were "too belligerent, too critical, too
unloving" and, in increasing numbers they wanted to be freed from the
"fundamentalist label" Thus, a new movement was born called
evangelicalism. Although professing to be just as fundamental as ever in
doctrine, these evangelicals for the most part rejected God's command to
"Come out" and opted for a policy of inclusivism and cooperation in
spite of the fact that liberalism was continuing to grow in their own
denominations. For a time, some of these non-separatist evangelicals continued
to make an occasional protest against blatant heresies promoted by their own
denominational leaders – in their own churches as well as in the National and
World Councils of Churches. But as continuing years of unscriptural fellowship
took their toll, evangelical voices of protest became weaker and less frequent
Furthermore, even the doctrinal position of evangelicalism suffered the
inevitable erosion which results from continual compromise. It wasn't long until
some evangelicals were calling for a "re-investigation of the inspiration
and inerrancy of Scripture" while others were raising questions .about
whether or not man was the product of direct creation by God or the result of
theistic evolution. In the 1960's, the term "new-evangelicalism" was
coined to distinguish between the older brand of evangelicalism and the newer
and rapidly deteriorating kind. At first, some of the older evangelicals
protested "new-evangelicalism" But with the addition of the
charismatic movement into the picture and the continued compromises of all
evangelicals, confusion now reigns supreme. Today's evangelicals can swallow
almost everything without too much trouble and with very little protest
Evangelicalism has now arrived at the point where the only loud protest they can
and will raise is a protest against the fundamentalist who continues to call for
full obedience to the Word of God both as to doctrine and fellowship.
Who Was Responsible for the "Evangelicals at
Vancouver"?
Although the open letter,
"Evangelicals at Vancouver," is somewhat self-explanatory, a few words
concerning those who actually produced it would seem to be in order. As the open
letter states, there were many evangelicals present at the WCC Assembly in
various categories – delegates, observers, advisers, speakers, press
representatives and visitors. Some forty to fifty of these evangelicals met
informally several times during the Assembly during which it was decided to
draft and publish this open letter. Participants included men like Dr. Waldron
Scott, former General Director of the World Evangelical Fellowship; Robert
Youngblood, currently an official in the WEF; Dr. Richard Lovelace of
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Dr. Orlando Costas of Eastern Baptist
Seminary; Dr. Paul Schrotenboer, general secretary of the Reformed Ecumenical
Synod; Dr. David duPlessis, long-time charismatic leader; and others. Dr. Arthur
Glasser of Fuller Theological Seminary, a long-time defender of the ecumenical
movement, was the main drafter of the letter. During the 18-day Assembly at
Vancouver, many of these evangelical leaders went out of their way to heap
praise upon the ecumenical movement. In the various sessions, seminars and press
conferences, these evangelicals defended the WCC against its critics but came
down hard upon fundamentalists and the Biblical doctrine of separation from
apostasy. At Vancouver, the WCC had no better "salesmen" than these
outspoken evangelical leaders. The drafting and publication of their open letter
simply documents their complete "sell-out" to the apostate World
Council of Churches.
So that God's people may have the
complete story of the evangelical capitulation to the ecumenical movement, we
are reprinting the evangelical open letter in full. It clearly reveals that
these evangelical leaders have lost their spiritual discernment. Ignoring the
pagan worship which was incorporated into the Assembly program, they spoke of
the "warm communal fellowship" they had enjoyed in the ecumenical
worship services. Instead of protesting the participation of heathen religious
leaders, they said they were impressed with the "rich diversity and
complexity" of the WCC Although they admitted they were
"troubled" by occasional questionable statements heard in the Assembly
and were "disappointed" by the lack of emphasis upon Mission and
Evangelism, their strongest words were reserved to denounce those faithful
believers who were exposing the deceit of the ecumenical movement and urging
believers to separate from it. Although the evangelical leaders sat through 18
days of WCC sessions during which many heresies were publicly proclaimed, the
only time they could bring themselves to use the word heresy in their letter was
to call the Biblical doctrine of separation from apostasy an "evangelical
heresy." Those who follow these blind evangelical leaders will most
certainly "fall in the ditch."
EVANGELICALS AT VANCOUVER
An Open Letter
Many evangelicals from
all over the world are present at the 6th Assembly of the World Council of
Churches as delegates and observers, advisers and visitors, speakers and press
representatives. Many are members of churches within the WCC framework A
number gravitated together and frequently shared impressions and matters of
common concern during these days. This statement represents our deep desire to
bear witness to what we believe God sought to say to us through the Christians
we encountered, the words we heard and the official actions taken at
Vancouver. We do not claim to speak on behalf of our churches or of all the
evangelicals at the Assembly.
The theme of Vancouver is
"Jesus Christ - the Life of the World." We are impressed anew with
the rich diversity and complexity of the worldwide Christian movement. We
found the exploration of this theme a stimulating experience, especially
because the Assembly sought to call Christians everywhere to be more faithful
to their threefold task - the pastoral, the prophetic and the apostolic. As a
result, its on going concern is that the churches be spiritually renewed (the
pastoral), that they become socially responsible (the prophetic) and that they
display diligence in their holistic witness to the Gospel (the apostolic).
As we pressed deeper into days
crowded with presentations, reflection and interaction, it became apparent
that Vancouver 1983 marks significant progress over the last two Assemblies (Uppsala
1968 and Nairobi 1975) in its overarching spiritual and Biblical orientation.
This was apparent in the
following ways:
1. The dimension of worship was
both central and spiritually refreshing. At plenary sessions and in the daily
worship services, we enjoyed warm communal fellowship as we reached out to God
in prayer and praise.
2. The wider space given to
Bible exposition and the affirmation of basic Biblical themes in plenary
sessions represent unmistakable loyalty to the historic rootage of our
Christian faith.
3. Biblical messages on the
nature and mission of the church under such key themes as Jesus Christ, life
and the world, prepared the way for earnest efforts to relate these truths to
the problems facing Christians today.
4. The Orthodox with their
trinitarianism, their spirituality, and their participation in group
discussions at all levels reminded us of some of the church's non-negotiable
treasures, while other segments of the worldwide church called us to face the
urgencies of today.
5. We entered into deeper
anguish over the terrible injustices currently perpetrated against the poor,
the powerless and the oppressed throughout the world. We perceived anew that
the issues of nuclear disarmament and peace could become a preoccupation and
divert attention from the equally urgent issues of deprivation, injustice,
human rights and liberation.
6. We found ourselves standing
with the many who refused to believe that the powers of oppression, death and
destruction will have the last word on human existence.
7. Finally, and most important
of all, representatives from all segments of the church called the Assembly to
accept the reality that Jesus Christ is indeed the life of the world. Women
spoke alongside men. The youth and the disadvantaged were heard. Even the
children. And the ordained clergy made no attempt to dominate the ministry of
the Word of God.
Ever since the WCC was formed
in 1948 at Amsterdam, each successive Assembly has been unique. Vancouver was
no exception. In its study papers, group discussions and personal
conversations, we could readily discern several concerns:
1. That Christians must
rigorously eschew any docetic understanding of the Gospel. The church can only
be renewed today if it faces courageously the relation of Jesus Christ to the
totality of human need and experience. We see one-sidedness in a preoccupation
with "contending for the faith" while ignoring a world going up in
flames.
2. That as the church presses
deeper into the '80's, all agreed that Christians shall increasingly be drawn
in their Biblical reflection and theologizing to focus on the plight of the
poor - those whom Christ particularly singled out as the ones to hear the good
news of the kingdom (Luke 4:18,19).
3. That increasingly, the
church is being reinforced in its perception of the demonic dimensions of
structural evil. They are as offensive to God and as destructive to people as
any personal evil. One WCC official spoke for many when he related the poor to
"the church's most important missiological issue - the centrality of
Jesus Christ" Christ alone is the life of the world and He alone can deal
with the problem of evil. But He must be proclaimed to all peoples. And the
majority of those who have not heard the Gospel are the poor.
4. That the dominant issue
before the church today is the inter-relation of its concerns for justice and
peace. They cannot be separated. We note that this issue has both vertical and
horizontal implications. Moreover, the Biblical vision of justice with peace
through Jesus Christ, the life of the world, was not posed as one of several
options for those who could follow Him, but the only option.
We were moved to join hundreds
from the United States and Central America who covenated together to seek a
better understanding of the issues involved in the present conflict in Central
America as a positive step toward the achievement of peace with justice
throughout the area.
As evangelicals we rejoiced
that the Assembly did not simply confine itself to the prophetic task of the
church. The nurture of Christians and their witness to the unbelieving world
were also included. But we could not be true to our evangelical convictions
were we merely to endorse the positive affirmations made at Vancouver. We were
troubled by occasional statements which implied that apart from Jesus Christ
the world can have life. Not every address reflected high Christological and
soteriological perspectives. On occasion we wanted to rise up and call the WCC
to be consistent with its own basis: "A fellowship of churches which
confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior 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" We would assert that WCC
leadership has the solemn responsibility to uphold this confession in all its
public programs.
True, none of us wants to judge
the Assembly by the input of some of the speakers. Nevertheless, at the end of
the second week of deliberations we would like to make the following
observations:
1. Although the WCC Central
Committee had approved (1 982) an illuminating and thoroughly evangelical
study: Mission and Evangelism- an Ecumenical Affirmation, we were disappointed
that it wasn't referred to in any plenary address. We were gratified that the
Affirmation received strong support in the Assembly's Message to the Churches.
No ecumenical document has been so welcomed by evangelicals. Actually, the
evangelical counsel was widely sought in its preparation. Furthermore, the
Assembly did not give central place to the shameful fact that at this late
hour in the history of the church, more than three billion have yet to hear
the Gospel of Christ- despite Christ's mandate that it be proclaimed to all
peoples. We did not feel that the Assembly adequately treated either Gospel
proclamation or the invitational dimensions of evangelism.
2. On occasion terminology
became fuzzy and theology worse. For example, while the Assembly frequently
heard that sin brings social alienation, little was said about spiritual
alienation - from God Himself. As a result, the redemptive dimension of
Christ's suffering on the Cross was not particularly stressed. Moreover, while
larger issues of social ethics were frequently treated, more personal ethical
concerns rarely surfaced. In sum, there were times when we wished that
evangelical voices in the churches were given the prominence accorded some
theological mavericks. Fortunately, in the issue and discussion groups, we
heard evangelical men and women participate whose evident concern was to
remind fellow delegates of the Biblical authority and witness to the issues
under review. Evangelicals are convinced that if Jesus Christ is the life of
the world, His claim that his words are spirit and life (John 6:63) should not
be downplayed.
All of which brings us to raise
the crucial question: What should be the evangelical response to the many
signs of growth and renewal we discerned in the Assembly? Should evangelicals
seek more direct involvement in the ecumenical process?
At Vancouver, some evangelicals
were adamant in their stand against any participation in the WCC. We were
saddened to come upon a few zealous Christians distributing scurrilous
anti-WCC literature. We deplored their tactics and hung our heads in shame
over their sweeping denunciations. Their actions, in our judgment, constituted
false witness against their neighbours.
At the same time, should
evangelicals see significance in the growing effectiveness of the Orthodox
contribution to the WCC alongside the growing WCC challenge to the Orthodox to
extend their mission into the world? Is there not the possibility that
evangelicals have not only much to contribute but something to receive through
ecumenical involvement?
Do evangelicals not also have
the obligation along with other Christians to seek to overcome the scandal of
the disunity and disobedience of the churches that the world might believe
(John 17:21)? Should evangelicals not seek to receive all who confess Jesus
Christ as lord, even though they may seriously disagree on theological issues
apart from the core of the Gospel? There is no Biblical mandate to withdraw
from those who have not withdrawn from Christ. Should not Christians gladly
receive all those whom God has manifestly received? Are not the alternatives
– religion or indifference – totally incompatible with the Apostle Paul's
affirmation that Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13)?
Our experience at Vancouver
challenged stereotypes some of us have had of the WCC. And our involvement in
WCC processes and programs made us realize anew the distortions in the popular
evangelical understanding of them. Hence, we felt pressed to declare publicly
our determination to be more actively involved in all efforts seeking the
unity and renewal of the church. Because we have seen evidence of God at work
here, we cannot but share our growing conviction that evangelicals should
question Biblically the easy acceptance of withdrawal, fragmentation and
parochial isolation that tends to characterize many of us. Should we not be
more trustful of those who profess Christ's lordship? Should we not be more
concerned with the peace, purity and unity of the people of God in our day?
And if God thereby grants the church renewal for which many pray, shall this
not forever demolish that all too popular evangelical heresy – that the way
to renew the body of Christ is to separate from it and relentlessly criticize
it?
Another View - Another Voice
Thank God, He always raises
up a "remnant" to raise high the banner of truth, even when that
banner has been trampled underfoot by its supposed friends. Thank God, not all
evangelicals at Vancouver were deceived by the Devil's three- ring religious
circus. Among those evangelicals who met together at Vancouver, three men
refused to sign the evangelical open letter. They refused to become a party to
its whitewash of the WCC. But they also did another very courageous thing- they
issued a second statement titled, "An Evangelical Evaluation of the WCC's
Sixth Assembly in Vancouver" This tiny minority of three men wanted the
Christian world to have "another view" - an entirely different voice!
This second "evangelical" open letter is probably destined to become
known as the "EVANGELICAL MINORITY REPORT." Drafted by Dr. Peter
Beyerhaus, chairman of the International Christian Network and professor at the
University of Tubingen, West Germany, this minority report, as far as we have
been able to determine, was signed by only two other men, Dr. Arthur Johnston of
the USA and Dr. Myung Yuk Kim of Seoul, Korea. A small minority indeed. These
men actually belong in the fundamentalist camp since they will not remain silent
about the WCC apostasy and urge fellow-believers not to participate in it. They
do need to realize, however, that as long as they remain in fellowship with
evangelicals who have sold out to the ecumenical movement, they themselves run
the risk of future slippages in their own position and doctrine.
Why Two Evangelical Open Letters at Vancouver?
Dr. Peter Beyerhaus explains:
A discussion group of
evangelicals at the Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches by
majority vote decided to send an open letter to evangelicals all over the
world, sharing with them their basically positive impressions and charging
them to drop their previous theological reservations about the WCC and get
actively involved in it. Some of us felt alarmed by this sudden shift of
opinion. We could neither share the optimistic assessment on the Vancouver
event nor the far-reaching consequences that were drawn from it. When it
became clear that the majority insisted on going ahead with the plan and even
managed to obtain the support of the assembly's steering committee to
broadcast its statement as the evangelical reaction to all participants, we
decided to draw up an alternative statement.
We did not feel happy about
this public appearance of a theological rift within the evangelical camp. But
we thought this to be a far lesser evil than the danger that, through the
impact of that open letter, Christianity at large might mistakenly come to
believe that most of the serious doctrinal issues that have divided the
evangelical from the conciliar movement, at least since Uppsala 1968, had now
been settled, and that the WCC in Vancouver had moved to a basically Biblical
position. Our careful analysis of the speeches and worship at the assembly
revealed that the opposite was true, in spite of an apparent new Biblical
orthodoxy on the surface. After all, this assembly was the first in the
history of the ecumenical movement in which theological atheist - Dorothee
Solle - and leading representatives of non-Christian religions were invited to
address the audience on its central theme, "Jesus Christ the Life of the
World." We also felt that the supporters of the open letter had no
mandate for sending such a weighty message to all our fellow evangelicals
throughout the world. They did not participate in the name of their respective
evangelical denominations and world bodies - who wisely had decided to stay
outside. Second, it is far too early to come to such a revolutionary
conclusion concerning the WCC's stance and direction.
Our own discussion group is
aware that technically ours is a minority statement But the evangelical
representation in Vancouver was very fragmentary, and the fact that our three
members have been students of the ecumenical movement for many years,
attending ecumenical and evangelical conferences and publishing books and
articles about it, made us confident to share our views with our fellow
Christians in and outside Vancouver.
We were afraid the open letter
could mark a fatal turning point in the history of evangelical Christianity
and lead to doctrinal alienation or a new split. Evangelical leaders should
take the initiative to encourage serious local evaluation of present-day
ecumenicity and convene international consultations about it.
The Evangelical Minority Report at Vancouver
Although we feel that
certain parts of the following "minority report" do reflect elements
of evangelicalism's lack of spiritual discernment with regard to WCC documents
like "Baptism, Eucharist, Ministry" etc., the basic thrust does follow
the Biblical imperative to expose error wherever it may be found and to separate
from it! We are reprinting the full text so that our readers may be able to have
all the facts before them:
AN EVANGELICAL EVALUATION OF THE W. C. C.'s SIXTH ASSEMBLY IN
VANCOUVER
This statement comes from
an international group of evangelicals who are dedicated to the authority of the
Bible, the urgency of evangelization and to the true unity of all who believe in
Jesus Christ. During the Assembly we met daily to share our impressions. The
following does not offer our final judgment, which must wait until the
publication of the official Assembly Report. Neither does it claim to represent
the views of the entire evangelical movement, since all evangelicals who
participated in the Assembly did so as private individuals rather than as
representatives of specific groups. Thus there is no official involvement of
this Assembly of any evangelical organization.
Our positive observations
include:
- The serious efforts made
prior to the Assembly to provide two important documents which take into account
also some evangelical points of view, viz the Lima statement on "Baptism,
Eucharist, Ministry" and the Ecumenical Affirmation on "Missions and
Evangelization."
- A wider space given to
conservative Biblical beliefs which were upheld to the assembly partly due to
the influence of the strong Orthodox participation.
- The presentations of
human suffering through the violations of basic rights and the disregard for our
God-given environment. The report of the Grand Rapids Consulation on the
Relationship between Evangelism and Social Responsibility (1982) shows that
evangelicals are no less concerned for welfare, justice and peace than other
Christians, although we might differ in our analyses, in our proposals for
solutions and in the theological motivation of our Christian task to help the
poor and oppressed.
We must, however, state
that our previous reservations concerning the W.C.C.'s course since Uppsala 1968
are by no means overcome, but rather reinforced by the following observations.
- The meaning of the
Assembly theme "Jesus Christ - The Life of the World" remained
ambiguous due to the tendency to revert the order between subject and predicate
and to equate Christ with anything which seems to satisfy the human craving for
a richer life. Statements like "Life is the divine predicate; to choose
life means choosing God..." (Konrad Raiser) clearly opened the way to
Christ also to atheists and members of other religions without an explicit
confession to him as God and Saviour according to the Scripture.
- History was often
presented as a product of a power struggle between those who benefit from the
preservation of the existing order and the newly emerging forces that attempt to
overthrow this order. To see history in a materialistic context is the chief
characteristic of Marxist ideology which in the form of the "Theology of
the Poor" has found entrance even into the mission documents of Vancouver.
- The very words of the
Bible, although used more lavishly than at previous conferences, often seemed to
assume another meaning. We sensed a general trend to mis-use the Christian
heritage as a forum and language for social-political ideologies. Under the
disguise of a Biblical and Trinitarian terminology, supported by dramatic
illustrations of a threatening nuclear holocaust and by communicating
fascinating human dreams of peace in speeches, worship services and audiovisual
presentations, a pseudo-Christian view of salvation which equates God with the
driving forces within the process of history, is developed.
- Only this ambiguity can
explain the seeming inconsistency of speakers who represented traditional
Christian doctrines featuring side by side with others who expounded radical
beliefs incompatible with orthodox Biblical convictions. One outstanding example
was Dr. Dorothy Solle. She denounced the Biblical concept of God and His
Lordship, speaking of a "god-movement," and even encouraged her
listeners to write "new bibles."
- Other speakers
encouraged women to make their female experience the starting point of
developing a profoundly new theology in which the reverence for the Biblically
revealed God as our Father is changed into the cult of god mother.
- In all lectures,
including the reports of the Moderator of the Central Committee and the General
Secretary, we missed an articulate emphasis on world evangelization as Christ's
central commission to His Church and the suggestion of an adequate strategy to
reach the three billion who still are without the saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ
- Non-Christian religions
are presented as ways through which Christ Himself gives life to their followers
and also speaks to us as Christians. The fear of many that the W.C.C. could move
into an increasing syncretism is confirmed by the inclusion of Indian mythology
in the worship program, by the invitations to leaders of other religions to
address the Assembly, even on its central theme, and by the explicit statement
of a leading W.C.C. official, Professor Dr. D. C. Mulder that an evangelistic
revival endangers our dialogue with other religions.
- The credibility of the
W.C.C.'s claim to be a prophetic voice decrying the oppression of human rights
is damaged once again by the political one-sidedness in which such violations
are pointed out only in the non-Marxist world, while serious offenses by
socialist states, whose ecumenical representatives are applauded by the Assembly
as passionate advocates for peace and justice, are dealt with mildly or passed
over in silence. This applies particularly to the harassment of the churches and
the persecution of confessing Christians in these areas. This retreat from a
position of public debate to one of occasional private diplomatic interventions
is all the more inexcusable since ample evidence was supplied to the W.C.C.
subsequent to the famous letter of Father Gleb Yakunin and Lev Regelson to the
previous Fifth Assembly in Nairobi in 1975. As it was pointed out in the Yakunin
Hearing, held parallel to the Vancouver W.C.C. Assembly, (July 22-27) "A
church who willfully neglects her martyrs is separating herself from Christ who
suffers in the afflicted members of His body."
- The Assembly's strong
warnings against the nuclear threat to human life is inconsistent with the
apparent negligence of the millions of human lives sacrificed yearly through the
toleration of legal abortion, and of the many other lives which will be
sacrificed as the consequence of the increasing demand to introduce euthanasia.
- The decisive
shortcoming of the Assembly is the lack of a truly Biblical diagnosis of
mankind's basic predicament: our separation from God through our sin, and of the
Biblical remedy, our regeneration by the Holy Spirit through repentance and
personal faith in Jesus Christ resulting in the transformation of our present
life and in our everlasting fellowship with God. A rather optimistic view of the
human nature and our capability to help ourselves is once again leading to a
universalistic view of redemption. The ecumenical vision of a totally united
mankind in a restored cosmos runs right against the prophetic message, that such
expectation will not come true before the visible return of Jesus Christ to
Judge the living and the dead, and before the creation of a new heaven and a new
earth by God Himself. We noticed the omission of these eschatological key
concepts in most speeches at this conference.
All these observations
contribute to our apprehension that the W.C.C. is in danger of becoming a
mouth-piece of false prophecy to Christianity. Until these shortcomings and
distortions are recognized and disavowed publicly in favor of a new affirmation
of the Bible as God's infallible revelation, we cannot, with good conscience,
encourage our fellow evangelicals to actively participate in the structures and
programs of the W.C.C. Rather we should channel our contributions through truly
Christian alternative organizations. Otherwise, we would become responsible for
bringing evangelical believers and churches under the influence of such
deceptive ideas as we encounter them at this Assembly. We do not state this in a
judgmental spirit nor with a divisive attitude, but out of our loving concern
for the maintenance of Biblical truth in all churches inside and outside the
W.C.C., that truth' without which the world cannot find the life which is in
Jesus Christ.
The good intentions and
human efforts made under the W.C.C.'s Assembly theme "Jesus Christ - The
Life of the World" towards peace and justice and nuclear disarmament and
unity exclude the central gospel truth and create a false salvation for the
world. We as Christ's followers have access to the only power that is greater
than nuclear weapons, the power of God - available to us through Jesus Christ
alone
2 Chron. 7:14 "If my
people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will
forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Let us call
"together" Christians world-wide to prayer and obedience to the word
of God.
Bangkok '73 - Contemporary
Evangelical Perspectives the Beginning or End of World Mission?
Dr. Peter Beyerhaus also wrote a devastating exposure of WCC theological
liberalism and political radicalism following the WCC's Eighth Conference on
World Mission held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1973 with the deceptive theme:
SALVATION TODAY. Dr. Beyerhaus wrote: "It is rather my concern to share
with the reader A PROFOUND UNEASINESS about certain pervasive signs in this
ecumenical event which could be of DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCE for the future of
missions, for Christianity, and probably even for all mankind.
Dr. Beyerhaus described the contents of the final documents produced by this
WCC Conference as "AN ECUMENICAL TOSSED SALAD." He clearly saw and
warned that some evangelicals at Bangkok who came away rejoicing that their
"evangelical viewpoints" had been included in some WCC documents had
been taken in by ecumenical experts using the psychological techniques of
sensitivity training.
"Bangkok's understanding of salvation and missions was not the biblical
one but rather A SYNCRETISTIC AND SOCIAL- POLITICAL ONE; and further, where the
Bible was apparently used, Christian assertions were ideologically
undermined," wrote Dr. Beyerhaus. "I am indeed convinced that these
conservative-evangelical notes in the Bangkok concert do not alter the nature of
this ecumenical composition, but can at the most give it an APPARENT
RESPECTABILITY before an evangelical public. And for that reason the whole
matter is even more dangerous. ...For in a situation like this the Church of
Christ takes on a PLURALISTIC ASPECT: THEOLOGICAL HERESIES AND NON-CHRISTIAN
IDEOLOGIES ARE GRANTED EQUAL RIGHT TO STAND BESIDE BIBLICAL TRUTH, or sometimes
every-thing is jumbled together into AN ECUMENICAL TOSSED SALAD. And that is
much worse than a massive attack by an opponent openly combating biblical truth.
If there is one rotten egg, the whole cake will be inedible, even if the other
nine eggs are fresh."
The WCC and Communism
Which cup is it that the World Council of Churches offers to the Church and
to the World? The correct answer to that question is very important. In this
section of our report, the relationship between the WCC and Communism will be
explored, revealing beyond any question of doubt, that the WCC is offering the
Church and the World "The Cup of Devils" - not "The Cup of the
Lord." The WCC is actually aiding and abetting the world-wide communist
revolution - a revolution which could conceivably cost America her cherished
freedoms. Most people seem oblivious to the fact that social and political
revolution are the inevitable results of theological liberalism. God warns that
when men turn away their ears from the truth, they will be turned unto fables
– and Communism is surely one of Satan's most successful "fables."
Those who reject God's truth fall easy prey to Satan's lies!
What About the WCC and Communism?
Over the years, many accusations have been leveled against the WCC concerning
its relationship to or involvement with Communism. Often, the WCC has been
called "Red infiltrated" or even "Red dominated." In the
1940's and 50's, some ecumenical leaders were accused of actually being
"CARD CARRYING COMMUNISTS." Although such charges were difficult to
substantiate, it must be admitted that some of the accused certainly sounded and
acted like communists whether or not they really were members of the party. Many
ecumenical leaders joined a wide variety of organizations which were
subsequently identified by Congressional investigative committees as being
"COMMUNIST FRONT GROUPS." After the reception of churches from the
communist nations, several of their delegates were identified as actual members
of the Soviet Secret Police (KGB), such identification coming from refugees,
exiles and Soviet underground church leaders. Of course, all such charges have
been denied by the WCC and attributed to the "lies of right-wing
extremists." So, what are we to believe? A close look at some basic facts
will be very revealing!
Is the WCC Anti-Communist, Pro-Communist, or
Neutral?
When the WCC was organized in 1948, the communists would not permit any of
their churches to join. This was understandable since most churches from the
free world at that time had the reputation of being anti-communist. However,
from the very beginning, it was clear that the WCC was not going to be
anti-communist or even neutral. To the contrary, most of its actions and
pronouncements revealed a distinct pro-communist bias. Even so, it took the
ecumenical leaders 13 years to convince the communists that the WCC was a
friend, not a foe. And so it was, that at New Delhi, India, in 1961, the Third
Assembly of the WCC received several Iron Curtain churches into membership,
including the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Baptists. The WCC hailed
this as a great step forward in their quest for the "visible unity of the
Church." Without doubt, the Kremlin looked upon it as a wonderful new
opportunity to spread their diabolical propaganda, deceptively cloaked in the
robes of the Church.
The Communist "Use" of Religion
Communism has a master plan to conquer the world. An integral part of that
plan is to destroy Christianity and all religion. Atheism is a pillar of
communist philosophy. There is no place for God in a system which exalts man,
preaches evolution and practices revolution. Thousands of Christians became
martyrs in the early days of communism's efforts to eradicate all religion. In
time, however, the Red dictators discovered that many church leaders and their
followers were willing to "sell out" in exchange for the privilege of
continuing their religious worship and ceremonies, even on a limited, restricted
basis. Using one of communism's basic precepts – "the end justifies the
means" – communist leaders decided that religion could be tolerated a
little longer. They discovered that religion could be used to promote raw
communist propaganda in the name of the church and, at the same time, present
communism to the rest of the world in a more favorable light. The success of
this communist duplicity is all too obvious. Many people in the free world now
believe the lie that communism has changed and is continuing to change for the
better. The WCC is one of the chief promoters of that lie. The truth of the
matter is that communism is still a deadly enemy of all religion, especially
biblical Christianity. Communism is still anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-Bible,
anti-Church, anti-Christian, and anti-man. It is the enemy of Christ and the
Gospel. The goal of communism is still to destroy all religion! To ignore these
facts is to invite further deception and ultimate disaster!
What Difference Does It Really Make?
Most people have completely overlooked a very important question. How much
difference does it really make whether a person is a member of the communist
party; has been duped by communism; or, is a theological liberal, blinded by
Satan? In each case, if they are saying the same thing and walking along the
same path, will not the end results be the same? Personally, I have no doubt
that the communists have their "plants" in the churches of the free
world right now – agents whose identity may one day be revealed. There is
hardly any reason to believe otherwise since the communist plan for world
conquest calls for infiltration of every strata of society. But the fact remains
that the communists today are using religion and especially the World Council of
Churches in pursuit of their goal of world domination. This is true whether the
WCC recognizes it or not! It is true whether the WCC has any actual communist
agents in its membership or not!
Theoretically, the WCC is a "Free"
Religious Body...Actually, the WCC Is Now A "Captive" Political Body
From the moment the Iron Curtain Churches came into the WCC, it was clear
that an entirely new situation was created in the ecumenical movement. The
Orthodox Churches behind the iron Curtain claimed a huge but unverifiable
constituency on the basis of which a new "balance of power" was
created within the WCC. Succeeding WCC Assemblies were to discover that many
proposed actions had to be modified or scrapped under threat of a
"communist walk-out." I have personally observed such pressures in
reporting numerous official gatherings since the communist churches entered the
WCC in 1961. At the 1975 WCC Nairobi Assembly, a real crisis was precipitated
when an attempt was made to present documented evidence of Soviet persecution of
religion to the Assembly with a plea for the WCC to issue a public protest. Iron
Curtain Church leaders threatened a walk-out. As usual, compromises were found;
a "committee" was appointed to "investigate these charges";
and the Soviets escaped unscathed!
What Would the WCC Say at Vancouver Concerning
the Brutal Communist Takeover of Afghanistan?
The facts concerning the unabashed USSR rape of its neighbor, Afghanistan,
were so widely known around the world that everyone knew the WCC could not
completely sidestep this issue at Vancouver. WCC officials realized in advance
that this would be a "hot potato" and every effort was made to present
a resolution to the floor which could have the support of delegates from
churches in the Soviet Union as well as those from non-communist countries. The
resolution presented to the delegates by the drafting committee was very mildly
worded and followed the "initiatives taken by the Secretary General of the
United Nations." Some delegates demanded an outright condemnation of the
USSR and the immediate withdrawal of its troops, thus precipitating a heated
floor debate. Alexander J. Malik of the Church of Pakistan complained that
"the drafters have selected the weakest possible language." He said:
"If it were any western country, the WCC would have jumped on it and
denounced the country in the strongest possible language. Here, it only
expresses its concerns and nothing is said about Soviet atrocities in
Afghanistan."
Delegates from Iron Curtain Churches
"Flexed Their Muscles" in this Debate
When an amendment to the resolution on Afghanistan was proposed, condemning
the USSR invasion of Afghanistan and calling for the immediate withdrawal of
their troops, Soviet Church leaders became greatly disturbed and they made their
protests with a great display of heated emotion. Soviet Baptist Nikolai Zverev
objected strenuously to the amendment, claiming that the original resolution was
"well thought through and reflects the state of things." He said,
"We know very well the point of view of Western delegates but the
information available to us is of a different nature." Russian Orthodox
Archbishop Kirill said: "This is a challenge to our loyalty to the
ecumenical movement At least accept this [original resolution] in the name of
the effectiveness of our joint ecumenical effort for peace and justice."
The implication of the Soviets was clear – vote our way, or else!
USA Leader Helps Soviets Win Another Victory
Mr. William P. Thompson is one of the outstanding ecumenical leaders in the
world. He is a past president of the National Council of Churches (USA). He has
been a key figure in the WCC's relationships with Communist-country churches. He
is a master parliamentarian and, at Vancouver, was moderator of the drafting
committee which hammered out the Afghanistan resolution after long hours at the
"bargaining table." In the debate on the Afghanistan resolution, he
used all his experience, skills and power to prevent any strengthening of the
original resolution. When the suggestion was made that the resolution be
referred back to the committee for further work, Thompson flatly refused, saying
that they had already reached a position where "it was the least that can
be accepted by one side, and the most that can be accepted by the other."
When the final vote was taken, the original mildly-worded, compromise resolution
was approved by an overwhelming vote of 479 to 21. Communist pressure and USA
compromise had handed the Reds another victory!
WCC Again Refuses to Consider Complaints of
Soviet Religious Persecution
Two well-documented appeals for help from persecuted Christians behind the
Iron Curtain were sent to the WCC at Vancouver but were never presented to the
delegates. WCC leaders explained to news reporters that these complaints had not
been presented through proper channels- i.e., through WCC member churches. Quite
clearly, it would be impossible to present such complaints through WCC member
churches since, without exception, all the churches from communist nations deny
that there is any persecution of religion whatever. Over and over again the
communist church leaders repeat the lie that there is full religious freedom
under communism. The WCC not only accepts this lie but helps to promote it!
WCC Leaders and the Communists Have Much In
Common
During the WCC Assembly in Vancouver, Soviet church delegates did not have to
say "Nyet" (NO) very often. Most actions, resolutions and statements
suited them quite well. Repeated calls for a new economic order coupled with
scathing attacks upon capitalism couldn't have suited them better. They were
delighted to participate in actions condemning nations of the free world while
their own countries went practically untouched. Communism has a good friend in
the World Council of Churches. You may be sure that communism always does its
best not to disturb the WCC; in turn, the WCC always goes out of its way not to
disturb the communists. Until Christians and patriotic Americans wake up to the
fact that the WCC and communism are both moving in the same direction and
sharing many of the same goals, the communists will keep winning. We urge God's
people everywhere to separate from all connections with and support for the
World Council of Churches – and to join us in sounding an alarm as to the
WCC's continuing – yes, increasing religious and political radicalism! God's
Word says, "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE YE SEPARATE"! What is YOUR
response going to be?
The World Council of Churches As Seen Through
the Eyes of A Secular Editor
"A WHIFF OF FANATICISM" was the title of an editorial which
appeared in the Buenos Aires Herald August 2, 1985, during the WCC's
Central Committee meeting. We quote the following opening paragraphs as follows:
"CHRISTIAN DELEGATES attending the World Council of Churches
get-together here may disagree with the Ayatollah Khomeini on some of the finer
theological points, but they seem to be in full agreement with him on one thing:
the United States is the 'Great Satan' and US President Ronald Reagan is the
wickedest man on the entire planet. If the statements made by some of the
hundreds of delegates who have turned up in Buenos Aires to discuss the problems
besetting mankind are anything to go by, this is now the Christian consensus.
Most of these delegates are, of course, Protestants of one kind or another, but
there are also many people from the government controlled churches of the Soviet
bloc as well as a Roman Catholic observer who complained about interference in
the 'internal affairs' of his church.
"That the US and its government have a great many faults cannot be
doubted, US citizens being as human as the rest of us. But while there is
nothing wrong with religious leaders on occasion chiding the US and its
government for their shortcomings, it is disgraceful that they cannot spare more
time to deplore the fate of the hundreds of millions of victims of Communist
barbarity, whether they are the hapless citizens of Eastern European countries
occupied by the Red Army, Cubans suffering under Fidel Castro's slovenly but
ferocious dictatorship, Central Americans who detest the Marxist left as much as
the medieval right, or Afghans being slaughtered by Soviet troops for seeking
national independence and, of course, religious freedom Needless to say, none of
the visitors from the Soviet bloc have had a word to say against the brutal -–and
anti-religious tyrannies back home."
RELIGIOUS LIBERALISM PRODUCES POLITICAL RADICALISM AND
SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS!
The WCC and Socio-political Radicalism
In this concluding portion of our comprehensive report of the Sixth General
Assembly of the World Council of Churches, held July 24 - August10, 1983, in
Vancouver, B.C., we emphatically restate our belief that the WCC is offering to
the Church and to the World "the cup of devils" in the name of the
Lord. In the previous sections, we dealt in depth with the WCC's theological
liberalism; their collaboration with Communism; and the shocking Evangelical
sell-out which took place in Vancouver We conclude our report with information
documenting the socio-political radicalism of the WCC and some very significant
and revealing quotes from several of its participants
A Great and Glorious Patchwork?
The September 1983 issue of the WCC's publication, One World, reported
that one observer of the Vancouver Assembly called it "A great and glorious
patchwork of people, ideas, issues, events, songs, worship and confession."
It was a patchwork alright, but it was not great and glorious except from the
viewpoint of those who think it's wonderful to mix the cup of the Lord and the
cup of the devil together. The statistics were impressive and very revealing. An
average of 4500 people participated each day in one way or another including 847
voting delegates, 142 of which were from the communist nations of Eastern
Europe; 32 delegated observers from the Roman Catholic Church; and "Fifteen
guests of other faiths who were active participants." Nearly 850 members of
the press provided extensive coverage. Of the participants, 30.46% were women;
13.46% were youth under 30; 46.3% were lay people; only 20% had ever been to a
WCC Assembly before. Listed in numerical order, delegates represented Reformed
(176), Lutheran (122), Eastern Orthodox (125), Methodist (95), Anglican (89),
United (82), Oriental Orthodox (44), Baptist (38), Disciples (13), Moravian
(11), Pentecostal (11), and 41 other denominations. The WCC Vancouver Assembly
was indeed a "patchwork" which pleased men but which is condemned by
the Word of God!
Radical Youth Were at Vancouver!
Some 200 WCC youth participated in a pre-Assembly Youth meeting, their
official statement was every bit as radical as those later issued by their
elders and included statements such as the following: "We come from Nicaragua, where we struggle for survival and for freedom
from United States intervention." "We come from North America, where
we are burdened by capitalistic ideals of consumerism and militarism."
"We therefore commit ourselves to participate with the poor and oppressed
in their struggle for justice in order to live in peace. To this end we commit
ourselves to go beyond mere proclamations and to search with determination for
the means of concrete action in our own situations." Significantly missing
from the youth statement was any mention or condemnation of communism.
Ecumenists give high priority to ecumenical education in which today's religious
youth are given a thorough brainwashing in radical "One-worldism." At
Vancouver, the results of ecumenical education were clearly in evidence!
Ecumenical Indoctrination for Children At
Vancouver!
For the first time at any WCC Assembly, a special program was conducted for
children at Vancouver called The Ecumenical Youth Camp. It didn't take long to
discover that these little children were being given radical, ecumenical
indoctrination suited to their age. Some of these children participated in the
Public Witness for Peace and Justice where the adult participants included a
Buddhist, a Hindu and a Native Canadian Indian in addition to representatives of
WCC member churches. The children participated in releasing the "peace
balloons" and in recitations spoken by two children which explained some
things they had learned at Vancouver. One child said, "When we watch TV we
see that there are enemies; in the comics we read there are enemies and the
world is divided into goodies and baddies." A second child added, "We
have now been together in an international children's camp for ten days. We have
played a lot together; we have had fun. Sometimes we also quarreled but we have
not found any enemies. ...let us not become enemies when we grow up...peace is
possible." Such ecumenical idealism, planted in the minds and hearts of
little children, will make them easy prey for the many enemies of faith and
freedom which await them in the world of reality. The idea that there are
"no enemies" in the world is one of Satan's lies calculated to disarm
the uninformed and misinformed, thus helping to pave the way for the further
advances of evil.
Radical Women At Vancouver
Some of the most radical statements at Vancouver came from the lips of women
delegates and speakers. As previously noted, 30.46% of the voting delegates were
women – the highest percentage ever at a WCC Assembly. A woman brought the
opening message of this Assembly, Pauline Webb, a socialist, Methodist lay
preacher who was moderator of the Assembly's preparatory committee. Her
socialist philosophy was expressed in these words: "The litmus test of our
love for God is our love for others, our love expressed not only in the giving
of our lives but in the sharing of our goods, our livelihood, with the poor of
the world." Her ecumenical apostasy was set forth in her statement:
Especially do we welcome among us at this Assembly our guests from other faiths,
for we are discovering that in the dialogue with fellow seekers after truth our
hearts are opened to receive new insights from the One who is the source of all
truth. Let us meet as those who have nothing to defend and everything to
share." At the close of the Assembly, Webb said, "The Spirit has taken
possession of a large part of this Assembly – not all of it, I confess, but a
sufficient slice of it to have infected a new generation of ecumenical
enthusiasts...." But, it was not the Holy Spirit who took possession of the
WCC at Vancouver; it was a false spirit of religious and political radicalism!
Award Winning Humanist Speaks At Vancouver!
In 1982, Dr. Helen Caldicott of Australia was named "Humanist of the
Year" by the American Humanist Association. In 1983, she used the WCC
platform to promote her humanistic philosophy as though it were Christianity.
Dr. Caldicott said, "Women are the nurturers and civilizers. They
understand the genesis of life because they have the babies. They must lead the
world to survival. ...We hold God's creation in the palm of our hands. We are in
a race against time. This generation will either decide actively to save it or
by passive complicity destroy it. The World Council of Churches should take over
the United Nations and, with the foundation in God and the eternal love of Jesus
Christ, the WCC could save God's creation." Dr. Caldicott showed her
contempt for America by saying that "President Reagan is not very
bright," and that the USA is "in the hands of incompetent." But
there was no criticism of the communist nations and their leaders!
Capitalism - A Thief that Comes to
Plunder the Poor?
Another woman speaker who bombarded the WCC delegates and visitors at
Vancouver with socialist, humanistic propaganda, was Professor Dorothee Solle, a
native of Germany who now teaches at Union Theological Seminary in New York. She
was particularly vitriolic against capitalism whereas there was no criticism of
soc1alism or communism. Dr. Solle denounced capitalism in no uncertain terms,
calling it "a thief that comes to plunder the poor," adding that
"While Christ came that we might have fulness of life, capitalism came to
turn everything into money." Dr. Solle said flatly: "Material wealth
and fulness of life cannot co-exist. The capitalistic quest for material wealth
must be surrendered before people can find fulness of life." Then she
asked, "How long will you continue to go along with a world order which is
based on exploitation and oppression?" Dr. Solle called the delegates
"to fight for peace and against militarism," and talked about the need
of "conversion away from money and violence to justice and peace." Dr.
Peter Beyerhaus, in his evaluation of the WCC Vancouver Assembly, reported that
"Dr. Solle denounced the Biblical concept of God and His Lordship, speaking
of a 'god-movement,' and even encouraged her listeners to write 'new
bibles."' Yes, women played a prominent part in the WCC program at
Vancouver, and their voices were generally united in favor of religious
liberalism and political radicalism!
The Unscriptural Theme of the WCC Vancouver
Assembly!
The theme of the WCC Vancouver Assembly was: "Jesus Christ the Life of
the World." This sounds good at first glance, but it simply is not
scriptural. Jesus Christ is not the "life" of the world; He is the
"light" of the world. (John 8:12). Jesus Christ is the
"life" of believers only. (1 John 5:11-13). To hold that Jesus Christ
is the "life" of the world is to open the door for the heresy of
universalism (that all people will ultimately be saved). Of course, this
heretical theme of universalism is heard over and over again in WCC assemblies
and forms the basis of their totally unscriptural goal of the unity of all
mankind!
The Radical Development of an Unscriptural
Theme!
The theme, "Jesus Christ- the Life of the World," was developed by
the presentation of four Sub-themes: (1) "Life, a Gift of God"; (2)
"Life Confronting and Overcoming Death"; (3) "Life in its
Fullness"; (4) "Life in Unity." These four sub-themes were
further developed by statements from eight separate "Issue Groups" as
follows:
(1) "Witnessing in a Divided World"; (2) "Taking Steps Towards
Unity"; (3) "Moving Towards Participation"; (4) "Healing and
Sharing Life in Community"; (5) "Confronting Threats to Peace and
Survival"; (6) "Struggling for Justice and Human Dignity"; (7)
"Learning in Community"; (8) "Communicating Credibly." The
four sub-themes were presented and developed by speakers who had been selected
in advance and they gave those present a heavy dose of religious liberalism and
political radicalism.
The Radical Words of a Finnish Archbishop!
Archbishop John Vikstrom of the Church of Finland supposedly provided a
biblical context in support of the first sub-theme: "Life, a Gift of
God." But, listen to Vikstrom's own words: "The revolutionary news of
Christianity is that Jesus Christ, the lawful king, has come, incognito, to this
occupied world. ...We who have gathered at this Assembly are members of this
resistance movement. At times we may find it hard to recognize both ourselves
and others as Christians– and sometimes we may have difficulty in recognizing
our disguised King, Jesus Christ." What blasphemy!
A Heathen Dance and False Religions!
In further developing the sub-theme, "Life, a Gift of God," the WCC
chose a "classical Bharathanatyam dance from South India" to dramatize
Jesus' meeting with the woman at the well. The presentation of this heathen
dance is in keeping with the WC C's desire to give "recognition to
differing cultures," but it has heathen connotations and meanings.
Furthermore, in presenting this sub-theme, the WCC called upon "guests of
other faiths" (actually, leaders of false religions) to make their
contributions to this theme. These included a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Muslim, a
Sikh and a Jew! But those who are dead in trespasses and sins cannot
scripturally talk about "Life, a Gift of God" until they have received
that life – that gift which comes only through faith in Jesus Christ!
The Blind Leading the Blind At Vancouver!
Jesus Christ warned that "If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall
into the ditch." Matthew 15:14. As one radical speaker after another
attempted to develop the theme and sub-themes, anyone viewing the WCC Assembly
from a biblical perspective would see clearly that most of the speakers and
listeners were spiritually blind and were thus headed for the "ditch."
Space limitations prevent extensive quotes from speakers who presented a wide
variety of the philosophies of men. When the Bible was quoted, it was twisted in
an attempt to make it appear that Satan's programs can have God's blessing.
Speakers from communist countries repeatedly presented communist philosophy and
propaganda with a thin veneer of Christian terminology. Several Roman Catholics
spoke even though Roman Catholicism continues to preach a false gospel and are
themselves "blind leaders of the blind." The veteran Pentecostal,
Charismatic, ecumenist, Dr. David duPlessis led a panel of responders to the
sub-theme, "Life in Unity." DuPlessis' noting that all Bible-believing
churches accept Jesus Christ as the head, stated: "If there is only one
head, there can be only one body. Clearly the salvation of humanity depends on
our unity." A statement such as this from the platform of the apostate
World Council of Churches identifies duPlessis as another of the "blind
leaders of the blind." The unity taught in the Scriptures is the exact
opposite of that which the World Council is seeking!
What Did the WCC Really Say At the Vancouver
Assembly?
Each of the eight issue groups previously mentioned drafted a statement which
was then presented to the Assembly for action (approval, amendment or referral).
In addition there were six general statements, four resolutions and four minutes
adopted. The six statements were on the following subjects: (1) "Peace and
Justice"; (2) "Human Rights"; (3) "International Food
Disorder"; (4) "The Middle East"; (5) "Southern
Africa"; (6) "Central America." Resolutions were adopted on: (1)
"Afghanistan"; (2) "Cyprus"; (3) "The Pacific";
(4) "The Rights of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada" The four
"Minutes on Public Issues of Continuing Concern" were (1)
"Armenian Genocide"; (2) " U. S. Military Bases in the
Philippines"; (3) "The Situation in Sri Lanka"; (4) "The
Situation in Lesotho." Statistical figures revealed that the Vancouver
Assembly consumed 14 tons of paper in its deliberations and proclamations.
Thousands of hours went into preparations for this Assembly and hundreds of
hours were spent by WCC delegates trying to decide what to say and what to leave
unsaid. Over three million dollars were spent by the WCC with perhaps an equal
amount contributed by member denominations in donated staff time and the cost of
bringing delegates to Vancouver from around the world And when the Assembly
ended, it was the cause of religious liberalism and political radicalism that
had been furthered – not the cause of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the
Gospel!
"No Peace Without Justice" -A Dominant
Theme At Vancouver!
The WCC's officially adopted Statement on Peace and Justice spelled out their
humanistic approach to solving the world's major problems. This statement says:
"The peoples of the world stand in need of peace and justice. Peace is not
just the absence of war. Peace cannot be built on foundations of injustice.
Peace requires a new international order based on justice for and within all
nations, and respect for the God-given humanity and dignity of every person.
Peace is, as the Prophet Isaiah has taught us, the effect of
righteousness." This theme was heard over and over again in various
speeches and WCC documents. Many diverse opinions were expressed which attempted
to set forth specific situations without which peace with justice is impossible.
Of course, the WCC, having rejected the authority of God's Word and His
standards of righteousness, has substituted its own standards of righteousness
and even these are only tentative and always subject to further change!
What Are the Requirements for Peace and Justice?
Bishop Henry Okullu of Kenya said, "There can be no peace while white
people go around the world collecting wealth." Most WCC women held the view
that there could be no justice or peace without absolute equality of the sexes.
The WCC Statement, "Witnessing in a Divided World" stated: "The
churches must struggle to put in place a new international order for a more just
world and be willing to change their own structures in response."
"Life in unity means work and bread for all. That requires a fair
distribution of scarce resources and this, in turn, a fair distribution of
political power. Life in unity is an ecumenical mandate of major economic
significance, to be realized in political terms. ...So the only promising option
is one which would enable us to cope with the problems of the 1980's. You may
call it a new real international economic order, or international democratic
socialism, or life in unity, or a just, participatory and sustainable
society." These words from Mr. Jan Pronk's WCC address are highly
significant and very revealing. Pronk is Deputy General Secretary of the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development and is a World Council member. What
the ecumenical movement is really after is a one-world church and a one-world
government in which religion and politics combine ideas, power, funds, and
talents to produce the harlot church and pave the way for the "man of
sin" - the Antichrist
WCC Accuses Secular Press of False Reporting!
WCC officials were wringing their hands in despair because they claimed the
press was featuring some of their "controversial" statements and
actions while neglecting to report many of the WCC activities designed to help
the needy around the world. What the WCC leaders fail to recognize is that they
have moved so far away from historic Christian positions and have gone so far
into the liberal, radical theological and political camp that even the secular
press is astounded at some of the things the WCC says and does. Surely no one
would deny that the WCC does conduct some projects which are commendable. Even
so, upon close examination many of these "worthwhile" programs turn
out to be projects which actually aid and abet those who are fully committed to
bringing about a world-wide communist revolution. Having turned their ears away
from God's truth, WCC leaders have turned unto fables– fables which lead them
to call good, evil and evil, good!
WCC Documents Its Own Radicalism!
The official report of the Vancouver Assembly is now available. Titled,
"Gathered for Life," it contains copies of actual reports, resolutions
and statements adopted together with much additional information, statistics and
quotations, providing self-incriminating proof of its radicalism! Those who
examine this official report discerningly will recognize at once how truth is
mixed with error over and over again. Some sentences or paragraphs in the
various reports and messages certainly sound "evangelical" or even
"fundamental." But none of these statements alter the basic liberal
thrust or radical conclusions. Instead, they are included only to pacify the
evangelicals and hold them in a movement they really should repudiate and
separate from!
Downplaying the Deity and Atoning Work of
Christ
"While affirming the uniqueness of the birth, life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus, to which we bear witness, we recognize God's creative
work in the seeking for religious truth among people of other faiths." Gathered
for Life, page 40.
Promoting Socialism In the Name of
Christianity
"The sharing of material resources must be seen in its proper context,
that of Christian stewardship. ALL CHURCHES HAVE A CLAIM ON EACH OTHER'S
RESOURCES, and a responsibility to challenge and help one another to use each
other's resources properly. ...There is a great need for a new theological
understanding of sharing material resources based on justice and solidarity with
the poor." Gathered for Life, page 64. This is communist-socialist
propaganda pure and simple, yet expressed in Christian terminology. DO ALL
CHURCHES HAVE A SCRIPTURAL CLAIM ON EACH OTHER'S RESOURCES? Of course not–especially
in view of the fact that many churches today are false churches - strongholds of
Satan's angels of light.
WCC Recommendations - New Symbols
"Churches are encouraged to experiment with alternative forms of
communication. ...Other alternatives involve the search for new symbols in order
to make ecumenical communication more effective. In recent years, the WCC has
made use of team visits, GIVEN GRANTS TO OPPRESSED GROUPS, and made use of new
symbols. From Vancouver we will remember the tent, the baby at the communion
table, the wisp of smoke rising from a sacred fire and the many symbolic acts of
worship that have deepened our understanding of the faith." Gathered for
Life, page 109,110. THE WCC HAS SUBSTITUTED SYMBOLS FOR SUBSTANCE. HAVING
TURNED AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH, THEY HAVE TURNED UNTO FABLES." 2
Timothy 4:4.
An Inescapable Question!
In retrospect – and after reviewing the official report of the WCC's Sixth
Assembly in Vancouver – an inescapable question arises: "How can the WCC
possibly justify its pronouncements on so many extremely complex issues?"
Even if every voting delegate were an expert in some field where their
experience and knowledge would enable them to compose a helpful statement, given
the factor of time and language barriers alone, producing something worthwhile
would be out of the question. Then, think for a moment about the brazenness of
the WCC in putting together documents on such a wide variety of complex issues
when 80% of the voting delegates had never attended a WCC Assembly before; knew
nothing of the complicated parliamentary procedures involved; and were expected
to cast their votes when they had only minutes or hours to review the final
documents? Some delegates complained that they had not even seen the final draft
of the statement their group had been working on. Some of the statements could
only be completed by granting the group chairman or the WCC Central Committee
the privilege to incorporate certain changes suggested from the floor after the
Assembly ended. Many WCC delegates |
