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King proceeded to ask Schuller what advice he would give to the Democratic Senators and others who are angry about the impeachment of President Clinton:
The idea that people need to "find God in their own
way" because "God lives in people" is completely contrary to Scripture.
Schuller's universalistic theology, while popular today among the majority of liberal
churches and even many evangelical churches, is an abomination to God and is a false
gospel. The Word of God teaches that all men are sinners and in rebellion against God, and
that Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth and the life." It is also sad that
Schuller promotes King's latest book on prayer, for King is a self-professed agnostic.
Once again, Graham's theology is completely contrary to
Scripture. God's Word never teaches that whatever is necessary for physical human
happiness will be the believer's lot in heaven. On the contrary, the believer will rejoice
in praising God and fulfilling His will, not the desired will of the individual. The
believer's physical body, while on the earth, is still wrestling with the lusts of the
flesh and the pride of life that are certainly pleasurable to the earthly saint. But
heaven will be a place where the believer will fulfill the will of the Savior and honor
and glorify Him throughout all eternity. To give the impression that heaven will be a type
of hedonistic paradise is dangerous, false theology. Return to Index ANGLICAN, VATICAN COMMISSION AGREE ON "GIFT" OF PAPAL AUTHORITYThe Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) recently released an official statement called "The Gift of Authority" which addressed the issue of the primacy of the pope. The statement called the primacy of the pope a "gift to be received by all the churches." While this 18-member commission, appointed by both the Vatican and the Anglican Communion, cannot rule on whether or not to accept full papal authority, it can recommend that it be received. However, not all in the Anglican Communion, a collection of independent national churches that stem from the Church of England (such as the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada) agree with the commission. According to a May 21, 1999, article in the Chicago Tribune, the Church of England Newspaper opposed such a willingness to grant papal authority on the grounds that Anglicans still are not allowed to receive the Eucharist in Catholic services nor are Anglican ordinations valid in the Vatican. Other concerns include Pope John Paul II's view of the Virgin Mary and the recent revival of indulgences. Dr. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the 70-million member Anglican Communion, knew the document would cause controversy but welcomed it nonetheless. In an Ecumenical News International (ENI) report dated May 18,1999, Carey said, "No doubt there will be several issues in "The Gift of Authority" which will be questioned, critically evaluated and examined by both communions ... but polemic theology has now been replaced by convergent theology. " In the same ENI report, Geoffrey Kirk, national secretary of the UK-based traditionalist Anglican group Forward in Faith said "the Anglican Communion desperately needs a unifying primacy, but its disunity [over women priests and homosexuality] is such that it couldn't receive it." Rev. Mark Santer, co-chairman of the commission and an Anglican bishop, stated that, in the end, the churches had not agreed on the pope's authority. "Rather," he said, "the commission is addressing itself to the conditions necessary for the restoration of communion between Christians. It believes that, if Christian people are to find that unity which is God's will, this will entail acceptance of a particular ministry for the maintenance of unity, to be exercised by the bishop of Rome" (Chicago Tribune, 5-21-99). Despite the problems that need to be addressed, both groups are striving for common ground on which to come together. Return to Index BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE, ANGLICAN CHURCH TO BEGIN FOUR-YEAR TALKS The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the Anglican Church will begin formal talks in the year 2000. The decision to begin the four-year consultations came on May 25 when BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz met with Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) General Secretary David Hamid and the Church of England General Secretary John Peterson in London, England. The July-August 1999 issue of the BWA News said the content of the upcoming dialogue between the BWA and Anglican church "will be the similarities and dissimilarities that exist between the two communities, major theological and polity issues and ways in which the two can cooperate in mission and community activities." A June 21, 1999, BWA news release stated, "These forthcoming talks with the Anglicans, or Episcopalians, continues a tradition of conversations with other Christian world communions and is part of the responsibility the BWA has to promote understanding, not only among Baptists, but among other Christian groups." Lotz said the BWA "looks forward to these significant conversations that will enable both communions to share what they have in common, and to learn from one another about those issues where we can both be mutually encouraging." Lotz continued, "It is our hope that these theological conversations will contribute to that unity for which Christ prayed in John 17, to the end that the world might find it easier to believe." Of course, the unity for which Christ prayed in John 17 is spiritual unity with the Father that one receives the moment he becomes a child of God. Unity with those who preach a false gospel is never acceptable to the Lord. It is sad how this prayer of Jesus as recorded in John 17 is so often misapplied and perverted in an attempt to forge unbiblical, ecumenical unity. Return to Index BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE GENERAL SECRETARY CALLS FOR NEW ATTITUDE TOWARD CHARISMATIC MOVEMENTDuring an address at Prague's International Baptist Theological Seminary, Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Secretary Denton Lotz urged Baptists to change their attitudes about the Charismatic Movement. Lotz's address at the seminary's 50th anniversary celebration in the Czech Republic centered on the theme "Reform in Theological Education." During the address, Lotz told Baptists that they needed to change their view of the modem Charismatic Movement. According to the Baptist Press, "Lotz said the sheer number of Christians classified as charismatic, more than 500 million, should stir attention among Baptists" (BP, 8-12-99). He urged Baptists to refrain from an attitude of "ambivalence" toward the Charismatic Movement. "We need to get over our hang-up of the use of the word of 'charismatic' and deal with the content of the matter, " he said. "The fact is, it was a rediscovery of the power and work of the Holy Spirit that brought this movement into being, whatever its name. Therefore Baptist theologians and students need to take seriously the work of the Holy Spirit." Lotz's two reasons for calling on Baptists to begin to accept the Charismatic Movement (its size and its "rediscovery" of the work of the Holy Spirit) are Scripturally unsound, theologically deficient and somewhat surprising, coming from one who exhorted Baptists elsewhere in his address to place a greater emphasis on theological study and Biblical exegesis. The BWA is but one more organization striving to not only build bridges with Charismatics but to also embrace Charismatic heresies. Earlier in the year, National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) President Kevin Mannoia, a self-described Charismatic, announced that he would continue to build bridges with Charismatics and those within mainline denominations. Likewise, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is seeking to initiate a new Forum, called the "Common Understanding and Vision" (CUV), that would bring together Pentecostal/Charismatics, Evangelicals, Roman Catholics and others not currently associated with the WCC. Return to Index CAMPOLO DEFENDS CLINTON’S "GAY PRIDE" DECISION, EMBRACES UNIVERSALIST THEOLOGY Tony Campolo, spiritual advisor to President Clinton, defended Clinton's decision to declare June as "Gay Pride Month" and affirmed his belief in a universalist theology on a recent CNN Crossfire program. The June 15, 1999, Crossfire broadcast featured a debate between Jerry Falwell and Tony Campolo on various political and theological issues. When asked by Falwell what he thinks about the president's decision to declare June as "Gay Pride Month," Campolo said, "It's a pluralistic society, and I think that he is endeavoring to affirm people" He continued to defend Clinton's decision and concluded by adding, "Love requires justice and acceptance." Later in the broadcast, co-host Bill Press (who said the idea that "Jesus is the only way to heaven" is "really wrong") asked Falwell whether Jesus Christ was the only way to heaven or whether those of other religions who had lived exemplary lives would also be able to enter the kingdom of heaven. While Falwell correctly answered that only those who trust in Jesus Christ would receive salvation, Campolo responded by saying, "We need to hold Christ up as the Savior, but I think we need to leave judgment in the hands of God." Falwell then asked Campolo, "Do you believe anyone has ever gone to heaven apart from Christ, yes or no?" Campolo responded, "I go with the Scriptures." After refusing to answer Falwell's question with a simple yes or no, Campolo, who claims to be an evangelical Christian, eventually responded by saying, "The apostle Paul says that there are people who have light that is not Christian light, and they will be judged on that basis." Such a statement is a blasphemous denial of the necessity of the death and resurrection of Christ and of the necessity for all to hear the Gospel message. God's Word declares that no individual apart from salvation by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone can be justified in the sight of God (Rom. 5:1-21). Return to Index CAMPOLO REAFFIRMS BELIEF IN UNIVERSALIST THEOLOGY, CITES GRAHAM TO SUPPORT HIS POSITION In an open letter to Jerry Falwell and the readers of
Falwell's September 1999 Liberty Journa1, Tony Campolo, an "evangelical"
theologian and professor at the American Baptist affiliated Eastern College, reaffirmed
his belief in universalism (the idea that some can be saved without personally hearing
about and believing in Jesus Christ). Falwell had challenged Campolo's recent statements
on a CNN Crossfire broadcast in which Campolo stated, after refusing to clearly
answer whether or not he believed Jesus is the only way to heaven, "The apostle Paul
says that there are people who have light that is not Christian light, and they will be
judged on that basis" (see report in July-August 1999 Foundation
magazine). Falwell criticized Campolo for this statement, and Campolo's open letter to
Falwell and his readers only serves to reaffirm Campolo's aforementioned belief in
universalism.
While Campolo attempts to waffle around his previous statements made on CNN's Crossfire broadcast by claiming that his original remarks referred only to some individuals who believe in the Jesus of the New Testament but refuse to embrace the name "Christian," it is evident from his statements that he believes, like Graham, that those "who have light other than Christian light" will go to heaven one day. Yet the Word of God declares that Jesus Christ is the only "Christian light," and any other light" cannot and will not save anyone. Those who have never heard the Gospel and believed in Jesus Christ will die in their sins. Believers must reach out through missions and personal witness to the lost and reject any doctrine that teaches salvation can be obtained apart from the hearing and understanding of the Gospel message. Return to Index CANADIAN CHURCHES FORGE UNPRECEDENTED UNITY IN CELEBRATION OF NEW MILLENNIUM The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) and the
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) have joined together in an unprecedented ecumenical
union to sponsor a new project titled "Together 2000: Christians in Canada Honouring
Jesus." According to the Together 2000 mission statement, "The purpose of
Together 2000 is to inspire Christians in Canada to honour Jesus together-reaching across
historical barriers through shared worship, prayer, carol singing and acts of compassion
." This is the first time in history that the two organizations, which represent a
combined 50+ denominations in Canada, have cosponsored a project. An October 4, 1999,
Ecumenical News International (ENI) report noted that "the project is significant
because historically there has been a tendency for evangelical Christians and those
involved in ecumenical organisations to regard each other with suspicion." While the
CCC (a member of the World Council of Churches) includes most mainline Protestant,
Orthodox, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in Canada, the EFC consists of 32
Evangelical denominations in addition to 1,000 local congregations and other Christian
organizations. A sampling of the EFC constituency includes the Association of Vineyard
Churches in Canada, the Baptist General Conference of Canada, the Church of the Nazarene
Canada, Evangelical Free Church of Canada, Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada, Pentecostal
Assemblies of Canada, Worldwide Church of God and many other Evangelical and Charismatic
churches and denominations.
The press release quotes Walsh as asking, "Why wouldn't Canadian Christians want
to reach out and kind of touch each others’ fingertips as they honour the One they
all have in common." He adds, "I can't walk away from this. No evangelical can
be against an effort to honour Jesus. And if God makes this grow, this can be a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a coast to coast celebration of faith." Return to Index CATHOLICS AND LUTHERANS CLOSE DOOR ON REFORMATION After nearly 500 years of division and 30 years of
recent dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans, leaders from both groups met in Augsburg,
Germany, on October 31, 1999, to endorse the consensus in basic truths" they have
reached regarding the doctrine of justification. The historical meeting occurred exactly
482 years to the day after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a Wittenburg
cathedral, denouncing the Roman Catholic doctrine of justification, among other things,
and spawning the Protestant Reformation. The "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification" states that man is saved by the grace of God alone and that the mutual
doctrinal condemnations that each church has leveled against the other are no longer
valid. It is the first time in history that the Roman Catholic Church has signed a formal
doctrinal agreement with a Protestant church. An Associated Press (AP) report said that
Pope John Paul II, who approved the document, welcomed the agreement as a milestone along
a difficult path full of joy, union, and communion among Christians" (AP 11-1-99).
Bishop Christian Krause, president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), added, For the
first time in centuries we are walking on common ground together." The Washington
Post, noting "the [Joint Declaration] declares, in effect, that [Luther's protest
in 1517] as all a misunderstanding," reported "that many said this accord gives
added promise to the ideal their denominations champion-of full communion, or merger,
between the churches" (Washington Post, 11-1-99)
According to Ecumenical News International (ENI), Cassidy believes that the Joint Declaration "could provide a model for other ecumenical agreements" (ENI, 11-1-99). Cassidy admitted that while other issues such as abortion and the ordination of homosexuals have divided churches, especially in the United States, he said these issues are not quite the same as doctrinal questions that go to the heart of future relationships." George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and vice president of the LWF, agrees with Cassidy. Anderson signed the Joint Declaration and, according to a Religion Today report, believes this milestone will lead to other future agreements ("Lutherans and Catholics Sign Historic Agreement," 11-1-99). Pope John Paul II issued a statement from the Vatican on October31 in which he called the agreement a "milestone on the not always easy road towards the restoration of full unity between Christians" (ENI, 11-1-99). Likewise, LWF General Secretary Ishmael Noko related his thoughts to a press conference in Augsburg two days prior to the signing of the agreement:
Opposition to the agreement arose from over 200 Lutheran theologians in Germany and from the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod in the United States. Both groups maintain that the declaration fails to reveal any change in Roman Catholic teaching concerning justification and fails to define "grace." When asked whether Martin Luther was justified in protesting the Catholic Church and nailing his 95 Theses to the Wittenburg door, Cardinal Cassidy said, "What we have tried to do in the dialogue is not to pass judgment…but to ask what are Lutherans and Catholics able to say today" (ENI, 10-29-99). Reverend Joseph Komonchak, professor of theology at Catholic University in Washington, told the Washington Post, "'This Joint Declaration appears to be saying that the doctrine that Luther thought was central to the Reformation, and which led him to undertake it, is not one on which there are serious enough differences between Catholics and Lutherans to justify the division of the church" (Washington Post, 11-1-99). The LWF which signed the document with the Roman Catholic Church, represents 58 million of the world's 61.5 million Lutherans. Return to Index CLINTON APPOINTS FIRST OPENLY HOMOSEXUAL U.S. AMBASSADOR President Clinton recently bypassed the U. S. Senate and appointed homosexual activist James C. Hormel, who is, himself, a homosexual, as United States ambassador to Luxembourg. The appointment makes Hormel the first openly homosexual U. S. ambassador. Conservatives in the Senate had delayed Hormel's nomination for 18 months, but Clinton gave Hormel a "recess appointment" while the Senate was out of session in observance of Memorial Day. Hormel is known not only for helping to finance the objectives of the Democratic Party but also for financing major causes within the homosexual movement. For example, Hormel donated $500,000 to raise funds for the Gay and Lesbian Center in San Francisco's new Main Library. The self-proclaimed purpose of the Gay and Lesbian Center is to document lesbian and gay history and culture. In addition, Hormel also helped finance a video documentary promoting the teaching of homosexuality in the classroom. During the month of June, the documentary aired across the nation by public radio KQED in San Francisco and through American Public Television in light of " Gay Pride Month. " Hormel also supports the legalization of homosexual marriages and co-founded the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay advocacy group which lobbies Congress, contributes to political candidates, engages in political campaigns, sponsors the National Coming Out Project and opposes ex-gay ministries. Three years ago Hormel's nomination as U. S. ambassador to Fiji met quick defeat due to conservative opposition, but according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Hormel said he would have declined the position anyway since he discovered Fiji upholds a sodomy statute (S. F. Chronicle, 3-22-96). It is obvious that our nation's President is doing everything he can to promote sin and ungodliness. Return to Index COMING TO CHRIST THROUGH VISIONS, DREAMS AND MIRACLES Many reports are circulating from both Charismatic and
non-charismatic missions ministries about Muslims, Hindus and individuals of other
religions accepting Christ after experiencing visions, dreams or miracles. Numerous
examples could be cited, but a few seem especially timely and relevant. For example,
International Christian Concern leader Steve Snyder told one news service that in
communist and Muslim dominated countries, many are coming to Christ through healings and
visions. Citing Snyder's testimony, the November 17, 1997, Religion Today feature
story entitled "Amazing Miracles Are Occurring in Muslim Countries" reported,
"The church is experiencing great power, expressed in 'miraculous hearings and
visions' that are bringing people to Christ. " Snyder told the Religion Today editors
that. "Muslims are having dreams in which Jesus appears and proclaims to be the
Savior."
The report concluded, "Many Muslims who have
never heard the gospel are becoming Christians through dreams, Campus Crusade for
Christ said. " Return to Index CONSULTATION ON CHURCH UNION (COCU) SEEKS NEW VISION FOR ECUMENICAL COOPERATION After 39 years of ecumenical struggle, representatives of nine
U. S. Protestant denominations have agreed to form a "new relationship" between
member communions by 2002. The Consultation on Church Union (COCU), a 39-year old unity
dialogue inspired by Eugene Carson Blake and Bishop James K. Pike, held its 18th Plenary
in St. Louis, Missouri, just days before the pope was scheduled to arrive in St. Louis.
During the five-day meeting, the delegates approved a document that calls for the nine
denominations to unite into a new relationship called "Churches Uniting in
Christ" during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2002. Now, each denomination
must officially approve the measure. While this new union would not form a new
denomination, each church of the member denominations would be in "full
communion" with one another. Any member communions that feel as though they will not
be able to become an official, visible part of the Churches Uniting in Christ "would
be invited to be partners in continuing relationship."
As of the 18th Plenary, the nine COCU participating
denominations consist of the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), the International Council of Community Churches, the United
Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Return to Index FORMER SBC PRESIDENT DIALOGUES WITH HOMOSEXUAL DENOMINATION Jimmy Allen, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), participated
in a dialogue with the renowned Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
(UFMCC), self-described as "the world's largest organization serving the spiritual
needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community." The meeting marked
the UFMCC's 30th anniversary "General Conference and World Jubilee" on July 16,
1999.
Allen's daughter-in-law received an AIDS-tainted blood
transfusion in 1982 and passed the virus on to her two sons. While his first grandson was
still alive, Allen found it difficult across all denominations to find a church that would
accept his grandson in their Sunday schools. Prior to the family's losses, even their own
church (Disciples of Christ) rejected them, as Allen's son, Scott, was fired from the
pastorate. Since then, however, the church has begun an AIDS ministry according to a July
19, 1999, Baptist Press (BP) report.
Allen served as SBC president from 1977 to 1979 and later
presided over the SBC's former Radio and Television Commission. He is also the former
pastor of First Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas. Perry, founder of the UFMCC in 1968,
performed the first same-sex marriage in the USA the same year. The UFMCC now totals
42,000 members in 15 countries, of which "over 40% of the mate congregates in many of
their churches have died or are living with AIDS, including many of their clergy"
(BP, 7-15-99). Return to Index GRAHAM CALLS CHRISTIAN ROCK HIS "INTERPRETER" TO TODAY’S YOUTH In order to reach out to today's youth, Billy Graham's recent evangelistic crusade in Indianapolis, Indiana, included a Christian rock concert called "Concert for the NeXt Generation" featuring Christian rock groups Anointed (a contemporary soul gospel group), Audio Adrenaline (a Christian alternative punk band) and Michael W. Smith. Both Audio Adrenaline and Michael W. Smith have become widely accepted in the secular music market as well. In a pre-crusade press conference, Graham said he needed an interpreter because today's youth spoke a language he did not understand. "Contemporary Christian music sometimes acts like an interpreter for me, " Graham said (Baptist Press, 69-99). "Although the message remains the same, our methods often must change in order to communicate that message. New tools of outreach and forms of expression must be used," he said. Audio Adrenaline's Mark Stuart told Baptist Press, "We want kids today to see they can have a good time and be a Christian. We put on a real rock n' roll show, but Jesus Christ is our hero, and we try to get kids' eyes off of us and on to Him. " Baptist Press noted that 42,000 youth from various denominations converged upon the RCA Dome to hear the concert. Certainly such worldliness disguised in the form of Christianity is displeasing to a God who has called all believers to be different from the world. Return to Index GRAHAM ENCOURAGES ECUMENISM, SHUNS RESPONSIBILITY TO DISTINGUISH TRUTH FROM ERROR Dr. Billy Graham's latest evangelistic crusade, held October
14-17, 1999, in St. Louis, MO, sparked yet another monumental ecumenical effort on the
part of hundreds of churches and over 70 denominations as they prepared for Graham's third
visit this century to the Gateway City. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that
"about 600 churches worked on the crusade project since January. They had full
support of their pastors. Another 1000 churches had some members who volunteered as
ushers, choir members or counselors, adding that "'the strongest support came from
Baptist churches-Graham is an ordained Southern Baptist minister- Presbyterian Church of
America congregations and nondenominational churches" (Post-Dispatch, 10-18-99).
An October 18, 1999, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) press release reported
that "many crusade participants and committee members also saw the crusade as an
opportunity to build bridges with those of different religious backgrounds" Several
churches, including Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) and Third Baptist Church
(affiliated with both the American Baptist Churches USA and the Southern Baptist
Convention) welcomed Graham in a special advertising section of the Post-Dispatch titled
"We Welcome the Billy Graham Crusade."
Graham further denounced any other responsibility to God aside
from evangelism after Rice asked him what he thought about the recent growth in
evangelical churches as opposed to mainline Protestant churches Graham said, I am not a
pastor of a church. That's not my responsibility My responsibility is to preach the Gospel
to everyone and let them choose their own church, whether it is Catholic or Protestant or
Orthodox or whatever it is. And to me that's between an individual and a church and
God." Finally, Rice asked Graham what he though about members of Catholic, Protestant
or Orthodox churches becoming more evangelistic, to which Graham replied, "I would be
encouraged if they become evangelistic. That's the responsibility that Jesus left us, to
go to all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. That's evangelism. That is
what the Roman Catholic Jesuits did when they came to St. Louis. They were doing
evangelism." Return to Index HINN’S NEW BOOK DETAILS LIFE, INFLUENCE OF KATHRYN KUHLMAN Benny Hinn's latest book, Kathryn Kuhlman: Her Spiritual Legacy and Its Impact on My Life, documents the tremendous influence Kathryn Kuhlman has left on Hinn's life and ministry. Hinn's book, which contains a forward by Rex Humbard and Oral Roberts (who says he considers Benny Hinn "number one on the field of evangelism today"), details the life of Kuhlman, a Pentecostal evangelist and healer, and provides several pertinent quotes by Kuhlman which give insight into her heretical Pentecostal/Charismatic teachings concerning the Holy Spirit, hearings and miracles. Hinn says the two greatest factors in his early spiritual growth were the Holy Spirit and Kuhlman, for it was Kuhlman who "helped [Hinn] find the anointing." In fact, Hinn says that at the beginning of his ministry, he was "flowing in Kathryn's anointing, not Benny Hinn's. " Kuhlman ignored the Biblical mandate for male leadership in the church, and she is quoted in the book as once stating, "You can say anything you want about me, as a woman, having no right to stand in the pulpit and preach the Gospel. Yet even if everybody in the world told me that, it would have no effect on me whatsoever." She believed that her "call to the ministry was just as definite as [her] conversion. " Later in the book Hinn quoted her as saying that she never considered herself a woman preacher, but only a few pages later Hinn quotes from her book Glimpse into Glory in which she wrote, "One day I will have preached my last sermon." Kuhlman's evangelistic meetings were characterized by hearings, testimonies of hearings and individuals becoming "slain in the spirit" to which Hinn noted, "The manifestation of this kind of power was present in every Kathryn Kuhlman service until her ministry ended." Hinn said Kuhlman "did not believe anyone receives a physical healing without also receiving a spiritual healing." She remembered that at times during her services, while people were being healed, others would walk down the aisle and say they wanted to be saved, even though Kuhlman had said, "I have said nothing about salvation or repentance. I have given no altar call. " Kuhlman attributed this to the Holy Spirit, despite the fact that no message of the Gospel had yet been preached in such a situation. Hinn's book also touches upon the ecumenical nature of Kuhlman's ministry, noting that during one miracle service in Las Vegas in 1975, "ministers from dozens of local churches had their members working and praying for weeks prior to the event. And a priest at one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the area held a special Mass the day prior to the service. " Yet he noted that she "came by her ecumenical leanings naturally" due to her denominationally diverse upbringing. "Her rules may have not been understood by some Pentecostals, yet in her meetings were Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, people from virtually every Protestant denomination," Hinn said. Kuhlman was adamant that people understand that she never believed God healed one particular way or according to one particular theological system. She said, "If you believe that I do not acknowledge the sacramental methods of healing used in many different churches, you are under a misapprehension. The power of the Holy Spirit is not confined to any one place or any one system." She advised, and Hinn agrees, that Christians should never become so "dogmatic" in their "thinking, teaching and methods," so as to exclude "other truth of equal importance." Kuhlman detailed how a Roman Catholic nun became "filled with the Spirit" during one of her meetings. Hinn also tells readers that "Pope Paul granted Kuhlman a private audience at the Vatican, lauding her "admirable work"' and gave her a gold medallion. The last several chapters of the book are full of Scripture that has been pulled out of context in an attempt to justify various Charismatic teachings. Hinn says he believes God speaks to him through dreams today and exhorts his readers to not "be afraid to bring yourself under the shadow of people who are anointed " that is, Charismatics and Pentecostals. While the book primarily emphasizes the positive, uncontroversial aspects of Kuhlman's life and ministry, Hinn does admit that Kuhlman had an affair with a married man, Burroughs Waltrip, and married him soon after he divorced his own wife. Yet several years later, Kuhlman felt that she had to choose between Waltrip and God and divorced Waltrip. Hinn glosses over the Biblical implications of Kuhlman's affair with a married man and her divorce by saying, "In the midst of her growing ministry, legal documents for Kathryn's divorce were filed in 1947, but the topic was irrelevant. She was a new Kathryn and God had buried her past forever." Return to Index The teachings of humanism are built on the twin false
foundations of deifying man and humanizing God. Religious liberalism leans heavily upon
humanistic suppositions, and the compromises of New Evangelicalism have produced a
man-centered mindset for ministry in which the false premises of humanism are adopted,
knowingly or not. The New Age philosophies dominating the aspirations of religious and
secular institutions alike are, again, looking everywhere for answers except to the God of
the Bible. One does not have to be officially affiliated with an admittedly humanistic
organization to be caught up in the web of humanistic reasoning. We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation ... We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity ... We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence. We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual preferences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity. We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences. ... We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking. We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others. We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality. We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings. Humanism deceives by putting a spin on words and phrases so that their underlying meanings are distorted or negated. Humanism clearly rejects God. True indeed is the Almighty's estimation of all such "filthy dreamers" (Jude 8) "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools... " (Rom. 1: 22). Return to Index INTERFAITH ROADS LEADING TO ROME Pope John Paul II recently visited the United States following his five-day stay in Mexico. During his 30-hour stop in St. Louis, Missouri, the pope spoke to 20,000 youth during an evening rally, conducted a morning mass for over 100,000 Catholics and led an interfaith prayer service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. During his visit, the pope not only expressed his desire for "Christian" unity and for the eventual unity of all religions, but he also declared his complete commitment to interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Upon arriving in St. Louis, the pope said, "I express my friendship and esteem for my fellow Christians, for the Jewish community in America, for our Muslim brothers and sisters. I express my cordial respect for people of all religions and for every person of good will." Certainly every believer should respect all people, regardless of their cultural, racial or religious background. However, the following quotes by the pope and the fact that he called Muslims his "brothers and sisters" reveal that he desires spiritual, ecumenical unity. During the pope's interfaith prayer gathering, which began with the reading of Scripture by Rabbi Robert Jacobs (this was the first time a rabbi had taken part in a papal service anywhere in the world), the pope told his audience:
Among those who attended the interfaith meeting was John
Anderson, pastor of the Third Baptist Church in St. Louis. According to the New York
Times, Anderson is president of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis
(which includes Christians, Jews, Muslims and Baha'is). In his latest interfaith
newsletter, Anderson said: "Instead of marveling at the fact that Providence allows
such a great variety of religions, we should be amazed at the number of common elements
found within them." Anderson's Third Baptist Church is affiliated with both the
Southern Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches, U. S. A. Return to Index JESSE JACKSON’S SOCIAL GOSPEL REJECTS WORK OF CHRIST AS SUFFICIENT FOR SALVATION Political activist Jesse Jackson, speaking at Galloway
Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, told the 1,100 people in
attendance that social, political and economic compassion and action must become a reality
in their lives in order to get to heaven. An April 20, l999, United Methodist News Service
release stated, "Jackson told the crowd the church must lead the way in aiding the
least among society. Only then, he said, will Christians meet the criteria Christ
established to gain eternal life in heaven." Jackson received a standing ovation at
the church, his second stop in his series of meetings throughout the South urging 'hope,
healing and racial harmony." Galloway's senior pastor, Sam Morris, said, "It was
a great celebration of worship. Anyone in the sanctuary felt the presence of God bringing
us together." Return to Index LUTHERANS AGREE TO ENTER INTO FULL COMMUNION WITH EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Church issued a document entitled "Called to Common Mission" (CCM) which may provide new energy for the ecumenical movement in a new century," according to an Episcopal News Service report (ENS, 8-19-99). With more than the necessary two-thirds majority voting to accept the document, the 5.2 million-member ELCA agreed on August 19, 1999, to enter into full communion with the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church. The vote means the two denominations would share clergy and sacraments, join in missionary and social service projects and make joint decisions on important issues. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said the vote is "a great step forward in our ecumenical understanding" (Ecumenical News International, 8-20-99). The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Frank T. Griswold, also embraced the decision, adding, "The test of our full communion will be our faithfulness to the Gospel in mission and witness, in prayer and fellowship at God's altar. We ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in the days ahead, to unfold and deepen our relationship" (ENS, 8-19-99). However, not all Lutherans are excited with this major step in ecumenical history. Some dislike the idea that the ELCA will also accept the "historic episcopate," a belief that Episcopal bishops extend back to Christ's apostles. Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as Anglican and Episcopalian bodies, hold similar beliefs in a historic episcopate, although each historic line of bishops is different from the other. Lutheran teachings, on the other hand, do not require this succession. Therefore, the CCM document will give Episcopal bishops authority over Lutheran bishops. Martin E. Marty, a Lutheran pastor and a University of Chicago professor, chaired the document's writing team. Marty indicated that this vote "is the first time in U.S. religious history that a church (ELCA) has bridged the gap between churches so diversely governed-congregational, Presbyterian, synodical, conferencial and episcopal. In light of the new relationships, the Lutheran vote could open the way for other churches to consider the historic episcopate" (ENS, 8-19-99). He predicted that "many new partnerships might lie ahead." While the Episcopal Church will not vote to accept the document until the summer of 2000 at its next General Convention, the ELCA is already successfully partaking in full communion with Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church of America. The same day the ELCA voted to accept the terms of the CCM, it also invited the Moravian Church into its ecumenical fold. United Church of Christ President John Thomas, credited with the successful vote for the ELCA's full communion with the Reformed Church, affirmed the importance of the ELCA's vote to accept the CCM document. "Your future is our future ... To take this step to adopt CCM with integrity would be a sign of your capacity to bring evangelical and catholic and Reformed traditions together, something which has been one of the most difficult issues in the ecumenical movement. If you move forward, you will encourage us to take up these issues again with renewed energy" (ENS, 8-19-99). Return to Index "NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER" INVOLVES RIGHT IDEA, WRONG MESSAGE OF COOPERATION "What is the National Day of Prayer, and what is its
purpose?" is the question posed in the official brochure introducing the National Day
of Prayer. "The National Day of Prayer(NDP) is an annual event for Americans of all
faiths to take time to pray for our nation and its leaders," the brochure adds. An
array of national leaders called upon Americans to pray for their country on May 6, either
in their own homes or as part of a larger community event. The NDP Task Force offered
promotional information to help individuals organize prayer breakfasts. community rallies
and worship services. "People of all faiths are encouraged to participate in the NDP
according to their own traditions, " says the brochure. However, official NDP events
and promotional materials upheld the Judeo-Christian tradition, organizers said. Mrs.
James Dobson served as chairman of the NDP while Mrs. Bill Bright served as co-chairman.
Notable religious leaders on the national advisory committee included Bill Bright, Charles
Colson, James Dobson and E. V. Hill. National liaisons for the NDP included Rabbi Joshua
Haberman, Dr. D. James Kennedy and Father A. Sirico (Roman Catholic). Return to Index NEW EDITION OF THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION TO BE EDITED AND EMBRACED BY EVANGELICAL AND CHARISMATIC THEOLOGIANS Although a publication date has not yet been released,
Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, hopes to publish a new edition of the
Revised Standard Version Bible (1971) with input from some of the world's leading
Evangelical and Charismatic leaders. The new edition, which Baptist Press (BP) called an
"inerrancy-based edition," has been described by one unnamed scholar as
"more literal than the New International Version and more readable than the New
American Standard Bible." The scholar told BP that the New Testament could be ready
within a year (BP, 2-19-99).
Crossway's news release added that the ESV will be published
under a licensing agreement with the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
(NCC) which currently holds the copyright for the Revised Standard Version. Return to Index NEW INTERFAITH BOOKS FOR CHILDREN PUBLISHED TO EQUIP "TOMORROW'S PEACEMAKERS" "Comparative Religion-for Kids" is the headline of a
December 11, 1998, Associated Press story contained in the Chicago Tribune. The
article describes the efforts of Peggy Fletcher Stack, a religion writer for the Salt
Lake Tribune, who discovered a lack of books for grade-school children concerning
comparative religions and decided to write a book with the aid of artist Kathleen
Peterson. Their 64-page book, A World of Faith, explains the history and beliefs of
28 religions. Within the pages of the book, a child can learn about the history and faith
of Roman Catholics, Hindus, Muslims, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, to name only a few.
The AP story noted that local Muslims were so impressed with Stack's portrayal of their
faith that "they declared Allah was with her and invited her to join the faith."
The book has been endorsed by Jimmy Carter, Theodore Hesburgh (president emeritus of the
University of Notre Dame), Joan Brown Campbell (general secretary of the National Council
of Churches) and Paul Kurtz (publisher of Free Inquiry magazine, a publication that
unequivocally advances secular humanism). Stack says she wrote the book in order to
encourage discussion and dialogue between parents and children. In the preface to her
book, she writes, "We hope these pages win show [children] similarities and
connectedness so that they can be tomorrow's peacemakers. " Return to Index NEW NAE PRESIDENT TO REPLACE "BLOCK WALLS" WITH "PICKET FENCES" The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) elected
43-year-old Kevin Mannoia as its new president on March 1 at its annual meeting in
Orlando, FL. Mannoia succeeds Don Argue who served since 1995. Mannoia's election comes at
a time when the NAE is seeking younger leadership in order to bring vitality to the
organization and closer ecumenical ties with Charismatics not affiliated with the NAE as
well as individuals within mainline denominations. The NAE's annual meeting included
leaders from mainline Protestant denominations including United Methodist theologian
Thomas Oden (signer of the Evangelicals and Catholics Together documents) who noted the
existence of "real evangelical ecumenism" within the NAE. "This could
signal a convergence of the NAE and mainline evangelicals," Oden told Christianity
Today (CT 4-5-99). Return to Index NEW PLATFORM FOR ECUMENICAL UNITY ESTABLISHED BY CAMPUS CRUSADE, SBC New Evangelicals have yet another platform on which they are
attempting to forge an unbiblical, ecumenical unity among many denominations: marriage and
the family. Campus Crusade for Christ has adopted the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC)
stance on marriage and the family as its own. Dennis Rainy, executive director and
co-founder of Campus Crusade's FamilyLife division, made the announcement on July 28,
1999, before 5,000 staff members at Campus Crusade's U.S. Staff Conference in Fort
Collins, Colorado. According to Baptist Press, Rainy "believes other denominations
and organizations will follow the lead set by the SBC and Campus Crusade" (7-29-99).
In the same article Rainy also added that the SBC/Campus Crusade stance is "another
example of how the Spirit of God is creating partnerships between denominations, churches,
para-church ministries and organizations because of the crisis we're in as a nation. I
think we're all realizing that unless we work together we're going to fall apart." Return to Index POPE CALLS INCREASED DIALOGUE AMONG WORLD RELIGIONS A "SIGN OF HOPE" AT END OF CENTURY Pope John Paul II has called upon all religions of the world
to join together in an effort to fight poverty and violence during the next millennium.
The Associated Press reported that the leader of the world's 900 million Roman Catholics
"summoned representatives of the world's religions to the Vatican for one last try
during this millennium at cooperation to solve common problems of the world's
peoples" (AP, 10-28-99). Representatives from 20 of the world's faiths met at the
Vatican during the five day council (October 24-28, 1999) and discussed issues such as
religious violence and poverty. During the final day of the Council, the pope denounced
religious extremism and the growing gap between the rich and poor nations of the world.
The pope, an outspoken foe of economic capitalism, told a crowd of thousands of worshipers
in St. Peter's Square, "Surely this is not the way humanity is supposed to live. Is
it not therefore right to say that there is indeed a crisis of civilization which can be
countered only by a new civilization of love" (Reuters, 10-28-99). Although the pope
often referred to the injustices prevalent in the world, he noted that grounds for
optimism do exist. "I am convinced that the increased interest in dialogue between
religions is one of the signs of hope present in the last part of this century, yet,"
he said, "there is a need to go further" (Reuters 10-28-99). Return to Index POPE JOHN PAUL II REJECTS REALITY OF A LITERAL HELL During his weekly address to the general audience of 8,500 people at the Vatican on July 28, 1999, Pope John Paul II rejected the reality of a physical, literal hell as a place of eternal fire and torment. Rather, the pope said hell is separation, even in this life, from the joyful communion with God. According to an official Vatican transcript of the pope's speech, Pope John Paul II noted that the Scriptural references to hell and the images portrayed by Scripture are only symbolic and figurative of "the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God. " He added, "Rather than a physical place, hell is the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy." He said hell is "a condition resulting from attitudes and actions which people adopt in this life." Concerning the concept of eternal damnation, the pope said, "Damnation consists precisely in definitive separation from God, freely chosen by the human person, and confirmed with death that seals his choice for ever." The pope also added, "The thought of hell and even less the improper use of biblical images must not create anxiety or despair." Rather, he stated, it is a reminder of the freedom found in Christ. The Religion News Service reported that a Vatican-approved editorial published several weeks ago in the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica agrees with the pope's latest pronouncement. The editorial explicitly pronounced, "Hell exists, not as a place but as a state, a way of being of the person who suffers the pain of the deprivation of God" (Los Angeles Times, 7-31-99). The pope said eternal damnation is "not God's work but is actually our own doing." Only a week earlier the pope stated that heaven is neither "an abstraction nor a place in the clouds, but a living, personal relationship of union with the Holy Trinity. " Such a statement on hell is strikingly similar to that made by Billy Graham several years ago in which he was quoted,
Both Graham and now the pope completely reject the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the reality of a literal lake of fire that burns throughout all eternity. The author of Hebrews taught that the reality of hell is a vital Bible doctrine (Heb. 6:1, 2). Jude taught that believers are to contend for the faith (doctrine) once delivered unto the saints and that hell is a real, literal place of fire and torment Jude 3, 7). The apostle Paul taught that those who knew not Christ would suffer the vengeance of God which entailed everlasting damnation (2 Thess. 1:8, 9). The apostle John saw that hell was a real place (Rev. 14: 1 0; 20:10-15; 21:8). And, Jesus Christ Himself taught that hell literally exists, that it lasts forever and that those who reject His perfect salvation would spend eternity therein (Matt. 13:41, 42; 18:8, 9; 25:41-46; Luke 16:19-31). Rejection of the Biblical doctrine of hell by the pope and Graham does not nullify the fact that a literal hell truly exists. "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:3, 4). Return to Index SBC STILL NO PLACE FOR A FUNDAMENTALIST While the Southern Baptist Convention is undoubtedly winning several battles against the liberals within the denomination, the SBC is still home to many who refuse to practice Biblical separation from those who teach and preach false doctrine. For example, the SBC allowed Chuck Colson to address the Southern Baptist Pastor's Conference just one day prior to the SBC annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Colson, the driving force behind both Evangelicals and Catholics Together documents and a staunch enemy of Biblical separation, urged SBC pastors to continue fighting the "culture war" despite the call by some within the evangelical camp to refrain from involvement in politics. During the annual meeting, those in attendance also heard National Football League defensive end Reggie White exhort Southern Baptists to work together with all Christians in order to reach out to those in need. A June 17, 1999, Baptist Press report noted, "White said Christians should be 'ashamed of ourselves' for having so many denominations and sects." He added, "Jesus prayed that we might be one in unity, as he and the Father are one. " White emphasized the need for change in the nation's inner-cities and said "change cannot come by just sharing how people can be saved." One event associated with the meeting, the Conference of Associational Directors of Missions, featured mega-church growth expert Rick Warren. Warren spoke on the theme, "Church Planting for a New Century." It is interesting to note that while Warren encourages loud, contemporary music, "positive-only" messages and "seeker-sensitive" programs within the church, SBC President Paige Patterson seemed to criticize such methods in a later message. Patterson told delegates to reject "12-minute sermonettes generated by the 'felt needs' of an assembled cast of postmortem listeners, augmented by drama and multiple repetitions of touchy-touchy, feely-feely music." Patterson said the Word of God Itself should touch people rather than "creative interpretations" of the Bible (Religion Today, 6-17-99). Such duplicity and conflicting ideologies are certainly confusing. Other prominent Southern Baptists attending the annual meeting included John Maxwell, James Merritt and Jerry Falwell, who led the benedictory prayer at one session. The SBC itself still refuses to separate from the liberal, ecumenically-minded Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), a group organized by the SBC liberals several years ago. When SBC President Paige Patterson was asked whether or not he thought the denomination should now separate from the CBF, Patterson said, "I don't really know the answer to that question. I'm a Baptist. I am pretty much in favor of folks having the freedom to do whatever they want to do." He added that he hoped, however, that the CBF would honestly state whether or not it is still in agreement with the SBC. It never appeared as though the SBC's affiliation with the BWA was ever in question, for both BWA President Nelson Fanini and General Secretary Denton Lotz spoke during events at the annual meeting. The SBC's affiliation with the BWA and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship means that any SBC church that contributes to the denomination directly supports such liberal organizations. Return to Index TORONTO "REVIVAL" NOW BOASTS "DENTAL MIRACLES" FROM GOD The Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship Church, home of the "Toronto Blessing Revival," has served as a breeding ground for false doctrine and strange manifestations attributed to the Holy Spirit for many years. Laughing uncontrollably, becoming slain in the Spirit or drunk in the Spirit and barking like dogs and uttering other animal noises have become hallmarks of what is known as the "Toronto Blessing. " Yet now, many at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship Church are claiming that God has supernaturally filled their teeth with gold and silver. An official press release by the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship Church says:
The release says those who had experienced this miracle were
encouraged to verify the change with their dentists, and some who did approach their
dentists "had apparently forgotten that this [previous dental] work had been
done." The release continues, "The majority of these incidents however, seem to
be beyond explaining, other than that God has given these wonderful gifts. The miracles
reportedly continued to happen to family members at home as well as to individuals in
other countries throughout the world." Return to Index TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK’S COMPROMISE REAPS FINANCIAL HARVEST Trinity Broadcasting Network opened its 65,000-square-foot headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA, in May 1998. The multi-million dollar structure houses a programming studio, a bookstore, a theater and what has been described by the Orange County Register as TBN founder Paul Crouch's "8000-square-foot executive suite which occupies half of the top floor of the three-story building" (Register, 6-2-98). The Register, which featured a special report on TBN and its activities, noted that Crouch's executive suite includes a wet bar, |
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