Articles
Can't We All Just Get Along?
Before Jesus was to be arrested and put to death, He offered a prayer to the Father on behalf of His disciples then and now (cf. Jn. 17:20ff). His appeal was that there would be a unity among those that accepted the gospel. Unfortunately, it did not take long once the church started to grow for problems to arise (cf. Acts 5; 6). Eventually, issues got to the point that fractures were inevitable (cf. Acts 20:29f; 1 Cor. 1:10ff). Fast forward two millennia—unity is still a contentious issue, but remains desirable among those that wear the name “Christian”. This current divisiveness stems greatly from an unbiblical unity movement called Ecumenicalism.
Initially the term “ecumenical” meant “universal” in relation to bringing about the unity of the Christian church. As centuries passed, the movement morphed from a worldview of unity that also brought together other religions regardless of beliefs or doctrines, not just the unification of the church.(1) “This ecumenism propounds the idea of universalism in which everyone will go to heaven, believing in Jesus or not.”(2) A faithful Christian should automatically dismiss the movement altogether because of the danger it proposes. Christ declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6). This clearly states that putting faith and trust in anyone else is forbidden. Before looking further into God’s word for reasons not to adhere to an ecumenical viewpoint, it is important to understand a brief history of the movement.
From the outset there were sects that plagued the church. One example of early division resulted from the influence of Judaizing teachers, who taught that observation of both the Law of Moses and Jewish customs were mandatory for all Christians. The Apostle Paul adamantly opposed this in Galatians. Another group that crept in the church and drew a wedge were the Gnostics. They believed: that the world was created by an imperfect being, the souls of mankind were trapped in the temporal, and a select few gifted with knowledge held the keys to salvation. Paul warned and alluded to getting ensnared with such beliefs (cf. 1 Tim. 6:20f). Other groups popped up and spread among the brethren like a disease (e.g. Montanists, Novatians, and Donatists). These factions advocated puritanical and ascetic lifestyles. Montanists were convicted that the second coming of Christ was imminent in that the heavenly Jerusalem was soon to descend upon the earth between the two villages of Pepuza and Tymion in Phrygia.(3) Again, the Apostle Paul stressed the caution of being consumed with manmade destructive philosophies (cf. Col. 2:8).
Unity was sought whenever fractures and factions would spring up, but the idea of ecumenicalism really came to a head at the various councils which led to the formation of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches. Paradoxically, the desire to come together and extinguish the catastrophic flames only brought further separation. With the introduction of human creeds and the eventual “Schism of 1054”, where Rome and Constantinople put their proverbial feet down, a complete separation came about through bloodshed. Remember the words of Christ, “…for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword” (Matt. 26:52). Those that seek to further a false doctrine or not follow the will of God will ultimately only find death.
Throughout the centuries, continual efforts were attempted at reconciliation. Even the Reformation with John Calvin and Martin Luther did not want the church to dissolve but unite. John Dury was the prominent ecumenist prior to the 19th century and traveled throughout Europe for the cause of unity. Post-Reformation, such men as: George Calixtus, Nikolaus Ludwig, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz strove for unification. No effort proved wholly successful.
As the 19th and 20th centuries came along, a resurgence of ecumenicalism via missions geared toward evangelism surfaced. Missionary and Bible societies such as the British and Foreign Bible Society endorsed unity via ecumenicalism. This particular society focused on translating and distributing Bibles throughout the world. Arguably, the Evangelical Alliance was the most significant proponent of ecumenicalism during the 19th century. It not only promoted missions, but concentrated on human rights and Christian education. When the 20th century came around, in addition to missions, various groups began to pursue roles in dealing with social and economic causes in hopes of Christian unity. Ultimately, the ecumenical movement gave rise to the World Council of Churches, which was established in 1948 with more than 300 churches including: Protestant, Anglican, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox backgrounds. This particular international movement in part seeks: interfaith dialogue, justice and peace, and solidarity with women and the poor as part of the greater purpose of evangelism. Whereas those aforementioned lacked the involvement of Roman Catholics, steps were taken during the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) to initiate dialogues between Protestants in the 1960s and 70s. This is just a brief overview of the numerous actions taken by different denominations throughout recent past.(4)
When the topic and discussion of unity is brought up, one would think that it would signify positivity. Who doesn’t want to be agreeable and seek to be at peace? There lies one monumental problem that permeates the ecumenical movement—it is contradictory toward God. Even sadder is the truth that people distort the Scriptures to support their own subjective and personal views. For example, denominations attempt to justify their legitimacy through a misapplication of John 15. Churches claim that they are signified by the branches, when in reality Christ is referring to faithful individuals. Likewise, verses such as, “For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Cor. 12:14), are taken out of context. The Apostle Paul is referencing again the individual believer and the importance of their role in the church of Christ. Unfortunately, many choose to handpick a passage (e.g. Eph. 4:3), and claim that it supports an ecumenical viewpoint. It should be so simple for anyone to see that there are no references to any denomination anywhere in Scripture! God does desire unity and peace in His church, but it has to be solely based upon His commandments!
Let’s consider a real-life and recent example of the folly of ecumenicalism. In 2016, numerous speakers at Muhammad Ali’s funeral memorialized and eulogized him. Among the speakers were individuals of the following faiths: Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Mormonism, and Catholicism. Many saw this as a beautiful thing, in that religions could unite and share the same stage; however, people fail to realize that on the “Day of Judgment” there will not be a welcoming into heaven for those who think that anyone can believe anything and be saved. Jesus has clearly commanded, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21). All are instructed, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13f).
The faithful Christian needs to do their very best to point out the errors that Ecumenicalism presents. This movement is a paradox and many do not know it. It may be blatant ignorance on their part, but the unity that is so desperately sought after only drives a person further from the source of salvation. Christians cannot “go along to get along” and cannot simply accept something that is not commanded by God. May those who are walking in the Light pray and seek to save those that are trapped in darkness.
Throughout Scripture God has desired true unity among His people. This can only happen by following the objective standard given in His word. The enabling power to bring about unity can be summed up in one word—love. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col. 3:14). Jesus has instructed, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Furthermore, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:2f). To conclude, the inspired Apostle Paul reminds everyone, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:4-6).
(1) https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ecumenicalism
(3) https://www.britannica.com/topic/Montanism
(4) https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity/The-history-of-ecumenism
