By Chris Lawson
The term ‘ecumenism’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘the inhabited earth.’ The word occurs in the New Testament in Luke 2:1, where it is translated as ‘all the world.’ Used in a different way than the biblical text was referring to [a consensus in Israel], but drawing in 'all the world' [and its teachings], global ecumenism is a movement based upon unity. But what type of unity? As we embark upon a closer look at what ecumenism is and does, we will see clearly that what God warned about 2000 years ago is clearly happening before our eyes in Christendom today. Rife apostasy is allowed in the ecumenical movement the world over!
Exposing the Unbiblical Compromise of Ecumenism
Throughout the last century, ecumenism has become recognized and encouraged as a movement for Church unity. This resulted from the Edinburgh Missionary Conference of 1910 which unfortunately did not emphasize 'biblical unity' enough. To note, the motivation to work together as Christians is biblical and good, but deviation from sound doctrine always ends in spiritual decay and apostasy. The Holy Spirit warns...
Now the [Holy] Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth... (1 Tim 4:1-3)
An Ever-Morphing Movement
Over time the ecumenical movement has evolved through the 'Faith and Order,’ 'Life and Work,’ the 'International Missionary Council,’ and many other similar movements. The council that once began in Edinburgh, Scotland as a movement for Christians to work together has fully morphed into the unbiblical World Council of Churches (WCC). Even the term ‘Christian’ has been excluded from the title. To take a biblical stand for biblical unity and to speak out regarding this unbiblical movement always results in being labeled 'divisive, mean-spirited, unkind, judgmental, intolerant, unloving, narrow-minded' and more.
Absorbing All Except Biblical Christians
In the Roman Catholic worldview and belief system, ecumenism is a tool that is being used in order to ‘absorb through inclusion... all other churches and Christian movements.’ The Roman Catholic Church has already absorbed the World Council of Churches for its own ends and they continue to work together in the name of 'dialogue.’ All around the world, ecumenical movements and numerous religions are slowly joining with the Church of Rome. All are warmly embraced through 'dialogue' except biblical Christians, who believe in justification by 'faith alone.’ That is, that salvation comes through [biblical] grace alone, through [biblical] faith alone, in [the biblical] Jesus Christ alone. The Roman Catholic Church not only rejects justification by faith alone, but it refers to Christians who believe this as 'Separated Brethren.’ We are labeled as those who need to come home to Rome [Roman Catholicism].
Simply put, if salvation is not by [biblical] grace alone, through [biblical] faith alone, in [the biblical] Jesus Christ alone, than salvation is by God plus human effort. But how can one add to the perfect sinless life of Christ and His finished work of redemption on the cross? One cannot! Unfortunately, many Bible believing Christians, in the name of Jesus, are marching arm-in-arm with Roman Catholics. Why is this unfortunate? The Roman Catholic Church still has not retracted its statements from The Canons and Decrees of The Council of Trent (1545-1564; SIXTH SESSION, Canons Concerning Justification) that those who believe in 'justification by faith alone' are 'anathema' - to be eternally damned.
Mike Gendron, from Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries makes the following important point about the difference between the biblical gospel and the Roman Catholic gospel:
A Christian is justified once by faith because justification is a permanent declaration by God (Romans 8:30). However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:5)
A Catholic is justified repeatedly by sacraments and works because he loses the grace of justification each time a mortal sin is committed. The sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. (1446)
Ecumenism Rejects Justification By Faith Alone
In laymen's terms, 'justification by faith alone' means that through simple childlike faith in the Person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, one is declared perfectly righteous before the all Holy God who created the heavens and the earth. As a result of trusting in Christ, who was the propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, God's anger and ensuing wrath against sin has been completely satisfied. Jesus, being our Substitute on the cross, paid for our redemption with His own blood. Our sin [transgression against the Law of God] was dealt with completely at the cross. Born-again Christians are 'justified' before God based on what Jesus already did for sinful humanity. When a person truly believes in Jesus Christ and what He has done for them [all of us], then they are 'made alive in Christ' by God's Holy Spirit Who comes to dwell in them and through them. Hence the term, 'born-again,’ or 'born from above' (John 3).
To read more about justification by faith, study the New Testament in Romans 4, 5 and 6, Galatians 3 and 4, and Ephesians 1 and 2. Also, the book of Hebrews deals with this extensively. To miss this, as a Christian, is to miss the Biblical gospel entirely. Salvation can only be by [biblical] grace alone, through [biblical] faith alone, in [the biblical] Jesus Christ alone. To think and believe otherwise is an utter rejection of Jesus' whole purpose in being born of a virgin and going to the cross. Furthermore, it rejects God's plan of salvation that comes through His grace. It also rejects the Holy Scriptures that are very clear that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). Some people may find offense with these statements. This begs the question, "Is it not actually quite mean-spirited to add our 'own efforts' to Christ's finished work on the cross?" The testimony of Jesus from the cross is very clear:
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30a)
Unifying Factors That Enhance Global Ecumenism
Contrary to the biblical gospel and biblical unity, the Roman Catholic 'unifying factors' for global ecumenism are already being clearly recognized. Just a few of these are 'Marian apparitions' [produce paranormal occult phenomena similar to UFO sightings and messages] that bring forth 'Marian dogma' [exalt Mary and demote Christ] and heavily emphasize 'Eucharistic Adoration' [idolatry]. 'Catholic charismatic renewal' [speaking in tongues and mystical experiences], 'contemplative spirituality' [Spiritual Formation], 'Lectio Divina,’ and even 'yoga,’ 'meditation' and 'centering prayer,’ are all accepted as different expressions of spirituality in the vast ecumenical push.
It must be noted too that many compromising Christians are doing the same things. Interfaith ecumenical 'Taize' meetings, 'chanting Christian mantras,’ having 'spiritual directors' and 'seers,’ and engaging in many more mystical and unbiblical avenues are all part of the slide into apostasy. Masses of people are departing from the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints [Christians]. (Jude 3-4)
Eucharistic Adoration: When Bread Mystically Becomes God
In this incomplete list just mentioned, one of the primary things being used to unite compromised Christians with Roman Catholicism is 'Eucharistic Adoration.’ This is the belief that Jesus actually becomes fully present, body, soul and divinity, in the form of the Eucharist wafer [communion bread]. Biblical Christians reject this teaching because it is an outright perversion of the biblical text. In fact, many of the reformers of the 16th century were burned at the stake for opposing this teaching and for believing in justification by faith alone. Marian dogma [teachings from/about apparitions of the Virgin Mary] around the globe supports Eucharistic Adoration. However, the Bible speaks quite clearly about making things that resemble the Divine:
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)
Jesus, when he stated 'if you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood' (John 6), was speaking metaphorically, not literally! His point was that our spiritual sustenance and life is found in HIM - Messiah. Jesus was illustrating a spiritual reality of life through Him, the Son of God. He was not teaching mystical cannibalism that can occur when the priesthood engages in 'Mysticism' (See Roman Catholic Encyclopedia). This unbiblical perversion is nothing more than a precursor to and part of the Roman Catholic 'Initiation into the Mysteries.’ (See Vatican II as well as “Life beyond Confirmation: How to Revive the Ancient Practice of Mystagogy”
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Trojan Horses Unloading Their Cargo En Masse
Global ecumenism, rooted in a false gospel and false unity, is displayed today throughout compromised Christendom all around the globe. Ever morphing, ever absorbing, and ever rejecting justification by faith alone, the Vatican's ecumenical department, the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, leads the way. Countless millions are following in their footsteps as sound biblical teaching becomes ever more diluted, convoluted and polluted. For the biblically undiscerning and the unlearned youth of this generation, all manner of powerful deception is being unleashed upon them. Under the guise of a deeper, more experiential and trendy Christianity, biblical theology is tossed out the window in order to embrace a sensory-oriented, mystical, and subjective Christianity. Sadly, those being swept away by the ideas that these movements spew forth cannot see the deception involved. So too, countless people on the fringe are being drawn into the vortex daily. Because of this, global ecumenism is building a mind-bogglingly vast global apostate Christianity. Many who claim to be biblical Christians are now enjoying the subtleties of lukewarm compromise and they do not even realize it. Instead, they become hostile to those who are warning them of the spiritual dangers.
Firemen, Lighthouse Keepers and Good Shepherds
Sounding the warning bell is not 'mean-spiritedness' and it is not unloving. It is a Christian kindness. Do not firemen warn about the dangers of fire and also rescue those caught in burning buildings? Do not lighthouse keepers trim the lamp to help captains at sea keep their vessels from running aground? Do not good shepherds fend off and repel dangerous, ravenous wolves and wild dogs in order to protect the sheep? Of course they do! They all actively participate in warning and helping those who do not see the danger coming. And they all are willing to put their life on the line in order to save life; in order to fulfill the calling to "love thy neighbor as thyself." Paul the Apostle exemplified Christian love very clearly when he warned the Ephesian elders day and night, for three years, about deception inside and outside the Church:
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)
If these things are so clear, do Christian men and women who lovingly warn of deadly heresies infecting God's Church and people, why then do they get castigated and railed upon for sounding the alarm? Here is why:
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. (John 15:18-21)
Only One Way To God
Jesus Himself said in no uncertain terms, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6-7). Yet consider closely what the Roman Catholic Church teaches. Quoting from Vatican II, The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, Volume I, page 367 [Costello Publishing Company, Seventh Edition, July 1984], we read:
Finally, those who have not yet received the gospel are related to the people of God in various ways....But the plan of salvation also include those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Moslems: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day. Nor is God remote from those who in the shadows and images seek the unknown God...Those who through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.
One cannot go to heaven apart from Jesus Christ, yet the Roman Catholic Church rejects this. They deny Jesus Christ through their doctrine and actions. And for the Muslims [Moslem]? They can be saved if they repent and come to Jesus, not Allah! The biblical truth that God has a Son is utter blasphemy to a Muslim. And, Muslims flatly reject the biblical teaching that Jesus is God.
Allah Is Not Yahweh
Furthermore, Allah is not Yahweh. The two are diametrically opposed to each other. Many Christians, Roman Catholics, and even Vatican II, are severely misled in the idea that Muslims and Christians worship the same God. They are not! Just because Judaism, Islam and Christianity are all mono-theistic belief systems, belief in one God does not mean that we all worship the same God. Nothing could be further from the truth.
So Muslims, and people who have never even heard of Jesus Christ and His Gospel can go to heaven too, as long as they are 'sincere' in their beliefs? According to Vatican II, the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, yes! With this line of thinking then, Satanists, Buddhists, Voodoo practitioners, Atheists, Hindu's, etc. can all get to heaven, by being sincere in their beliefs. This is blasphemy! Why then did God come in the flesh and endure ultimate wrath in our place on the cross? Vatican II, with one stroke of the pen negates God's entire plan of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Interfaithism Destroys Christ’s Uniqueness
The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one way to heaven and that way is through Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle explained clearly in Romans 1:4 that Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God [a title ascribing Sonship and Deity] with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Jesus Christ, resurrected from the dead, is uniquely set apart from all other religions, religious leaders and spiritual personages. Yet interfaithism (that we are all on different paths to the same place) destroys this teaching and allows Muhammad, Krishna, Maitreya, Buddha and countless other so-called prophets, yogi’s, avatars, and way-showers to be on equal par with Jesus. What a tragic lie! The real Christ said:
“Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many... 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many... 23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. (Matthew 24:4,5,9-11,23-26)
Coalescing Into A Global One World Spirituality
Heavily coalescing with interfaithism and the global New Age Christ consciousness movement, ecumenism is being embraced around the globe as a movement of love, tolerance and unity. A place where The Divine, The Silence, the Divine Mystery, Ecstasy, Samadhi, Enlightenment, etc. can all be experienced through consciousness altering contemplative [occult] meditation. The end result is a mystical system that utterly rejects Jesus Christ as the only way to God and at the same time says that all paths lead to God! Like Judas Iscariot and those who preferred Barabbas instead of King Jesus, this perverted mystical Christendom betrays the Savior whose love no human can match.
The name of this unholy system which foundations are being cemented in our day?
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Romans 18:5,6)
On the contrary, we are reminded from Scripture that it is only those who abide in God’s Word who are Jesus’ true disciples:
As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:30-32)
Staying True To God’s Gospel
The Apostle Peter, a first century Jewish fisherman who clearly understood Christ's message and even gave his life for it, declared to the "rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest” (Acts 4:10):
NEITHER IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby WE MUST BE SAVED.
(Acts 4:10-12, Emphasis added]
- SRN
The content in the links below is valuable in order to get a good grasp on the dangers of ecumenism and how unbiblical and anti-Scriptural it really is. Please keep in mind that we do not necessarily agree with the all of the content on these other websites.
Please use discernment as you read, be a 'Berean' and "search the Scriptures daily" (Acts 17:11).
Biblical Discernment Search Engines
Ecumenism - Use the Discernment Power Search Tool
The Berean Call Search Engine
Proclaiming The Gospel Search Engine
Kjos Ministries Search Engine
See Also
Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Wikipedia - Ecumenism
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
