Yesterday I highlighted the troubling report of Luis Palau’s partnership with Roman Catholics in his upcoming crusade in Omaha. Some folks may look at my assessment and think it narrow and a detriment to unity, while others may agree without reservation. In either case I want to try to provide a bit of development with respect to this type of Ecumenicalism. So in the next couple of days I will post on this topic and, in keeping with the blogospheric norm, these posts will not be exhaustive. However, I aim to provide a biblical answer to ecumenism, showing the unity that God forbids, while also promoting the unity God commands. Hopefully it proves helpful.
Ecumenism Defined
What are we talking about when we speak of the Ecumenical Movement? Simply put it is the initiative to assert and preserve unity among diverse religious groups.
Within the protestant or evangelical community the ecumenical movement seeks to join folks from traditionally polemical positions. Under the umbrella of unity folks from conservative backgrounds unite with liberals. What’s more, we have seen in recent years an increased partnership within the evangelical community with adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as Jews, Muslims, and Mormons.
Ecumenism Explained
When one encounters ecumenical streams of theology and practice the prevailing goal becomes clear; it is unity at all costs. This goal is distinguished from all competition. Those who pursue such unity are able to tolerate extreme doctrinal variation in effort to achieve their chief end. In fact, the only thing that the ecumenical movement seems to not tolerate is disunity.
The idea of unity is appealing. Even a quick glance at the religious landscape in general and the Christian community in particular will reveal extreme variation and opposition. The apparent disunity has been a favorite criticism by those who find themselves outside of and antagonistic to the Christian church.
Ecumenism Examined
So what is wrong with a movement or philosophy that promotes such radical spiritual partnership?
We see right away when considering the ecumenical movement that the basis for unity is a common desire for unity. This likeminded ecumenical spirit enables adherents to overlook doctrinal differences in order to achieve this chief goal.
The ecumenical spirit takes on different forms but it maintains this same unified goal. In other words, groups elevate various goals as their chief end and these goals become the driving force for all unity; if you can agree on the common goal then they can agree on partnership.
In the 1990’s The Promise Keepers sought to unite men to become better husbands, better fathers, better employees and better “men of faith”. This broad target audience included anyone who was interested. Their approach came across as evangelically conservative so by this nature it did eliminate some who could not stomach their bible quoting and tendency to lean toward the right politically and socially. However, they were intentional in their aim towards unity across doctrinal lines for the sake of their goal of impacting men. This was seen clearly in their under emphasis of doctrine and wide spectrum of theological convictions with the leadership.
Evangelist Billy Graham has been intentional throughout his ministry on bringing people on board who hold doctrinal convictions that are outside the realm of orthodox evangelicalism. Graham had no problem joining hands with protestant liberals and Roman Catholics in ministry because he believed they aided him in gaining a wider audience for his evangelism crusades. Thus it was not uncommon for Graham to have a Roman Catholic speaking on the platform during his crusades. When asked about this strange partnership Graham has said, “I have no quarrel with the Catholic Church.” And further, “I do not think the differences (between evangelicalism and Roman Catholicism) are important as far as personal salvation is concerned.”
In recent years evangelist Luis Palau has enjoyed Billy Graham-like success. For his festival in Omaha, Palau received the endorsement of the Catholic bishop of the Omaha dioceses and has partnered with multiple Catholic churches for the promotion and support of the event. (see also this post)
Best selling author and pastor Rick Warren has been a loud proponent of ecumenicalism. In conducting pastor-training programs he welcomes Catholics, Methodists, Mormons, Jews and ordained women. When questioned about how he can have such untraditional spiritual friendships Warren said, “I’m not going to get into a debate over the non-essentials. I won’t try to change other denominations. Why be divisive?” (USA Today 7/21/2003) It is disturbing to see Warren’s commitment to helping those who promote a different gospel become more effective at doing so. Warren is aiming to help apostate and cultic churches to grow. This is a dangerous ecumenicalism.
Whether we are talking about an evangelism crusade, a masculinity rally, a pastoral training conference or a prayer meeting, the unifying factor remains the goal of the respective group. This unifying goal distinguishes itself as the ultimate authority of the ministry.
However, how does this square up with the teaching of the New Testament? Is God concerned with how and with whom his people do ministry?
(we’ll pick this up tomorrow, examining both the unity that God forbids and commands)