CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? (The Ecumenical Movement)

This article is intended to deal with not just Catholics, but all those who claim to be Christian. It concerns the prevailing Ecumenical Movement. This movement is generally defined as a campaign aimed at promoting understanding, cooperation, and unity among Christian groups. But many in the church world today have gone far beyond biblical Christian unity, and have embraced the idol of “tolerance,” where we are told to respect (and accept) the differences of even those who hold the most unscriptural teachings. Today, it seems that correct doctrine is far less important than “unity” (another god of the Ecumenical Movement), since many will seek unity at any price.

It is the Catholic Church who seems to be spearheading this movement. In 2002, former Pope John Paul II led a special prayer meeting in Assisi, Italy. The event was the “World Prayer Day” that consisted of 200 of the world’s religious leaders, including Christians, Muslims, Jewish rabbis, Buddhists, Sikhs, Bahais, Hindus, Jains, Zoroastrians, and witch doctors, who all came to “worship together.” This same pope had previously held similar meetings in Assisi in 1986, and again in 1993. All for the sake of “peace” and “unity.”

But consider the example of Jesus Christ - the Author of the prayer for true unity (John 17). We see no biblical evidence whatsoever of Jesus trying to unite the religious leaders of His day. He made no appeal to the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, Essenes, Herodians, and Zealots, along with the neighboring heathen nations, to join together in “common prayer,” and “fraternal knowledge” of each other. Why not, if that kind of unity is so important? He didn’t try to point out all the good qualities of each group, nor focus on what they had in common. He did, however, tell them to repent (Matthew 4:17), and pointed out their sin (Matthew 23:1-36) and their doctrinal error (Matthew 15:1-9). He never advocated unity with those promoting false doctrine, but instead, He called for unity in the TRUTH, as revealed in His Word. (John 17:17)

So, as Christians, what about our relationship with people from other religions, or with Christians who embrace error? Should we seek to correct and / or convert them? Or must we accept them the way they are, welcoming their “diversity”? As some may ask, aren’t we all one big family? Are we not all God’s children? Aren’t there many paths to God? No, indeed. Jesus’ words were plain and simple:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

This is not rocket science. There is only one way to Heaven. And it is not through Buddha, Mohammed, Mary, the pope, or anyone else. Nor is it through any particular church. It is through trusting in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and that, alone. Non-Christian religions do not offer the truth, but rather, deception and eternal damnation. How can we, as Christians, walk together with them? (Amos 3:3) As far as doctrine goes, what can we have in common with them? (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) And Christians who embrace error need to be firmly, but lovingly, shown their error. This is true love.

But the “Christian” church today is afraid to offend sinners, and its quest for “common ground” has seriously compromised the gospel. It does matter what we believe. All religions are not ok. Let us not embrace the “herd mentality” of the Ecumenical Movement, and don’t be taken in by the large numbers or the impressive membership of ANY group. Jesus said:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Mankind has already attempted such an ecumenism long ago, but God thwarted their plans (Genesis 11:1-9). Yet, another (final) attempt is being made in these last days to unify the world’s religions (Revelation 13:8, 12-15) against the will of God; and although it will last for a short while, this attempt will also ultimately fail.

The Catholic Church and all others pushing the Ecumenical Movement are ushering in the man of sin, the son of perdition, the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Christians, take heed! Those who continue to embrace the false unity of this movement will one day find themselves neck-deep in the one-world church, wearing the mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:8, 16-18) - and then, it will be too late…

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, 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)