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Deceptions:
Graham, Peale & Schuller
2 Corinthians
11: 3-4
-
"But I
fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we
have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which
ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not
accepted, ye might well bear with him."
Those who are new to what's
happening in the religious realm are probably unfamiliar with
events that have recently taken place. There is a rapid move
to try to unite all denominations worldwide. From the papacy
to Pentecostals, from Lutherans to witch doctors, there is an
incredible move to bring all religions together. Many bear the
label of being Bible-believing or upholding the gospel of
Jesus Christ. However, many have simply become vehicles and
fronts of compromise and contradiction.
The 'Christian' ecumenical
movement is being applauded by many politicians around the
world and is viewed as instrumental in helping to unite Europe
into the European union.
ENI News Service,15
September 1998
"...President Santer told the general assembly of the
European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society (EECCS)..."I
hope the churches will make their voices heard in this
respect, and help us to overcome the proliferation of
obstacles on our path,".... EECCS is mainly comprised
of national councils of churches from western Europe ...Santer
welcomed plans for the integration of EECCS and another
major church body, the Geneva-based Conference of European
Churches (CEC), which has 125 Anglican, Protestant and
Orthodox member churches from all parts of Europe, including
from the former Soviet Union... "The Conference of
European Churches is especially well placed to undertake
this mission, as it represents the churches of the Anglican,
Orthodox and Protestant traditions, and thus provides a
forum for discussion between Christian traditions of East
and West," Santer said... Santer pointed out that
Christianity continued to "pervade Europe, its nations
and its cultures" and that the resulting "cultural
consensus" had been an "astonishingly effective
contributory factor in the process of the unification of
Europe".
"...But stressing the importance of interfaith
dialogue, Santer said that other spiritual and cultural
traditions - particularly Judaism and Islam - had also made
"great contributions to the development of Europe and
the emergence of a European spirit".
The future of the European Union depended on enabling the
various ethnic, cultural and religious traditions to live
together, Santer said, adding that this was "too
ambitious an objective for politicians to attain on their
own". He called for initiatives and commitments from
churches and church-related organisations.
Churches and church agencies played a major role in many of
the programmes sponsored by the European Commission,
President Santer said, particularly in the areas of social
policy and development aid. But increasingly, he added,
issues related to the "meaning, spiritual direction and
ethical dimension of European integration" had come to
the fore in the dialogue between the European Commission and
EECCS...."(The above is presented as a report---I am in
no ways in agreement with, nor do I support the Ecumenical
news or the groups referred to)
In a summation of those
thoughts, one person suggested this: " the totalitarian
State desperately needs the Church to build the "cultural
consensus" needed for unification, which is "too
ambitious an objective for politicians to attain on their
own."
Many believe that their
religious leaders are not politically motivated, or if they
are it is for the purpose of promoting and protecting their
views of morality, or family. That often means uniting with
those of various denominations or faiths who may not uphold
the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ. The justification becomes
that it is necessary to unite in order to make any impact in
the political arena. But, what is the purpose of having a
Christian party, or trying to impose Biblical values on a
world that is rejecting Christ? Is that what Christ called us
to?
Galatians
1:6-9
-
I marvel
that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into
the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not
another; but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let
him be accursed."
Some believe they can
reconstruct society and pave the way to a Christian world
before Christ returns. Dominionist theology involves the
perception that Christians have a mandate to rule the nations
in the name of Christ. Many believe that all this can take
place through a worldwide revival, thereby turning entire
nations to Christianity. Others believe the Church will rule
united under one religious ruler, the pope, until Christ
returns. Hence the world ecumenical movement back to Rome.
Christian denominations as well as Hindu and Muslims are
entering into dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church to unite
with Rome. Many of the uniting issues revolve around social
concerns first and doctrinal issues being second. Though there
may be disagreements about doctrine, they do not view them as
insurmountable.
Some of the things that have
been uncovered are very disturbing, not only because of whom
is involved, but also because of the magnitude of consequences
due to the nature of the information. We must be lovers of
truth. This means evaluating Christian people or groups and
their words and actions against scripture. In fact, we are
required to do so. It isn't easy and it can become very
disheartening to understand that those we may have esteemed as
"solid" may be a deception.
When people speak of various
social issues, their true beliefs about God, and their
relationship with Christ become evident. For example: a review
of Tony Campolo, speaker, and Promise Keeper, on the issue of
homosexuality. He believes that it is best that gay men should
be involved with only one partner, rather than a multitude of
sexual partners. Are homosexual relationships then acceptable
before God if one holds to that line of thinking?
Many Christians also use
psychology as a means to solving social and family problems.
It is highly accepted in the secular world as a religion of
its own and as one of the means to deal with various issues
and people. Christians embrace the philosophy as acceptable
because people like James Dobson, and many other religious
leaders, possibly including their own pastors, promote it.
Where did psychology
come from? It came from people like Sigmund Freud and Carl
Jung, who determined to find answers to sin issues and life,
by excluding God. Carl Jung was heavily involved in the
occult. Freud wanted to exclude any reference to a need for
God or an acknowledgment that He existed. Is it Biblical to
uphold psychology in Christian circles simply because
'Christian' and secular leadership does?
- Matthew 6:24 "No man
can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
-
Matthew
7:17-18 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A
good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
In other words, if the
source of some idea or thought came from the occult, the idea
or philosophy cannot become good. It cannot come from God
simply because someone embraces it and they claim to be of
God. It can not change trees or roots.
Billy
Graham
Researching and weighing to
Scripture also means that we must seek the truth, no matter
what the opposition, or whether people will hear and
understand the facts. The following is part of a
correspondence regarding well-known evangelist Billy
Graham in
which some statements I made were being questioned.
"This really
surprises me to hear such things of Billy Graham. I have a
hard time believing that he doesn't think that Jesus is the
only way. I am almost positive I have heard him quote the
verse "I am the way, truth, life, no one comes to the
father but through me".
Billy Graham has said those
verses, probably hundreds or thousands of times. Due to
reading a review of Graham's autobiography by a former pastor
who became a reporter, I started to look into Billy Graham and
what he really believes. One fact that I noticed quickly and
which disturbed me was that one complete chapter of the
autobiography is devoted to his viewpoint of Bill and Hillary
Clinton being godly people and god-fearing. Recent current
events show where the Clinton's truly stand in their views on
morality and godly living.
Other information came to my
attention in the form of an interview that Billy Graham had
done. I had seen other documentation regarding the same
interview and have done a lot of background research about
things he has said and upheld over the years. One thing that I
felt initially, before the background research, was that if he
is saying things contrary to scripture because he isn't well,
or because of his age, then his family should protect him.
They should stop the interviews so that his ministry and
credibility are not destroyed. In saying that, though, I have
done enough research to know that all is not, and has not
been, what it seems.
- Titus 2:7-8 "In all
things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in
doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound
speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the
contrary may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of
you."
When researching the
following interview that took place on television with Robert
Schuller, I phoned directly to the Billy Graham Evangelical
Association. The purpose was to verify the information and
also obtain a copy of the interview directly from them.
The individual I spoke with
was new to the department. However, upon my inquiry he went
and got a copy of the requested interview and verified that
Dr. Graham had indeed said what is quoted below. I then asked
for a copy of the interview and at first he sounded quite
willing to accommodate that request. However, he then left the
telephone for a fairly lengthy time. When he came back, his
tone had changed and he said his supervisor said they no
longer gave out copies of the interview. He said it was
because Billy Graham didn't really mean it like it sounds.
However, further research has revealed that Billy Graham has
said the same thing, in various ways, in many interviews over
many years.
I then contacted the Robert
Schuller organization and asked for verification and tried to
obtain the transcript. I had already received a copy from
another source, but wanted verification that it was correct.
It was.
Television Interview of
Billy Graham by Robert Schuller, Hour Of Power, Part 1, an
approximately 7 minute long Broadcast in Southern California
on Saturday, May 31, 1997. The following is an exact
transcript of an excerpt close to the end of the Broadcast.
SCHULLER: Tell me,
what do you think is the future of Christianity?
GRAHAM: Well,
Christianity and being a true believer--you know, I think
there's the Body of Christ. This comes from all the
Christian groups around the world, outside the Christian
groups. I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows
Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're
members of the Body of Christ. And I don't think that we're
going to see a great sweeping revival that will turn the
whole world to Christ at any time. I think James answered
that, the Apostle James in the first council in Jerusalem,
when he said God's purpose for this age is to call out a
people for His name. And that's what God is doing today,
He's calling people out of the world for His name, whether
they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or
the Christian world or the non-believing world, they are
members of the Body of Christ because they've been called by
GOD. They may not even know the name of Jesus but they know
in their hearts they need something that they don't have,
and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think
they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in
heaven.
SCHULLER: What,
what I hear you saying that it's possible for Jesus Christ
to come into human hearts and souls and life, even if
they've been born in darkness and have never had exposure to
the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you're
saying?
GRAHAM: Yes, it is,
because I believe that I've met people in various parts of
the world in tribal situations, that they have never seen a
Bible or heard about a Bible, and never heard of Jesus, but
they've believed in their hearts that there was a God, and
they've tried to live a life that was quite apart from the
surrounding community in which they lived.
SCHULLER: I, I'm so
thrilled to hear you say this. There's a wideness in God's
mercy.
GRAHAM: There is.
There definitely is.
***************
- John 5:23 "That all
men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.
He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father
which hath sent Him."
-
- John 5:11 And this is the
record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not
the Son of God hath not life.
-
- John 3:36 He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
-
- 2 John 9-10
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the
doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God
speed."
The Television interview of
Dr. Billy Graham by Dr. Schuller continued: Part II, which was
broadcast on Sunday, June 8, 1997. The following is an
accurate transcript of a segment.
SCHULLER: You knew
...Fulton Sheen. You knew these men. Your comments on both
of these men [Fulton Sheen and Norman
V. Peale].
GRAHAM: The primary
way of communication is to live life, let people see that
you're living what you proclaim....[comments on his
friendship and conversations with Fulton Sheen] I lost a
very dear friend, and since that time, the whole
relationship between me and my work, and you and your work,
and the Roman Catholic Church has changed. They open their
arms to welcome us and we have the support of the Catholic
Church almost everywhere we go. And I think that we must
come to the place where we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ,
not on what denomination or what church or what group we
belong to."
To obtain the entire
interview contact: Crystal Cathedral Ministries, PO Box 100,
Garden Grove, CA 92642 telephone 714--971-4000
In the above quote by Dr.
Graham, he stated, "...He's calling people out of the
world for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world,
or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world or the
non-believing world. They are members of the Body of Christ
because they have been called by God. They may not even know
the name of Jesus but they know in their hearts that they need
something that they don't have, and they turn to the only
light that they have, and I think that they are SAVED, AND
THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE WITH US IN HEAVEN."
This statement directly
agrees with the Roman Catholic Universal Catechism, page 224;
par. 847: " 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. "
We know that God's Word
never fails to provide the insight and guidance in all issues
in our life. It is inerrant. It is truth. In saying that, we
must then ask if what Dr. Graham stated above is in line with
the Word of God?
- Acts 4:12 " Neither
is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved. "
-
- John 14:6 " Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
-
- 2 Thessalonians 2:11-15
"And for this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all
might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give
thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
because God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief
of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to
the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions
which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our
epistle."
Someone also sent the
following message and information to me.
"I too have seen
Billy Graham's version of "universalism" - that
people may have Jesus in their heart without being conscious
of it... (From a transcript of an interview with David
Frost, May 1997). "It took place the day before the
interview with Robert Schuller - Here's one part I found to
be particularly disturbing:"
FROST: "A quote: "If ever there was a woman
called of God to proclaim the strip - Scriptures, my
daughter Ann is one. She's one of the great Bible teachers
among women today. I have a great appreciation for her and
other women who have a gift of God." Does that mean
that you are in favor of the ordination of women? "
REV. GRAHAM: "It's -- it would be according to
the circle I was in because I'm -- I feel that I belong to
all the churches. I'm equally at home in an Anglican or a
Baptist church or a Brethren assembly or a Roman Catholic
Church. And I would have to say that I would identify with
the customs and the culture and the theology of that
particular church."
2 Thessalonians 3:6
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every
brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the
tradition which he received of us."
It has been documented that
Billy Graham is also a 33° Mason. Although a statement has
been issued to the contrary by the Billy Graham Evangelical
Association, there were at least two Lodges that had posted
him as one of their famous freemasons.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel
of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works."
Billy Graham has
consistently moved towards Rome and the papacy, and has never
tried to dissuade others of the false teachings involved in
it, or any other faith. In fact, for example, any Catholics
that attend his crusades are moved to Catholic counselors if
they seek counseling. Many in the Christian community believe
that his ministry is without blemish and would be highly
offended by what has been stated above.
Robert
Schuller & Norman Vincent Peale
Dr. Grahams association with
Robert Schuller causes us to review even in a small way, the
ministry that Dr. Schuller is associated with.
Robert Schuller's Crystal
Cathedral is part of The Reformed Church in America (RCA) This
is the oldest denomination in America and has it's roots in
the Dutch Reformed Church. Robert Schuller has patterned his
ministry after the teachings and self-based psychology of
Norman Vincent Peale. Peale had pastored the Marble Collegiate
Church, which is also a Reformed Church. Like Norman Vincent
Peale, Robert Shuller is also a 33° Mason.
It should be noted that
Norman Vincent Peale, upheld by Billy Graham and Robert
Shuller, held doctrines that were also contrary to the word of
God. In a television interview with Phil Donahue in 1984,
Peale said: "It's not necessary to be born again. You
have your way to God; I have mine. I found eternal peace in a
Shinto shrine...I've been to Shinto shrines; and God is
everywhere."
"Donahue exclaimed,
"But you're a Christian minister; you're supposed to
tell me that Christ is the Way, and the Truth and the Life,
aren't you?" Peale replied, "Christ is one of the
ways! God is everywhere." Peale told Donahue when he
got to the Pearly Gates, "St Peter would say, I like
Phil Donahue; let him in!" (1)
- Galatians 1:8-9 "But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now
again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than
that ye have received, let him be accursed."
-
- 1 Timothy 4:1-2 "Now
the 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;"
The newsletters, put out by
the Crystal Cathedral also provide much insight into what Dr.
Schuller embraces and promotes as sound doctrine. The following
are excerpts from his February 1998 "Powerlines".
Schuller
tells Larry King Why He's Happily Married
"...during a recent
on-air interview what was the key to the longevity of his
marriage.
Schuller replied that one
of his psychology professors at Hope College had told
him:" Schuller, when you get serious about a girl use
your head first and your heart will follow."
"That changed
everything," Schuller continued, " I began to say,
I need a girl I can live with for the rest of my life and be
happy."
And Schuller added:
"When I don't agree with my wife, I sure listen because
she might be right and I might be wrong."
This is the Schuller
recipe for a happy, long lasting marriage! ..."
- 1 Timothy 6:3-4 "If
any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud,
knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings."
The Powerlines Newsletter
continues with a lengthy presentation regarding a statue of
Jesus which Dr. Schuller had commissioned. It was to be placed
on the Crystal Cathedral grounds.
SMILING JESUS: Life Size
Bronze Masterpiece for Cathedral Ground
"The Miracle of the
Loaves and Fishes" was created for the Crystal
Cathedral grounds by famed Christian sculptor John Soderberg.
...this unique masterpiece will be unveiled in our gardens
on Palm Sunday, April 5th. ( Picture: Dr Schuller directs
John Soderberg as he puts a smile on Jesus' face.)
"This is the first
time in the history of religious art that a prominent
sculptor has yielded a beautiful bronze statue of Christ
that actually depicts our blessed Lord smiling," Dr.
Robert Schuller said.
Dr. Schuller spent a
considerable amount of time in John Soderberg's studio in
Mesa Verde, Arizona putting the finishing touches on the
facial features of the smiling Jesus. It was important for
Dr. Schuller to have this masterpiece show Jesus Christ as a
positive, happy figure who smiled often.
John Soderberg told
Powerlines that this is the most important and difficult
piece of work he's ever done. It took him two years, and the
hardest thing was to capture all his feelings about Christ.
He did fifteen different faces before he found the right
combination of emotions, power, gentleness and love....
He met Dr. Schuller
several years ago when he was commissioned to sculpt the
figures of Billy Graham, Bishop Fulton Sheen, Norman Vincent
Peale and Robert Schuller that are in the Robert Schuller
Center...and he met all his subjects except Bishop Sheen.
The idea for the smiling
Jesus came when Soderberg told Schuller that he had been
wanting to do a piece of art about Jesus since he was a kid.
John Soderberg says that
Dr. Schuller's vision, kindness and simple power were his
inspiration for the statue because "that's how I feel
about Christ---simple, deep and spiritual."... end
quote
A close look at the facial
features, the cheekbone structure, the shape of the lips, the
smile and one might get the impression that the inspiration
that the artist took from Dr. Schuller came through in more
than spiritual ways. One can't help but wonder how our Lord
Jesus feels about being modelled after Dr. Schuller. Pictures
showing the statues of Billy Graham, Bishop Fulton Sheen,
Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller also on display at
the Crystal Cathedral, makes one wonder why they exist.
According to Dr. Schuller, they are there as a reminder of
"great men of the faith" whom Dr. Schuller views
individually as his heroes. They all clearly belong together.
- Amos 3:3 "Can two
walk together, except they be agreed?"
-
- 2 Corinthians 10:12
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or
compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but
they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise."
-
- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For
not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the
Lord commendeth."
Heroes
Robert Schuller states this
in a pamphlet: "Without a hero, we all lack the
motivational commitment to excel. We need heroes in athletics,
heroes in music. Yes, we all have a desperate need for heroes
to inspire us..."
There is no Scripture to
reflect that. On the contrary, God says:
Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed
is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord
is."
" One of the members
of my Board is Bob Brown...He said, "It's time the
young kids of America hear the positive thinking messages
that points people to Jesus Christ like Billy Graham, and 'posi-tive-izes'
the Christian faith like Norman Peale and makes faith
intelligent like Fulton Sheen."
"...You have to have
a positive message. Don't preach, witness. There is a
difference. Be a bright light. You must have a gospel that
leads people to Christ...like Billy Graham. You have to have
positive thinking...like Norman Peale. And the message must
be intelligent and not contradict, but cooperate with truth
that comes to us from science... like Fulton Sheen. You need
a powerful message..."
In other articles like Good
Fruit from Evil Trees: Part 1 &2, these issues are
discussed, including the concept that "true Knowledge is
found in science". The Bible tells the message clearly,
it does not need the help of man's wisdom.
Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus
saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and
maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the
Lord."
"...but you can step
in and be a bright light! And people will say, "Wow, is
that the spirit of Jesus Christ? Then I want to change! I
want to be a better, more beautiful, kinder, more gentle,
more honest person. I want to be more helpful." Heroes:
Find One! Be one! Jesus Christ is my Hero of Heroes..."
(Pamphlet, "Heroes! Find One! Be One! Dr. Robert
Schuller)
Colossians 2:6-8 "As ye
therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in
Him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith,
as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain
deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the
world, and not after Christ.
Another excerpt from "Powerlines"
includes the following promotional material: It describes
"rewarding" people for sending donations by mailing
them a replica of a statue of an eagle. The original life size
eagle statue is also on display at the Crystal Cathedral
Gardens.
"Eagles Club
Porcelain (it was started in the last newsletter) ...created
this replica of the life size eagle soon to be placed at the
Crystal Cathedral Gardens to be handcrafted in porcelain.
This beautiful piece was
lovingly selected by Dr. Schuller to honor all those
generous people who fly at his side, making the Hour of
Power possible through their contributions.... "
Colossians 2:4 " And
this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
words."
2 Peter 2:1-3 "But
there were false prophets also among the people, even as there
shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and
bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow
their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth
shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they
with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now
of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth
not."
The
Crystal Cathedrals Reformed Church
As stated above, Robert
Schuller's Crystal Cathedral is a member of the Reformed
Church of America, which belongs to the WARC: <http://www.rca.org>
<http://netministries.org/rca/reformed.htm>
The ecumenical WARC has members from Presbyterian, United,
Congregational and other Reformed denominations around the
world. A brief discussion explaining the World Council of
Churches (WCC) is found with David Cloud
"The World Council of
Churches (WCC) is an international ecumenical union of more
than 300 denominations representing more than 400 million
professing Christians. It was officially formed in
Amsterdam, Holland, in 1948 with 147 denominations. Today
there are 307. The goal of the World Council was plainly
stated at its convening Assembly in August 1948. Former
General Secretary of the WCC, W.A. Visser 't Hooft,
verbalized the sentiments of the ecumenists gathered for
that historic occasion:
"'Our name indicates our weakness and our shame before
God, for there can be and there is finally only one Church
of Christ on earth. Our plurality is a deep anomaly. But our
name indicates also that we are aware of that situation,
that we do not accept it passively, THAT WE WOULD MOVE
FORWARD TOWARDS THE MANIFESTATION OF THE ONE HOLY CHURCH'
(The Genesis and Formation of the World Council of Churches,
p. 66)
"Though the Roman Catholic Church is not officially
a member of the WCC, it has worked closely with the WCC
since the 1960s. Many Catholics serve today in leadership
positions within the WCC. Edward Panosian notes, 'Rome's
conception of the ecumenical movement is the joining of all
churches--eventually all religions--to Rome. Rome does not
join the WCC; she invites the WCC to join her. The whole
ecumenical program has been called `the reversal of the
Reformation'" (The World Council of Churches, p. 40).
"We could describe the error of the WCC under a wide
number of categories. We could speak of its Doctrinal
Heresy, its Modernism, its Marxism, its Humanism, its
Feminism, its Sacramentalism, its Syncretism, its
Universalism. The simple fact is that the WCC fails every
biblical test which could be applied. It is patently and
grossly unscriptural."
[Way of Life Literature, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA
98277. The Way of Life web site is http://wayoflife.org/~dcloud.
The End Times Apostasy Online Database is located at this
web site. (360) 675-8311 (voice), 240-8347 (fax). dcloud@whidbey.net
(e-mail)]
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with
idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath
said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be
their God, and they shall be my people."
These are difficult times
and there are many, many deceptions, false teachings and
teachers. Jesus himself warns us of these things with
Scripture after Scripture. We are never to put people on a
pedestal, only Christ. One person told me that if I kept
taking people like Billy Graham down off pedestals, soon I
would also take God down off a pedestal. Sadly, that person
has never spoken to me again.
My response was and
continues to be that God is the only one we should have
elevated and on a pedestal in our hearts. No man is perfect,
all sin, and all can be deceived. We would do well to only
fully trust and believe God, and weigh all things to Scripture
rather than having men as our gods.
1 John 4:1-6 "Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are
of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the
world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come
in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of
antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and
even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little
children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that
is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the
world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world
heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us;
he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the
spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
All Scripture
Quotes taken from the Authorized King James Bible
Endnote:
1. Hugh Pyle, Sword of the
Lord, Dec.14,1984, also quoted in : from the Berean
Call-Oct.1997---it's noted source was.. Christian News, (May
12, 1997)11
Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen. All Scripture King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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