| Ecumenism Christianity United? That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.--John 17:21 Excerpted from One World Church, Catholic and Protestant, Modernist and Fundamentalist, Charismatic and Conservative, the Christian church is splintered into numberless subdivisions today. Christianity is a far cry from the simple united religion of Jesus and his small band of followers. The inspiring life of the Man from Galilee, his fantastic miracles and his radical new religious concepts all combined to ignite a flame of religious fervor in the hearts of his hearers. That flame was so intense that after his death on the cross of Calvary, it erupted into a new movement—the Christian church—based upon his teachings. Despite rigorous persecution from both Romans and fellow Jews alike, the fledgling movement continued to grow steadily and rapidly into world-wide proportions. Except for a few scattered dissidents it was a united body. Some 300 years later, under the converted Roman emperor Constantine the Great, Christianity became the state religion. With its new political arm, the church assumed immense organizational power. For the next 1200 years there was virtually one church with few schisms of any consequence. Divisions were simply not allowed. There was one world church. Church unity was a reality, but it was an enforced unity, the unity of a totalitarian state. Freedom of thought was repressed. Liberty of expression, if it was divergent from established orthodoxy, was curtailed. The church was in a veritable pressure cooker. By 1517 expanding religious thought had built up a full head of steam. It burst the bounds of what Martin Luther called "the mighty monolithic church." Religious reformers appeared everywhere—Luther in Germany, John Calvin in France, Huldrich Zwingli in Switzerland, John Knox in Scotland . . . and many others. The unified Christian church began to disintegrate into various protesting—or "Protestant"—denominations. Then these denominations, in turn, began to divide over various disagreements concerning Biblical interpretation. Then these again sub-divided, like cancerous cells gone wild, until we come to the over 800 denominations of the Christian church that are in the world today. The ever-escalating rate of division began to concern, and then to alarm, many. By the 1840’s a new trend began—to reunite splintered Christendom. After a particularly painful rupture in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, steps were initiated to prevent further divisions. The first of these steps, in 1846, was the formation of the Evangelical Alliance. The Evangelical Alliance This alliance represented some 50 major denominations and was designed not so much to form a giant unified church as to encourage dialog and co-operation between the various sects. Several other developments, also during the latter part of the nineteenth century, created both a desire for a more binding form of united church, while simultaneously providing further divisive pressures. MODERNISM: The rise of the twin philosophical concepts of rationalism and humanism found their religious counterpart in modernism. This concept removed the claim of inspiration from the Bible. Substituting the theory of evolution for the doctrine of creation, denying the pre-existence and virgin birth of Jesus, modernism replaced simple faith in the Scriptures with textual criticism. By removing the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God a veritable Pandora’s box of new religious concepts was opened up. In order to accommodate this flood of new ideas, liberalism was needed. Former doctrinal differences were made to seem petty, and thus no barrier for church union. THE SOCIAL GOSPEL: The Industrial Revolution with its resultant urbanization of society brought immense social problems to the forefront. Such diverse injustices as child labor, rampant poverty, the exploitation of the working classes became more and more apparent. The stresses of industrialized living brought with it not only psychological problems, but a rapid increase in divorce and immorality; social diseases brought with them the side-effects of unwanted or orphaned children. Christian leaders began to sense a certain responsibility to join the battle to correct these inequities. This task of social uplift became the dominant theme in the minds of many prominent Christian leaders. The Bible-oriented themes of Scripture study and evangelism appeared relatively inconsequential and increasingly irrelevant. The emergence of this "Social Gospel" proved to be a tremendous spur to the cause of ecumenism. WORLD MISSIONS: World missionary results slackened noticeably in the mid-nineteenth century as a rising perception of social justice among the non-Christian peoples of the world exposed the inconsistency of the ideals of Christianity with the reality of the lives of many claiming to be Christians. They were also disillusioned by the hopelessly divided state of Christendom. This "shame of division" was yet another prod to accelerate unity activities on the part of the Christian community. In the Western world interest in religion had rebounded from an all-time low at the onset of the nineteenth century to a fever pitch some fifty years later under the "Great Awakening" and the revivals of Dwight L. Moody, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and others. Renewed missionary efforts sprung up around the globe under the slogan "Win the world for Christ." INEFFICIENCY: The lack of efficiency inherent in such a Babel of cults was curtailing the activity of organized religion. Not only did world-wide evangelism and increased social services require great resources, but an ever deteriorating relationship with the governments of the earth dictated a regrouping of the Christian Church. Further Steps Toward Unity For all of these reasons, and more, a better vehicle was sought to unite the separated branches of Christendom. In 1893 a World Parliament of Religions was convened. Not only were the various elements of Christianity brought together, but also Buddhists, Shintoists, Hindus, Moslems and other great world religions were invited. The aim was not so much unification, but open dialog to gain a better understanding of the spiritual forces in a world growing continually smaller. By 1908 the International Evangelical Alliance had virtually dissolved. A new alliance, the Federal Council of Churches, was formed with some 30 denominations. Modernist denominations held a distinct majority, causing their more fundamentalist brothers to form a parallel institution—the National Association of Evangelicals. By 1950 the Federal Council of Churches regrouped once again under the title National Council of Churches, and, world-wide, The World Council of Churches. No longer was the aim to merely seek co-operation between disparate denominations, but to actively encourage, where possible, actual organic union by merging various sects. The goal was to eventually form one world church. Theological discussion threatened to hinder this desired growth. Thus theology was sidelined in favor of perceived more pressing needs such as correcting the social inequities that were so rampant around the globe. The Social Revolution Liberalism became Christianity’s creed. The vast financial resources of this religio-political conglomerate became available for the financing of the ongoing social revolution. The social turbulence of the 1960’s furnishes a vivid example. According to the October 1971 Readers’ Digest, member churches donated $10,000 to the Angela Davis defense fund, $25,000 for Black Panther defense, $40,000 to assist a quasi-guerilla movement seeking to establish a Chicano nation in the Southwestern United States, and $200,000 to the Black Manifesto movement. The resultant conflict between activities in the political and religious spheres reached a crisis point on June 30, 1955, when the National Lay Committee of the Council of Churches, under the leadership of J. Howard Pew, resigned en masse. In their letter of resignation they succinctly stated their reasons: "Our Committee believes that the National Council of Churches impairs its ability to meet its prime responsibility when, sitting in judgment on current secular affairs, it becomes involved in economic or political controversy having no moral or ethical content, promoting division where unity of purpose should obtain, nor do we believe that the National Council has a mandate to engage in such activities." While this phase of the ecumenical movement continues to progress, it is interesting to note in passing that the more conservative, Bible-oriented, fundamentalist churches, while protesting these ecumenical developments, formed a federation of their own in 1941—the National Association of Evangelicals. Some 40 denominations with one and one half million members are represented. This group has formulated a statement of faith based upon the historic creeds of Christendom to define the boundaries of its unity. Still another, more conservative, ecumenical organization—the American Council of Churches—contains only denominations which are, in their entire membership, separate from the National Council. The Bible View So much for the history of these movements. What does the Bible have to say on this important topic of Christian unity? The concern which Jesus felt over the proper development of his church is noted in his prayer just before entering the Garden of Gethsemane on the last day of his life: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21). No greater motivation should be needed by Christians than this strong desire of their leader and Lord. But it was not just unity for which Jesus prayed. It was a particular kind of unity—"that they may be one as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in me." This unity was to spring from the indwelling presence of Christ in his church, even as his own unity with the Father sprang from God’s indwelling presence in the Son. How does Jesus dwell in his followers? He himself explains: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). So the basis for this oneness, the basis for true Christian unity lies in the heart acceptance of the words and teachings of Jesus. A unity of belief, a unity of Christian practice, is the glue that holds the Christian community together. In Amos 3:3 the prophet puts it simply: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Two individuals from different geographical locations journey to attend the same conference. They are both motivated by their common desire in the same subject. The nearer they get to that conference the nearer they get to each other. So it is with true Christians. Their goal, their destination, is Jesus and a desire to be like him—Christ-likeness. They begin their individual journeys at the same starting point, their common interest in this important goal. The nearer they become to that goal the nearer they become to each other. This is true Christian unity—unity of purpose, unity of belief, unity of goal. The only goal that will bring this type of unity to Christians is a common goal to be more and more like Christ. To do this requires study, the study of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. This study begins with one’s acceptance of Christ as their personal Savior and goes on to learning about his life and then copying it. The only authoritative place to study his life is in the book that tells about it—the Bible, the Word of God. Yet it can be argued that Bible study has done more to separate Christians than anything else. The main reason for the many diverse religious organizations today is disagreement over one point or another of Scripture teaching. Some have suggested, therefore, that it is better to skip over these matters of difference and get together over the work and mission of the church. Such union, however, is artificial. It is organizational and external only. The unity of which Christ spoke, on the other hand, is spiritual and internal. The discernment of God’s will for his church would come through a "renewing of the mind" as described by the apostle Paul: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2). To have their minds renewed, the early followers of Jesus understood the need to study the Bible regularly. The early church at Berea was praised by Paul for such diligent study: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Ecumenism in Prophecy Seeing what the Scriptures say about the unity of the Christian church and its present mission, let us examine what the Bible has to say about the future of the one world church. The book of Revelation deals with matters of the end time, the period just preceding the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. This book begins with the statement that it will show what the spirit "signifies"—or tells in signs or symbols —to the apostle John. The various objects in this book, therefore, are not to be interpreted literally, but as symbols or pictures of prophetic truths. Once again the Bible speaks, as it so often does, in code language waiting to be decoded by the holy spirit with "Scripture interpreting Scripture." In the thirteenth chapter of Revelation we are introduced to a leopard-like beast that many scholars of the Bible identify with an apostate church system. Shortly another beast, this one with two horns, looking like a lamb but speaking like a lion, rises on the scene and oversees the making of an image to the first beast. He later gives it life and, with life, persecuting power. A mark of endorsement is then forced upon all people of the earth, those not receiving this "mark" being forbidden to buy or sell. The progression seems to be that an apostate church system would be joined by a similar system which, though innocent in appearance, would speak with the same oppressive authority. This similar, though protesting system, would construct a third, united, system modeled after—"in the image of"—the first system. One twentieth century Bible commentator, Arthur S. Maxwell, a Seventh Day Adventist, in his book Time Running Out put it this way: "Does this mean that all professing Christians will return to the `mother church?’ By no means. There are many who, though fully in sympathy with the reunion movement, will feel that they cannot go so far as to admit the primacy of the pope. These will find their spiritual home in a non-Roman, but pro-Catholic body, such as the World Council of Churches. "These two bodies . . . `Roman Catholic’ and `Catholic and Reformed’ . . . will then move on in parallel courses, both so alike in purpose and method that sometimes it will be difficult to tell them apart. One will be the replica of the other; so much so that the recalcitrant minority of Bible-loving Christians, looking from a distance upon this much published `religious revival,’ will suddenly recognize `the beast and his image’ so vividly described in symbolic and picturesque language by the apostle John." This same "unity movement" is described in Revelation 16:13 where the same beast of Revelation 13 is seen in connection with the false prophet (the image of the beast after it has been given life) and the dragon, a symbol in Revelation of political power. There, united, these three issue certain proclamations described as being unclean, "like frogs." These have the effect of bringing the nations of the earth into the Battle of Armageddon, the climactic battle of the ages, which will fully introduce the blessings of God’s kingdom of peace. The final destiny of this great united church—joined with various governments of earth—is shown a few verses later, in Revelation 16:19, when, during the final conflict, or last plague, the alliance is broken into its three constituent parts—"and the cities of the nations fell." This break-up however, only serves to pave the way for the establishment by God of that very kingdom which they sought to establish without God. The first feature of this kingdom will be to put down all opposing forces of evil as described pictorially in Revelation 20:2 when Christ "lays hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and binds him a thousand years." Then, with evil bound and sin removed, the work will begin of raising the billions of earth’s dead—"all that are in their graves." That this work will not be done by Jesus alone is attested in Revelation 20:4 where we see the followers of Christ, those who have been figuratively "beheaded for the witness of Jesus" living and reigning with him for the thousand years. This will be the time when God will establish his one world church. They will be the followers of Jesus—his "bride," his "church"—now exalted with him in heaven. They will help their Lord raise the dead of earth and instruct them in the laws and rules of that kingdom, leading them, as the prophet Isaiah says, up a highway that leads to holiness. (Isaiah 35:8-10) Unity of the Spirit In the meantime the lesson is clear to those truly desiring to be Christians: "say ye not a confederacy"—steer clear of organizational unity not based upon a unity of the spirit. Instead strive for that unity of the spirit that exists between all true Christians, that oneness described by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:3-6: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
To attain this end let us continue daily feeding on the Word of God as ancient Israel fed on manna in the wilderness, proving all things and holding fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Let us unite, indeed, with other like-minded Christians, comparing our thoughts on Scripture with theirs, drawing closer to them in the bonds of Christian love as we are both drawn closer to our mutual goal—Jesus Christ himself. Let us leave the solution of the world’s problems to God, knowing that he has adequately prepared for that solution, in that time for which we continue to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." |