Ecumenicalism I. Introduction A. Over the past century and a half, and most clearly in the past 50-75 years, an interesting trend has developed in the world of denominational "Christendom" B. The trend of ecumenicalism C. Denominations which spent centuries fighting one another, reserving great vitriol for one another, now try to find points of agreement and basis upon which to try to work with one another D. This certainly seems all well and good, but under the surface, is it? E. Let us, then, spend some time first looking at ecumenicalism 1. What is it? 2. How has it come about? 3. What does it involve? 4. What are its consequences? F. Let us also look at the Scriptures toward this end 1. Is this form of ecumenicalism what God desires? 2. What kind of unity does God want? II. Ecumenicalism: Nature and Origins A. What, really, is ecumenicalism? 1. WordReference definition: the doctrine of the ecumenical movement that promotes cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations: aimed at universal Christian unity 2. Therefore, we can see that this is a movement underfoot to promote cooperation and "unity" B. Ecumenicalism is manifested in many ways 1. The most obvious manifestations are the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches, organizations that parallel for denominations what the United Nations does for nations 2. Denominations among themselves often will have meetings and agree to some document or another 3. Some attempt to establish working relationships with one another C. Origins of Ecumenicalism 1. The distant origins of this movement can be found in the missionary societies of the nineteenth century 2. The missionary societies, while often affiliated with a particular denomination, were the first extra-church organizations, and paved the way for many denominations to work together in those causes 3. The meeting of the Edinburgh Missionary Conference in 1910 facilitated the modern ecumenical movement, and eventually led to the organizations mentioned above 4. The influence of these societies has led overall to the tempering of the disagreements between many denominations and has led to an attempt toward "reconciliation" D. Who is involved in the ecumenical movement? 1. Many denominations are involved with the ecumenical movement 2. Lutherans, Calvinists, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Roman Catholicism to an extent, Eastern Orthodoxy to an extent, Disciples of Christ, and many others participate 3. On the other hand, many Evangelical groups stand opposed to the movement, although some other such groups do participate E. Having seen, therefore, the nature and origins of ecumenicalism, let us examine its tenets and consequences III. Ecumenicalism: Tenets and Consequences A. The ecumenical movement holds to certain tenets B. While there is a desire to promote unity... 1. They appeal to John 17 and Jesus' prayer for unity 2. They see that the Bible demands that the followers of Christ show unity C. ...they desire to "respect" the differences among them 1. After all, these are denominations, many of whom have centuries of doctrinal traditions 2. Those are not going to be so easily given up! D. Therefore, ecumenicalism promotes what is called "unity in diversity" 1. These ecumenical organization will agree to what are deemed the "essentials" 2. Points of disagreement, however, are not "essentials," and so therefore there is the idea that the disagreements can be accepted and tolerated E. The ecumenical movement, then, is really a movement of toleration of "Christian" differences with a veneer of unity F. This ecumenical concept has many consequences 1. First of all, anyone who disagrees with the ecumenical concept is labeled intolerant or divisive 2. The denominations feel content that they have established the type of unity that the Bible demands... 3. ...while not having to change doctrines or beliefs and remain just as they were before! G. Having seen such things, what does the Bible have to say about such things? IV. The Bible on the Ecumenicalism A. Does the Bible agree with the idea of ecumenicalism? B. Let us establish first of all that indeed there can be some variance among Christians 1. Racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity is certainly allowed and in fact encouraged (Galatians 3:28) 2. Romans 14 does establish that in matters of liberty, Christians can work together while believing differently 3. Matters where God has no concern-- the eating of meats, days, and many other issues-- allow for variance C. On the other hand, the Bible is clear that there is plenty that is not up for variance! 1. Even Romans 14:17 demonstrates that matters of "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" are not to be compromised! 2. Galatians 1:6-9 is clear: any different Gospel is anathema! D. What of the claims of the ecumenical movement? Does John 17 show the unity they have attempted to have? 1. Let us consider Jesus' prayer in John 17 2. While Jesus certainly desires His people to be unified... 3. ...He makes it perfectly clear regarding the nature of this unity in verses 20-23 4. We are to be one…as He and the Father are one! 5. Can those in the ecumenical movement really say that their "unity" is really being one as the Father and the Son are one? E. While the desire to have unity is commendable, without unity in doctrine there cannot really be unity 1. The difficulty with ecumenicalism is the idea that the differences among denominations can still be respected and yet have unity 2. They would say that they are unified on the "essentials"...but according to whose definition of the "essentials"? Their own! 3. Their definition is not based on the Scriptures but on their own desire 4. Can anyone really say that people who believe that God has pre-determined who will be saved and who will be condemned and people who believe that man has free will and therefore can him or herself come to God are either both right or that said distinction is not significant? 5. Or can people who believe in the pope's authority and those who do not really say that such is not significant in the least? 6. The ancestors of these very people in these denominations testify against them! F. 1 Corinthians 1 also testifies against them 1. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 stands against this concept of ecumenicalism 2. Are these people really united in the same mind and the same judgment? 3. If the ecumenicalists were right, then Paul would have no problem with some following Cephas, and others Apollos, and others Christ! 4. Now it is not Cephas, Paul, and Apollos, inasmuch as it is Luther, Wesley, and Calvin, but the spirit of divisiveness is the same! G. We can see, then, that this idea of ecumenicalism is contrary to the message of the Scriptures H. How can we be unified, then, according to God's will? V. The Bible on Unity A. The Bible does show that God wants His people to be unified B. The concept of unity is established in passages we have already seen-- John 17:20-23 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 1. We are to have the same mind and the same judgment 2. We are to be one as the Father and the Son are one 3. Our unity, therefore, is to be not just a veneer but true and substantive agreement! C. From whence is the source of unity? 1. It is important to recognize the source of unity 2. Unity is not based on a list of "essentials" upon which people agree, or organizations agreeing to work with each other 3. Unity is based on God! 4. We are unified on account of Christ who died for us, who reconciled us to God (Ephesians 2:16, Colossians 1:20) 5. We are unified on account of all believing and obeying the same Gospel, which is true and not an anathema to God (Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 1:6-9) D. We must approach unity in terms of all being obedient servants of our one Master, and therefore working together-- not attempting to form coalitions and then trying to work out whatever differences exist! 1. Romans 14:3-13: we all share a common Master, and we are each responsible to that Master first and foremost 2. 1 John 1:1-4: our association must be with those who proclaimed God's Word at the first-- the Apostles-- and our association will by necessity include God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! E. Biblical unity, therefore, exists when people who are one with the Father and the Son are one with one another (John 17:20-23)! 1. We do want to strive to be one, and therefore we must take these passages to heart 2. It is of no value to us if we are one with one another but not one with God! 3. Let us be one with God and then one with one another! VI. Conclusion A. We have examined ecumenicalism today B. We have seen the nature and origins of ecumenicalism, and how it tries to advocate an idea of "unity-in-diversity" C. We have seen that while there is some diversity allowed, in matters of liberty, overall the Bible demands God's followers to be one in mind and judgment, as God the Father and God the Son are one D. Ecumenicalism is the attempt denominations have made to have their cake and eat it too, and in reality they can have neither! E. We have seen that unity according to the Bible flows from God, to whom we have been reconciled through the blood of Christ, and how unity comes from being one with God and therefore one with one another F. Let us then strive to be one with God and one with one another G. Invitation/songbook H. God desires for all men to be united with Him and with one another through His Son 1. If you are still not reconciled to God and in your sins, you have the opportunity to come in obedient faith to Christ and receive that reconciliation 2. You can then be one with God and then one with us! I. Perhaps you are going through some difficulties or simply require encouragement 1. We are here to help you-- that is how we manifest our unity! 2. Let us help you today J. Whatever you may need, let us help you; come to the front while we stand and sing