Ecumenism and Why Can’t We All Get Along?

Defining Words

Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary: Ecumenic means general or universal

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary: Ecumenic principles and practices especially as shown among religious groups (such as Christian denominations)

Ecumenism is derived from the Greek word “oikoumene,” meaning “the whole inhabited world.”

Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary: Unity is the state of being one; oneness. Agreement; uniformity, as unity of doctrine; unity of worship in a church.

The Purpose of the Ecumenical Movement The Ecumenical Movement aims to bring different Christian groups together. It looks for unity in beliefs, worship, and social work. It’s about making sure actions honor God and stay true to the gospel. Every decision for teamwork is careful. It keeps the focus on gospel truth. This movement encourages Christians to work together, beyond church lines. It builds on Jesus Christ’s saving work. This is the movement’s core. It shows the world Christianity’s united love. Joining this movement doesn’t mean giving up core beliefs.

A Brief History about Ecumenism

The Seven Ecumenical Councils

The Council of Nicaea • Considered the beginning of the Catholic church • First instance of the State leading church affairs • First effort of unifying varying doctrinal views within the Catholic church • Heresy addressed: Arianism, which held that Jesus Christ was a created being rather than God the Son as a member of the Trinity

The First Council of Constantinople • Added five articles to the Nicene Creed regarding the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Mysteries (Sacraments), the resurrection of the dead, and the life in the world to come • Heresy addressed: Apollinarianism, which taught that Jesus did not have a human spirit, but it was replaced with the logos (Word) as described in John 1

The Council of Ephesus • Roman Catholic beliefs taking shape • Heresy addressed: Nestorianism, a controversy over whether Mary, the mother of Jesus, was properly described as “God-bearer”, this dispute also dealt with whether or not Jesus was God the Son

The Council of Chalcedon • Largest of the Seven Councils • Re-addressed Mary’s status as the “God-Bearer” and discussed Jesus’ Divinity. • Heresy addressed: Readdressed Nestorianism and addressed Monophysitism, which held that Jesus was only divine, and not human

The Second Council of Constantinople • Fractures in the Catholic church appeared between Eastern and Western churches over political and Nestorian views • Heresy addressed: Readdressed Nestorianism

The Third Council of Constantinople • Continued to deal with division between Eastern and Western churches • Heresy addressed: Monothelitism, which held that Christ had one will, rather than two agreeing wills and continued debate over Nestorianism

The Second Council of Nicaea • Final Ecumenical Council prior to the major split which resulted in the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches • Heresy addressed: Iconoclasm, the belief that images or icons of saints should not be used as a part of Christian worship; the result of this council was the veneration of the saints, icons, was upheld as being proper

The interdenominational resurgence of ecumenism • 1910, the World Missionary Conference was established • 1948, the World Council of Churches was established • 1995, Pope John Paul II, “That They All May Be One” • 2000, Pope Benedict XVI, “One and only one Universal Catholic Church” • 2014, Pope Francis and Bishop Tony Palmer re-ignite the ecumenical movement

“Diversity is Divine and Division is Diabolical”

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.Malachi 4:5-6

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.Luke 1:17

The next phase for the ecumenical movement appears to be multi-religion.

A comparison of views: Biblical vs. Ecumenical

The Church

Biblical View: Jesus established the Church and He is the Chief Cornerstone of it.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Matthew 16:18

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:Mark 12:10

Ecumenical View: The Pope is the Father of the Church and all Christian denominations stemmed from them, therefore, they will all return.

The Gospel

Biblical View: By Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6

Ecumenical View: It varies depending on the religion • The Roman Catholic Church claim remains that: “Outside the [Roman Catholic] Church there is no salvation.” • Catholic teaching: “No one can get to heaven without grace. You get grace through the [seven] Sacraments.”

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Matthew 7:22-23

The Great Commission

Biblical View: Go - Win - Baptize, Teach

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Matthew 28:19-20

Ecumenical View: All Christians must unite to spread the gospel message. They affirm that evangelism and sociopolitical involvement are both part of our Christian duty… The message of Salvation implies also a message of judgment upon every form of alienation, oppression and discrimination, and we should not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist.

What does the Bible say about ecumenism?

Unity vs. Truth: While unity among believers is important, it should not come at the expense of truth. Authentic unity is based on shared beliefs in biblical truths, not on compromising those truths for the sake of harmony.

What is the difference between biblical unity and false unity?

The Bible commands unity within the local church.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.1 Corinthians 1:10

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.Philippians 2:2

The ecumenical movement requires unity across denominational lines.

We are to avoid those that intend to lead us astray.

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.2 Thessalonians 3:6

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.Romans 16:17-18

We cannot be unequally yoked

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. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Are we free to compromise truth for the sake of spreading the Gospel?

Compromise is not an option

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.James 4:17

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.Matthew 5:14

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.1 Corinthians 16:13

We cannot change or water down the Gospel

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.Galatians 1:6-9

Truth is divisive

Biblical truth does not allow for multiple interpretations. Just as mathematical truths are fixed, so are the truths found in Scripture.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.Matthew 10:34-36

Biblical truth is inherently divisive due to its absolute nature and the call to uphold it against false teachings. While this can lead to conflict, it is essential for maintaining the integrity of the faith.

We must proclaim the truth even though it is divisive.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Matthew 28:19-20

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 6:23

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?Galatians 4:16

Did Jesus or the Apostles separate from other religious people?

Yes, Jesus and the apostles separated from religious people.

We must draw the line and separate from other religions on doctrinal issues.

We cannot affirm the ecumenical movement, but we can love the people that do.

Why can’t we all get along? Because we do not align doctrinally. The ecumenical movement is anti-Biblical in nearly every position that they hold to, therefore we cannot support or affirm the movement as doing so would require us to compromise truth.

We must maintain a spirit of humility.

“Numbers of our good brethren remain in fellowship with those who are undermining the Gospel, and they talk of their conduct as if it were a loving course which the Lord will approve in the day of His appearing. We cannot understand them. The boundon duty of a true believer towards men who profess to reject the fundamentals of the Gospel, is to come out from among them. Complicity with error will take from the best of men the power to enter any successful protest against. When will Christians learn that separation from evil is not only our privilege, but our duty?” - Dr. C.H. Spurgeon