Ecumenicalism

I think it's "ecumnism".

It in itself is neither of God nor the devil. Only when one is put in a position of "endorsing" another faith (presuming that the faith in question is unscriptural) does ecuminism become a problem.

I volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. We work with numerous faiths, both Christian and nonchristian alike. That includes Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Muslims, Presbyterians, Jews, and even some people of no particular faith practice. We're all doing the work of the Lord. Is ecuminism a problem here? Not at all.

 

...or is it ecumenicism?

...promoting cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations; aimed at universal Christian unity.

It's of man.

Who ever thinks it's possible hasn't been reading the BB!


Rob

 

Johnv

How can Muslims and non-Christians be doing the Lord's work? You can't please God if you don't believe in Him. If you don't believe in Jesus as the Son of God, then you don't know God.

 

Whether ecumenism is OK specifically depends on exactly what context and specific issue is being discussed.

However, in the US, the ecumenical movement that we've experienced over the last 50 to 70 years or so has been unbiblical. Over and over, this movement has compromised essentials in an effort to have unity between varying groups. And it's easy to see how this would happen....if a group gets together for the specific purpose of bringing diverse groups together, then the tendency is to drop the beliefs that are keeping them apart.

In the name of unity, the ecumenical movement over the last couple of generations has, at one time or another, denied all of the essential teachings of Christianity. It should be avoided.

This is not to say that diverse groups cannot work together for a common purpose. If there is a need to feed the poor & hungry, I can join with a heretic in doing this. But I will not invite a heretic to fellowship and worship with me.

 

I do not encourage Christian-non-Christian ecumenicalism but have no problem working with non-Christians in being a blessing to this world. I see that as opportunities for evangelism to both those we are serving and those who are serving with us.

I believe Christian ecumenicalism at the cost of denying essential teachings of Christianity is not from God.

I believe Christian ecumenicalism that recognizes and seeks to lovingly reconcile differences in what we consider to be essential teachings of Christianity was prayed for by Jesus and implored by Paul.

 

Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Tend to the sick. Give shelter to the homeless. Are you telling me that it's only God's will that Christians do these things? Are you telling me that when I work side by side doing the same thing as a nonchristian, swinging the same hammer, housing the same person, I'm doing God's work, but they're not? God often uses the hands of the nonbeliever to do his will, typically without them knowing. I believe that this fact keeps us believers humble.

I didn't say anything about pleasing God. I was referring to doing God's work.

So all those Jewish charities aren't doing God's work? Again, I didn't say anything about knowing God, I was referring to doing God's work.

 

It's from the Greek word oikoumene.

 

Here are all the instances where this greek root word appears in the bible.

StudyLight : New Testament Greek Lexicon : Oikoumene

 

"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." 2 Cor. 6:14-17

And no folks, that verse doesn't only pertain to marriage. In fact I would argue that marriage is not the context of those verses.

Of course this command also pertains to marriage.

 

Posted by JohnV: We work with numerous faiths, both Christian and nonchristian alike. That includes Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Muslims, Presbyterians, Jews, and even some people of no particular faith practice. We're all doing the work of the Lord. Is ecuminism a problem here? Not at all.

Ecumenism is not of God. People have always worked at joint causes for the betterment of man. But to have different faiths join together for causes is not biblical.

While there are faiths holding to the teachings of the bible, there are many that do not. Those we should not fellowship with. We know for instance that Muslims worship a different god than the christians do.

Ecumenism is working towards a one world religion. A false one that will deceive many. Watch out for this.

 

Johnv

you said
_____
"Are you telling me that when I work side by side doing the same thing as a nonchristian, swinging the same hammer, housing the same person, I'm doing God's work, but they're not?"
_____
I am not convinced either of you are doing God's work, especially when the charity advertises itself as being inclusive of "all religions".

You are saying by your actions that what someone believes doesn't matter, as long as some sort of social good comes from it.

That is harmful to the cause of Christ.

peace to you

 

God's work:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do
nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." John 15:4-6

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Mt. 12:30

Unless one has been born again they are against Christ. Jesus makes this quite clear in Mt. 7:21-23

These false religions that John brought up are all against the one true Gospel of Christ, and are therefore against Him.

 

JackRUS

 

Johnv

You said
_____
"So all those Jewish charities aren't doing God's work? Again, I didn't say anything about knowing God, I was referring to doing God's work."

John 6:28-29
"Therefore they said to Him. 'What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'"

You cannot separate the Work of God from the cause of Christ.

peace to you

 

I take offense to that, and, frankly, find your attitude on this matter rather condescending in an unscriptural fashion.

Your view is that if I as a believer build a house for someone, that's scriptural, but if I build a house with someone who's Jewish, then it's not scriptural. Ridiculous!!! I'm going to build the house anyway, and will believe it to be GOd's work I'm doing. If you don't like it, it's of no concern, because I'm not doing it to please you.

Not only are you putting words in my mouth, your conclusion is completely off-base.

God works via unbelievers all the time. They simply don't realize it's GOd at work in them.

 

Johnv

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be condescending. But I was trying to be candid.

If you build a house, it may or may not be a work pleasing to God. It depends on your motivations and whether it is part of the cause of Christ; which is to make His name known to all as the only name under heaven and earth by which men must be saved.

Forgive me for assuming too much, but you do not strike me as a person who is telling the Jewish or Muslem friend next to you that his faith is worthless because he has rejected the Messiah, The Son of God. I suspect that there is a rule (written or unwritten) that such a conversation would be inappropriate. Am I correct?

Whether you think so or not, your participation in events where all the "faiths" are working together to do "God's work" is saying that what you believe doesn't matter.

John 6:28-29
"Therefore they said to Him. 'What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'"

The cause of Christ is the only "work" that matters. You could build homes for every person on the planet, but if you aren't doing it in the name of Christ, it is as filthy rags in the eyes of God.

peace to you