Ecumenism

Following this note you will find an article that is a “must read” for every serious Bible believing Christian.

A line is being drawn in the sand. Professing Christians need to make a stand.

If you are a Christian, will you be swept into the ecumenical river that leads away from Scripture, or will you accept the inspired words of Scripture and recognize the return of Christ is at hand? Will you stand up and warn about the apostasy that is underway, or will you be caught up in unification of “Christianity” that is being championed by the mother of all churches with headquarters in Rome.

For the past twenty-five years, I have traveled extensively throughout the world speaking at numerous churches representing many denominations. The rate that ecumenism is being embraced precipitated by a departure from God’s Word is appalling.

Now, I will be making a statement that I never thought I would have to make. I realize the cost of making this statement. It is not without thought, prayer and heartfelt grief.

I have been involved with the Calvary Chapel movement for the past twenty-five years, a ministry I believe God raised up to proclaim the truth to the world in these last days. My pastor is Chuck Smith. I have previously written a letter to my pastor expressing my concerns about current trends underway in the Calvary Chapel movement.

Through the Calvary Chapel movement God has opened doors for the ministry of Understand The Times around the world and throughout the United States. Further, the Lord has used Calvary Chapel and the Calvary Chapel movement as the core of the ministry I have been called to do. Wherever I have gone, it has been my goal and desire to represent and reflect the foundational principles of the Calvary philosophy instilled in me and in the many pastors and teachers that God has chosen Chuck Smith to oversee as a shepherd.

Even though Pastor Chuck has sounded a warning to the many pastors he oversees, the truth of God’s Word is still being compromised and watered-down by many who are affiliated with the Calvary Chapel movement. Ecumenical, popular and even unbiblical teachings are being endorsed for the cause of unity and church growth.

The Calvary Chapel movement is at a crossroads, like many other churches and denominations.

My hope and prayer is that every Calvary Chapel pastor would read the article that follows. May this be a wake-up call to those who have fallen asleep.

Sincerely in Jesus,
Roger Oakland

(RNS) — The leader of the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination has called for a global Christian council to address an “identity crisis” on how churches interpret and understand the Bible.

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one of the UCC’s partner denomations – called for Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches to come together to combat a “fundamentalist-millenialist-apocalypticist reading of Scripture.”

Hanson made his pitch for the ecumenical council on Aug. 9 during the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Fla. Hanson is also president of the Geneva-based Lutheran World Federation.

Hanson also urged the Vatican to work with the Lutheran World Federation to develop a joint statement on the Eucharist to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017. The two sides issued a landmark statement on salvation in 1999.

In a State of the Church address to Lutheran delegates, Hanson urged greater cooperation with other churches, but also noted that one stumbling block — particularly with Catholics and Orthodox churches — was non-negotiable.

“In all of our ecumenical relations, let us be clear that the ordination of women now in its 35th year is a gift we bring to ecumenical relationships that we pray others will receive,” he said to applause.

– Kevin Eckstrom, Religion News Service