Bible Question:
Dear Sir or Madaam, I have been thinking on this issue for some time and it has come as some consternation to me. I am a Lutheran in the Eangelical Synod in Seattle, WA. My question is this. Not too long ago my church had a worship switch (not sure about what exactly it was called). Basically the idea was that each church in the surrounding area would have two volunteers and everyone would go to another church for one Sunday service. The idea being that it would bring the Christian Community closer together. Some odd churches were invited. Ok, odd is the wrong word, but churches with differing views from ours...namely the Catholic church, and the Church of Scientology, among others. Where as I beleive that bringing Christians together across denominations isnt so bad an idea I have seen things in my community churches that has bothered me. Namely the drive to bring all faiths together. I understand that Seattle is a secular city but many of the churches around this area have constructed Multi-faith prayer rooms. Rooms where Muslims, Buddists, Christians, etc. can all go into and pray or do whatever. I feel that while it is always good to be kind and accepting of other faiths that it is our job to spread the Gospel of our lord and this seems like a compromise of our beliefs in order to bring someone closer to us. Am I wrong to be put off by this, and what are some of the goals hoped to come from these efforts? I would very much like to hear someone explain this to me. Thank you for your time and concern. Respectfully, Jonathan Jones |
Bible Answer: Dear Jonathan, Our brother Jeff has answered very wisely and well. It is good to carefully consider his comments. Ecumenism has a huge number of problems. With syncretism and pluralism being touted to the world, we must be careful that we communicate clearly only the message our God has provided through the Word (1 John 1:3-7). Worship outside of salvation is an oxymoron in every way (John 4:22-24). The lost are unable to seek or expect anything from the Holy Lord God almighty (Job 35:13; Psalm 66:18), whose anger at them only increases over time (Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6). Within the context of what is broadly known as Christendom, we must further emphasize the essential doctrines of the Five Solas (2 Timothy 4:1-4). We should be extremely cautious of our relationship with people who call themselves Christians but teach otherwise (2 John 9-11) Without these doctrines, we run the risk of preaching a false Gospel (Galatians 2:5). This is why we work so hard on the essential doctrines -- correcting, reproving, exhorting -- and simply deliberate lovingly, reasonably, and tolerantly over other issues (Romans 14). God bless you as you struggle through these issues in you own conscience, church, confession, and community. In Him, Doc |