The Pastor’s File

A new ecumenical group of Christian churches was launched last Wednesday in Pasadena California. The group named “Christian Churches Together” is attempting to bring together representatives from all of the major religions in America that would consider themselves Christian. In a press release on their website, the CCT summarises their target membership and vision of unity:

Members of Christian Churches Together represent the “five families” of Christianity in the U.S., according to the Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary of the Reformed Church in America and chair of the CCT steering committee. The five faith families are Evangelical/Pentecostal, Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Racial/Ethnic.

The CCT bylaws affirm the desire to “be together:” (1) celebrate a common confession of faith in the Triune God; (2) discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer and theological dialogue; (3) provide fellowship and mutual support; (4) seek better mutual understanding; (5) foster evangelism faithful to the Gospel; (6) speak to society with a common voice; and (7) promote the common good. (http://www.christianchurchestogether.org/news/070205.html)

While the stated goals may seem noble, they are not really possible. The truth of the Scriptures is absolute, and it must be our standard of unity. True Biblical unity is always based in truth as opposed to a few points of similarity. Let me be very pointed here. If the Roman Catholic Church is correct in its teaching concerning man’s salvation, then I as a Baptist I am doomed to spend eternity in Hell. If one has to trust in the seven sacraments to gain Heaven, then I am surely a lost man. This would also mean that if the only requirement for salvation is faith in the person and work of Christ, then the Roman Church(and others) are clearly in error.

You see, things that are different are not the same. This may seem obvious to the beginning student of logic, but it is a truth that seems to have eluded the leadership of the CCT. I am not proposing that every Christian in America must agree on every detail of doctrine, however it would be impossible to unite with a man or group that has forsaken the basic foundations of Biblical truth. The Bible commands: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?“ - 2Corinthians 6:14

If I cannot even agree with a man on a doctrine as foundational as salvation, how could I ever unite with him for the cause of evangelism? It is impossible! We must beware of the call to unity at the expense of truth. While the Lord’s will is for his children to love one another and to experience unity; that unity must be found as we gather around His truth. I will be glad to unite, as long as that uniting is based upon the words of the infallible Word of God. Any other unity is treason to the truth, and in-fact it is attempting to join light with darkness, a practice that is clearly forbidden by God.