Page 420 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

NEW EVANGELICAL

that all of the participants of Graham’s inclusive Bonhoeffer’s dangerous theology in The Great Debate
evangelism crusades are “committed Christians” is to Today.
refuse to apply critical doctrinal standards. What the Bible Says:
At the same time, not all of the Graham crusades First, separation is not an optional part of Christianity;
include Roman Catholics. If the ecumenical climate in a it is a commandment (Ro. 16:17-18; 2 Co. 6:14-17; 1 Ti.
certain city is not conducive for that broad of an 6:5; 2 Ti. 2:16-18; 3:5; Titus 3:10; 2 John 7-11; Re.
ecumenical umbrella, the Graham team will acquiesce. 18:4).
(See our book Billy Graham and Rome for extensive Separation is not mean or unloving; it is obedience to
documentation of Graham’s practice.) God.
Evangelicals speak at ecumenical meetings and thus “mark them . . . avoid them” (Ro. 16:17)
affiliate closely with heretics. For example, in 1997, Don
Argue, the head of the National Association of “Be ye not unequally yoked together with” (2 Co.
Evangelicals, spoke before the general assembly of the 6:14)
National Council of Churches. The extremely “Have no fellowship with” (2 Co. 6:14)
modernistic National Council has sponsored such things “Come out from among” (2 Co. 6:17)
as the Re-imagining conference in Minneapolis in “withdraw thyself” (1 Ti. 6:5)
November 1993 during which hundreds of women from “shun” (2 Ti. 2:16)
various mainline denominations applauded lesbianism “purge oneself from” (2 Ti. 2:21)
and worshipped the goddess Sophia. Thousands of
examples of this could be given from our own files. “from such turn away” (2 Ti. 3:5)
Evangelicals quote heretics with no warning to their “reject” (Titus 3:10)
readers. “Receive them not into your house neither bid them
Consider, for example, well-known Evangelical writer Godspeed” (2 Jn. 10)
and conference speaker Warren Wiersbe. His practice of Second, we are to separate even from brethren who are
quoting rank modernists without any warning was walking in disobedience. “Now we command you,
described by Jerry Huffman, editor of the Calvary brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
Contender: “In a panel discussion at the April 1987 withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
Tennessee Temple Bible conference, Wiersbe expressed disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of
gladness that Malcolm Muggeridge -- a liberal Roman us” (2 Th. 3:6).
Catholic -- ‘backed up’ one of Wiersbe’s views. In a Dec. In this context Paul referred to those who refused to
1977 Moody Monthly article, Wiersbe endorsed writings work, but does it not apply to those who are disobedient
by liberal authors Thielicke, Buttrick, and Kennedy. and disorderly in other ways?
More recently he praised books by other liberals such as Third, separation is a wall of protection against
Barclay, Trueblood, and Sockman” (Calvary Contender, spiritual danger. Failure to separate from error leaves
July 15, 1987). one open to the influence of error. “Be not deceived: evil
Consider also Rick Warren of Purpose Driven Church communications corrupt good manners” (1 Co. 15:33).
fame. In keeping with his “judge not” philosophy, The reason the gardener separates the vegetables from
Warren uncritically quotes from a wide variety of the weeds and bugs and the reason a shepherd
theological heretics, especially Roman Catholics such as separates the sheep from wolves is to protect them.
Mother Teresa, Brother Lawrence (Carmelite monk), Likewise, a faithful and godly preacher will seek to
John Main (Benedictine monk), Madame Guyon, John separate his flock from spiritual dangers that are even
of the Cross, and Henri Nouwen. Warren does not warn more destructive than bugs and wolves.
his readers that these are dangerous false teachers who 2. New evangelicalism is characterized by replacing
held to a false gospel and worshipped a false christ. separation with dialogue.
Mother Teresa and Nouwen believed that men can be Since the last half of the 20th century, theological
saved apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ. dialogue has become a prominent aspect of Christianity.
Another example of this is Chuck Swindoll, who A report issued in 1983 by the Center for Unity in Rome
devoted an entire edition of his Insights for Living listed 119 official ongoing dialogues between
publication (April 1988) to uncritical promotion of the representatives of Anglican, Baptist, Disciples,
German neo-orthodox Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Swindoll Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Eastern Orthodox,
calls Bonhoeffer “a saint bound for heaven.” But this Old Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed,
“saint” promoted the “de-mythologizing” and Roman Catholic, United, and World Council of
questioning of Scripture. Cornelius Van Til documented Churches.

420 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity