Page 422 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

NEW EVANGELICAL

Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and liberal Protestants. The We evangelicals have sinned against you. ... We have
Ecumenical Press Service said, “Although some came demonized you.”
with predetermined agenda, many came to listen and Evangelical dialogue is witnessed in the way the
learn” (Ecumenical Press Service, November 1-15, publishers and magazines print all sides of theological
1986). debates while remaining “neutral.” InterVarsity Press,
In 1988 InterVarsity Press published Evangelical for example, has printed books defending the infallible
Essentials: A Liberal-Evangelical Dialogue. The inspiration of Scripture and books attacking it.
Evangelical was John R.W. Stott and the liberal was Christianity Today has printed articles opposing
David Edwards, who rejects the fall of man and the ecumenical relations with Rome and supporting it,
atonement and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stott articles warning of Karl Barth’s heresy and promoting
said heretics such as this “do not forfeit the right to be Karl Barth, etc.
called Christians” (Iain Murray, Evangelical Essentials, p. What the Bible Says:
228). To the contrary, to deny the fall of man and the First, the Bible does not instruct believers to dialogue
atonement of Christ is to deny the very gospel itself, and with false teachers and apostates, but rather to separate
there is no salvation apart from the biblical gospel. from them. See Ro. 16:17-18; 2 Ti. 2:16-18; 3:5; Titus
There is even dialogue between EVANGELICALS AND 3:10-11.
MORMONS. Second, it is not dialogue that we see in the New
Evangelicals have been dialoguing with Mormons Testament, but preaching. “I charge thee therefore before
since InterVarsity Press published “How Wide the God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
Divide: A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation” quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
in 1997. This is a dialogue between Craig Blomberg of Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
Denver Seminary and Stephen Robinson of Brigham reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
Young University. doctrine” (2 Ti. 4:1-2). The Bible does not instruct
In November 1998, Assemblies of God pastor Dean believers to dialogue with false teachers but to preach
Jackson presented Mormon leaders in Provo, Utah, with the truth to them and to rebuke their errors.
“a formal declaration of repentance for prejudice against Third, theological dialogue is built upon an
members of the Church of Latter Day Saints.” The unscriptural doctrine of Christian unity. [See Ecumenism,
document was signed by more than 160 members of Separation.]
Jackson’s Canyon Assembly of God Church in Provo, Fourth, theological dialogue results in “toning down
and roughly 100 Mormon visitors were on hand to the rhetoric,” in softening the plain charges of heresy and
receive the official apology (Charisma News Service, apostasy and unbelief, in quieting down the warnings
March 1, 2000, citing Deseret News of Salt Lake City). about judgment. It is impossible to dialogue without
The declaration of repentance was also endorsed by the doing this, but this is contrary to the Scriptures.
regional presbytery of the Assemblies of God. Greg Johnson of Standing Together Ministries in
Standing Together Ministries was formed in 2001 in Utah said that we must “cease throwing our theological
Utah “to build greater dialogue between Evangelical rocks and start loving as Christ commanded us.” This is
Christians and Latter-day Saints.” Founder Greg his definition of dialogue. Thus, speaking the truth
Johnson has traveled extensively conducting public about heresy is likened to “throwing rocks,” which is
dialogues with Mormon professor Robert Millet of potentially very hurtful, even deadly. Actually, preaching
Brigham Young University. plainly against false christs and false gospels is a very
An “EVENING OF FRIENDSHIP” was held in the Salt loving, compassionate thing. If a man is on his way to
Lake City Tabernacle on November 14, 2004, featuring hell but is self-deceived into thinking that he is on his
Evangelicals who are calling for dialogue with way to heaven, it is an act of the greatest Christian
Mormons. Ravi Zacharias was the main speaker. He was charity to tell him plainly that he is deceived.
joined by Richard Mouw (president of Fuller Seminary), “Toning down the rhetoric” and softening the plain
Craig Hazen (a professor at Biola University), Greg charges of heresy and apostasy is precisely what the
Johnson (director of Standing Together Ministries), Bible does not do and what the apostles and prophets
Joseph Tkach, Jr., (head of the World Wide Church of did not do and what Bible preachers today are not
God), and Michael Card (Contemporary Christian allowed to do.
musician). Roughly 7,000 attended the meeting, filling
the Tabernacle to capacity. Fuller Seminary President Paul called false teachers “dogs” and “evil
Richard Mouw apologized to the Mormons, making the workers” (Ph. 3:2). Of those who pervert the gospel he
following amazing statements: “Let me state it clearly. said, “Let them be accursed” (Ga. 1:8, 9). He called
them “evil men and seducers” (2 Ti. 3:13), “men of

422 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity