THE TRUTH ABOUT

THE WORLD

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

by Dr. M. H. Reynolds

Editor, FOUNDATION Magazine

"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?" This catchy

question is also the title of a 1978 publication ot the WCC. It

is an obvious attempt to answer some of the vital questions and

criticisms which are being raised by those who love Jesus Christ

and who value our cherished American freedoms. However, far from

answering such questions and complaints, a discerning reader will

discover that the WCC actually confirms the chares of

doctrinal deviations and political radicalism.

This leaflet is written to provide factual, up to date

information regarding the World Council of Churches. We are

concerned where we find so many true, Bible-believing Christians

who still hold membership in denominations which are a part of

the WCC (see complete listing of USA and Canada member

denominations on the last page) We also believe that others, both

within and without the church, who believe in our free-enterprise

system should be informed as to how ecumeNical church leaders are

seeking to replace capitalism with some form of socialism or

comunism under the false label of the Kingdom of God. All

quotations given in this article are r either from the above

mentioned WCC publication or from one of the official documents

presented at the meeting of the WCC Central Committee held in

Kingston, Jamaica, January 1-11, 1979, which the author of

this leaflet attended as a member of the press. Thus, all

information is strictly up-to-date and fully documentable.

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES begins with its

organization in 1948 with 147 denominations from both Protestant

and Orthodox backgrounds. Today, it has grown to include 293

member denominations representing some 400 million people. It has

been and is a major force and voice of what is commonly called

ECUMENISM, a term used to describe the effort to bring all

churches into "a visible unity in one faith and one eucharistic

fellowship". The WCC, while admitting that the ecumenical

movement is broader than its own institution, claims with ample

justification that it is "the most nearly comprehensive

instrument of the ecumenical movement in the world today". It

should be further noted that, while the original goal of the

ecumenical movement and the WCC was "the unity of the churches",

the new vision of the 'WCC is for the unity of all

religions--and, in fact, all mankind. It should be clear to all

who have been watching the WCC that it has become a modern Tower

of Babel.

THE DOCTRINAL POSITION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is

deceptive. Supporters of the WCC frequently point to their

doctrinal basis when charges of doctrinal heresies and deviations

are leveled against the Council. But be sure to read the fine

print! Be sure to observe how this doctrinal basis is either

ignored or stretched beyond recognition.

THE WCC's DOCTRINAL BASIS SIMPLY SAYS: "The World Council of

Churches is a fellowship of Churches which confess the Lord Jesus

Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and

therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the

glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." It is hard to

find anything wrong with that, right? However, two paragraphs

later ir this WCC publication, we read, "Since the World Council

of Churches is not itself a church, it passes no judgement upon

the sincerity with which member churches accept the basis." Did

you get that? You can sign the WCC doctrinal basis whether or not

you are sincere are no one will question it. And in the very

next paragraph we read the following. "Some very conservative

churches judge the basis not biblical enough; some liberal

churches DO NOT ACCEPT THE TRINITARIAN FORMULA." What do you

think about that? How can anyone claim to be Christian who

denies the Trinity? Yet, the WCC admits it has such churches in

membership. In fact, the WCC actually boasts of and glories in

their doctrinal diversities. They admit that "Ecumenism exists by

holding contradictions together." They admit that "it is

impossible to speak of a single 'theology of the Council' as

such." We remind Bible believers that such unity is not true

Biblical unity --it is plain, open disobediance to the Word of

God. 11 John 9-11.

WCC DOCTRINAL DEVIATIONS WERE CLEARLY OBSERVABLE from the Central

Committee documents in Jamaica. For instance, note the FALSE

TEACHING OF BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. One document said, "Through

Baptism every person is made part of the Christian Community . .

" Again,"Through Baptism we are redeemed from the powers ot sin

and death and incorporated into the one body of Christ." Note

also the FALSE TEACHING OF UNIVERSALISM: "Put succinctly,

salvation is a total involvement of God in the world. There is no

sphere of life with which human beings, as individuals, as

community or as nations, have to wrestle that is not related to

God. Jesus Christ is this total involvement of God. In His life,

suffering-, cross and resurrection, all humanity with its agonies

and struggles is judged, liberated and REDEEMED. It is this

Christ who has called us as Christians to follow him in God's

continuing work of creation and re-creation." And again,

"Christians believe that all human beings are part of a dynamic

pointing towards the messianic Kingdom . . . The Biblical witness

refers to this final aim as the 'Kingdom of God' which embraces

the two dimensions of redemption of the whole of creator and

personal fulfilment for each human being." No wonder the WCC is

confused in its programs It is confused in its doctrine!

THE POLITICAL RADICALISM OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is

apparent. Just as in the case of doctrinal diversities, the WCC

boasts of its ability to hold together exact opposites in the

realm of politics. They say, "On other issues the churches

recognize strong differences of opinion and seek to maintain a

continuing dialogue among their own members. These differences

are not limited to trivial matters. For example, THE WORLD

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES INCLUDES PACIfiST MEMBER CHURCHES .... IT

ALSO INCLUDES REVOLUTIONARIES. Both groups contribute insights to

the WCC. They continue to try to influence each other. And the

WCC INCLUDES BOTH WITHIN ITS FELLOWSHIP." There you have it in

their own words. Do not forget for one minute, however, that when

WCC leaders speak and WCC pronouncements are issued IT IS ALWAYS

THE VOICE OF RADICALISM AND REVOLUTION THAT IS HEARD. There are

repeated attacks upon "Western Imperialism" and "capitalism" but

seldom a word of criticism for socialism and communism.

Non communist dictatorships are repeatedly attacked but no word is

ever spoken against the communist dictators. A few conservative

voices are occasionally heard within WCC meetings--but these

rarely, if ever, become a part of the official statements which

go to the governments of the world and to the United Nations as a

"representative voice of the churches". Those who claim that the

WCC is becoming more ''evangelical" are either blind or naive.

Evangelicals who remain in the WCC are being used as window

dressing to hide the WCC apostasy.

 

IN JAMAICA, A PRIME TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS THE SB5,000 GRANT TO

THE PATRIOTIC FRONT OF ZIMBABWE (actually a communist guerilla

group, The Salvation Army, the Irish Presbyterian Church and a

Lutheran Church in Germany have all suspended membership in

protest. Both the secular and religious press waited for some

explanation, some justification of this atrocious grant to a

group which has boasted of murdering missionaries and shooting

down a commercial airplane. But all the press really got from the

WCC was a charge that the news media had mis-represented and

falsified the situation. The WCC Central Committee stood behind

its PCR Commission which had recommended the grant and the

executive officers who approved it. They concluded by saying that

"although the adverse image and understanding of the PCR needs to

be changed, the content and thrust of the PCR itself should not

be changed." Incidentally, PCR is the abbreviation for the WCC's

"Program to Combat Racism"--but in reality, it should be called

the "Program to Continue Revolution". Over three million dollars

has been given to radical groups around the world. While it is

claimed that all monies in this fund come from designated gifts,

this program could not operate without the administrative offices

and support of the WCC. Those who remain in membership in WCC

affiliated churches cannot be absolved from responsibility for

giving this aid to the revolutionaries around the world

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CREATION

OF A NEW SOCIETY based on socialistic principles and deceitfully

called "The Kingdom of God". They state: "The participation of

the Church in the creation of a new society is not a secondary or

derivative dimension of its existence. It begins at the very

centre in the celebration of the sacraments as an anticipation of

what the world is to become ...." Dr. Philip Potter, WCC General

Secretary, quoted from a 1969 WCC Central Committee directive as

follows: "We call upon the churches to move beyond charity,

grants and traditional programming to relevant and sacrificial

action leading to new relationships of dignity and justice among

all men and to become THE AGENTS FOR THE RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION

OF SOCIETY." He also made it perfectly clear what this involved

when he said, "But the conflict has become intense when it has

been perceived that A RADICAL CHANGE OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND

POLITICAL STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED AND NOT THE MERE PRUDENTIAL

TRANSFER OF RE SOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES." Another WCC document

stated: "In the developed countries it means changes in the

production structure and employment policies which will ONLY BE

POSSIBLE THROUGH A CERTAIN 'SOCIALIZATION' of decisions that have

so far been taken autonomously on the basis of interests of the

private sector." MR. BUSINESSMAN, MR and MRS FREEDOM LOVING

AMERICAN --the World Council of Churches has made it abundantly

clear what their goal is! Are you willing to sit idly by or even

help support this effort to destroy the very foundations of our

faith and freedom?

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SUBSTITUTES DIALOGUE FOR

WITNESSING. Having substituted the building of a new society in

place of the preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace

through faith in Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that the WCC

should forsake "witness" for ''dialogue" even while claiming that

dialogue is a form of witness, In recent years,the WCC has been

engaged in official dialogues with almost everyone, Roman Catholics,

Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanists, Traditional African

Religions and Communists. As previously noted, the original goal of

"Christian unity" has been superseded with the goal of the "unity of

all mankind" They say, "opportunities and occasions for dialogue cannot

and must not be confirmed to men of religious faiths but also must

involve men of secular ideologies." This dialogue program is attractively

presented as the WCC claims: "Dialogue offers the promise of dis

covering new dimensions of understanding our faith." One

repeatedly is told of how dialogue "enriches dimensions of

understanding our faith" but strangely, nothing is ever said

about proclaiming the truth of the gospel in such a way that men

"turn to God from idols to serve the living9 and true God."

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT DIALOGUE IS INDEED ONE OF THE

GREAT DANGERS AND DECEPTIONS BEING PRACTICED AND ENCOURAGED BY

THE WCC. What is dialogue? According to their own definition,

dialogue is, "...an OPENING OF THE MIND AND HEART TO OTHERS." It

is an undertaking which requires RISK as well as a deep sense of

vocation....THIS OPENING, THIS RISK, this vocation, this

sensitivity are at the heart of the ecumenical movement and hl

the deepest currents of the life of the churches." Further, the

WCC says, "Love requires us to recognize and respect the

integrity of our partners who enter into dialogue from the

standpoint of their faith and commitment." This is exactly the

opposite of Biblical teaching. God says, ''And have no fellowship

with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. "

Ephesians 5:11. The WCC tells us that dialogue is a required form

of witness in a pluralistic world, yet they take special pains to

assure their partners in dialogue that they "come not as

manipulators but as genuine fellow-pilgrims ...." The WCC

principle of dialogue implies that the Christian is a searcher

for truth rather than a proclaimer of the truth. The WCC says,

"Be open,be vulnerable, take a risk." The Word of God says, "Beware!"

"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but

inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15. Will you follow Christ

or the WCC?

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND THE UNITED NATIONS coninue

their close ties. In fact, we might call then ''blood brothers"

There were repeated favorable references to all sorts of UN

programs in the Central Committee Documents at Jamaica The New

International Economic Order, the New International Informational

Order, the World Health Organization, the World Court, UNESCO,

etc. It was reported that "an intervention was made on behalf of

the WCC in the Security Council debate on South Africa in March

1977" It was stated that they were seeking "to sensitize

churches, inviting them to lobby with their governments . . as

well as to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights." The WCC issued a special document promoting the

UN sponsored lnternational Year of the Child, totally ignoring

the fact that even though this appeal is made with the image of

starving children in mind, the real thrust of this program is

toward socialization of the child and the family. Individual

believers and churches that are op,c,osed to the philosophy and

program of the UN should realize that it is not their voice which

is heard in places of power antl decision--it is the voice of the

false prophets in the WCC that prevail and speak for you whether

you like it or not.

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES stands for DISARMAMENT and against

U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY. The WCC is geared for a massive

propaganda effort against our historic concept of national

security. They want complete and unilateral disarmament and they

want it now. But it is ironic that at the very time the WCC is

attacking America and the nations of the Free World for wanting to

maintain national security, they are insisting on national

sovereignty and security for their many llew nations are

governments which have been formed through communist revolutions.

Following the WCC "Program for Disarmament and Against Militarism

and the Arms Race" would leave America defenseless against her

enemies. Yet, the Central Committee in Jamaica said that the

churches should give "the highest priority" to implementation of

this program. But if you read the entire document, you find that

the WCC has taken this strong position in spite of the admission

that they have not fully explored the underlying theological

issues. They say, "These two meetings...have underlined the need

for more substantial work on the theological issues involved.

They have posed questions rather than providing answers." What

dangerous hypocrisy and liberal bias this reveals. Americans

should remember that nations which lose their freedom rarely have

a second chance.

THE CONFUSION, DOUBLE-TALK AND CONTRADICTIONS IN FACT OF THE WCC

ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO ANYONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO STOP,

LOOK AND LISTEN! As the years have slipped by with little

progress toward the goal of "one visible church", their

frustrations have been manifested in the use of clever language

to hide their failures. Instead of "One Church" we hear talk of

"conciliar fellowship' and "unity in reconciled diversity" and

trying to "relate the right kind of diversity to the right kind

of unity." Through the years, they have followed the old

ecumenical motto, "Service Unites, Doctrine Divides". But in

spite of their wish to ignore doctrine, the issue continues to

re-appear At times, WCC leaders introduce new word games or

"theological breakthroughs" which they announce with a great

fanfare, seeking to revive the hopes of their disillusioned

followers.

THE LATEST "BRIGHT SPOT" ON THE WCC's THEOLOGICAL HORIZON is the

idea that while they may not all be able to agree on the content

of their faith, they can all agree that there is HOPE. The

problem is that they cannot even agree on what that HOPE is. One

of the WCC documents at Jamaica said, "The difference between the

hopes expressed from different parts of the world -- Africa,

Latin America, North America, Eastern Europe--diverged so widely

that ONE WAS TEMPTED TO ASK WHETHER THEY WERE SPEAKING OF THE

SAME HOPE or indeed whether they can even give a common account

of hope." But they went on to state, "Yet, the common attempt

itself has become a source of hope.'' How sad it is that those in

the WCC are ignoring the Bible which tells us plainly that our

hope -- our only hope--is the return of Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.

How sad it is that they ignore the teaching of Scripture that the

Kingdom of God is not some socialistic kingdom established

through the efforts of man, but a perfect and righteous Kingdom

to be set up by our Lord Jesus Christ in spite of and apart from

any effort of man to either thwart or aid the establishment of

that Kingdom. Daniel 2:44. Revelation 19:13-16.

AT THE VERY HEART OF THE WHOLE MATTER IS THE FAILURE OF THE WORLD

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO ACCEPT THE BIBLE as the authoritative,

infallible, inerrant, eternal, unchangeable Word of God. Note the

following: "In the WCC we experience both the possibility for

common confession of faith and worship together and also the

obstacles to Christian unity, We are agreed in giving vital place

in our thinking to bible study and worship; we are able to

worship our one Lord in the very different way of the churches

represented among us. YET WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF PROBLEMS

CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE REMAINING UNSOLVED AMONG US

and of the fact that we are not yet part of one eucharistic

fellowship. It is not surprising therefore that there is

controversy among Christians about the meditative use (rather

than simply the intellectual study) of the holy books of other

faiths and about the QUESTION OF COMMON WORSHIP BETWEEN THOSE OF

DIFFERENT FAITHS." One speaker said, "The document on Hope coming

out of Bangalore had succeeded in bringing out the fruitful

tension between doctrinal unity and union in radical involvement

in human hopes. But it has not settled the underlying question."

What is that underlying question? "The problem is no longer the

problem of loving one another, but the problem of understanding

the faith." The doctrinal basis of the WCC is an empty shell -- a

front to deceive the unwary. Only by accepting God's Word as our

only, absolute and final authority can we enter into true unity

with those who truly belong to Christ--and at the same time be

fully separated from those who appear as angels of light but are

in reality the servants of Satan.

MANY OTHER PROGRAMS AND FACETS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

could be helpfully presented and documented if space permitted.

Take Roman Catholicism for example. The WCC has grown so close to

the Roman Catholic Church that they now say, "The days of

wi(lning converts from each other are over . . ." Take the

question of communism. You will never find the WCC to be

anti-communist. In fact, they state plainly, "The story of

primitive anti-communism and anti-communist crusades in the

Christian Church is a long and sad one." Red Agents and Communist

puppet church leaders sit, work and propagandize at all levels of

the WCC organization The WCC and the NCC have been decisive

forces in preparing the way for the shameful U.S. recognition of

Red China. Though denying charges of pro-communism, the WCC track

record is a long and consistent testimony to the fact that they

are one of communism's strongest and best allies. The WCC is

doing everything possible to indoctrinate young people into the

radical, revolutionary ecumenical philosophy. It was reported

that four young people, including one WCC staff person, attended

the "11th World Festival of Youth and Students" in Cuba in 197B.

They reported a "warm and wholehearted welcome from the Cuban

people and the freedom to move around the island and to talk to

the people." And what was the purpose of this meeting? They said,

"These meetings provided opportunities for the Christian Youth to

discuss the issues of the festival and the meaning of Christian

commitment today, AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY IN THE

STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE AND AGAINST IMPERIALISM IN THE WORLD

TODAY."Is there any talk of struggling against Communism? Oh, no,

it is only against Imperialism!

THE NEXT THREE YEARS WILL BE CRITICAL YEARS FOR THE WORLD COUNCIL

OF CHURCHES, largely because of severe financial problems. The

fact that most of the WCC money comes from the USA, coupled with

the devaluation of the dollar in comparison with the Swiss Franc,

means that the WCC is faced with what one leader called "The

moment of truth in WCC finances". To avoid drastic and

immediate cut-backs of staff and programs, they approved

deficit spending for the next three years, drawing on reserves or

even borrowing if necessary. Financing is apparently already in

hand or in view to proceed with their big conference in

Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 12-24, 1979, on the theme, "FAITH,

SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE" and their big missionary-evangelism

conference to be held in Melbourne, Australia, May 12-25, 1980,

on the theme "YOUR KINGDOM COME". The 1979 conference will seek

to join religion and science to further socialism and the 1980

meeting will promote socialism in the name of the Kingdom of God.

IF ONLY GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD WAKE UP AND SEE HOW THE WORLD COUNCIL

OF CHURCHES IS USING THE CHURCHES TO DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATIONS

OF FAITH AND FREEDOM, what a difference it could make! If only

God's people would immediately withhold support and withdraw

membership from the WCC and then begin attending and supporting

only those churches that refuse to compromise with the

ecumenical apostasy, what a difference it would make! Further

loss of support now could be critical for the WCC. Are you one of

those who are supporting the WCC by your finances and membership

even while decrying its heretical, radical programs? If so, why

lot obey God -- COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE (1 Corinthians

6:14) and join hands with those who are willing to stand up

and speak out for our God-given liberties in which enable us to

preach the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ instead of a

socialist revolution .

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

MEMBER DENOMINATIONS IN

THE USA AND CANADA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

African Methodist Episcopal Church. African-Methodist

Episcopal Zion Church, American Baptist Churches in the

U.S A, American Lutheran Church; The Antiochian

Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York and all North

America; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Christian

Methodist Episcopal Church; Church ot the Brethren;

The Episcopal Church; Hungarian Reformed Church in

America: International Evangelical Church; Lutheran

Church in America, Moravian Church in America

(Northern Province); Moravian Church In America

(Southern Province), National Baptist Convention of America;

National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.;

National Council of Churches of Christ in the U S.A.;

National Council of Community Churches; The Orthodox Church in

America; Polish National Catholic Church

of America; Presbyterian Church in the United States;

Progressive National Baptist Convention; Reformed Church

in America; Religious Society of Friends--Friends General

Conference -- Friends United Meetings, United Church of

Christ; The United Methodist Church; The United

Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

CANADA

The Anglican Church of Canada; Canadian Council of

Churches; Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Society of

Friends; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, The Presbyterian

Church in Canada; The United Church of Canada.

 

 

 

 

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