THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
AN ECUMENICAL TOWER OF BABEL
By Dr. M. H. Reynolds
FUNDAMENTAL EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION
P. 0. Box 6278, Los Osos, California 93402
WHAT IS THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?
The World Council of churches is the major ecumenical religious
organization in the world today. Founded in 1948, it represents
some 400 million Protestant and Orthodox Church members from 305
denominations in over 100 countries. It represents you if you
belong to any of the USA and Canadian churches listed at the end
of this report. This is true whether you know it or not and
whether you like it or not!
KARL MARX OR JESUS CHRIST?
In August, 1982, the Reader's Digest created a furor in
ecumenical circles by printing an article entitled, "Which Master
is the World Council of Churches Serving - Karl Marx or Jesus
Christ?" This article was a blistering attack upon the WCC based
upon its continual advocacy of some form of socialism while
maintaining a steady drum beat of attacks upon capitalism and our
free enterprise system. This Digest article correctly called
attention to the fact that the WCC consistently shows "a
preference for social concerns over purely religious ones."
Hitting the nail right on the head, the article stated, "The
World Council owes almost as much to Marxism as to Christianity."
Naturally, WCC leaders were infuriated!
WHERE DO YOUR CHURCH OFFERINGS GO?
In January, 1983, the Reader's Digest kept the ecumenical pot
boiling with yet another article entitled, "Do You Know Where
Your Church Offerings Go?" This expose dealt not only with the
World Council of Churches' involvement in funding radical,
revolutionary groups around the world, but also the way in which
the National Council of Churches (USA) is similarly involved.
Liberal spokesmen from the various WCC-NCC denominations were
quick in coming to the defence of both councils, not only denying
the accusations but fully defending and supporting the way in
which the WCC and NCC are spending the funds committed to them by
member churches.
TOP-RATED CBS TV PROGRAM "60 MINUTES"
DROPS ANOTHER BOMBSHELL
On Sunday, January 23, 1983, a major segment of the top-rated CBS
TV program, "60 Minutes," put NCC and WCC leaders on the spot
before a listening and watching world. Millions of viewers were
understandably shocked as they saw and heard perhaps for the
first time just how cleverly and deceitfully the ecumenical
movement uses church funds to fuel the fires of a world-wide
socialist-communist revolution. Bishop James Armstrong of the
United Methodist Church represented the National Council of
Churches and Dr. Philip Potter General Secretary of the World
Council of Churches was the spokesman for the WCC. As the CBS
correspondents pressed these top ecumenical leaders for answers
to the very serious questions of the use of church money to
promote revolution, it was pathetic but very revealing to observe
their evasiveness and doubletalk. Following so closely on the
heels of the two Reader's Digest articles, this further
revelation of liberalism's use of church funds to promote
political revolution was a real eye opener to many!
RADICALISM IS NOTHING NEW FOR LEADERS
As editor of Foundation Magazine (previously FEA News & Views), I
have closely followed both the World and National Councils of
Churches since their formation in 1948 and 1950 respectively. The
WCC traces its roots to the Edinburgh Missionary Conference of
1910. The NCC is actually the successor of the Federal Council of
Churches which came into being in 1909. The FCC became so radical
politically that a layman's group prepared and circulated
thousands of copies of a documented brochure titled, HOW RED IS
THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES? And, in the theological realm,
the Federal Council of Churches numbered among its leaders some
of the most blatant apostates and false teachers of the century!
And so it was that by 1950, when the National Council of Churches
was formed, leaders of the older FCC welcomed the opportunity to
merge with several other ecumenical agencies and obtain a new
name - the National Council of Churches. However, it should not
be forgotten that the leadership of liberalism and radicalism
continued unchanged! It is also important to note that these very
same USA ecumenical radicals participated with their counterparts
in other nations of the world in the formation of the World
Council of Churches in 1948.
WHAT IS THE PRESENT SITUATION?
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES will hold its Sixth World Assembly
in Vancouver, B C., July 24 - August 10, 1983. Some of the most
radical religious leaders in the world are scheduled to attend
and participate. Nearly 1000 of official delegates are scheduled to
be present along with an estimated 3000 additional persons
including journalists, accredited visitors, representatives of
non-member churches, representatives of other Christian
organizations, special guests, WCC staff, translators,
interpreters and stewards. Any true believers who may be able to
be present wiLl be able to see for themselves just how extensive
and pervasive the radicalism of the WCC really is. The Reader's
Digest articles and the "60 Minutes" expose merely scratched the
surface. No matter how many denials may come from WCC leaders or
even pastors in local WCC-affilliated churches, the facts are
there for anyone to see who wants to see!
PEPPERED WITH MARXIST IDEOLOGY
One Godly Australian pastor, Brian Wenham, had a shocking
initiation into WCC radicalism when he attended the WCC's
Conference On World Mission And Evangelism, held in Melbourne,
Australia, in 1980. For years he had read about the radicalism of
the WCC but this was his first personal opportunity for a
first-hand look. He was shocked! He wrote, "At this conference
Marxism permeated everything - the liturgy, the songs, the
addresses, the questions, the books all, the voluminous free
literature - everything! Revolution was in the atmosphere." One
of Pastor Wenham's friends also having his first personal look at
the WCC, commented, "Had I not seen the sign, World Council of
Churches, on the gate, and had I not known what I was visiting, I
would have thought I had strayed into a Communist Party
workshop." Wenham concluded, "In every session, every paper and
almost every brochure and poster, I was being peppered, even
pounded with marxist philosophy!"
"I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE REVOLUTION"
Just in case you have the idea that Pastor Wenham and his friend
may have overstated their impression of the WCC's meeting
mentioned above, bear in mind the fact that they listened to
messages such as the one prepared by Rev. Caanan Banana, a
Methodist minister and president of the revolutionary government
of Zimbabwe. The foLlowing are direct quotes from this radical's
prepared text: "What is wanted today is an outright clear
denunciation of capitalistic exploitation and dynamic action to
over throw it. It seems that institutionalized religion is not
capable of effecting this." ... "In the final analysis it is not
so much a social struggle as a class struggle: poor against rich,
oppressed against oppressor ... each historical situation will
determine the choice of the method the poor will use to achieve
their ultimate goal of changing the system and building
socialism." ... "As for me, I am not ashamed of the revolution,
for it is the power of the people unto salvation." And aU this
came from the mind and heart of a Methodist minister - a strong
supporter of the World Council of Churches! No wonder Pastor
Wenham was alarmed! But what about you? Are you concerned? Are
your gifts helping to strengthen the hands of evil-doers?
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF HYPOCRITES
The secular press often seems to discern the radicalism and
hypocrisy of the WCC more quickly than the religious press and
the average church-goer. The WCC held its 5th Assembly in
Nairobi, Kenya in 1975. Here is a sampling of some of the
headlines and key statements which were printed by various
newspapers in the free world. "World Church Assembly - Spectacle
of Decadence," read the headline of an editorial that ran kn the
Gloucester County Times. This editorial began, "The 5th Assembly
of the World Council of Churches solemnly assembled in Nakobi,
Kenya, presented a stomach-turning spectacle of moral and
spiritual illness." The Pasadena Star News said, "It would be hard
to find a Christian in this area who believes the delegates in
Nakobi represent Christianity." The Richmond News Leader titled
its editorial, "Dry Rot in the W.C.C." "HYPOCRISY IN NAIROBI"
read the headline in The State, Columbia, S.C., and the editorial
continued, "The World Council of Churches ... might have changed
its name to the WORLD COUNCIL OF HYPOCRITES." It is very clear
that conservatives who reaLly listen to what the WCC is saying and
doing have ample grounds for concern, especially when they are
paying the bills to help accomplish the undermining of their own
cherished freedoms!
CHURCH URGED TO HELP DESTROY CAPITALISM
With these exact words, the Nairobi Sunday Nation headlined its
report of an address given by one of the main WCC speakers,
former Prime Minister Michael Manley of Jamaica. Manley was
quoted as saying, "At no point in history has an economic system
reflected the process of domination in political, social,
psychological and ultimately, even in philosophical terms, more
completely than under capitalism." Down with capitalism -- Up
with Socialism ! This is a recurring theme running through WCC
documents and addresses, and such a program occupies a large
portion of WCC staff time and funds!
KGB AGENT SERVED AS PRESIDENT
At Nairobi, the late Metropolitan Nikodim of the Russian Orthodox
Church was elected as one of the six WCC presidents. He had been
repeatedly identified as an actual KGB agent by many Russian
refugees. He, together with other leaders from the many WCC
member churches which are under complete communist domination and
control, continually use the WCC as a propaganda sounding board
for Red philosophies and causes. Ever since the Red-controlled
churches joined the WCC, they have effectively silenced any real
protest against Red atrocities. In addition, they have supported
those programs of the WCC designed to give aid and comfort to
revolutionary groups around the world.
RED CHRISTIANS HELPED BUILD COMMUNISM
In 1966, 1 personally covered the WCC's World Conference on Church
and Society held at the WCC headquarters in Geneva. Revolution
was the key word of this conference which involved 410 delegates
from around the world, 48 of whom were from communist countries.
The foLlowing is a direct quote from the late Metropolitan Nikodim
referred to in the preceding paragraph. "I should also like to
say that Christians in the Soviet Union ... have not only
accepted the socialist revolution that took place in our country,
but have and are active builders of a classless, socialist
society, which is free from exploitation, racial or other
inequality, and every member of which possesses equal rights as
well as the opportunity for individual development and an active
participation in the life of the whole society." Lies such as
this are not only tolerated but welcomed within the WCC as Red
agents dressed in the robes of the church continue to use the WCC
as a sounding board for Red propaganda.
DOCUMENTATION PROVES WCC RADICALISM
Ecumenical leaders who defend the WCC claim that the charges
leveled against them are simply not supported by the facts.
Exactly the opposite is true! Our own files contain voluminous
first-hand documentation which proves conclusively that the World
Council of Churches is and always has been extremely radical,
both theologically and politically. The materials already
produced for the Sixth Assembly in Vancouver clearly indicate
that the WCC radicalism will be perpetuated with only a "sop" of
evangelical language and terminology given from time-to-time in an
effort to pacify evangelicals and other conservatives.
THE WCC IS RADICAL POLITICALLY
BECAUSE IT IS LIBERAL THEOLOGICALLY
The Bible, God's Holy Word, explains that when people "turn away
their ears from the truth" they will be "turned unto fables." 11
Timothy 4:4. The World Council leadership has done just that! Oh
yes, they have a short doctrinal basis which sounds biblical and
even evangelical. It reads: The World Council of Churches is a
fellowship of churches which confesses the Lord Jesus Christ as
God and Saviour according to the scriptures and therefore seek to
fulfill together their common calling to the glory of the one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Actually, this "doctrinal basis" is
meaningless because an official WCC document goes on to explain
that "Since the World Council of Churches is not itself a church
it passes no judgment upon the sincerity with which member
churches accept the basis." Document 24 (Appendix 111) of the WCC
Central Committee Meeting of August 22-29, 1973, specifically
states: "The World Council of Churches has no common confession.
It is a fellowship of churches confessing Jesus Christ each in its
own way."
EVIDENCE OF THEOLOGICAL LIBERALISM
The foLlowing statements are taken from the WCC's World Conference
on Faith, Science and the Future, held in 1979. Note the frontal
attacks upon the Bible and the God of the Bible. "Traditional
doctrines of the Omnipotence of God must be rethought and
reformulated ... Traditional ways of expressing the authority of
Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium, need to find a new way of
being stated ... One final thing needs to be said about the
current situation. The credibility and validity of every human
institution - government, industrial, academic, religious or
scientific - stands ultimately under the judgment of society at
large." Again we quote: "Some of the views of other religions may
prove both closer to the Bible and more appropriate to the
intellectual and social needs of our time. This means that
learning from neighbors of other faiths can lead to a valuable
enrichment of our understanding of the Bible and to a fruitful
reformulation of our theology." Finally, this document says,
"Christ has embraced us all, with every people everywhere, people
of every religion and no religion, because we all belong to God
in life and death and life again." Are words such as these
compatible with biblical christianity? Of course not! Yet, such
outright attacks upon the Bible and the promotion of heretical
teachings are the rule rather than the exception in the World
Council of Churches.
"INTERIM THEOLOGIES"
One of the great dangers of the World Council's philos-ophy and
program is the unbiblical premise that, in the interest of unity,
all different kinds of theological views will not only be
tolerated but actually welcomed. So it is that even evangelical
theology is welcomed (although it is reaLly not well received by
the majority of WCC people). At the other extreme, you have
extreme liberal theology and, in recent years, what is called
"Liberation Theology" which sounds so much like communism that
you can scarcely tell the difference. There are also many other
theologies (all of them liberal in essence) which go by a variety
of terms such as "Contextual Theology," "Black Theology," "A
Theology of the Poor," etc. Perhaps the most accurate description
of the WCC's theology is "INTERIM THEOLOGY." Having forsaken
God's eternal Word as the basis of their theology, they are left
with only that which is temporary and subject to continual change
- a "Theology of Man."
MIXING TRUTH WITH ERROR
Our Lord Jesus Christ warned about the "leaven (false doctrine)
of the Pharisees and the Sadducees." Matthew 16:6-12. God tells us
in I Corinthians 5:6 "... Know ye not that a little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump?" The WCC boasts of the wide theological
latitude represented by its members but God pronounces a woe upon
those who call evil, good and good, evil. Isaiah 5 :20. The fact
that the WCC does use evangelical terminology and language at
times should not be permitted to obscure the fact that along with
the evangelical language is the deadly mixture of heretical
doctrines and the preaching of a false gospel. When there is
"poison in the pot," everyone who partakes will be harmed!
"THE LEOPARD CANNOT CHANGE HIS SPOTS"
One does not need prophetic vision to forecast some of the things
which the WCC wiLl say and do at Vancouver. God's Word reminds us
that just as the "leopard cannot change his spots, neither can
those do good who are accustomed to do evil." Jer. 13:23. The WCC
cannot change its radical spots but they may try to mask some of
them and deny others. More likely, the WCC will even boast about
their "radical spots", attempting to make them appear to be
benefits rather than liabilities! But nothing can hide the WCC's
radicalism from the eyes of those who exercise spiritual
discernment and who view the WCC in the Light of the Scriptures.
WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT
TO SEE AND HEAR AT VANCOUVER
(1) An elaborate series of "Bible Studies " is planned with the
theme, "IMAGES OF LIFE." This will be another ecumenical exercise
in "twisting the Scriptures", 11 Peter 3:16, in an attempt to
"politicize" the Bible and use it to further the cause of world
revolution.
(2) A supposed new "doctrinal convergence" on BAPTISM, EUCHARIST
& MINISTRY will be featured as a wonderful new breakthrough on the
road to christian unity. The B.E.M. Document, hammered out by the
WCC's Faith & Order Commission over a period of many years, is a
masterpiece of compromise and double-talk with a little something
to please almost everyone. But it will not be swallowed by true
Bible believers who will note its acceptance of the heresy of
baptismal regeneration; its Romish position concerning the eucharist;
and its approval of apostolic succession and the ordination of women
ministers.
(3) There will be a massive new peace emphasis - one which
closely parallels the current communist peace offensive which
would leave the free world an easy prey for a communist takeover.
(4) There will. be stepped-up attacks upon capitalism and demands
for a new world economic order - one which is based upon the
unscriptural premises of socialism rather than on the biblical
free enterprise system.
(5) Leaders of heathen religions wiLl be welcomed and praised.
Dialogue with heathen religionists and communists will be
continued and enlarged.
(6) There will be praise and flowery words for evangelicals and
Roman Catholics. Both groups are being wooed by WCC leaders who
are actuaLly paving the way for a return to Rome!
(7) The "POOR" will be used as pawns in the WCC's efforts to
promote world socialism. Some WCC leaders are claiming that the
"poor" are already a part of God's Kingdom on earth.
(8) The WCC will seek to enlarge its program of socialistic
indoctrination through education in the USA and around the world.
Much church money will be deceptively budgeted for "education" -
a kind of education designed to completely change the social and
moral value5 of all men everywhere. (9) Precious scriptural words
like liberation, justice, freedom, redemption, salvation, etc.,
wiLl continue to be redefined and reinterpreted, so that instead
of preaching the gospel of eternal salvation through Jesus
Christ, the message will be one of economic and social revolution
through the efforts of man. (10) Stung by recent revelations of
their radicalism, WCC leaders may be expected to launch a
counterattack upon the "new right", "unloving christians" and
"reactionary conservatives."
"A PIECE OF CHRISTIAN POETRY, SYMBOLIC
STATEMENT-OR A PIECE OF NONSENSE"
The WCC has published a pre-assembly book titled, "The Feast of
Life - a Theological Reflection on the Theme - Jesus Christ, the
Life of the World." This book actually reveals the pathetic
situation in which the WCC finds itself today. Having turned away
from the truth of God's Word, they are left with only fables. On
pages 69 and 70 of this book, the various "contemporary
responses" seeking to address the problem of church renewal in
multifaith, pluralist societies are listed. Of the seven
responses given, only one sets forth the biblical doctrine of
salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. AU the
other views stated are heretical and anti-christ in nature. Yet
all are presently held by WCC members and this portion of the
book closes with the highly significant statement, "WE ARE IN A
TIME THEREFORE OF INTERIM THEOLOGIES!" No wonder confusion reigns
supreme within the WCC and the entire ecumenical movement! It is
time for Bible believers to wake up, face the facts, and take
necessary action!
FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Fact 1. The WCC is extremely liberal and radical, both
religiously and politicaLly! Fact 2. The WCC is one of the best
friends the world wide communist movement has! Fact 3. The WCC
has close ties with and wholeheartedly supports the United
Nations! Fact 4. The WCC strongly backs the radical Women's
Liberation Movement! Fact 5. The WCC is committed to the concept
of "One Visible United Church" Fact 6. The WCC's eventual goal is
"Unity of all religions - Unity of all Mankind." Fact 7. The WCC
is promoting an unscriptural program for world peace! Fact 8. The
WCC is using your church contributions to accomplish their
purposes and goals!
ACTION YOU SHOULD TAKE
STEP ONE - Immediately withdraw all financial support from the WCC!
STEP TWO - Withdraw membership from any church which is a member
of the WCC!
STEP THREE - Help to inform and alert other Christians as to the
true nature of the WCC!
STEP FOUR - Join and support only churches and organizations
which are true to the Bible!
Some evangelicals are advising believers to remain in the NCC and
WCC; to withhold or designate financial support; and seek to
effect corrective changes from within. One of the two Reader's
Digest articles gave just such advice. But such action is a myth
and an exercise in futility. More importantly, God's Word
commands exactly the opposite: "come out and be separate and
touch not the unclean thing." 11 Cor. 6:14-18. Further God says,
"Have no. feLlowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but
rather reprove them." Eph. 5 :11. Theological and political
liberalism is so firmly entrenched in both the World and National
Councils of Churches that it is "too little, too late" to attempt
to clean house. Conservatives in various WCC-NCC denominations
have tried for years to withdraw their denominational membership
without success. Meanwhile, ecumenical leaders are doing their
best to maintain the support of conservatives without which they
would be severely handicapped.
It is time for true Bible-believers to obey God and separate from
the apostate ecumenical movement as represented by the NCC and
WCC. If you are a true, born-again believer in Jesus Christ and
you at the same time belong to any of the denominations listed
below then you are certainly not pleasing the Lord but are rather
giving aid to those who are undermining the very Faith and
Freedom so dear to us all!
MEMBERS OF THE WCC AS OF 1982:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
African Methodist Episcopal Church; African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church; American Baptist Churches in the USA; American
Lutheran Church; Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New
York and all North America; Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in the United States; Christian Methodist Episcopal
Church; Church of the Brethren; 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
Con-vention, USA, Inc.; National Council of Community Churches;
Orthodox Church in America; Polish National Catholic Church;
Presbyterian Church in the United States; Progressive National
Baptist Convention, Inc.; Reformed Church in America; Religious
Society of Friends: Friends United Meeting; United Church of
Christ; United Methodist Church; United Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America
CANADA
Anglican Church of Canada; Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Society
of Friends; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada;
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada; Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Latvia in Exile; United Church of Canada.
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