"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?" This catchy question is also
the title of a 1978 publication of 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 o ur cherished American freedoms. However, far from answering
such questions and complaints, a discerning reader will discover
that the WCC actually confirms the charges 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 when 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 communism under the false label of the Kingdom of God. All
quotations given in this article are 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 1-1 1, 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
WORLI) 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 in 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
and 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 disobedience to the Word of God. II 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 of 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 creation
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. 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. Noncommunist 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 $85,000 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 misrepresented
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
PCH 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 ANEW SOCIETY based on socialistic
principles and deceitfully called "7ne 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 RESOURCES 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, theWCC 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 confined 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 discovering 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 living
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 in 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 5:1 1. 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 continue their close ties. In fact, we
might call them "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 Information 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
International 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 opposed to the philosophy and program of the UN should
realize that it is not their voice which is heard in places of
power and 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 the many
new nations and 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 winning 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 1978. 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 not obey God - COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE
(11 Corinthians 6:14-18) and join hands with those who are willing
to stand up and speak out for our God-given liberties 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 CANADAUNITED 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 of 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,
Fundamental Evangelistic Association P0, Box 6278
Los Osos, California 93412