DOES ECUMINISM FULFIL PROPHECY?

Michael · Seventh-day Adventist Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 9

Dear message board members,

This is my first real contribution. Hope it will spark some wortwhile discussion here. The following revealing quote from the 2004 Encarta Encyclopedia (CD-ROM) is indicating that 'ecumenism' is here to stay. It is absolutely clear that this is what Mrs. White prophecied would happen, as she spoke nearly a hundread years ago in Great Controversy (1911) , despite in her time there was nothing to indicate that what is now happening would happen. But my question is, since Jesus prayed for his followers to be one, is it any harm for Churches to unite? So what is so bad about ecumenism? Could this be Satan's counterfeit version of fulfilling Jesus' prayer? Please share your thoughts after reading the following quote.

Dzien Dobry · Seventh-day Adventist Joined: 26 May 2002 Posts: 32

Your words are terribly imprecise, misleading and just plain wrong.

Ellen G. White acknowledges Charles Beecher as one of many that perceived the rise of ecumenism. Ellen White supplemented that widespread, preexisting Christian expectation with many arguments and Bible-based insights taken from Seventh-day Adventist writers. Here is a sample of her writings, attributable to the fusion of uncontested historical facts with then current Adventist prophetic beliefs. See The Great Controversy, pages 444-445:

The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed—however important they might be from a Bible standpoint—must necessarily be waived.

Charles Beecher, in a sermon in the year 1846, declared that the ministry of "the evangelical Protestant denominations" is "not only formed all the way up under a tremendous pressure of merely human fear, but they live, and move, and breathe in a state of things radically corrupt, and appealing every hour to every baser element of their nature to hush up the truth, and bow the knee to the power of apostasy. Was not this the way things went with Rome? Are we not living her life over again? And what do we see just ahead? Another general council! A world's convention! Evangelical alliance, and universal creed!" —Sermon on "The Bible a Sufficient Creed," delivered at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 22, 1846. When this shall be gained, then, in the effort to secure complete uniformity, it will be only a step to the resort to force.

When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.
. . . .
The "image to the beast" represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.

Michael · Seventh-day Adventist Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 9

Dear Dzien,
Thanks for pointing out my oversight as it concerns my reading of Mrs. White on this matter, as well as my limited knowledge of the rudimentary forms of ecumenism existing in the U.S. during Mrs. White's time. Can you tell me more about this? I am willing to learn. Aso, what of the other questions I asked? What really is so bad about ecumenism? And is ecuminism the answer to Jesus' prayer that we be one, or is this a tool of Satan meant to bring about the new world order. I hear very well Mrs. White's description of the matter, but what of Biblical texts to show us how we should view ecumenism? Please continue to share your thoughts, Dzien (and others), but with less dramatics please. I do wish to dialogue in the true spirit of brotherly kindness, even if there is need to disagree at times.
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THE WORD IS MY SWORD AND SHIELD

Eugene Shubert · Posted: Fri May 21, 2004 7:03 am Post subject:

Michael,

No superficial or rationalized theory is able to reveal the collective inter-working philosophy that guides ecumenism. If you're determined to learn Satan's science in great detail, try encountering an ecumenist firsthand and grapple with his viewpoint. Is there no ecumenical Seventh-day Adventist pastor in your area?

Michael · Seventh-day Adventist Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 9

Eugene has made his contribution to this discussion, but can anyone still answer from a biblical perspective the following? Thanks.