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THE TRUTH ABOUT
THE WORLD
COUNCIL OF CHURCHESby Pastor M. H. Reynolds "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 our 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 in-
formation 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 in-
formed 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
1-11, 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 back-
grounds. 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 in
this WCC publication, we read, "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." 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 incor-
porated 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 PACI-
FIST 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 REVO-
LUTION 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 becom-
ing 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 member-
ship 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 mission-
aries 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 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 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 living
and true God."IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT DIALOGUE IS
INDEED ONE OF THE GREAT DANGERS AND DE-
CEPTIONS 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 5:11. 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 pro-
claimer 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 inter-
vention 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 com-
munist 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 implemen-
tation 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 CONTRA-
DICTIONS 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 still 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 CON-
CERNING THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE REMAIN-
ING UNSOLVED AMONG US and of the fact that we are
not yet part of one eucharistic fellowship. It is not sur-
prising 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 organi-
zation. 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 in-
doctrinate 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 pro-
vided opportunities for the Christian Youth to discuss the
issues of the festival and the meaning of Christian commit-
ment 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 pro-
ceed 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 FOUN-
DATIONS 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 (II 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 Ortho-
dox 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
P. O. Box 6278
Los Osos, California 93412
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