| Report on the Oct. 4, 1997, Promise Keeper's Rally in Washington, D.C. (Christian News, Oct. 13, 1997) |
| The "sin of sectarianism" was deplored. Those who champion one denomunation over another are guilty of the sin of division. Those who think they know all the truth and that their denomination is more faithful to God's Word than another are guilty of sin. "The world has never seen a united church. May it now see it." |
The prophet Amos asked a question which has profound implications for us today: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3 Can two fellowship together if they have fundamental disagreements over their understanding of Biblical doctrines? Some have suggested that we can "walk together" with the Promise Keepers. They say, "Promise Keepers is a Christian organization. They promote the same family values we believe in. We have far more in common with them than we have differences." Is this true? Should we join in fellowship with them? What possible harm could come from such a relationship?
Our first area of concern is the leadership of Promise Keepers. Who are they and what do they stand for? Bible-believing Christians will be alarmed to learn that the leadership is steeped in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. The Chief Executive Office of Promise Keepers is Bill McCartney, a Catholic, who attends the Vineyard church. The Vineyard church is widely known for its involvement in what has become known as the "third wave of Pentecostalism," which is nothing less than full-blown spiritualism. This movement is infamous for the bizarre manifestations witnessed during its church services, such as people writhing on the floor, laughing hysterically, roaring like lions, hissing like snakes, and etc. (see editorial Great Signs and Wonders, in the Sep. and Oct. H.O.P. newsletters). Bill McCartney stated on NBC's television show, Meet The Press, "I rely on my pastor to define the truth for me." This is a dangerous position for any man to take, especially the leader of a large ministry. McCartney's pastor is James Ryle of the Vineyard Fellowship, who, by the way, sits on the board of directors of Promise Keepers. The question is, what influence is Vineyard pastor James Ryle having over the theology, doctrine, and direction of the Promise Keepers? Can an organization be trusted when the leaders of that organization are so heavily involved in a movement exhibiting the most blatant manifestations of spiritualism ever witnessed within apostate Christianity?
Let us take a closer look at what Promise Keepers stands for. Promise Keepers is founded on three basic doctrines:
Let us examine each of these teachings according to the Word of God. First, the practice of oath swearing:
'Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths; But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.' (Matthew 5:33-37)
'But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.' (James 5:12)
Second, the practice of worshipping together with unbelievers (Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.) at Promise Keeper rallies:
'Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.' (Romans 16:17-18)
Third, the practice of submitting oneself to an authoritarian ecclesiastical government in which the Promise Keeper is morally and spiritually accountable to his Key Man, who in turn answers to his Ambassador, who gets his marching orders from National Field Ministry Headquarters:
'Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.' (Matthew 20:25-27)
Another area of concern is the leadership's claim to receive special revelations from God while on the podium. Notice the prophetic words of Bill McCartney spoken during the Dallas rally of 1995:
'Lord, why have you tarried so long? Why have we waited 400 years in this nation?....He says, "I will come if you gather in harmony, I will come if the condition of your heart is such that you stand before me and you are barren, you're empty, and you're desperate for the heart of almighty God, and there's no judgment in your heart, that there's no condemnation in your heart, that you've given up all your opinions, that you've given up all your suspicions, that's when almighty God will come, that's when Jesus will come."'
According to this prophecy, the reason God has tarried is because all Christians have not united in one ecumenical mish-mash! Are these prophetic utterances God's method for communicating new light to us? Notice the timely words of Ellen White:
If God has any new light to communicate, He will let His chosen and beloved understand it, without their going to have their minds enlightened by hearing those who are in darkness and error.
I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness. Early Writings, pp. 124-125
Because of the leaders' involvement in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, because of the ecumenical nature of the movement, because of their non-Biblical doctrines, and because of the leaders' reliance on special revelation, the H.O.P. cannot in good conscience join, promote, nor advocate the Promise Keepers. Our recommendation to you is, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Cor. 6:17