In the 1940s, some evangelicals expressed dissatisfaction with the Fundamentalists
who continued to expose theological liberals who rejected Bible teachings
of the virgin birth of Christ, the deity of Christ, the inerrancy of the
Scriptures, and the bodily resurrection and return of Christ. Those evangelicals
who were dissatisfied with the Fundamentalists banded together, calling
themselves "New Evangelicals." Pastor Harold Ockenga
of The Park Street Church, Boston, Ma. coined the phrase
"New Evangelicals" in 1948 at the Fuller Seminary
convocation address, saying that New Evangelicalism .."
.. differed from fundamentalism in its repudiation of separatism
and its determination to engage itself in the theological dialogue
of the day." (The Battle for Bible, Forward by Ockenga) He stated
in a Dec.8, 1957 news release: "The New Evangelicalism has changed
its strategy from one of separation to one of infiltration."
By this he said that separation demanded in the Bible is outdated; its day
of usefulness has passed. A "higher" principle of
Christian conduct has been discovered; this, the Biblical command that believers
separate from religious unbelievers, is not to be obeyed, and infiltration
is the order of the day. Just as Romanism set aside the Word of God in the
Middle Ages, New Evangelicalism set aside the Word of God in the 1950s.
Some viewed this as a definite act of disobedience to the Bible
command: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? 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 Corinthians 6:14,17)
A restatement of Christian theology to meet the need of the times became
the order. "Progressive creationism which essentially was theistic
evolution, which denied Genesis, was born. The greatest departure was:
"Evangelicalism.. admits that errors have doubtless crept into
the Bible.. Twenty years later, Harold Lindsell, in his book "The Battle
for the Bible (1976), announced that a major evangelical
seminary (Fuller Theological Seminary) had decided to officially deny
the inerrancy of Scripture. David Hubbard, the president
of the seminary, and Professor Daniel Fuller agreed
to remove this doctrine from the school's statement
of faith (Battle, pp.110-114) Billy Graham began as a Fundamentalist and
got the attention of William Randolph Hearst who told his newspaper to "puff
Billy" by giving him national news coverage, which led
his name to become a household word. It wasn't long before he
capitulated and joined the ranks as a controversial leader of the New Evangelicals
as announced in April of 1957. He became their spokesman.
His example in a new approach to evangelism is called ecumenical evangelism.
The new Evangelicalism invites liberals to sit on the crusade platform,
lead in prayer, serve on crusade committees, or be recognized as Christian
leaders. All of this endorses the hypocrisy of liberals, confuses
both believers and nonbelievers regarding Biblical doctrine.
New Evangelicalism considered it appropriate to yoke up with
liberals (unbelievers) to reach souls for Christ. Such reasoning is
rooted in a lack of faith, for it reasons: my disobedience can bring
more glory to God than my obedience. It is the old
Jesuit philosophy, "the end justifies the means."
New Evangelicalism's philosophy was that infiltration is better than
separation. It exerted tremendous pressure on believers.
Campus Crusade for Christ, called Explo `72 a strategy to train
one-half million people during 1972 for a spiritual explosion
across America. "We are seeking to saturate the entire
nation
with claims of Jesus Christ by 1976," said Bill Bright.
Rock music was introduced, reckless abandon prevailed with
dancing, sexually suggestive body motions and seeming
hypnotic spells seemed to hit the crowds. The world entered the church
unashamedly. In Key '73 the Roman Catholics were invited to join the work
of evangelism. A massive effort ensued. "Do your own
thing" evangelism. Director Dr. T.A. Readeke,
in his report to the Central Committee in October of 1971,
made this very clear. He emphasized four principles of Key '73
evangelism: 1. Do your own thing - your way; 2. Do your own
thing - but share; 3. Do your own thing - simultaneously; 4.
Do your own thing - together.
Key '73 received warm support from the U.S. Roman Catholic Coucil of Bishops
which met in Atlanta in April of 1973. Rock music, social
dancing, drinking in moderation even homosexual practice is intended
to express love as part of an ongoing permanent
relationship was considered morally good. (Quebedeaux, The
Worldly Evangelicals, pp.131, 132, 138) Catholics
were permitted to attend Protestant services and even marry Protestants
and their worship service drastically changed.
In 1962 the Supreme Court removed prayer from public schools and in
1963 Bible reading. The "Jesus People" and Hal
Lindsey's bestseller "The Late Great Planet Earth"
(1970) became popular. Oral Roberts, Rex Humbard, Jimmy Swaggart,
Jim and Tammy Bakker and Pat Robertson brought the Charismatic movement
into people's livingroom. Sex scandals and even a justified
prison sentence belabored the movement. Schools went from
talking, chewing gum,
making noise, running in halls, cutting in line,
dress code infractions and littering violations
to drug abuse, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery,
assault and now murder.
The Humanist Manifesto I, which denys God, was signed in 1933 by many religious
liberals and by key professors in American Universities. It stated
that the universe is self-existent and not created, that man
is part of nature and is shaped largely by his environment, that religion
must be divorced from a belief in the supernatural, and that
"a socialized and cooperative economic
order must be established to the end that the equitable distribution of
the means of life be possible." Humanist Manifesto II
called itself a "design for a secular society on a
planetary scale." It asserted that "traditional theism,
especially faith in the prayer hearing God, assumed to love and care for
persons, to hear and understand their prayers, and to be able to do
something about them, is an unproved and outmoded faith.
As a replacement for God, the manifesto proposed a
one-world order: "the development of a system of
world law and a world order based upon transnational federal
government. Though it is a new name, it is nothing more than a return to
the old religion of worshipping nature, with its advocates supporting
environmental protection to the extreme. New Age movement was born
which melts the following isms: monism - all is one; pantheism - all
is god; humanism - we are gods. The three tenets of the New
Age: 1. monism - god in me; 2.pantheism - god in creation; 3. humanism
- I am god. (Taken from a Homeschooler's Textbook, subject: Religion)
To confirm carefully laid plans are manifesting, we have "Political
Correctness" with it's three aspects: Moral and cultural relativity
- no one religion, belief, moral standard, idea or group is
right. Hostility against our American heritage, blaming our
Christian foundations for society's ills. The fragmentation of society,
the breakdown of the traditional family unit which encourages feminism,
homosexuality, and civil rights activists. Frankly all the plans made
at Fuller in the fifties and sixties have born fruit and we
are just seeing a tip of the iceberg of what this movement really
is (New World Order - Theosophy) we are about to see an amazing thing happen
on the earth.. Come quickly Lord Jesus! (Nef)."
A letter from Angie regarding David Duplessis ministry back in
1975 at Melody Land Christian Center in Anaheim Ca. Also called
"Mr. Pentecost." Dr. Duplessis was ordained a Pastor of the
Assembly of God who was the first contact with Rome at the time of
Vatican II from the Assembly of God movement and was readily
accepted by the Roman Catholics hierarchy., and as John Wimber once
said Dr. Duplessis was the bridge between the Pentacostals and
Catholicism. As a result of his work with the Catholics in Rome there
opened up discussions with the Assembly of God and Four Square Church
and others who presently have quarters in Rome to bring together the
Unity that is so readily accepted by many Protestants today.
"We just know this is right because it is so wonderful to
gather together without any denominations being lifted
up as brothers and sisters in Christ." Yes, I remember
having that belief until I grew up and knew that the Catholics
had not changed doctrines it was those of us who had fundamental doctrines
that were changing, and looking the other direction not to offend but to
accommodate the Catholic position of the sacraments, transubstantiation,
the on going salvation which can only be obtained by the Roman church.
We are still heretics as far as the Catholic church is concerned and
we are lost without any hope until we submit to the Roman Church.
I was raised a Catholic I know the difference. When we
join hands with the Roman Catholic Church we deny the Reformation
and the sacrifice of Martyrs who gave their lives up rather
than surrender to the Roman Catholic belief that worships
Mary as co-mediatrix with God. Equal to God?? Whom we
alone can move the hand of her Son through her intercession
only.
Dr. Duplessis also acknowledged and validated the apparitions in Yugoslavia,
which he wrote about in the Evangel Magazine published
by the Assembly of God. He said he knew that they were
genuine appearances of Mary because those who witnessed
these appearances read their Bibles and became more religious.
Yes he was a "Bridge" okay and a Trojan Horse
that helped encourage other Protestants to enter
into compromise and into the false unity.
I have not written this to antagonize or to offend but I write in Truth
and love of the Brethren. It is so hard to not be a part of the new revival
crowd following blindly and with good intentions,
sincere in their belief and new found love in Christ Jesus, that goes
hither and yon seeking more and more of what is not of God but
deception. (Angie)
The Toronto Blessing is still moving by John Arnott who is spreading
the fire to France to a crowd of 2,000 who caught the fire. "The
Holy Spirit is the greatest unifier," Arnott said. This move of the
Holy Spirit with its accompanying manifestations - such as laughing and
shaking - has stirred controversy among French charismatics. The French
Assemblies of God and main Pentecostal denominations forbade any of the
controversial manifestations in their meetings and threatened to exclude
any pastor who compromised with Le VinNouveau. Nevertheless a number of
churches are welcoming this anointing. In Toronto prior to
the visit, Arnott stressed the need to gather as many
denominations as possible when he was asked to visit Paris. A committee
was gathered to prepare with leaders from all the different
streams of the body of Christ. Arnott warned:
"Revival will come to [France], but it will never look like what you
expect. So, watch out."
Controversial Howard Browne Calls for Generosity was the headline of the
article describing his visit in Africa. He told Charisma editor, the
crowds were set free in a very poor area of Africa. The police
could not afford gas enough to get the job done. Yet the congregation
came up with $12,600 offering.. more to come. People still rushed
to the front, placing their hard cash down on the platform. People
took off their coats, shoes, ties, watches and jewelry, one young
man came with his bicycle another a surfboard. The clothes and all piled
3 1/2 foot high, right across the platform. The spirit
of generosity spread to Capetown $32,400. (information taken from Charisma
Magazine).
A video of Kenneth Hagin and Spirit of the Serpent is advertised
for $20 if you are interested. Evangelist Kenneth Hagin held a series
of "Holy Ghost" meetings in Chesterfield, Missouri in October
of 1997. At one of these sessions, Satan was seen to manifest himself in
the very body of Hagin. Hagin's tongue literally began sticking out and
wiggling like a serpent's tongue. The crowd, mesmerized by the evil display,
groaned and virtually went insane as Hagin commenced to hiss like a serpent.
Suddenly, many of the people began to slither down feet first out
of their seats and onto the floor. Some were themselves hissing
and wiggling their tongues. Later, Hagin collapsed on stage,
being proclaimed "drunk in the spirit." It took several
men to hold him upright. Hagin's "name it claim it" evangelist
buddy, Kenneth Copeland, also got into the act. (The video was
made by Joseph D. Chambers)
They say history repeats itself: From Holy Trinity Brompton in England we
get this report: HTB and affiliated parishes are into
barking, swooning, pentecostal laughter, and even
"the Toronto blessing." Odone writes: "Recruiting takes
place at drink parties where, armed with a champagne glass and
cocktail sausage, dewy-eyed converts enthused about Jesus Christ
as if He were a particularly glamorous guest on the party circuit,
and praise the Holy Spirit as if It were a fabulous, no-nonsense nanny
who has taken charge of their spiritual upbringing.. By weaving
spiritual lessons into the social routine of the well-to-do,
the movement reconciles Jacob's ladder and the social ladder, the urbane
and the devout." Such sniffingly urbane contempt for the devout is
no surprise, but Odone says something sinister is afoot.. Lord Runcie,
the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has been overheard
remarking the HTB churches
constitute the greatest danger to the Church of England.
What Lord Runcie views as danger many others perceive as high promise.
(taken from First Things, p. 72 March 1998)
"And the whole earth was of one language, and of
one speech. (Genesis 11:1) The goal of the apostate church and
the merchants (to whom politicians are subject) is: "And they
said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto
heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon
the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city
and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD
said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language;
and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained
from them, which they have imagined to do. (Genesis 11:4,5)
Was God in favor of this? No. He said: "Go to, let us go down,
and there confound their language, that they may not understand one
another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon
the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did
there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did
the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."
(Genesis 11:7-9)
This time the end result will be quite different. There will be
no second chance because some people just won't learn from past
mistakes.
What are believers to do? "Occupy till I come." It is not
a day for weak wills, but a day that requires strong determination
to do right, to live for God, and shine for Jesus Christ.