Luis Palau (of Portland CityFest 08) and the Luis Palau Association have embraced a hybrid form of ecumenical evangelism that unites them actively with the Roman Catholic Church and liberal mainline gospel denying churches. The philosophy of ministry seems to be "if you can't beat them, include them and their heresies." Roman Catholic Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss endorsed the July 14-15, 2007 Omaha, Nebraska, Luis Palau Festival. Click on the following link to watch an Omaha KETV channel 7 news feature that highlights the Roman Catholic participation (http://www.ketv.com/entertainment/13584411/detail.html). "Father" Ryan Lewis said that he was approached by Palau Festival organizers who clearly communicated their desire for Catholic involvement in the festival. He explained their subsequent involvement with these words:
The thinking was that we (Catholic priests and volunteers) really need to be a part of this festival if for no other reason than to make sure that the large number of Hispanic Catholics, who for sure will show up, are brought back to their faith - the Catholic faith... if you're Catholic, he (Luis Palau) wants you to be an energetic Catholic. If you're Protestant, he wants you to be energized in your Protestant faith - whatever your denomination is. He's not out to proselytize people to a particular church... The timing is right for this type of ecumenical festival, Father Lewis said, because in recent years Catholics and Evangelicals have been working together more due to their shared views on social issues, such as abortion and traditional marriage. (The Catholic Voice, Lisa Maxon, www.catholicvoiceomaha.com)
Is "Father" Lewis accurate in his assessment of Luis Palau's desire for wandering Roman Catholics to return to the Catholic faith with renewed energy? I wish I could say that Mr. Lewis is entirely off base, but the facts prove otherwise. The Palau Association did invite the priests and Catholic volunteers to the Omaha event. The Palau Association allowed them to set up a prominent tent on the festival grounds. The Palau Association allowed them to hand out much Catholic apologetic material and over three thousand rosaries from that tent. The Palau Association allowed the priests to perform the Catholic sacrament of penance (confession) behind two black screens set up in the tent. Lewis commented, "With Palau expected to tell people that they could have forgiveness for their sins by asking God for it, Catholic leaders wanted to make sure their church members could go to a priest to seek God's forgiveness" (Omaha World Herald, Chris Burbach, www.omaha.com). After the festival the Palau Association allowed the priests to have over eight hundred follow up cards in order to funnel the returning or new converts into the church of Rome. Mr. Lewis was interviewed by the Omaha KETV channel 7 news, and can be seen celebrating that he is "going to be busy on the Catholic side responding to almost 800 of those. We've got teams at the parish levels in every part of the city ready to reach out to these folks" (KETV 7, ketv.com). You can watch the interview with "Father" Lewis at (http://www.ketv.com/entertainment/13695332/detail.html).
There were eleven Omaha parishes involved in the Palau Festival. "Father" Lewis said that he wanted "strong, active, motivated Catholics who are very secure in their faith down at that festival doing evangelization and speaking articulately about the faith" (The Catholic Voice, Lisa Shulte, www.catholicvoiceomaha.com). Luis Palau is quoted by The Catholic Voice as saying, "Since our team was invited by local leaders to bring the festival to Omaha, I've been impressed - and energized - by the vitality of the parishes and churches and by the visionary leadership in business and government. The Heartland Festival is sure to be a ministry highlight." Watch Luis Palau celebrate the ecumenical unity of all the Omaha churches, with a special word of thanksgiving for the endorsement of Catholic Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss (http://www.ketv.com/family/13641507/detail.html). It is undeniably clear that the Catholic involvement was well thought through, planned out, carried out, and celebrated afterward.
Is this form of ecumenical evangelism new to the Luis Palau Association? Sadly, it is not. Luis Palau and his Association have worked closely with Roman Catholics for many years. They have simply grown bolder in the current undiscerning climate of Gospel ignorance that prevails in much of the professing evangelical, protestant church. In 1992, the Arizona Republic provided this explanation of Luis Palau's inclusion of the Roman Catholic Church:
Palau's form of worship presents such a broad Christian message that it appeals to Protestants and Catholics alike ... But unlike other Evangelicals who have actively tried to lure ... Catholics away from their churches, Palau aims to keep people in their own Christian churches-regardless of denomination ... ‘on the core of Christianity, we are one,' Palau said in a recent interview. ... Palau represents a growing trend among religious groups ... that do not want to alienate Catholics... [Palau] carefully avoids the controversial differences between Catholics and protestants. ... protestants of Palau's type have a message that does not require abandoning church membership. ... subjects like the Virgin Mary are avoided. Instead there's an attempt to find a common ground in the Bible. (The Arizona Republic, October 31, 1992)
In 1993 the Palau Crusade in Kingston, Jamaica, included Catholic participation, with the Catholic Archbishop attending some of the meetings. The secretary of the Office of the Archbishop stated that Palau "was not critical of any religion" and was "not like those who criticize other religions" (Peter Van Kleeck, "Wealthy Park Baptist Church and the Luis Palau Crusade," Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sept. 6, 1994). A Jamaica newspaper ad on January 31, 1993, stated, "The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston gives wholehearted support in mobilizing its members to participate in the National Crusade 1993. This venture is seen by us as an important event in the spreading of the gospel in an ecumenical manner."
Palau's May 1995 crusade in Londonderry, Ireland, brought together Roman Catholics and Protestants in an ecumenical worship service "on the bank of the Foyle River, which divides Protestant and Catholic communities." Howard Lewis of the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland said the Palau crusade produced an ecumenical unity "we never dreamt would work together."
On a personal level, I attended a pastoral prayer meeting in the Portland area about eight years ago. A Luis Palau Association employee was present. His prayer request was for a Catholic woman who had been left in charge of all the response cards from their most recent festival somewhere in the South. I was appalled and further questioned the man only to find that he saw no problem with the situation. The prayer commenced and they prayed for the Catholic woman to be successful in contacting and referring the individuals on the response cards to local Catholic churches. My prayer was considerably different than theirs. I haven't been back to that meeting.
Please understand that I didn't go looking for dirt on Luis Palau or his Association. The dirt came looking for me. I live and pastor in the Portland area and am thus continually exposed to Palau events and news through phone calls and mailings directly from the Association. About a year ago I received yet another call from a Palau volunteer asking me (as a pastor) for support of the ministry in some fashion. I informed the caller that I could not because of Biblical convictions regarding Luis Palau's union with the false gospel of Roman Catholicism. It was then that I got online and visited the Palau Association website and found the majority of the articles and interviews that I have referenced in this blog. The Palau website brazenly lauded the Omaha Festival with links to stories from Catholic publications as well as the KETV channel 7 reports that expose the gross ecumenical compromise.
Some time later the volunteer had a Palau team member responsible for planning and setting up events all over America give me a call. I shared my growing concerns with him over the phone and suggested that we meet. We met and discussed in detail the very issues that this blog exposes. We watched the video footage from KETV channel 7; we looked into the Catholic Catechism; and we looked into Holy Scripture (both are included below). He seemed genuinely concerned and said that he would report back to someone closer to Luis than himself. I explained to him that if there was no repentance that I could not support the Palau Association, and that I would have to "actively oppose the Palau Association if they continue to oppose Christ and His true Gospel." I am resolved to do my duty for Jesus Christ and the defense of His Gospel by "contend[ing] earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).
The Luis Palau Association's unholy ecumenical union with these apostate denominations constitutes "fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." Ephesians 5:11 says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." This blog exposes the growing "evangelistic" union between the Luis Palau Association and the Roman Catholic Church. There are a billion precious Roman Catholic souls that need to be saved out from under the damnable doctrines of Pope, Bishop, Council, Priest, and Sacrament. May God grant Luis Palau, the Palau Association employees and volunteers, and those that support the ministry Gospel discernment and repentance. I urge you to listen to the message I delivered on this subject, titled Ecumenical Evangelism Exposed at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=81808151397.
Rom 10:2-4 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
What you see here are two essential types of judgment exercised and admonished. If we can’t make GOSPEL judgments we can’t distinguish between the true Gospel and the many false gospels. If we can’t make MORAL judgments we can’t distinguish between righteousness and lawlessness.
You make a good judgment yourself in writing, “right now, SO-CALLED Catholics and Evangelicals, and the World, are allowing Unborn Babies, No Rights, just Legally Aborting them.” I agree with you completely in your Biblically based judgment that professing Christians who promote abortion are in certain danger of hell, and professing Christians who do nothing to stop abortions (speak out, support pro-life ministries, etc.) are in danger of some level of divine chastisement in the least. However, I must make a distinction. Roman “Catholics” (those who hold to the Catechism of the Catholic Church) and the “World” are even now under the wrath of God and must repent or they will most certainly perish.
Matt 7:13-23 "ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE; for WIDE IS THE GATE AND BROAD IS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION, AND THERE ARE MANY WHO GO IN BY IT. 14 Because NARROW IS THE GATE AND DIFFICULT IS THE WAY WHICH LEADS TO LIFE, AND THERE ARE FEW WHO FIND IT.
15 "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS (in order to beware of them you must make judgments as to who they are and why), WHO COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE RAVENOUS WOLVES. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21"NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME,'LORD, LORD,' SHALL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN. 22 MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY, 'LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN YOUR NAME, CAST OUT DEMONS IN YOUR NAME, AND DONE MANY WONDERS IN YOUR NAME?' 23 And THEN I WILL DECLARE TO THEM, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!'
If you had read your Bible more thoroughly you would have known that the Lord Jesus forbids making sin based judgments, He in no way forbids us from making judgments on truth and error, authentic Gospel and false gospel, holiness and sinfulness. These judgments are essential. These judgments are both commanded and exemplified by the Lord Jesus, the Apostles, the Prophets of old, etc. Notice the full teaching of Matt. 7:1-5 (especially verse 5) and the immediate judgment the Lord makes and exhorts us to make in the following verses.
Matt 7:1-5 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! FIRST REMOVE THE PLANK FROM YOUR OWN EYE, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR BROTHER'S EYE.
I assure you that I read my Bible. As a rule I read the whole chapter when I quote a verse or two from it. For instance, the often ecumenically abused prayerful admonition for unity found in John 17:20-26 is preceded by:
John 17:17-19 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
The Lord Jesus was in no way praying for a unity in verses 20-26 that supersedes His prayer for His followers to be sanctified by the truth of the Word of God in verses 17-19. In fact, the Lord expressly forbids unity with error, false gospels, heresy, etc. (See 2 Cor. 6:12-7:1; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9-11)
You have provided another example of misinterpreting Scripture in your use of Luke 6:32. The first rule of interpretation is CONTEXT, you ignored that rule in your use of John 17:20-26. The second rule of interpretation is THE ANALOGY OF THE FAITH, interpreting Scripture with Scripture by comparing Scripture with Scripture when and where it speaks to the same subject. Luke 6:32 is an abbreviated form of the same teaching found in Matt. 7:1-5.
Jesus prayed that all His Followers would be ONE, So that the World, would know and see HIM. John 17, 20-26,
He said a Tree would be known, by it's Fruits, Luke 6, 43-45
It seems Jesus Christ, was Preached as Lord & Savior, a personal Savior, Food was Raised and given to Salvation Army, and Food Shelters to Feed the Poor and Homeless. People came together to walk in Love, and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
However, right now, So-called Catholics and Evangelicals, and the World, are allowing Unborn Babies, No Rights, just Legally Aborting them. We need to pray for the Mercy of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to have Mercy on us!!
He also said not to Judge, so you won't be Judged. Luke 6, 32-41
Your commitment to sacramental salvation is commendable from the standpoint that you actually believe what you say you believe and thus strive to convince others of their error. I pray many of my fellow “evangelical” pastors, missionaries, and evangelists will one day fight for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ as faithfully as you fight for the demonic doctrines of Rome. MAY GOD OPEN YOUR EYES AND THEIRS TO THE SIMPLICITY AND GLORY OF THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST!
John 15:4 & Matt. 28:20 do not negate the Lord Jesus’ bodily presence at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. It is through the Holy Spirit that He abides with us and is in us abundantly. Christ is not literally inside of us bodily in John 15:4. Nor is the Lord Jesus in our bellies being digested after we eat a bit of bread and drink a swallow of wine “IN REMEMBRANCE” of Him (Luke 22:19).
John 6:27-40 27 DO NOT LABOR FOR THE FOOD WHICH PERISHES… 28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you BELIEVE IN HIM whom He sent."… 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. HE WHO COMES TO ME shall never hunger, and HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not BELIEVE… 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that EVERYONE WHO SEES THE SON AND BELIEVES IN HIM MAY HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE; AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY."
Eph 2:8-9 For BY GRACE you HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast.
Dear Chuck, Thank you, but all praise goes to God who alone is "creative" with His "physics." I'm certain that as a man of God you don't really believe that His Word is limited by the "laws" of physics. Jesus tells us, "Abide in me, and I in you." (John 15:4) He also tells us how this is accomplished, "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." (John 6:56). The Bible tells us that many of the disciples said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" (John 6:60) We can only believe it and come to a personal relationship with Jesus by faith through the grace of our Father.
You and Rome are very creative in your physics and your theology. You have Christ seated at the right hand of the Father and bodily present in the host in every place a priest prays over the elements. That is indeed a miracle of physics. You have Christ accomplishing eternal redemption 2,000 years ago, and you have Him doing it again and again when invoked in every Mass. This is paramount to black being white and up being down and here being there. It is Roman Catholic confusion, not the clear teaching of Scripture. May God grant you eyes to see the glory of Christ's accomplished redemption.
Dear Chuck, In regards to transubstantiation, Catholics believe that God is eternal, therefore He can act not only inside, but also outside of time. In the Eucharist Jesus Christ is re-presented to us, in that His once and only sacrifice is brought into the present. His sacrifice is not limited by history, it is "ever-present."
Dear Steve S, Please explain how Acts 17:11 supports your statements. If an analogy can be made, the Bereans had a "Catholic" understanding of Scripture, while the Thessalonians approached Scripture from a "Sola Scriptura" view point. Thank you.
You well know that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us," but that's not your point is it. Here's my point:
Heb 1:3 when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high
Heb 8:1-2 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
Heb 10:12-14 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Peter 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
Chuck, " . . .all material things which are worshiped, are so much filth upon the face of the earth."
So, are you saying that Jesus Christ only becomes incarnate through the "false miracle of transubstantiation" and that he wasn't a "material thing" before He instituted the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26)? Thank you for taking the time to clarify your statement.
Dear Carl, You may think you know Luis' heart for missions, but we implore you to search the scriptures and compare it to documented evidence of a false gospel coming from the Palau Association. Having a heart for missions and for "Christ" does not guarantee that you have a correct gospel, or that your "converts" will be saved in the biblical sense. How can partnership with the current anti-Christ church of Rome demonstrate a heart for the true gospel of Christ? Friendship alliance with a false gospel is a very dangerous place to be indeed - and we exhort you to diligence as a good Berean Acts 17:11.
NOTE TO READERS... For those who do not know, edl is a faithful apologist for the false gospel of Rome.
Dear EDL,
Only when you form a false christ in the wafer and the cup through the false miracle of transubstantiation through the empty incantations of the false priests' of the Roman Catholic Church. The false christ that your anti-christ (the Pope) and his priests invoke, is indeed "so much filth" as you say. Forsake your wafer and turn unto the Lord Jesus Christ who was the final Priest with the final sacrifice of Himself.
*Heb 10:11-14 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
When it comes to the Gospel, you don’t beat them by joining them and their heresy. The Scriptures refer to this ecumenical evangelistic philosophy as APOSTASY.
*Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
*Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
*Charles Spurgeon "False gods, attempts to represent the true God, and indeed, all material things which are worshipped, are so much filth upon the face of the earth, whether they be crosses, crucifixes, virgins, wafers, relics, or even the Pope himself. We are by far too mealy mouthed about these infamous abominations: God abhors them, and so should we. To renounce the glory of spiritual worship for outward pomp and show is the height of folly, and deserves to be treated as such." (Spurgeon, The Treasury of David Psalm 106:20)
A little further research will reveal to you that Mr. Palau has had priests and bishops visibly involved in various festivals/crusades throughout many of the 35 years you have known him, and has turned response cards over to the Catholic church on many occasions. Mr. Palau and his Association have failed to obey the clear teaching of Scripture and are thus yoked to and promoting the many Gospel denying heresies of the Roman Catholic Church.
*2 Cor 6:11-17 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same(I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers (ROMAN CATHOLIC). For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."
Did you note that Luis Palau allowed the “sacrament” of penance to be performed by priests during his Omaha festival? Did you read “Father” Ryan Lewis’s words, “With Palau expected to tell people that they could have forgiveness for their sins by asking God for it, Catholic leaders wanted to make sure their church members could go to a priest to seek God's forgiveness." The “sacrament” of penance blasphemes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification.” CCC Para 1446
“One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience.” CCC Para 1493
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