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Rev. Stephen Hamilton | Walnutport, Pennsylvania
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Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church
233 Main Street
Walnutport, PA 18088
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6105 Oakwood Lane
Slatington Pa. 18080

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Jesus - an "Ecumenical Separatist"?
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013
Posted by: Lehigh Valley Free Presbyterian Church | more..
167,200+ views | 2,230+ clicks | 5 user comments
Some time ago I read a blog by a reformed minister entitled: "Jesus the Ecumenical Separatist". Notwithstanding his choice of the word "ecumenical", which in itself is legitimate but might be considered unwise in the current religious climate, I believe the writer to be mistaken in a number of his assertions and conclusions. Whilst agreeing with the statement, "In the Bible, God provides us with commands and examples of both unity and separation and calls us to exercise rigorous and prayerful discernment about what route to take on each occasion", I completely disagree with the following assertion: "It’s probably God’s plan that some churches and ministers have a more separatist role in his Kingdom, and others have a more ecumenical and bridge-building role." I find no support at all in scripture for the notion of "different roles for different people" in regard to separation from evil. The pathway for ALL God's people is clear. It has to do with God's command. Such portions as 2 Corinthians chapter 6 v.14-18 are unequivocal and unambiguous, and are addressed to the entire church in all ages. "Come out", for example, does not mean for certain people "stay in". And "touch not" does not mean, for some in different circumstances, "embrace". The opening paragraph of the aforementioned blog asks this question:"...How much will we unite with Christians who are different from us in some areas, and how much will we separate from them?" The issue being addressed seems then to be fellowship or separation from fellow-Christians. But, later the writer - presumably in order to justify the "ecumenical" approach to fellowship with certain Christian brethren or churches - switches the application of his argument by speaking about evangelism and gospel preaching. In particular he writes: "... the separatist risks hiding the Gospel by not communicating it, for “how shall they hear without a preacher?” He then invokes the example of Christ by stating: "...the separatist cannot claim Jesus either, because he associated with sinners, dined with a Pharisee, and even preached in the Christ-denying, soon to be Christ-crucifying, synagogues of his day." He does this in the context of defending the right of certain high-profile preachers to go wherever they choose to speak with, and for, other pastors. Here is that quote: "God has also given some Christian leaders a much wider platform – national or even international. They have been given the opportunity to influence other pastors and churches for good. What may be appropriate and even a God-given duty for them, may not be appropriate or wise for others on a local level. Different times and different contexts may also be factors that influence our decisions." That sounds a bit like "situation ethics" - a practice may be right or wrong according to the circumstances prevailing at the time. This is really a rather feeble attempt to defend the practice of preaching alongside, and in association with, men who are involved in compromise and in some cases linked in fellowship with denominational apostasy. To use the example of our blessed Saviour going in and out among sinners, bringing them grace and deliverance, and urging them to repentance, in order to justify fellowship with compromised preachers and ministries is both reprehensible and foolish. As for the practice of Christ in going to the synagogues and preaching, there is no parallel to be found in the compromising policy of the "Christian leaders" today, whether national or international. The Lord Jesus was not sponsored by the Pharisees and Sadducees when he spoke in the public forum of the Jews in His day. Furthermore, His preaching was both pointed and scathing of their sin and wickedness. Our Lord was certainly NOT engaged in a joint enterprise with those doctors of the law when He expounded the scriptures. He was not preaching "for" or "with" them. It should be noted also how His message was received. In the famous incident, recorded in Luke chapter 4, the result of His preaching in the synagogue of Nazareth is clear to see: They rose up in wrath against Him, and would have killed the Lord by casting Him down headlong from the brow of the hill. Obviously, if our Lord was there as an "ecumenist" his hearers did not share in His view of ecumenism! The same approach, when observed in the ministry of the Apostle Paul, produced the same kind of reaction. The utter rejection and reproach suffered by Paul when he preached the truth in the synagogues is enough to prove that neither he, nor His Lord, were at all "ecumenical" in those circumstances. This is all a far cry indeed from the scenario presented in "Jesus the Ecumenical Separatist". How many of those "Christian leaders" that he mentioned have elicited such a response from their hearers at their national/international gatherings?
As to the matter of such leaders being "given the opportunity to influence other pastors and churches for good. What may be appropriate and even a God-given duty for them, may not be appropriate or wise for others on a local level", this could be construed as an argument for the kind of compromising policy employed by Dr. Billy Graham at his crusades. Is the "opportunity to influence other pastors and churches" to be the only consideration for Christian leaders? And can it really be argued from scripture that what is "appropriate" or a "God-given duty" for one preacher could actually be "inappropriate" and "not wise" for another, according to the circumstances - the circumstances only being different in that in one case it is a national/international forum, while in the other it is merely at a "local level"? It is hard to believe that such an argument could be seriously postulated by a student of the Bible! The only consideration for a child of God to make in ANY situation or set of circumstances is this: What is the will of God in the matter? I do agree with the closing statement in the said blog: "We would prefer to please God and men. But if we have to make a choice, the choice is clear." Indeed it is. "We ought to obey God rather than men." Yes, love of our Christian brethren is commanded by the Lord Himself. Love to God however - and such will be proved by our keeping of His commandments - is the first and greatest commandment. Our obedience to God can never be trumped by a desire to be "ecumenical". As someone once said: "From unity bought at the expense of truth, good Lord deliver us!"
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Blog Item3/16/13 3:48 PM
FG | USA  Contact via emailFind all comments by FG
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A comment by Maurice Roberts is in order here.
"Let it be stated emphatically however, that the worst course of actions possible among Christians would be to sink all our differences under a misguided belief that unity is the most important thing of all. Unity without truth is a unity under the headship of Satan, not of Christ.....Truth is sacred. It is more precious than life. Its claims are greater than all other claims. A man must die, if necessary, in defense of the truth. But it would hardly be his duty to die for unity."
Amen, Dr. Roberts!!
Overemphasis on unity is becoming an infectious disease in the reform camp. And it apparently it is spreading. I strongly believe that revival will be the remedy to stop this disease in its tracks. May we be found worthy to bring such a large petition before Him, for the sake of His beloved church.
Thank you Pastor Hamilton for your faithfulness.

Blog Item3/16/13 3:24 PM
FG | USA  Contact via emailFind all comments by FG
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I don't know if mentioning this minister's name will keep this comment from being posted, but no matter. I find the fact that this minister would hold to this position of Jesus being an "ecumenical separatist" soul plumetting. I learned much regarding study and preaching from the very series that he has posted on SermonAudio. As was well stated by Rev. Hamilton, Jesus did not work alongside the unconverted that He ate and drank with or the Pharisees whom he constantly contended with. Christ's use of their synagogues does in no way constitute or imply any form of ecumenism. Unscriptural ecumenism within evangelicalism (reformed and non-reformed) has made me sad in that it has unnecessarily stirred up a hornet's nest and has badly divided the Lord's people over the past eighty years or so. It is very disappionting to see him legitimize this kind of an ecumenism by giving it a roll in the church. In case he hasn't noticed, true separatists do get out in the open and preach the Gospel. It seems now that the priority has become unity at a pastoral level, and not faithfulness to truth.

Blog Item3/16/13 7:49 AM
Wiiliam Cairns | UK  Find all comments by Wiiliam Cairns
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Thank you Pastor Hamilton for your very
helpful article highlighting matters of
present concern with regards high profile
ministers and ministries.

Blog Item3/14/13 2:30 PM
Florin Motiu | Oradea, Romania  Contact via emailFind all comments by Florin Motiu
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It so sad to see how compromised people will do anythink to justify their steps, even to impute unrigheousness to God! Pastor Hamilton, this was a good response!

Blog Item3/10/13 7:37 PM
Brian Burton | New Jersey  Contact via emailFind all comments by Brian Burton
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Amen & thank you Pastor Hamilton for highlighting how "...the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God...". The Lord wants the purity of His church protected and situational ethics need not come into the picture.

There are a total of 5 user comments found, add new comment...



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