By Jeff Wehr
Ralph Reed, former executive director of the Christian Coalition, said, “The future of American politics lies in the growing strength of Evangelicals and their Roman Catholic allies. If their two core constituencies, Evangelicals comprising the swing vote in the South, and Catholics holding sway in the North, can cooperate on issues and support like-minded candidates, they can determine the outcome of almost any election in the nation.” Politically Incorrect, 16
Former Ambassador to the Vatican, Melady, stated, “And I believe that, just as the Evangelicals have become the base vote of the Republican party, Catholics are now today the swing vote in American politics. Any candidate who wins the Catholic vote will be able to govern America. . . . The Catholic vote holds the key to the future of America. And I believe that if they can unite, if Catholics can unite with the Evangelical Christians, the Protestants, who share their views on the sanctity of innocent human life, on the need of religious liberty and school choice and common sense values, I believe if Catholics and Evangelicals can unite there is no person who runs for office in any city or any state in America that can’t be elected and there is no bill that can’t be passed in either house of Congress or any state legislature chamber anywhere in America. It is the emerging force in the electorate today.” Sunday’s Coming, Edward Reid, 71.
Transferring from the Episcopal Church, now “Father” Bergman and 60 other parishioners came over to join the Catholic Church.
Bergman predicts a mass movement toward Rome. He said, “Wherever there are Anglicans, there will be people who want to enter the Holy Mother Church.
“If we look at histories, heresies run themselves out after about 500 years. I believe we are seeing the last gasp of the Reformation in the mainline Protestant groups.” The Wall Street Journal, February 26, 2010.
But why would Evangelicals and other Protestants return to Rome?
1. They misapply Scripture to promote unity amongst the different churches or even different religions.
2. They do not go by the Bible and the Bible only—sola scriptura.
Which scriptures do they misapply?
“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
“And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11–13
Did Paul envision a single universal church, headed by one man in these passages? No.
“The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47b
“The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 3:19
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth.” 1 Corinthians 1:2
“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 8:1
“Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.” Colossians 4:15
These verses testify that God’s church operates everywhere, even in homes while embracing one true gospel. Church traditions that contradict the Word lead people astray. The gospel leads people closer and closer to Christ, and leads them away from sin.
Ecumenism commonly assumes that the enemy of unity is strongly-held beliefs. By minimizing doctrines, and agreeing only upon a few broadly-defined beliefs, those who promote ecumenism hope that a visible, unified church can be produced.
But as I reread Ephesians 4:13, it is not organizational unity between denominations holding a few doctrines in common, but unity of the faith that God wants.
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13
by Jeff Wehr
