Ecumenism refers to the movement to promote unity among various religious groups despite differences in doctrines and practices. Often the focus of this is among “Christian” denominations, yet some want to extend this more broadly to include other religious groups as well. This can be seen in the growing number of outreach activities, ministries, and events shared by different “faiths” who, in previous generations, would not have fellowship with one another. One manifestation of this can be a deemphasis on evangelism since that would imply that someone needs to be taught and converted to the truth rather than accepted in their current condition.
Many people see these kinds of efforts as being unquestionably good. After all, with everything that the Bible teaches about unity, how could ecumenism possibly be a bad thing? Unfortunately, the “unity” promoted by ecumenism is not the same type of unity that is described in the Scriptures.
Why the Push for Ecumenism
Those who advocate for ecumenism often claim that this is the unity the Lord desires us to have as believers. Of course, unity among believers is a worthy goal; yet it is merely an assumption that this unity is achieved through ecumenism [we will discuss this more in a moment]. However, it is important to note that many who are pushing for this are likely sincere in their intentions.
As the world becomes more wicked and hostile toward anything resembling Christianity, ecumenism provides a way for religious groups with different creeds and doctrines to work together. In theory, this will present a stronger front in the battle over various social issues, provide more support when persecution or opposition comes, and allow for the pooling of resources and personnel to better carry out various “good” works.
This basic concept is seen in the wise man’s words: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). There is strength in numbers. Many believe that the ecumenism we see in today’s religious world is a legitimate application of this principle.
What the Bible Says about Ecumenism
Actually, the Bible does not say anything about ecumenism in the way that we hear of it today. There is a simple reason for that – there were no different denominations in the first century when the New Testament was written.
Of course, the Bible certainly talks about unity. Jesus prayed for this shortly before His arrest and crucifixion: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:20-21). Paul told the church in Ephesus: “Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6). A little later he told them of the goal for Christians to “attain to the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13).
While the New Testament stresses the importance of unity, it also condemns the concept of denominationalism. Jesus promised to build one church (Matthew 16:18), yet denominationalism has many churches. The church is “His body” (Ephesians 1:22-23), and He is the head of it (Ephesians 5:23). Just as a head has just one body, Jesus has just one church. There was certainly a multitude of local churches – Paul referred to them as “churches of Christ” when he wrote to the saints in Rome (Romans 16:16) – but there was just one church to which God added “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). What we see in the world today – denominational churches with their own doctrines, practices, and organizational structure – is foreign to the New Testament.
So if the Bible is for unity and against the division of denominationalism, does that mean that ecumenism is the answer? To answer that question, we need to understand what the Bible means when it teaches about unity.
Characteristics of the Unity the Lord Wants Us to Have
When we read about unity in the New Testament, what do we see? Consider a few points:
- The unity for which Jesus prayed was based upon the word that would be taught by His apostles (John 17:20-21).
- The message the apostles taught was for “the world” (Mark 16:15), and they were to teach disciples to “observe all that [Christ] commanded” (Matthew 28:20).
- What the apostles taught to the disciples was the same “everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17). The members of these churches were to “agree” and be of the “same mind” and “same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
- The brethren taught by the apostles – like Timothy – were told to “retain the standard of sound words which [they had] heard from [the apostles]” (2 Timothy 1:13). This same message would then be passed on from one generation to another (2 Timothy 2:2).
- Anyone who would “not abide in the teaching of Christ” would “not have God” (2 John 9), which means they would lose their fellowship with God. Christians were told to “not receive” such false teachers, or else they would be guilty of participating in their “evil deeds” (2 John 10-11).
- Those who would teach a message “contrary to the teaching” of the apostles were to be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17).
- Those who would not walk according to the traditions handed down by the apostles were to be avoided as well (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
Many other passages could be added to this list, but these are sufficient to understand what Bible unity is and is not. Does the modern concept of ecumenism fit with the above principles? No!
- Rather than being based upon the word taught by the apostles, ecumenism is only possible by ignoring certain passages found in the New Testament.
- Instead of the commands of Christ applying to all people everywhere, ecumenism claims that there are different standards for different people.
- While the apostles taught the same thing in every church, ecumenism accepts that every church will teach different things.
- Instead of teaching the same thing as the apostles from generation to generation, advocates of ecumenism tolerate any new doctrine that people want to promote.
- Rather than abiding in the teaching of Christ, to maintain fellowship with the Lord and with one another, ecumenism seeks to maintain fellowship with one another even when some go beyond the doctrine of Christ.
- Even though Paul said that those who teach a different doctrine were to be marked and avoided, ecumenism says that those who teach a different doctrine should be welcomed and accepted.
- Though Paul taught that those who fail to keep the approved apostolic traditions were to be avoided, ecumenism teaches that we are to extend fellowship to those who reject the traditions handed down by the apostles.
Conclusion
Ecumenism is not the unity that is described in the New Testament. In fact, it is the type of union that the apostles repeatedly warned against throughout their writings. Rather than thinking we ought to accept anyone and everyone regardless of our differences, we need to be “of the same mind…united in spirit” (Philippians 2:2); then be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
