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Should Baptist leaders be involved with the ecumenical movement?

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Spirit and Truth, Dec 14, 2003.

  1. Spirit and Truth

    Spirit and Truth New Member

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    I read an article on the internet that named a group of Baptist leaders as being a part of the ecumenical movement. Is there any scripture for or against this action, and how does the forum feel about this move?
     
  2. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    I feel you are in the wrong forum.
     
  3. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
     
  4. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Moving this question to "Denomination" forum. Excellent question and will respond there.
     
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Lots of different "birds" roost in the "Baptist" tree. Many call themselves Baptist and are not. Others are more concerned with the denominational structure than with the distinctives.

    I would question the validity of the "Baptist" label on those who would compromise the distinctives (separation is a big one, remember) to join in the vile/evil one-world church crowd.
     
  6. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    My question would be, why are they getting together. If say it is to ask for religious freedom in Saudi Arabi, I am all for it. If it is a have we are all going to heaven anyway, lets forget about what makes us unique and just praise the Lord, I would probably have a problem.

    I once read a book that stated that the baptists place in the ecumenical world is stand for the freedom of the individual, because baptists are freedom loving people.
     
  7. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Soul Liberty is a Baptist distinctive.

    If members of the Church of Rome want to venerate and pray to Mary or worship the Eucharist, that’s fine, let them.

    We don’t agree in principal with these practices (among many others) and we don’t want to join in with them no matter what the reason.

    A nation wide day of prayer for a just peace is a different matter, still we would stay at home or go to our own local church to pray.

    Yes, there are gray areas, I went to my grandmother’s funeral but sat at the back when the rosary was recited.

    Ecumenism is not a good thing for Baptists.
    I already gave my Scripture which is admittedly harsh.

    Dialogue might be OK if the setting was proper.

    My opinion.

    HankD
     
  8. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    An orchid cannot grow upon itself.
     
  9. Daniel Dunivan

    Daniel Dunivan New Member

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    Hank,

    What do perceive ecumenism to be if it isn't dialogue?

    I think that saying "Catholics worship the eucharist" is exactly the opposite direction we need to be taking. Instead, we should be struggling to find whatever is good and can be learned from those other than ourselves--using your example of Roman Catholics--such as the importance of tradition, the elements of process in religious life, and the connections between evangelization and social justice. In principle this board community is the embodiment of ecumenism. We are different, and yet we can agree to engage in discussions that are mutually benefitial.

    How would you propose to correct the errors of people other than yourself if you don't speak to them?

    Furthermore, the text you quote is irrelavant to this discussion. Paul is in no way addressing this issue!

    Grace and Peace, Danny [​IMG]
     
  10. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    What a novel idea. We engage other people not on our understanding of their terms, but theirs.

    Nah. It'll never work. It would be ecumenical.
     
  11. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Yes, isn't everyone that is truly born again in the church. If so, then we need to ecumenical.
     
  12. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    No. Everyone who is born again is part of the Body of Christ.

    Church (ekklesia) is a "local assembly". Whether political in ancient Greece and Rome (from whence the term was borrowed), it was always a face-to-face group, called out of society at large, to do a particular work.

    In a very loose sense, Israel wandering in the wilderness was a "church" (ekklesia). So was the city meeting in Ephesus considering killing Paul.

    But NO WHERE in ancient history can the word ekklesia refer to some mystical ethereal never-never land bunch that folks today call the "universal" church.

    Universal & church is an ULTIMATE OXYMORON.
     
  13. dclark14

    dclark14 New Member

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    How can Bible believers be involved with the following?"If anyone says that by the sacraments of the New Law grace is not conferred ex operato (from the work worked) but that faith alone in the divine promise is sufficient to obtain grace, let him be anathema." (Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent). Or- how about this?
    "The celebration of the Eucharist is the action of Christ Himself and the church; in it Christ the Lord, by the ministry of a priest, offers Himself to God the Father..."(Canon 899, Sec.1 Official Code Of Canon Law 1983) For me to be involved with this means that I could preach this in my Baptist Church-(and the next job I had....).
     
  14. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    S&P, would you please reference your original post?

    To some Baptists, ecumenism is a three-point Calvinist singing hymns with a two-point Arminian.

    Let's be clear what we're talking about — and it ain't the Council of Trent.
     
  15. Bob Farnaby

    Bob Farnaby Active Member
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    Could be considered a mission field ...

    Regards
    Bob
     
  16. Kiffin

    Kiffin New Member

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    What do we mean when we say ecumenical movement? It varies.

    The more liberal view is of Baptists, Protestants, Roman Catholics, Unitarians gathering together or maybe a Interfaith group that also includes Muslims and Jews. Such a unity no doubt compromises the faith.

    There are however more conservative ecumenical groups such as the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals which includes Churches seeking Reformation and is generaly made of Reformed Presbyterians, Reformed Baptists, Reformed Episcopalians and Lutherans who all unify on the 5 Solas of the Reformation. There is also F.I.R.E. which is a Calvinist ecumenical group that finds it's unity in TULIP.

    Myself, I will be attending Christmas Eve services at a conservative Episcopal Church tonight.
     
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