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                         THE TRUTH ABOUT
                            THE WORLD
                       COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

                      by Dr. M. H. Reynolds
                   Editor, FOUNDATION Magazine

"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES?" This catchy
question is also the title of a 1978 publication ot the WCC. It
is an obvious attempt to answer some of the vital questions and
criticisms which are being raised by those who love Jesus Christ
and who value our cherished American freedoms. However, far from
answering such questions and complaints, a discerning reader will
discover that the WCC actually confirms the chares of
doctrinal deviations and political radicalism.

This leaflet is written to provide factual, up to date
information regarding the World Council of Churches. We are
concerned where we find so many true, Bible-believing Christians
who still hold membership in denominations which are a part of
the WCC (see complete listing of USA and Canada member
denominations on the last page) We also believe that others, both
within and without the church, who believe in our free-enterprise
system should be informed as to how ecumeNical church leaders are
seeking to replace capitalism with some form of socialism or
comunism under the false label of the Kingdom of God. All
quotations given in this article are r either from the above
mentioned WCC publication or from one of the official documents
presented at the meeting of the WCC Central Committee held in
Kingston, Jamaica, January 1-11, 1979, which the author of
this leaflet attended as a member of the press. Thus, all
information is strictly up-to-date and fully documentable.

THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES begins with its
organization in 1948 with 147 denominations from both Protestant
and Orthodox backgrounds. Today, it has grown to include 293
member denominations representing some 400 million people. It has
been and is a major force and voice of what is commonly called
ECUMENISM, a term used to describe the effort to bring all
churches into "a visible unity in one faith and one eucharistic
fellowship". The WCC, while admitting that the ecumenical
movement is broader than its own institution, claims with ample
justification that it is "the most nearly comprehensive
instrument of the ecumenical movement in the world today". It
should be further noted that, while the original goal of the
ecumenical movement and the WCC was "the unity of the churches",
the new vision of the 'WCC is for the unity of all
religions--and, in fact, all mankind. It should be clear to all
who have been watching the WCC that it has become a modern Tower
of Babel.

THE DOCTRINAL POSITION OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is
deceptive. Supporters of the WCC frequently point to their
doctrinal basis when charges of doctrinal heresies and deviations
are leveled against the Council. But be sure to read the fine
print! Be sure to observe how this doctrinal basis is either
ignored or stretched beyond recognition.

THE WCC's DOCTRINAL BASIS SIMPLY SAYS: "The World Council of
Churches is a fellowship of Churches which confess the Lord Jesus
Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and
therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the
glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." It is hard to
find anything wrong with that, right? However, two paragraphs
later ir this WCC publication, we read, "Since the World Council
of Churches is not itself a church, it passes no judgement upon
the sincerity with which member churches accept the basis." Did
you get that? You can sign the WCC doctrinal basis whether or not
you are sincere are no one will question it. And in the very
next paragraph we read the following. "Some very conservative
churches judge the basis not biblical enough; some liberal
churches DO NOT ACCEPT THE TRINITARIAN FORMULA." What do you
think about that? How can anyone claim to be Christian who
denies the Trinity? Yet, the WCC admits it has such churches in
membership. In fact, the WCC actually boasts of and glories in
their doctrinal diversities. They admit that "Ecumenism exists by
holding contradictions together." They admit that "it is
impossible to speak of a single 'theology of the Council' as
such." We remind Bible believers that such unity is not true
Biblical unity --it is plain, open disobediance to the Word of
God. 11 John 9-11.

WCC DOCTRINAL DEVIATIONS WERE CLEARLY OBSERVABLE from the Central
Committee documents in Jamaica. For instance, note the FALSE
TEACHING OF BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. One document said, "Through
Baptism every person is made part of the Christian Community . .
." Again,"Through Baptism we are redeemed from the powers ot sin
and death and incorporated into the one body of Christ." Note
also the FALSE TEACHING OF UNIVERSALISM: "Put succinctly,
salvation is a total involvement of God in the world. There is no
sphere of life with which human beings, as individuals, as
community or as nations, have to wrestle that is not related to
God. Jesus Christ is this total involvement of God. In His life,
suffering-, cross and resurrection, all humanity with its agonies
and struggles is judged, liberated and REDEEMED. It is this
Christ who has called us as Christians to follow him in God's
continuing work of creation and re-creation." And again,
"Christians believe that all human beings are part of a dynamic
pointing towards the messianic Kingdom . . . The Biblical witness
refers to this final aim as the 'Kingdom of God' which embraces
the two dimensions of redemption of the whole of creator and
personal fulfilment for each human being." No wonder the WCC is
confused in its programs It is confused in its doctrine!

THE POLITICAL RADICALISM OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES is
apparent. Just as in the case of doctrinal diversities, the WCC
boasts of its ability to hold together exact opposites in the
realm of politics. They say, "On other issues the churches
recognize strong differences of opinion and seek to maintain a
continuing dialogue among their own members. These differences
are not limited to trivial matters. For example, THE WORLD
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES INCLUDES PACIfiST MEMBER CHURCHES .... IT
ALSO INCLUDES REVOLUTIONARIES. Both groups contribute insights to
the WCC. They continue to try to influence each other. And the
WCC INCLUDES BOTH WITHIN ITS FELLOWSHIP." There you have it in
their own words. Do not forget for one minute, however, that when
WCC leaders speak and WCC pronouncements are issued IT IS ALWAYS
THE VOICE OF RADICALISM AND REVOLUTION THAT IS HEARD. There are
repeated attacks upon "Western Imperialism" and "capitalism" but
seldom a word of criticism for socialism and communism.
Non communist dictatorships are repeatedly attacked but no word is
ever spoken against the communist dictators. A few conservative
voices are occasionally heard within WCC meetings--but these
rarely, if ever, become a part of the official statements which
go to the governments of the world and to the United Nations as a
"representative voice of the churches". Those who claim that the
WCC is becoming more ''evangelical" are either blind or naive.
Evangelicals who remain in the WCC are being used as window
dressing to hide the WCC apostasy.


IN JAMAICA, A PRIME TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS THE SB5,000 GRANT TO
THE PATRIOTIC FRONT OF ZIMBABWE (actually a communist guerilla
group, The Salvation Army, the Irish Presbyterian Church and a
Lutheran Church in Germany have all suspended membership in
protest. Both the secular and religious press waited for some
explanation, some justification of this atrocious grant to a
group which has boasted of murdering missionaries and shooting
down a commercial airplane. But all the press really got from the
WCC was a charge that the news media had mis-represented and
falsified the situation. The WCC Central Committee stood behind
its PCR Commission which had recommended the grant and the
executive officers who approved it. They concluded by saying that
"although the adverse image and understanding of the PCR needs to
be changed, the content and thrust of the PCR itself should not
be changed." Incidentally, PCR is the abbreviation for the WCC's
"Program to Combat Racism"--but in reality, it should be called
the "Program to Continue Revolution". Over three million dollars
has been given to radical groups around the world. While it is
claimed that all monies in this fund come from designated gifts,
this program could not operate without the administrative offices
and support of the WCC. Those who remain in membership in WCC
affiliated churches cannot be absolved from responsibility for
giving this aid to the revolutionaries around the world
THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CREATION
OF A NEW SOCIETY based on socialistic principles and deceitfully
called "The Kingdom of God". They state: "The participation of
the Church in the creation of a new society is not a secondary or
derivative dimension of its existence. It begins at the very
centre in the celebration of the sacraments as an anticipation of
what the world is to become ...." Dr. Philip Potter, WCC General
Secretary, quoted from a 1969 WCC Central Committee directive as
follows: "We call upon the churches to move beyond charity,
grants and traditional programming to relevant and sacrificial
action leading to new relationships of dignity and justice among
all men and to become THE AGENTS FOR THE RADICAL RECONSTRUCTION
OF SOCIETY." He also made it perfectly clear what this involved
when he said, "But the conflict has become intense when it has
been perceived that A RADICAL CHANGE OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND
POLITICAL STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED AND NOT THE MERE PRUDENTIAL
TRANSFER OF RE SOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES." Another WCC document
stated: "In the developed countries it means changes in the
production structure and employment policies which will ONLY BE
POSSIBLE THROUGH A CERTAIN 'SOCIALIZATION' of decisions that have
so far been taken autonomously on the basis of interests of the
private sector." MR. BUSINESSMAN, MR and MRS FREEDOM LOVING
AMERICAN --the World Council of Churches has made it abundantly
clear what their goal is! Are you willing to sit idly by or even
help support this effort to destroy the very foundations of our
faith and freedom?

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SUBSTITUTES DIALOGUE FOR
WITNESSING. Having substituted the building of a new society in
place of the preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace
through faith in Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that the WCC
should forsake "witness" for ''dialogue" even while claiming that
dialogue is a form of witness, In recent years,the WCC has been
engaged in official dialogues with almost everyone, Roman Catholics,
Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Humanists, Traditional African
Religions and Communists. As previously noted, the original goal of
"Christian unity" has been superseded with the goal of the "unity of
all mankind" They say, "opportunities and occasions for dialogue cannot
and must not be confirmed to men of religious faiths but also must
involve men of secular ideologies." This dialogue program is attractively
presented as the WCC claims: "Dialogue offers the promise of dis
covering new dimensions of understanding our faith." One
repeatedly is told of how dialogue "enriches dimensions of
understanding our faith" but strangely, nothing is ever said
about proclaiming the truth of the gospel in such a way that men
"turn to God from idols to serve the living9 and true God."

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT DIALOGUE IS INDEED ONE OF THE
GREAT DANGERS AND DECEPTIONS BEING PRACTICED AND ENCOURAGED BY
THE WCC. What is dialogue? According to their own definition,
dialogue is, "...an OPENING OF THE MIND AND HEART TO OTHERS." It
is an undertaking which requires RISK as well as a deep sense of
vocation....THIS OPENING, THIS RISK, this vocation, this
sensitivity are at the heart of the ecumenical movement and hl
the deepest currents of the life of the churches." Further, the
WCC says, "Love requires us to recognize and respect the
integrity of our partners who enter into dialogue from the
standpoint of their faith and commitment." This is exactly the
opposite of Biblical teaching. God says, ''And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. "
Ephesians 5:11. The WCC tells us that dialogue is a required form
of witness in a pluralistic world, yet they take special pains to
assure their partners in dialogue that they "come not as
manipulators but as genuine fellow-pilgrims ...." The WCC
principle of dialogue implies that the Christian is a searcher
for truth rather than a proclaimer of the truth. The WCC says,
"Be open,be vulnerable, take a risk." The Word of God says, "Beware!"
"Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but
inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15. Will you follow Christ
or the WCC?

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND THE UNITED NATIONS coninue
their close ties. In fact, we might call then ''blood brothers"
There were repeated favorable references to all sorts of UN
programs in the Central Committee Documents at Jamaica The New
International Economic Order, the New International Informational
Order, the World Health Organization, the World Court, UNESCO,
etc. It was reported that "an intervention was made on behalf of
the WCC in the Security Council debate on South Africa in March
1977" It was stated that they were seeking "to sensitize
churches, inviting them to lobby with their governments . . as
well as to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights." The WCC issued a special document promoting the
UN sponsored lnternational Year of the Child, totally ignoring
the fact that even though this appeal is made with the image of
starving children in mind, the real thrust of this program is
toward socialization of the child and the family. Individual
believers and churches that are op,c,osed to the philosophy and
program of the UN should realize that it is not their voice which
is heard in places of power antl decision--it is the voice of the
false prophets in the WCC that prevail and speak for you whether
you like it or not.

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES stands for DISARMAMENT and against
U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY. The WCC is geared for a massive
propaganda effort against our historic concept of national
security. They want complete and unilateral disarmament and they
want it now. But it is ironic that at the very time the WCC is
attacking America and the nations of the Free World for wanting to
maintain national security, they are insisting on national
sovereignty and security for their many llew nations are
governments which have been formed through communist revolutions.
Following the WCC "Program for Disarmament and Against Militarism
and the Arms Race" would leave America defenseless against her
enemies. Yet, the Central Committee in Jamaica said that the
churches should give "the highest priority" to implementation of
this program. But if you read the entire document, you find that
the WCC has taken this strong position in spite of the admission
that they have not fully explored the underlying theological
issues. They say, "These two meetings...have underlined the need
for more substantial work on the theological issues involved.
They have posed questions rather than providing answers." What
dangerous hypocrisy and liberal bias this reveals. Americans
should remember that nations which lose their freedom rarely have
a second chance.

THE CONFUSION, DOUBLE-TALK AND CONTRADICTIONS IN FACT OF THE WCC
ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE TO ANYONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO STOP,
LOOK AND LISTEN! As the years have slipped by with little
progress toward the goal of "one visible church", their
frustrations have been manifested in the use of clever language
to hide their failures. Instead of "One Church" we hear talk of
"conciliar fellowship' and "unity in reconciled diversity" and
trying to "relate the right kind of diversity to the right kind
of unity." Through the years, they have followed the old
ecumenical motto, "Service Unites, Doctrine Divides". But in
spite of their wish to ignore doctrine, the issue continues to
re-appear At times, WCC leaders introduce new word games or
"theological breakthroughs" which they announce with a great
fanfare, seeking to revive the hopes of their disillusioned
followers.

THE LATEST "BRIGHT SPOT" ON THE WCC's THEOLOGICAL HORIZON is the
idea that while they may not all be able to agree on the content
of their faith, they can all agree that there is HOPE. The
problem is that they cannot even agree on what that HOPE is. One
of the WCC documents at Jamaica said, "The difference between the
hopes expressed from different parts of the world -- Africa,
Latin America, North America, Eastern Europe--diverged so widely
that ONE WAS TEMPTED TO ASK WHETHER THEY WERE SPEAKING OF THE
SAME HOPE or indeed whether they can even give a common account
of hope." But they went on to state, "Yet, the common attempt
itself has become a source of hope.'' How sad it is that those in
the WCC are ignoring the Bible which tells us plainly that our
hope -- our only hope--is the return of Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.
How sad it is that they ignore the teaching of Scripture that the
Kingdom of God is not some socialistic kingdom established
through the efforts of man, but a perfect and righteous Kingdom
to be set up by our Lord Jesus Christ in spite of and apart from
any effort of man to either thwart or aid the establishment of
that Kingdom. Daniel 2:44. Revelation 19:13-16.

AT THE VERY HEART OF THE WHOLE MATTER IS THE FAILURE OF THE WORLD
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO ACCEPT THE BIBLE as the authoritative,
infallible, inerrant, eternal, unchangeable Word of God. Note the
following: "In the WCC we experience both the possibility for
common confession of faith and worship together and also the
obstacles to Christian unity, We are agreed in giving vital place
in our thinking to bible study and worship; we are able to
worship our one Lord in the very different way of the churches
represented among us. YET WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF PROBLEMS
CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE REMAINING UNSOLVED AMONG US
and of the fact that we are not yet part of one eucharistic
fellowship. It is not surprising therefore that there is
controversy among Christians about the meditative use (rather
than simply the intellectual study) of the holy books of other
faiths and about the QUESTION OF COMMON WORSHIP BETWEEN THOSE OF
DIFFERENT FAITHS." One speaker said, "The document on Hope coming
out of Bangalore had succeeded in bringing out the fruitful
tension between doctrinal unity and union in radical involvement
in human hopes. But it has not settled the underlying question."
What is that underlying question? "The problem is no longer the
problem of loving one another, but the problem of understanding
the faith." The doctrinal basis of the WCC is an empty shell -- a
front to deceive the unwary. Only by accepting God's Word as our
only, absolute and final authority can we enter into true unity
with those who truly belong to Christ--and at the same time be
fully separated from those who appear as angels of light but are
in reality the servants of Satan.

MANY OTHER PROGRAMS AND FACETS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
could be helpfully presented and documented if space permitted.
Take Roman Catholicism for example. The WCC has grown so close to
the Roman Catholic Church that they now say, "The days of
wi(lning converts from each other are over . . ." Take the
question of communism. You will never find the WCC to be
anti-communist. In fact, they state plainly, "The story of
primitive anti-communism and anti-communist crusades in the
Christian Church is a long and sad one." Red Agents and Communist
puppet church leaders sit, work and propagandize at all levels of
the WCC organization The WCC and the NCC have been decisive
forces in preparing the way for the shameful U.S. recognition of
Red China. Though denying charges of pro-communism, the WCC track
record is a long and consistent testimony to the fact that they
are one of communism's strongest and best allies. The WCC is
doing everything possible to indoctrinate young people into the
radical, revolutionary ecumenical philosophy. It was reported
that four young people, including one WCC staff person, attended
the "11th World Festival of Youth and Students" in Cuba in 197B.
They reported a "warm and wholehearted welcome from the Cuban
people and the freedom to move around the island and to talk to
the people." And what was the purpose of this meeting? They said,
"These meetings provided opportunities for the Christian Youth to
discuss the issues of the festival and the meaning of Christian
commitment today, AS WELL AS TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY IN THE
STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE AND AGAINST IMPERIALISM IN THE WORLD
TODAY."Is there any talk of struggling against Communism? Oh, no,
it is only against Imperialism!

THE NEXT THREE YEARS WILL BE CRITICAL YEARS FOR THE WORLD COUNCIL
OF CHURCHES, largely because of severe financial problems. The
fact that most of the WCC money comes from the USA, coupled with
the devaluation of the dollar in comparison with the Swiss Franc,
means that the WCC is faced with what one leader called "The
moment of truth in WCC finances". To avoid drastic and
immediate cut-backs of staff and programs, they approved
deficit spending for the next three years, drawing on reserves or
even borrowing if necessary. Financing is apparently already in
hand or in view to proceed with their big conference in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 12-24, 1979, on the theme, "FAITH,
SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE" and their big missionary-evangelism
conference to be held in Melbourne, Australia, May 12-25, 1980,
on the theme "YOUR KINGDOM COME". The 1979 conference will seek
to join religion and science to further socialism and the 1980
meeting will promote socialism in the name of the Kingdom of God.

IF ONLY GOD'S PEOPLE WOULD WAKE UP AND SEE HOW THE WORLD COUNCIL
OF CHURCHES IS USING THE CHURCHES TO DESTROY THE VERY FOUNDATIONS
OF FAITH AND FREEDOM, what a difference it could make! If only
God's people would immediately withhold support and withdraw
membership from the WCC and then begin attending and supporting
only those churches that refuse to compromise with the
ecumenical apostasy, what a difference it would make! Further
loss of support now could be critical for the WCC. Are you one of
those who are supporting the WCC by your finances and membership
even while decrying its heretical, radical programs? If so, why
lot obey God -- COME OUT AND BE SEPARATE (1 Corinthians
6:14) and join hands with those who are willing to stand up
and speak out for our God-given liberties in which enable us to
preach the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ instead of a
socialist revolution .

                    WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
                     MEMBER DENOMINATIONS IN
                       THE USA AND CANADA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

African Methodist Episcopal Church. African-Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, American Baptist Churches in the
U.S A, American Lutheran Church; The Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York and all North
America; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Christian
Methodist Episcopal Church; Church ot the Brethren;
The Episcopal Church; Hungarian Reformed Church in
America: International Evangelical Church; Lutheran
Church in America, Moravian Church in America
(Northern Province); Moravian Church In America
(Southern Province), National Baptist Convention of America;
National Baptist Convention, U.S.A.,  Inc.;
National Council of Churches of Christ in the U S.A.;
National Council of Community Churches; The Orthodox Church in
America; Polish National Catholic Church
of America; Presbyterian Church in the United States;
Progressive National Baptist Convention; Reformed Church
in America; Religious Society of Friends--Friends General
Conference -- Friends United Meetings, United Church of
Christ; The United Methodist Church; The United
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

CANADA

The Anglican Church of Canada; Canadian Council of
Churches; Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Society of
Friends; Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, The Presbyterian
Church in Canada; The United Church of Canada.