(i).....Ecumenism "Down Under
(ii)....A public school in New South Wales, Australia, banned its traditional Easter play..
(iii)...Promise Keepers and Dr. James Dobson
(iv)...Women's Aglo and Rome
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(i).....Ecumenism "Down Under"

Following is an excerpt from the May 1995 prayer letter of David Bennett, Independent Baptist missionary who is working in St. Clair, New South Wales, Australia.

The ecumenical events of the last two months remind me of Amos' words, `Can two walk together, except they be agreed?' The Graham Crusade via satellite was viewed by many in our area at the large charismatic Christian Life Centre. Last month I also had an interesting conversation with a young Roman Catholic man. He claimed to have trusted Christ as Saviour but still attends mass. He also belongs to a group known as the Servants of Jesus Community which he says has the blessing of Rome to operate. He said 60% of the group were Roman Catholic with the others coming from various denominations but all were charismatic. He gave me a brochure announcing an event taking place April 29, 1995. The speakers were from the Church of Christ, Assemblies of God, Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, and the Servants of Jesus Community. Ecumenism pure and simple!

In April I received a phone call from a Roman Catholic worker inviting me to the monthly 7 a.m. ministerial breakfast at the Catholic Church. I was gracious but didn't accept. Now the 'Laughing Revival' has washed onto the shores of Australia. It started last November in a Baptist Union Church. The church's pastor said, 'On Wednesday night 400 people packed the church for the "refreshment" or "soaker" service which extends well into the early morning.' What must God think of all this? 'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?' On another note the Uniting Church of Australia is being sued by a homosexual who was hired by the denominational head office because he 'had the skills for the job.' The Uniting Church South Australian Synod affirmed in 1990 that 'All baptized Christians belong in Christ's church and are to be welcomed at his table, regardless of their sexual orientation.' Praise the Lord about 60 Uniting ministers have signed a letter of complaint against the hiring of a homosexual. However they need to obey the clear command of 2 Corinthians 6:17, 'Wherefore come out from amon them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.' Compromise is simply disobedience! O Timothy magazine, Volume 11, Issue 11, 1994. David W. Cloud, Editor.http://wayoflife.org/~dcloud/
 

(ii)...A public school in New South Wales,
Australia, banned its traditional Easter play...

Subject: News Summary for Thursday
Date: Thu, 15 May 1997
From: Barocha1@aol.com
To: DebBouey@aol.com

Current Religious News Summary for May 15, 1997

A public school in New South Wales, Australia, banned its traditional Easter play portraying the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ for being too violent. Monteagle Public School suspended performances of the play after its principal, Julie Newbury, decided graphic depictions of Christ's death broke government anti-violence guidelines for schools. Newbury noted that children from kindergarten to sixth grade were watching scenes of whipping, shouting, humiliation, spitting, and ridicule. The government and the Department of School Education supported Newbury's decision. ...

The play, performed at the school in March, included scenes in which the 12-year-old child playing Christ carried a heavy cross while wearing torn clothes revealing fake blood. Leaders of the New South Wales council of churches said the ban was a "total absurdity" amounting to religious censorship and political correctness gone mad. Children "know what was done to Christ was cruel and it is not acceptable behavior for them to mimic," school teacher Mary-Louise Fowler said.

 

(iii)... Promise Keepers & Dr. James Dobson

Extract: The Psychospiritual Approach By T.A. McMahon ...
Two of the Images speakers at the conference (Promise Keepers Christian Men's Conference) were psychologist James Dobson and psychology popularizer Gary Smalley. Of even more concern than what attendees heard from the speakers is the fact that each man received a complimentary hardback copy of The Masculine Journey: Understanding the Six Stages of Manhood by psychotherapist Robert Hicks (foreword by psychologist John Trent)....

...quotes (in the above book) by a host of secular authors with a psychological bent, including Carl Jung, inner-healing therapist Leanne Payne, transpersonal psychiatrist/spiritualist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and Sam Keen, former theologian in residence at Esalen, the New Age/Eastern mystical therapeutic...

...At the end of the book (The Masculine Journey, by Robert Hicks) we find this statement: "Promise Keepers wants to provide men's materials like this book..."

Dr. James Dobson, on a recent radio broadcast, held out great hope that Promise Keepers would stir the coals of revival among men in this country. That is indeed a worthwhile hope, but it grieves us deeply to see that the sparks of truth are being fanned into false flames by the winds of psychospirituality.

The unbiblical preoccupation of this Christian men's movement is with man himself and from man's perspective.

It can only truly live up to Coach McCartney's exhortation to contend for the faith by getting back to the basics of the faith. The emphasis has to be focusing on God Himself, getting to know Him and His way through His Word. If not, it is at best doomed to a grace-barren, fleshly form of godliness. Sadly, attendees were encouraged in a post-conference follow-up letter to purchase the study guide and to form The Masculine Journey study groups.
 
 

The following is from the editor's newly published book Flirting With Rome: Volume 4--The Charismatics. Volume 1 traces Billy Graham's relationship with Rome from 1950 to present. Volume 2 covers other key Evangelical men and organizations. Volume 3 deals with the Southern Baptist Convention's Rome connection. Volume 4 deals with the Charismatics. These volumes can be ordered from Way of Life Literature in the States (1701 Harns Road, Oak Harbor, Washington 98277). All four volumes US$10.00. Single volumes are US$2.50. Add $3.00 S/H.

The Women's AGLOW Fellowship is a charismatic organization which focuses on ecumenical unity and has close a relationship with Romanism. There are more than 2,000 local chapters of AGLOW throughout the world.

AGLOW fellowships with Rome on every hand. AGLOW joined hands with tens of thousands of Roman Catholics in the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit & World Evangelization (contained in our book entitled Charismatic Confusion in Indianapolis). Jane Hansen, Women's AGLOW international president, spoke at these meetings.

The October 1985 issue of Charisma contained a letter from AGLOW's international president: As an organization, it is the desire of Women's AGLOW to see spiritual unity manifested among believers and one of our goals is to work toward this end. It has been our joy to walk hand in hand with our Catholic sisters around the world. AGLOW is active in several countries that are predominately Catholic. Many AGLOW leaders in these countries (and others) are Catholic and are active in their church. There is harmony and unity with their non-Catholic AGLOW sisters. Being united in Christ, we are not divided by lifestyles, circumstances, culture or religious beliefs.

O Timothy magazine, Volume 11, Issue 11, 1994.
David W. Cloud, Editor....http://wayoflife.org/~dcloud/
 
 
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