Pluralism for the Different religions
There is a trend among the different religions towards unity and “Pluralism.” This trend advocates that all religious are of equal value. For Pluralism, absolute truth does not exist but rather it is relative. This school of thought teaches that right and wrong depends on human subjective views and that whatever every person choosers to believe is actually the right thing for them.
One of the promotes of Pluralism is the Jesuit theologian Jacques Dupuis who taught that the different religions of the world should unite: “The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in a universal Christ that will satisfy all” (“Fatima”). Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue said that, “The other religious traditions in the world are part of God’s plan for humanity and the Holy Spirit is operating and present in Buddhist, Hindu and other sacred writings of Christian and non-Christian faiths as well.”
The Unity of the Bible
It is true that the Bible calls for unity among the believers. Jesus prayed for the unity of His church, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). And He added, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (John 17:21). And Paul confirmed that Christians should be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
But, Jesus specified that the only factor that would unify the church is the truth: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Therefore, God’s Word should be the only unifying factor for all the different religions. Sadly, the modern Ecumenical Pluralism Movement aims at unifying different faiths (Protestants, Catholics, and non-Christian religions) by compromising Biblical truths.
There is nothing wrong when Christians from different denominations unite to fight poverty and disease. But this unity is different than the unity of doctrines. There are huge doctrinal differences between the different faiths. Doctrines such as salvation by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), Jesus as the only Savior (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5), salvation by faith and not works (Romans 3:24, 28; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9) and the authority of Scripture (1 Timothy 3:16-17). The truths of the Bible should not be compromised for the sake of an appearance of unity.
The Ecumenical efforts shouldn’t ignore the Bible’s commands in order to achieve Oneness and pluralism (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 1:3-4). Christians must “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bible teaches that we should seek to please God not man (Galatians 1:10).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
