The word “ecumenical” comes from the Greek word oikoumenē.[1]
The Greek word can be found in Matt 24:14; Acts 17:6; and Heb 2:5 where it is
translated “world.” The idea of unity in the Church comes from different
passages in the Bible, some of which are John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3-5;
Galatians; Colossians; 1 and 2 Corinthians. All of these passages speak of
unity in Christ, or “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5b).
Early ecumenical councils gathered to deal with heresies and
doctrinal disputes in the Church.[2]
More modern ecumenical councils seek to battle social issues as well as to
unify the Church, but evangelicals have pretty much stayed out of councils like
these, as they are more concerned with evangelizing than social issues.
However, evangelicals created unifying organizations among their own kind that
would aid with humanitarian relief while promoting evangelism and the Bible.
By the 1990s, there were two types of “ecumenism,”
one of which that did not stress doctrinal positions for members of the
ecumenical councils, but instead wanted social justice. The second type
stressed evangelism, hoping that people’s hearts would be changed and, as a
result, there would be a more visible unity in the churches.
As I read the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic from
the Parliament of the World’s Religions, I could not help but think about how
utopian in nature this document is.[3]
The document pointed out all of the injustice in the world against the poor,
women, and children. These are important issues that the Church should not
ignore. However, there will never be a utopia on earth before the second coming
of Christ. Human nature is a fallen nature and there will always be contention
between the religions of the world, and there will always be those that take
advantage of the weak. The Church does need to focus more on taking care of the
poor and less fortunate. This is ministry, and ministry is not an option, it is
a mandate by our Lord (see Matt 25:35-36).
With that said, I do strongly believe that evangelism is the
way to approach the world’s injustice. If you, with the help of the Holy
Spirit, change the hearts of the people, it only makes sense that everything
that the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic set out to achieve would
follow. Without heart change there is no change and things will continue with
the status quo.
So as I read the document I kept thinking, “Well this is all
nice but it will not work unless there is heart change.” It all starts with one
person or one family at a time, and if we stay committed then we might see real
change. However, the focus should never be to change the world; the focus
should always be redeemed souls. The focus is on Jesus Christ and His
redemptive work for the sinners of the world.
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