ECUMENISM OR INQUISITION?

CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER, EXCEPT THEY BE AGREED? AMOS 3:3.

Ever since VATICAN II {1962-1965}, there has been a concerted effort to unite all the churches to the "Mother Church". The goals of Vatican II, have almost been achieved in recent years; When most confessions admit that there is a need for all religious groups to put aside their doctrinal differences, and unite on the beliefs they hold in common. For the good of all, (they claim) their distinctive dogmas should be made less prominent. Also no religious group should proselytise. All should respect the others' beliefs, by agreeing not to disagree.

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. Jeremiah 50:6 KJV.

Another goal of VATICAN II is to accentuate the "Celebration" of every event possible, such as Holi-days and feasts. Churches were induced into transforming their worship services to "Contemporary" and "Seeker-Friendly" performances. The music styles adopted are more reminiscent of Rock and Roll, and would have made most Protestants ashamed, just 40 years ago. But, now it's the "New" approach to worship the "Awesome God". "The Celebration Concept" emphasizes lively music in church services, and a spectacle atmosphere to traditional solemn worship. Where reverence was once manifested, a Carnival or Three-Ring Circus ambience is now encouraged. Mother's, Father's, Indepence, and Memorial Days are occassions for Celebration Services. Note the emphasis on these church services is excitement, not to worship the Almighty God of Israel. Trophies, Medals, gifts, plaques, and speeches have replaced sound doctrine, and the preaching of the WORD. The worship styles, and unity are the tip of the iceberg, and only window dressing that has been traded-in for window "blinds".

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jeremiah 10:2 KJV.

Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalian, Lutherans, Baptists, Congregationalists, Quakers, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals, Russian and Greek Orthodoxs, are now joined with Catholics in this new found Unity. It's as if all have renounced their long-held beliefs, and now acknowledge the Holy Roman Catholic Church as their Superior, and, role-model. Long forgotten are the memories of the executioners torturing "heretics" in dungeons, also referred as Inquisition. It would interest many of these enthusiastic "Celebrants", to know that the new pope, Benedict XVI, previously headed the Holy Office of the Inquistion", which changed its name in "1965". It now calls itself: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and, William J. Levada, an American, is the Cardinal Prefect.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4 KJV.

From a "Global" perspective, it doesn't surprise me that all churches are uniting with "Rome". But, for American Protestant churches to suffer from such amnesia, and forget the recent persecutions that the Vatican conducted is inexcuseable. Let no one forget that the Jesuit Company was founded by Loyola to combat the reforms achieved by the Protestant Reformers, such as Martin Luther. To reject all the light revealed by these Reformers is baffling. Wycliffe, Tyndale, Calvin, Latimer, John Knox, John Bunyan, John Trask, Roger Williams, John and Charles Wesley: These were men who struggled and died to bring the "TRUTH" to the world; To now have some "knownothings" compromise every principle won by blood discarded for convenience? Is this the beginning of the Mark of the Beast?

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12)

by Arsenio A. Lembert Jr. 12/24/2006

---------------------------------------------------Photo:http://spirituallysmart.com/redmasspics.html

President George Bush walks out of St. Matthew's Cathedral with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick(Who is also a Knight of Columbus)and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts after attending the 52nd Annual Red Mass inWashington, DC, Sunday, October 2, 2005. The Red Mass, a historical tradition within the Catholic Church, is held on the Sunday before the opening session of the Supreme Court.