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Spencer Freed
Cosmin Ritivoiu
English 102
15 May 2014
The Adventist Perspective of Unity with Catholicism
On February 18, 2014, a soon to become viral video was
posted on YouTube of a charismatic convention. At the
convention, ran by well-known charismatic leader Kenneth
Copeland, guest speaker bishop Tony Palmer brought a message of
unity. He called for a reuniting of Protestants and Catholics,
saying that The protest is over (Bishop). He did not out-right
say that Protestants should become Catholics, but rather that
they should both meet in the middle (Bishop). The bishop,
being a personal friend of Pope Francis, showed a video that he
took of the Pope in which he echoes Bishop Palmers mission.
Although this call to end division sounds harmless, the
ramifications of fully accepting the call would be catastrophic.
Most Adventists instinctively know that unity with Papal Rome
isnt moral, but not all know why. The purpose of this paper is
to answer that question. Because of the fundamentals of
Protestantism and insights from the Bible and Ellen White,
Adventists should be weary of ecumenism and its seemingly
harmless initial steps.
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Before exposing the dangers of ecumenism, it is essential
to recognize that not all goals of ecumenism are bad. There are
many praiseworthy efforts put forth by ecumenicists. The
cooperation between Evangelicals and Catholics is, in a large
part, a result of common effort to protect human life,
especially the lives of the most vulnerable among us (Colson
xxiv). Protection of human life is only one ecumenisms
respectable goals. Even Berth B. Beach from the Biblical
Research Institutes writes, Few would wish to deny that
ecumenism has had laudable aims and some positive influences
(Beach 1). Although unity in the fullest sense of ecumenism
should be repelling, the lesser forms of ecumenism are not
despicable.
People who believe differently than Adventists should not
be despised either. It is a tendency of many Adventists to repel
the infiltration of error by closing communication with other
followers of Christ and by harbor prejudice. This wall of
prejudice is what Jesus attempted to break down by reaching out
to the Samaritan woman by the well (Holy Bible Jn 4.1-42). Those
who support ecumenism in its fullest sense need to be treated
with love and respect.
A brief look into the history of the Protestant Reformation
is needed to show why unity today in its fullest sense goes
against the principles of Protestantism. The history of the
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Protestant church began with Martin Luther. In 1508, this young
priest became the first dean of theology at the University of
Wittenberg (Bainton 44). Prior to this position, Luther was a
self-depreciative monk. It is clear that his time in the
monastery brought him depression instead of the comfort he
sought when he said, "I lost touch with Christ the Savior and
Comforter, and made of him the jailer and hangman of my poor
soul (Kittleson 79). While at the University of Wittenberg, he
dedicated his time to seeking the scriptures to find rest for
his soul. It was while Luther was studying the Bible that he was
convicted by the principles that fueled the Reformation.
Disputation on the Power and Efficiency of Indulgences,
better known as the 95 Theses, was published by Luther for the
purpose of initiating conversation with Catholic Church leaders
about practices and doctrines that he found un-biblical,
especially the selling of indulgences (Luther). He believed that
humanity is justified through faith, not penance. This initial
break in agreement with Catholic doctrine eventually caused the
rift to widen between Luthers and Catholicisms theology. The
Catholic Churchs defiance to his theology and the
excommunication of Luther led him and his followers to protest
by starting a new church. Protestantism had begun.
Although Protestant churches are still in existence today,
Tony Palmer and those who support ecumenism suggest that there
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is now no reason to protest; however, the reasons for ending the
protest are not conclusive. The reasons for unity presented by
Tony Palmer can be divided into three points: God calls for a
unified church, most doctrine shouldnt be divisive, and the
Catholic Church is willing to be compliant through the process.
These points will be reviewed through the eyes of the Bible,
Ellen Whites writings.
The first argument presented by Bishop Tony Palmer was that
God calls for unity; however, according to the Bible, the unity
that Jesus prayed for was for a remnant of true believers. In
Tony Palmers speech, he quoted a prayer of Jesus for all who
would believe in him, saying,
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which
shall believe on me through their word That they all may
be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me (Jn 17.18, 21)
This prayer is not simply for anyone who professes to believe in
Christ, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word (Jn 17.18). Jesus prayed for unity between those who
believe in Him through the Apostles words. This does not mean
that everyone who professes Christianity has been genuinely
converted. John warns Christians to not be nave and believe any
professed follower of Christ in 1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe
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not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1Jn
4.1). This verse shows that not all Christians are genuine,
which implies that there is a remnant of unpretentious
Christians. The idea of a remnant people is a common theme
throughout the Bible. And the dragon was wroth with the woman,
and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ
(Rev 12.17). According to a traditional Adventist interpretation
of this prophecy, this represents a group of remnant followers
of Christ at the end of time that are hated by Satan because
they keep the commandments of God and have the gift of prophecy
(Rev 19.10). Therefore, Christs prayer is applicable for the
remnant church, and not all Christians.
Ellen White implies through her writing of the end times
that Christs prayer for unity couldnt be for all who profess
to follow Christ, but rather for those who follow His
commandments. Referring to the last days, Ellen White writes of
false preachers: Notwithstanding the Bible is full of warnings
against false teachers, many are ready thus to commit the
keeping of their souls to the clergy (Great Controversy 597).
This is clearly a reference back to the false prophets in 1
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John 4:1. This means that unity with false teachers would be
disastrous (Great Controversy 597). Ellen White saw this when
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she spoke of a remnant group in the last days: But God will
have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the
Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of
all reforms (Great Controversy 596). This unique group stays
undefiled by strange doctrine. Therefore, unity with those who
do not maintain the Bible, and the Bible only would eliminate
Adventists from fulfilling this prophecy (Great Controversy 596).
The second argument for unity presented was that the
Catholic Church is amenable to the idea of unity. This was seen
when Pope Francis said We [Catholics and Christians] need to
encounter one another as brothers (Bishop). Although this plea
seems harmless, the Bible prophesied that unity between Papal
Rome and Protestants in America would lead to the United States
giving homage to the Papacy. Revelation speaks of a lamb-like
beast that speaks like a dragon, and gives homage to another
beast. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast
before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein
to worship the first beast (Rev 13.12). Adventists understand
this to represent the United States receiving power from Satan
to force obedience to the Papacy. Satan is working through the
Catholic Church and ecumenism to bring this upon the world.
Ellen White also has much to say regarding Papal Romes
uniting with Protestants in America. She saw that not only was
Catholicism pushing unity, but Christians in America as well. It
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has been prophesied that the Catholic Church would change its
reputation for the favor of others. The Roman Church now
presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her
record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in
Christlike garments; but she is unchanged (Great Controversy
572). Although the Church puts up a new front, it still
possesses the same spirit that persecuted millions of Christians
(Standish 161). With this new standing in the world, the
Catholic Church will attract Protestants in America. The
Protestants of the United States will reach over the abyss to
clasp hands with the Roman power (Great Controversy 588).
Kenneth Copelands invitation to Bishop Tony Palmer to speak at
the convention is evidence of this. She not only says that they
will join with Catholicism, but that they will do in
nonchalantly. A large class, even of those who look upon
Romanism with no favor, apprehend little danger from her power
and influence (Great Controversy 573). Looking into the future,
Ellen White clearly saw the unification of Catholicism and
Protestantism unfold before her.
The last argument, and perhaps weakest of the all, is that
disagreements on doctrine shouldnt be divisive. Logical
reasoning says otherwise for the sake of knowing and
experiencing truth. In Tony Palmers speech, he declared that
doctrine doesnt matter. If you accept that that the presence
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of God is in me, and the presence of God is in you, thats all
we need, because God will sort out all our doctrines we get
upstairs (Bishop). This downplay of doctrine is highlighted by
Robert M. Zins when he writes The essential thrust of all
ecumenism is to eliminate all but the simplest statements about
God and Jesus Christ (Zins 116). In response to the motivation
of ecumenism, he continues by saying,
When once doctrine and truth are played down, what remains
is only mans experience, and taking this cue, Evangelicals
are beginning to jump on the bandwagon of experiencing God
as opposed to knowing about God. (Zins 117)
It is true that only by experiencing God is salvation brought,
but only by knowing God can He be experienced properly. Because
doctrine shapes our view of God, it is essential to hold fast to
truth.
Upholding truth is the reason that the Protestant
reformation began, and is the reason why the gulf between the
two sides should not be closed. A misunderstanding of truth is
what caused Luther to feel as if he had lost touch with Christ
the Savior (Kittleson 79). Bishop Palmer suggested that because
the Catholic Church now believes in righteousness by faith
equipping us to good works, the protest is over (Bishop);
however, the protest isnt over. As discussed earlier, the
Protestant Reformation was not solely a revolt against
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Catholicisms high esteem on works, but also the interpretation
of scripture, sacramentalism, purgatory, and much more (Zins 7).
Those issues havent been resolved, which is why the protest
should continue.
The Bible also shows that doctrine shouldnt trump unity.
One example of this is the Samaritans attempt to unite with the
Jews. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem after their captivity
in Babylon, they set out to rebuild their temple. Samaritans
came and offered their help. Let us build with you: they said,
for we seek your God as ye do (Ezra 4.2). Samaritans shared
common ancestors with the Jews, yet they mixed their beliefs
with pagan traditions. Although some of the doctrines they
shared were similar, the Jews said, Ye have nothing to do with
us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together
will build unto the Lord God of Israel (Ezra 4.3). The Jews
didnt unify with the Samaritans to rebuild the temple for fear
of pagan doctrines creeping into Judaism. For this same reason
Adventists should as well avoid uniting with Catholicism to
restore unity in Christianity.
Ellen White also condemns the disregarding of doctrine. She
understood that pure unity must fulfil its prerequisites.
Christ calls for unity. But He does not call for us to unify on
wrong practices. The God of heaven draws a sharp contrast
between pure, elevating, ennobling truth and false, misleading
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doctrines (Selected Messages 175). Unity must be based on truth.
She elsewhere states that God's people must know the doctrine,
whether it be of God (Diary 570). Ellen Whites councils that
unity should be under the umbrella of true doctrine.
With love and respect toward ecumenicists, Adventists
should firmly resist ecumenism in its fullest sense and its
initial steps with Catholicism. The reasons for unity presented
by Bishop Tony Palmer are not coherent with the Bible and Spirit
of Prophecy. Adventists should understand that the protest isnt
over, contrary to what ecumenicists say.












Works Cited
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Bishop Tony Palmer and Pope Francis - The Miracle of Unity Has
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<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHbEWw7l_Ek>.
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