Is the Gospel
the Only Essential?
©FOUNDATION
Magazine Editorial, July-August 1999
A
significant document entitled "The Gospel
of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration" was
recently released in the June 14, 1999, issue of
Christianity Today. Without question, this paper
will have a far-reaching impact on the evangelical
community and also upon groups beyond those normally
defined as "evangelical." Those of us who are
Fundamentalists basically agree with the contents of
this study paper. However, the document contains a
crucial action clause of joint affirmation by the
signers indicating not only their commitment to
evangelization and "allegiance to Christ himself,
to the Gospel itself '(we can certainly agree with
this), but also their pledge of allegiance "... to
each other as fellow evangelical believers" as well.
It is on this point where we, as Fundamentalists, must
draw the line.
Of course, it is generally understood that no
organizational unity among the signing Evangelicals will
emerge from this agreement-no one is becoming a member
of anything. But the fact remains that a form of unity
indeed emerges among all who choose to attach their name
to the document. Not only does each endorser publicly
join all the other signers who make up the "Confirmed
Endorsing Committee" in their agreement to the Gospel
message, but they also pledge their commitment to one
another. Many will view this joint affirmation as a
practical unity.
The idea that the Gospel is the only essential
doctrine around which believers should unite has
characterized New Evangelicalism from its inception.
This basic premise underlies the very purpose of this
latest paper as well. But what has been jettisoned in
the process? The ability of one signer to warn about
false doctrine propagated by another signer is no longer
possible because it may not be considered 11 essential"
to the faith if it does not concern the doctrine of
salvation. And, because the signers have committed
themselves to one another based on the common Gospel
message, they will find it difficult to separate from
another signer who possesses faulty theology concerning
the person of Christ, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit or
any other teaching that does not pertain to the doctrine
of salvation.
Though we might agree with a fellow brother
regarding the Gospel message, would God have us to
covenant with him if we disagree on other Biblical
truths? The Scriptures continually emphasize the
apostolic authority and God-given inspiration behind all
Biblical doctrines; surely, this fact alone reveals
God's mind as to what is, in fact, "essential" to Him.
The very concept that "only the Gospel message is
essential for fellowship" is simply unbiblical. Jude
commands all believers to 11 earnestly contend for the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude
3). Does "the faith" include just the Gospel? Absolutely
not! The church's very foundation is the apostolic,
inspired truth of God's written Word-the Faith (Eph.
2:19-2:5). We cannot maintain silence when the public
ministries of evangelical and even fundamentalist
brethren teach error. Why? Because the Bible says so: 2
Timothy 2:15-21; 2 Thessalonians 3:6 cf. 2:15; Acts
20:27-32.
As Fundamentalists, we believe the Bible clearly
and persistently demands of the believer that he insist
upon not just a pure Gospel but also sound doctrine.
God's Word instructs the believer to identify false
teaching (not just regarding the doctrine of salvation)
and to separate from it (Rom. 16:17). We are told in 1
John 5: 1 0-1 1, "If there come any unto you, and bring
not this doctrine [all aspects of the doctrine of
Christ, not just this example of heresy], receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he
that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil
deeds."
David Neff, executive editor of Christianity
Today, penned the following words in his editorial
comments which introduced the document:
Last year, two
evangelical theologians had a bright idea. Wouldn't
it be wonderful, they said, if evangelicals could
achieve a broad consensus on the gospel and join in
a common statement? These theologians felt the pinch
of recent tense discussions over how to define the
doctrine of justification [1 994 and 1997,
Evangelicals and Catholics Together, The Gift of
Salvation], a key element of the gospel. They saw
the need for a reference document for those engaged
in interchurch dialogue, for theological students,
for pastors, for parachurch ministries, for
itinerant evangelists, and for the rest of us.
Many evangelicals certainly did feel a
"pinch" over the two ECT documents previously issued by
Evangelical and Roman Catholic theologians. A previous
issue of Foundation magazine dealt with the
redefinition and deceptive spin given to Biblical terms
relating to justification and related truths regarding
God's great salvation. Several of those involved in
drafting the ECT documents either helped draft this
latest document or were the first to jump aboard the
"Confirmed Endorsing Committee."
To a fundamentalist, the purpose of this paper
seems ambiguous since any professing Evangelical should
already understand the content of the Gospel message. It
seems as though this document was specifically intended
to promote unity rather than define the Gospel message
itself. The problem with this document is the unbiblical
impression that the Gospel is the only "essential" and
that, on other Biblical issues, differences need to be
set aside for the sake of a new measure of unity.
Who are some of the religious leaders who have
signed? Can we join these people and ' therefore,
express a unity with, for example, Bill Hybel's
understanding of how to build a super church; Jack
Hayford and Pat Robertson's teaching regarding the
Charismatic movement's heresies-, John MacArthur's
doctrinal considerations of the Blood of Christ and
Lordship salvation; Bill McCartney's Charismatic vision
of an ecumenical Promise Keeper's movement; Charles
Swindoll's promotion of New Evangelicalism and rejection
of separation; Max Lucado's understanding of baptismal
regeneration as a Church of Christ minister; R. C.
Sproul's error regarding the literal fulfillment of
coming prophetic events; John Stott's concern that a
literal, eternal hell is subject to question; Kay
Arthur's preaching of Bible and psychology?
The Bible requires separation from disobedience,
and It does not allow for identification with error by
way of a pledged fellowship. Many have signed the
"Evangelical Celebration," and many more will certainly
sign it in the days to come. Each signature is an
endorsement of New Evangelical compromise and is a
repudiation of Biblical, militant, historical
Fundamentalism. DWC
D.W. Costella
FOUNDATION Magazine is
available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association.
Click here
to go to the ordering form / price list.
Return to
FOUNDATION Magazine Index Page
Are you sure you are
saved and on your way to heaven?
Please read
"Have You Considered This?" and be sure!
Fundamental Evangelistic Association
1476 W. Herndon, Suite
104
Fresno, California 93711 U.S.A.
Telephone 559-438-0080 : Fax 559-438-0089
Webmaster email:
FEA Web Administrator |