Today, we hear many Christians and religious groups in general advocating for the need for unity among believers in God, in some cases even regardless of the specific religion. It is a reality that we see more divisions among believers every day, and each group wants to create something new.

There is also the phenomenon that when someone delves into certain details that deviate slightly from the doctrine and theology of the group they belong to, they often end up being rejected or expelled. This leaves the door open for division and the creation of new movements, which, in most cases, lack the necessary filters to determine if their undertaking is right or wrong before God and His word. This is how so many movements have been created that it would be almost impossible to list them today.

Faced with this reality, many have raised the banner of Ecumenism. They explain that ecumenism would fix the problem of divisions among believers, allowing everyone to contribute to a better result within the “body of believers.” While this sounds appealing, it actually brings many confusions, as we will see in this article. When so-called “ecumenism” is not understood from the correct perspective, it will certainly cause far more harm and problems than it solves, just like everything else man tries to do when separated from God.

To address the topic, let’s start by asking a question: What is Ecumenism?

Ecumenism, in relation to theology, is a word that has been used very recently to define the movement that strives to unite all forms of denominational and traditional Christianity, as well as all possible religions. Its historical use from Latin relates to the different territories where Christianity existed and gathered for a specific purpose in a specific place—hence the term Ecumenical Council.

Since the beginning of the last century, and with the growth of charismatic and interdenominational movements, ecumenism has become, under Catholic influence, one of the most accepted perspectives within many institutions of all types of denominations around the world. This, combined with the Post-Christian era, has created a truly confusing idea that has led many into error.

Some questions we should ask ourselves about this topic might be: Is this type of ecumenism truly necessary from a biblical perspective? Is this one of the purposes of God’s teachings in the Bible? Do we have to negotiate in some way with everyone who calls themselves Christian or religious to find common ground and seek unity? Is this ecumenical movement just another invention of men trying to “help” God and ending up destroying what does not belong to them?

The Bible has its own clear teaching on how to achieve unity among those who love God. However, ecumenism promotes the idea that all groups must seek common ground among themselves to achieve union. It is important to clarify that unity is not the problem; rather, unity is a state that an individual or group reaches once certain fruits have been produced. Therefore, the main purpose of congregations should not be to anxiously seek a false image of unity, but rather to focus on the real process revealed in the Scriptures which will, consequently, result in unity.

People who advocate for ecumenism talk about unity, but they don’t talk much about how to achieve it. The questions would be: Who decides what we unite and what we do not? Will we sacrifice some fundamental truths that one group may hold, but which are not accepted by the other, in the name of “unity,” and therefore run the risk of not doing God’s will in the process? Does ecumenism even exist?

If you view ecumenism as the unity of all people under one absolute truth, which is the Creator of the Universe and His teachings, then we could agree that ecumenism is supported by the Bible. Therefore, all people can worship and be part of the family of God, but always in accordance with His will and His word.

For example, I would not worship God in a “gay church” that says homosexuality is fine and that God loves everyone, including the homosexual, and that in turn says it is fine to be both Christian and homosexual at the same time, because the text is clear that God does not approve of homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27). I will not meet with people who think things like this just because many interpret that “we must seek unity among everyone.” I seek unity with people who are bearing fruit according to the word of God and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, although the Bible never speaks of “ecumenism” as people interpret it today, it does call for unity in the Spirit. This unity is best understood through the Hebrew word: echad, which means ‘a complex unity.’ There are many teachings on this subject in the Bible with great detail and truth.

It is true that the Bible itself leaves many areas open to different interpretations and applications regarding how to practice our faith in certain matters, but there are other things that are not negotiable. When one sits down to negotiate “ecumenism” by agreeing with another group, even on doctrines or teachings that are not even supported by the Bible but have been inventions of men throughout ecclesiastical history to answer their doubts, the main purpose of worshipping God has already been lost, and therefore unity will be impossible.

When someone says, “We must be open to worship and grow with brothers and sisters who may see things a little differently,” one could agree with that only up to certain limits. Because if we are critical, we will realize that not all practices within modern churches are acceptable according to biblical teaching, and they would hardly be practiced by any apostle.

To understand then what would be a correct way to be part of this ecumenism, it would have to start from the message revealed by God. Thus, the greatest expression of ecumenism a human being can experience is union with God. And surely He would be the first to tell you: “To become ecumenical with Me, you must first repent of your sins—that is, repent of living as you think you should live—then you must ask for forgiveness for the sins you have already committed, and accept His sacrifice as payment for your sins; then we can achieve an ecumenism between us.”

Understanding this, it can be concluded that there will never be unity with people who have not gone through this process. Anyone who has gone through this process will not see a problem contributing alongside believers from other congregations, even if they have differences in those areas where God Himself left doors open for the unique expression of each individual or group, without straying from His general truth and moral absolutes—that is, without falling into sin.

In conclusion, it can be said that if the people of God truly want to seek ecumenism, they must first seek it with God. Second, they must allow the Holy Spirit to work in them. And finally, but no less importantly, they must obey when the law teaches: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Then, ecumenism can truly be achieved among all denominations and groups.

But forcing a unity that is delimited by men, negotiated to achieve certain personal or carnal interests, is not the correct way to achieve ecumenism. Let us seek God and His righteousness, and all the rest will be given to us as well.

Author: William Salazar