LETTERS FROM PROMISE KEEPERS SUPPORTERS

LETTERS FROM PROMISE KEEPERS SUPPORTERS

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April 22, 1996 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist News Service, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277) - The following correspondence from Promise Keepers supporters offers an eye-opening window into that movement. It never ceases to fascinate me that many of those who label biblical fundamentalists unloving and judgmental are incredibly unloving and judgmental in their attitude toward the same! The O Timothy Editor's mailbag is living proof of this. Consider some more excerpts from letters I have received from Promise Keepers supporters:

"I was quite astonished that you believe Roman Catholics are non-Christians and that you consider people who attend Vineyard churches to be lost. [O Timothy Editor: I have not said that those who attend Vineyard churches are lost.] I was also surprised to read about your vehement opposition to the Promise Keepers movement. ... you clearly have yet to experience the love of Christ. You should not call yourself a Christian if you are filled with so much anger and mistrust toward so many good Christians. People like you create much more harm than good. ... I'm sure you fancy yourself somewhat of an intellectual, since you publish a magazine and quote other writers in your article. Your writing, however, displays a lack of depth, understanding and intelligence about the Christian faith. I'll pray for you. I hope someday you discover Christ and let him into your heart."

"I believe the truth will win out over any and all heresy. ... If the Body of Christ is to fulfill His prayer in John 17, there will have to be a lot of Grace."

"It sure is amazing how many ways we Christians can find (or satan can find) to put a wedge between our denominations."

"I would begin and end by asking you to not judge others. ... Don't get too caught up the laws or writings (as the Jews did)."

"I am frightened of you. ... [Let me] underline my contempt for your protection of doctrinal righteousness."

"Sir, I believe I have discovered the zenith of this pharisaical hypocrisy. You disappoint me to no end, lost and bitter brother."

"I cannot stomach most of what I would call narrow minded fundamentalist teaching."

"Your article [on Promise Keepers] is based upon fear and falsehood."

"You are not in the place of God to determine who is a Christian; who is worthy; or who's beliefs are correct."

"I have read a few of your articles on the net and feel compelled to write and tell you I am praying for your conversion. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions and my prayer for you is that on the final day when the trumpet blows you will not be found sprawled on the road. At times when we cannot find something positive to say which helps to build unity within the body of Christ, it is better to remain silent. May Jesus Christ our personal Lord and Saviour have mercy on your soul."

"A 'militant, separatistic church?' Yeah, that's right in line with 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Even a hard line KJV ONLY must admit that charity (agape) here means love. That's the one ingredient missing in all of your web site, pastor! I am a Southern Baptist. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for not being and thinking EXACTLY LIKE YOU!" (emphasis his)

"I read, with great disgust, your narrow views and judgmental statements in your home page on the Promise Keepers movement. It's too bad you don't have some proof for your attacks. ... The unloving and cruel attacks on many of the Christian leaders of our time shows me a divisive and perhaps arrogant attitude of your nature. ... Your style of bashing really makes me sick ... I'm always concerned about those who teach that their interpretation of scripture, and their interpretation of life is the only truth."

"I believe one can know Christ through the Catholic religion; it's just quite a bit harder than through other churches. ... When you write about other denominations I suggest you examine yourself and see if satan is the one who is doing the writing."

"Get a life."

"I am a little disturbed of your questioning of the sixth promise of a promise keepers. ... we need to have biblical unity among all races, time is short."

"Properly used in conjunction with prayer and scripture, psychology and self-esteem programs can benefit us all."

"Did God tell you to judge the Catholics? ... Have more patience. I perceive you are a bit jealous of the movement. ... Remember the true Body of Christ-the True Church of Christ-is called by Jesus to be one. Members of the true Body of Christ will come from ALL denominations all around the world. ... Remember the words of Gamaliel? ... Be careful!"

"Rev. Cloud says 'Our sole authority is the Bible.' No one who participated in the Council of Carthage in 387 which settled for all time the canon of the NT would agree with Rev. Cloud on this issue. ... Such arrogance! ... I take it then, that you're the only one going to heaven. It's going to be awfully lonely there. Such arrogance! ... Such arrogance! ... I wonder what makes Mr. Cloud so sure he's right and everybody else is wrong? Look at the Pharisees, Mr. Cloud, and then look in the mirror!"

"I have never met a man who attended a PK event and felt that he had not been changed, although I have met many who have not attended and have felt threatened by any suggestion that they could stand change in their lives. "

"Instead of criticizing ministries that are obviously doing good things for God, let's stick to questioning the enemy."

"I am awe-struck at such arrogance. I believe arrogance is the original sin."

"After reading some of your articles it is clear to me why the Lord's blessing is no longer upon your movement."

"As a Promise Keepers and a conservative Bible believing Christian, I cannot fathom your bigotry and absolute disregard for the truth contained in the scriptures. ... I feel called to pray for you."

"Hey, buddy, build people up, don't tear them down. ... One million people in DC in the summer of 1997 can you better that or argue with that? I hope that you realize what you are doing."

"I believe it is foolish to be nothing more than a New Testament church. ... God is not a God of separation. The things of which you speak are nothing more than man's doctrinal trash that has led to the downfall of many. Blatant disregard for other Christian churches (yes, even Catholic) who do not buy into your doctrine is dangerous and disturbing. Your writings sound isolationist and possibly even racist in nature. ... I am appalled by people like you who, in the name of righteousness, would turn away untold thousands."

"Excuse me, but Catholics worship Jesus just like you do. ... Don't you have anything better to do than find manipulative ways to twist the words of your fellow Christians and try to cause rifts in the body of Christ?"

"I do believe that Christ detested a divided church. ... I want Catholics in PK's. I want Mormons in PK's. I want you in PK's. ... how many more could it break if it weren't for traditionalists like yourself."

"... if it is your intent to tear down the Church of Christ, then you are certainly doing a good job. I will continue to pray for you and these other organizations that have been led by the great deceiver to destroy Promise Keepers. ... I am genuine in my concern for the type of blindness and arrogance that seems to show forth in your publications."

"It is easy to see that this division or denominational theory is the reason for a lack of unity in the Body of Christ."

"I happen to believe that there are Christians in all Protestant denominations, as well as within the Roman church. ... it is very important in these last days that we focus on what we have in common ... rather than focus on our differences."

"I am sure the Promise Keepers movement has God's support since He is the original PK. It is a genuine movement of God. How you could criticize it is really beyond me."

"What is biblical wrong with a Catholic bishop (or whatever) receiving with Billy Graham people at an invitation? Or blessing them for that matter? ... I hope that someday, all Christians will come together and stop fighting."

"Don't bother trying to insult these fellows; they're not smart enough to catch on." [an e-mail from one PK supporter to another, in reference to writers represented by Way of Life Literature publications]

"It has been said that a house divided against itself cannot stand, so is the body of Christ. In heaven there are not going to be Baptist and Assembly of God and Church of Christ, there are going to be Christians who love and have accepted Christ. God does not care about denominational differences, He desires His children to love Him and each other and to work together until He returns again."

"You, my friend, have the wool over your eyes. The spirit of deception has choked the very essence of your being. You are a wolf in sheep's clothing and a messenger from satan himself. I pray that God will call you out of darkness and bring you to your knees begging for forgiveness and calling you to repentance. Your lies about God's work within the Promise Keepers is revolting and blasphemous. A church that is divided is a church that will fall. ... You are concerned about yourself and your own image by boasting your false findings and inflating your position in the face of man's ignorance. ... You do not have to respond to this letter. Besides, you probably don't have an apologetic with any truth in it."