The United Methodist Church strayed many years ago from the fundamentals of the faith and has long been ecumenical in affiliations. But a recent tragedy (reported in the Los Angeles Times) is a $40 million gift designated and being used by a United Methodist seminary to begin training programs for Muslim imams and Jewish rabbis. This school, Claremont School of Theology located here in California, hopes to later add training for other religious clergy as well—such as Buddhists and Hindus.
Of course, many are celebrating this move as a leap toward recognizing “religious diversity.” Yet, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Training leaders of religions that plainly deny Christ discredits the exclusivity of the Gospel and endorses false faiths.
Revelation 17 tells of a coming one-world religion that will embrace every religious diversity, but persecute Christianity. Moves like this of Claremont School of Theology reveal that many already see little distinction between various religious beliefs. (I cover the coming one-world church more thoroughly in my book Understanding the Times.)
Please pray for people who may be saved in some of these liberal denominations to awake to doctrinal integrity and join a biblical church that preaches the truth. And pray that Bible-believing Baptists will live in anticipation of Christ’s return and be diligent to obey Christ’s command to “Go…into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
