PROMISE KEEPERS:
A Study in Contradictions
Recently
I had given to me a flyer announcing an event of which I was encouraged to
attend. The event was called Spring
Wake Up Call conducted by Promise Keepers. It was to be held at Our Lady of the
I
must say that I was greatly taken back by this information, you see I had been
raised as a Roman Catholic, saved by God’s sovereign grace at age 30 and by the
leading of the Holy Spirit directed out of the Roman Catholic Church into a
Bible believing fellowship where I could grow in the grace and knowledge of the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now some
26 years later I’m being told that the Catholic Church is biblical--though they
acknowledge minor differences said to be of a nonessential nature--and that
Catholics and Protestants are really one “in-Christ”. HOW ASTOUNDING!
The
flyer went on to explain why this Wake Up Call was
necessary:
“Spring is a time of Renewal in our land and never has
this been more true than in the Movement of Men
throughout the land “to honor God, be a leader, and remain in prayer for
men”. Never has the need been greater
than now for men of God to be joined together as caring fathers, husbands, and
leaders in their community through Promise Keepers, while supporting one
another as men in Christ.”
The
article continues by then identifying what Promise Keepers is. They claim to be “a Christ-centered ministry
dedicated to uniting men through vital relation-hips to become godly influences
in their world.” The article does not
mention that Promise Keepers was started by university football Head Coach,
Bill McCartney, who has a Roman Catholic background. He has since allied himself to the Vineyard
Movement. This appears to shed some
light on the direction the
Movement
is taking. Promise Keepers truly is
unique in that it is the first organization in history that appears to bridge
the gulf between fundamentalists and Charismatics, Catholics
and Protestants, and even Mormons are joining in.
According
to Promise Keepers “Christian growth starts by making some promises... promises
we intend to keep. Such promises...are
meant to guide us toward the life of Christ, so that He might transform us from
the inside out. Promise Keepers believes
these kinds of changes involve a process....”
On
the back side of the flyer the Promise Keepers Mission Statement is given.
“Promise Keepers is a Christ-centered ministry
dedicated to uniting men through vital relationships to become godly influences
in their world.”
The
article concludes by listing “7 Promises of a Promise Keeper.
1. A Promise Keeper is committed to honoring Jesus
Christ through worship, prayer, and obedience to His Word, in the power of the
Holy Spirit.
2. A Promise Keeper is committed to pursuing vital
relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to
help him keep his promises.
3. A Promise Keeper is committed to practicing
spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity.
4. A Promise Keeper is committed to building strong
marriages and families through love, protection, and biblical values.
5. A Promise Keeper is committed to supporting the
mission of the church by honoring and praying for his pastor and by actively
giving his time and resource.
6. A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond
any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical
unity.
7. A Promise Keeper is committed to influencing his
world, being obedient to the Great Commandment (see Mark
I
know that many professing Christians are rejoicing that Promise Keepers has
come upon the scene and are praising the agenda of its leaders. The seven promises are being readily accepted
as coming from God and serious application is being pursued. However, as a former Roman Catholic I find
major problems with Promise Keepers, problems that any serious bible student
should spot and be alarmed by. Love of
God, truth and the Roman Catholic compels me to speak out.
In
this brief presentation by Promise Keepers I discovered at least 7 major
contradictions with what the word of God teaches. These contradictions cannot be brushed aside
or glossed over if “integrity” means anything at all to Promise Keepers. The contradictions I see are as follows:
1. The assumption that Roman Catholics--or for that
matter the Protestants involved in Promise Keepers--are men of God. The biblical definition of a ‘man of God’
differs greatly from the Promise Keepers definition as illustrated by their
usage.
2. Unity at the expense of doctrine. Historically doctrine separates; experience
or emotion unifies. The Bible teaches
separation from false teachers and their teaching.
3. Promise Keepers is presented as the solution to the
social and moral issues facing the church in contradiction to God declaring the
church as His ordained instrument to produce Christian maturity.
4. The term “in-Christ” is used loosely as if any
interpretation and application were valid and acceptable. On the other hand, The Scripture is very
precise.
5. The idea that Christian growth is activated and
achieved by making promises is unbiblical.
Christian growth comes through knowing God’s word better thus knowing
Him more intimately and obeying Him.
6. Promise Keepers seem to imply a process salvation
which would be in line with
7. Promise Keepers claim to be Christ-centered but to
be Christ-centered biblically is to be obedient to Christ’s commands.
While
there are many more contradictions that could be pointed out than just the
seven I mention, I will limit my critique to these only. Before I do that though, I would like to
point out two things. First, honesty
demands that we admit the pitiful state of the church today. She has miserably failed in her task of
equipping the male saints to be loving husbands, caring fathers and responsible
citizens. Too often the church resembles
the world in its conduct. Moreover, the
church has neglected training all its members to handle accurately the word of
God. The results are Christians tossed
to and fro and running after every new fad that comes along; thus, the church
is unable to discern truth from error.
This makes the church extremely vulnerable to Satanic
attacks, as well as short handed in the area of Watchmen who will sound the
alarm.
Satan
is rejoicing at this state of the church.
He doesn’t have to work as hard at the act of deception. After all, most Christians will accept good
sounding promises just like Eve, especially then it is
mixed with half-truths. The Word of God
says “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and his servants as servants
of righteousness”. II Cor. 11:14, 15.
My
first point is this: names and titles can be deceptive. Two examples will suffice. The American Civil
Liberties
Secondly,
the Scriptures are our only sure guide.
Our own understanding is no match for Satan’s craft.
Proverbs
3:4&5 will always be the Christian’s route.
As the Bereans of old, we need to follow their example.
Please
hear my concerns and like the Bereans see where the truth lies. Also, let me not forget to state that I
attended the Wake Up Call.
The
Catholic Church that hosted the event was as pagan in its idol worship as
ever. One felt like one was in a pagan
temple with all the statues to saints illuminated by votive candles lit as
offerings accompanied by the prayers of Roman Catholic parishioners. Even the literature available in the pews
continued to propagate the lies of Satan.
It almost forced one to wonder momentarily if The Reformation was just a
myth. How can the issues that cost so
many their lives be so thoroughly forgotten by so many so quickly? While some in attendance at the Wake Up Call were Protestant pastors, no alarm was sounded. It was as if Satan had drugged all. II Thess.
2:9, 10.
Let
me also stress that I speak as a former Roman Catholic who understands the
Roman System thoroughly. I also state
unapologetically that those who would imply that Roman Catholicism teaches the
same gospel as Biblical Christianity are biblically ignorant and thus unqualified
to speak in a leadership capacity. On
the other hand, to know the grave differences and yet to encourage unity in
spite of it or to be silent out of fear would call in to question ones
integrity; would it not? Promise Keepers
claim to be men of integrity.
FIRST
CONTRADICTION: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
It
is the all central issue. As Martin
Luther so correctly stated, “the church stands or falls on this issue.” Life and death spiritually hang in the
balance. The Apostle Paul states
emphatically:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the
power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...” Rom
“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God
has been manifested being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who
believe...” Rom.
“Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by
the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed
in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the
works of the Law, since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified”
Gal. 2:16.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and
that not of yourself; it is the gift of God; not as a result of works....” Ephesians. 2:8, 9.
How
does
“If anyone shall say that the sacraments of the New
Law are not necessary for salvation but are superfluous, and that without them
or without the desire of them men obtain from God through faith alone the grace
of justification, though all are not necessary for every individual-anathema
sit.”
Or
“If anyone shall say that by the sacraments of the New
Law grace is not conferred ex opere operato, but that
faith alone in the divine promise is sufficient to obtain grace-anathema
sit” The General Council of Trent,
Seventh Session 1547.
Or
“A person who says that only God can forgive sins
doesn’t believe the Bible' The Bible directly tells us that God gave the power
to men. God could forgive you directly
if He wanted to; but He does not want to.
You can’t just go to God and feel that He has forgiven you; in fact
going to God directly is a fine way to stay in sin.”
(Parish Priest pages 105-106)
The
man of God is Biblically literate and able to expose as well as refute a false
gospel. He is also obedient to the Word
of God to do so. Ephesians.
To
the true Roman Catholic this passage is hard to swallow for it refutes their
stance which equates tradition as equal with Scripture. But isn’t it common among cults to displace
Scripture with the teachings of men.
Scripture is too condemning of their teaching to be allowed to stand
alone. Experiences or feelings of finite
man replace Scripture.
Paul,
the Apostle, said it this way: “But even though we or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which
we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Gal. 1:8.
SECOND
CONTRADICTION: PROMISE KEEPERS STRESS (UNBIBLICAL) UNITY.
Promise
Keepers appear to be willing to have unity with Roman Catholics, Mormons, and I
assume anyone whose god could be classified as a Christ. Since doctrine divides, as well as it should,
Promise Keepers must tolerate diversity of belief. If the gospel is as irrelevant as it appears
to the Promise Keepers by their acceptance of Roman Catholics as well as
Mormons, what is left? Assuming one
could be a good husband, caring father and leader in one’s community, without
the new birth, what eternal value is there in that? All is reduced to a social agenda, energized
by human effort and a Biblical Christian knows where that leads.
Scripture--in
contrast to Promise Keepers--requires separation from false teachers as well as
apostate groups. II Cor.
6:14-18, II John 9-11, Ephesians. 5:6-11.
Paul
states that when the Lord of Glory returns from heaven with His mighty angels
in flaming fire (He will be) dealing out retribution to those who do not know
God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. II Thes 1:8.
THIRD
CONTRADICTION: PROMISE KEEPERS POSITIONS ITSELF AS THE PANACEA FOR ALL THAT IS
WRONG IN THE CHURCH.
Listen
again to the statement made by Promise Keepers and quoted earlier. “Never has
the need been greater than now for men of God to be joined together as
caring fathers, husbands, and leaders in their community through Promise
Keepers” (Notice that which I underlined)
Promise
Keepers has set itself in conflict with the Word of God by assuming the
position that God has given to the church (local) and the ordained elder
ship. It is the church alone that God
has ordained to build up the body of Christ.
Yes, I am aware that Promise Keepers’ promise #5 claims to be church
minded and supportive of his pastor.
However, in reality the Promise Keepers organization and its agenda
dominate. Its literature containing much
anti-biblical material is funneled into the church through the designated Point
Man. It is just as intrusive and
detrimental to the local church as the Charismatic movement has proven to
be. In fact, when the dust has all settled
it may prove even more instrumental in leading the Protestant church back into
the clutches of
If
you doubt at all
“The result of
ecumenical activity will be that, little by little, as the obstacles to perfect
ecclesiastical communion are overcome, all Christians will be gathered, in a
common celebration of the Eucharist, into that unity of the one and only Church
which Christ bestowed on His Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, dwells in the
Catholic Church as something she can never lose, and we hope will increase.”
It
appears that Promise Keepers is aiding in
Promise
Keepers and
God’s
Word teaches that it is the local church’s role to equip the saints through the
ministry of teaching/ruling elders.
The two positions are in direct conflict. Ephesians.
4:11-16.
FOURTH
CONTRADICTION: THE TERM “IN-CHRIST”, WHICH OFTEN IN SCRIPTURE IS USED TO
DISTINGUISH A BELIEVER FROM A NONBELIEVER, INTERPRETED DIFFERENTLY BY A ROMAN
CATHOLIC THAN BY A CHRISTIAN.
This
can also be the case for many professing Protestant Christians. This issue is not a non-essential for
to be outside of Christ is to be lost.
Rom. 8:9.
The
Biblical position is presented in great detail in the first two chapters of
Ephesians. A fresh reading would certainly benefit all. Verses three through twelve left the spirit
heavenward and join in praising God the Father for having chosen us in Him
before the foundation of the world, and for having predestined us the adoption
as sons. The praise continues to the Son
for our redemption through His blood, the full forgiveness of all our
transgressions and for the insights into His will for all creation. All is said to be according to the riches of
His grace and according to His kind intent, which He purposed in Himself. It's all of God until verse thirteen. There we read:
“In Him, you also, after listening to the
message of truth, the gospel of your salvation having believed, you were sealed
in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise who is given as a pledge of our
inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the
praise of His glory.” Ephesians. 1:13,14.
Again
the two teachings are totally contradictory.
Salvation always requires the Lord to open a heart to respond by faith
to the gospel presentation. Acts
FIFTH
CONTRADICTION: CHRISTIAN GROWTH BY MAKING PROMISES, OR BY TRUSTING IN THE
PROMISED ONE AND HIS PROMISES TO US.
If,
as taught by Promise Keepers, “Christian growth starts by making some
promises...promises we intend to keep” what will be the outcome when we fail as
we are all prone to do? Romans 7:14-25
should be more than adequate to fell this false approach.
Jesus
said in the gospel recorded by John, “If you continue in my Word then you are
truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.” Jn. 8:31, 32.
Or
as Peter put it “Like newborn ones, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by
it you may grow (mature) in respect to salvation.
Or
the Word of Paul, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the
man of God may be mature, equipped for every good work.”
This
was the method also in the Old Testament.
Hear the words of David.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The
commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The Fear of the Lord is
clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are
true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes,
than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the
drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his
errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also
keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me;
Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of
great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
The
counsel offered by Promise Keepers for Christian growth differs greatly from
that of Scripture. The stakes are
high. Whom will you trust? Col. 2:8 puts it this way, “See to it that no
one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the
tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather
than according to Christ”.
SIXTH
CONTRADICTION: PROMISE KEEPERS SEEMS TO IMPLY THAT “CHRISTIAN GROWTH (CHRISTIAN
LIFE) STARTS BY MAKING SOME PROMISES...PROMISES WE INTEND TO KEEP (AND) THEY
ARE MEANT TO GUIDE US TOWARD THE LIFE OF CHRIST”.
Is
this not the language of process salvation? Has Promise Keepers totally embraced the
Roman Catholic plan of salvation; a salvation which is never totally achieved
in this life.
The
words of I Cor. 15:1-4 throw light on this issue and
sound a warning to those who might be in serious danger of departing from the
truth. Gal. 3:2-5 are also very appropriate in addressing this issue.
“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I
preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which
also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless
you believed in vain. For I delivered to
you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on
the third day according to the Scriptures.”
SEVENTH
CONTRADICTION: PROMISE KEEPERS LIKE ALL
Jesus
raised the question to those who were following Him during His earthly
ministry. He said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord,
Lord’ and do not the things that I say”.
Luke
Let
us review again the seven (7) contradictions evidenced in the Promise Keepers
flyer that was given to me.
1. Calling
people men of God who reject the gospel.
2. Advocating
unity with apostates and false teachers.
3. Usurping the
role of the local church and its teaching/elders.
4. Misusing
biblical terms and/or distorting their true meaning.
5. Teaching an
unbiblical approach to Christian growth.
6. Teaching by
implication and/or association a false plan of salvation.
7. Professing
to be a Christ-centered ministry while in practice disobedient to Christ’s
clear commands.
Jesus
said, “my sheep hear my voice and they follow me”.
He
also said, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You
will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor
figs from thistles, are they?
Even so every good tree bears good fruit; but the
rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree
cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is
cut down and thrown into the fire. So
then, you will know them by their fruits.
Not every one who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is
in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your
name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many
miracles?’ And then I will declare to
them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Therefore every one who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who
built his house upon the rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall; for it
had been founded upon the rock. And
every one who hears these words of Mine, and does not
act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who build his house upon the
sand. And the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and
great was its fall. The result was that
when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as
one having authority, and not as their scribes.”
No
more serious warning could be offered.
One must not take lightly God’s Word.
The choices are clear; the results are eternal.
I
mentioned early on that the founder of Promise Keepers has a Roman Catholic
background. Yet
“This Sacred Synod - teaches that the Church is
necessary for
salvation.... In explicit
terms He (Christ) Himself affirmed the necessity of faith and baptism (Mark
Let
me close with this Wake-up Call from God’s Word:
“But all things become visible when they are exposed
by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it
says, Awake sleeper And arise from the dead And Christ
will shine on you. Therefore be careful how you walk, Not
as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are
evil.” Ephesians. 5:13-15.