Dallas Theological Seminary's Unscriptural Position On Promise Keepers

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Dallas Seminary & Promise Keepers

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FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W.Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt Costella, Copy Editor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor

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Dallas Seminary's Unscriptural Position Regarding Promise Keepers

by Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. FOUNDATION Magazine, Jan - Feb 1997

DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY was founded in 1924. Throughout its long history it has had a tremendous influence upon those known as evangelicals. But it has never held nor taught the important truths of the Bible which command separation from false teachers and disobedient brethren. On several occasions in past years, a few faculty members have made an effort to rectify this theological and positional deficiency but without success. As a result, the influence and teachings of the several thousand men and women who are graduates of Dallas have indoctrinated millions of Christians into the principles of unbiblical compromise rather than biblical separation. In the December 1985 issue of Connection Extra (Topics of Interest to Dallas Theological Seminary Alumni), the question was asked: What about Dallas Theological Seminary and the Promise Keepers? The answer was given in three brief, but very revealing, sections. What follows is a full, unabridged copy of their answers, and after each section our scriptural analysis of those answers. Since the position of Dallas Seminary regarding Promise Keepers is held by so many uninformed or misinformed believers, we trust this report will be a spiritual eye-opener to God's people everywhere. The following introduction to the Dallas Seminary statement is, in itself, very revealing and demonstrates the confusion caused by mixing truth with error. We quote: What About Dallas Theological Seminary and the Promise Keepers Ministry?

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"For the past several years the ministry of Promise Keepers has experienced rapid numerical growth and broad public attention. Its outreach has spiritually impacted the lives of many men, causing some to call it a "revival-like movement. " A few others however, are expressing concerns and voicing criticisms. Although Dallas Seminary has no official ties to .Promise Keepers, some of our faculty and alumni have participated in their public meetings. One of our distinguished professors, Dr. Howard Hendricks also serves on the Promise Keepers board. In light of the questions raised by a few of our alumni and friends, the Seminary wishes to respond as follows:" The first two sentences are true. Promise Keepers is a rapidly growing movement and some do call it a "revival-like movement." And, it is good to know that some Dallas alumni have expressed concern, even if only "a few" have done so. However, the next sentences reveal Dallas Seminary's sad duplicity. While it is true that they have "no official ties" to Promise Keepers, they seek to minimize their unofficial endorsement by saying, "Some of our faculty and alumni have participated in their public meetings." In the next sentence, they admit that one of their distinguished professors, Dr. Howard Hendricks serves on the Promise Keepers board. Furthermore, they did not mention the fact that the new president of Dallas Seminary, Dr. Charles Swindoll, is very prominent in the promotion of and participation in the Promise Keepers movement and rallies. What better endorsement could they give to a movement which is ecumenical in its goals and unscriptural in its fellowships? Dr. Swindoll and the denomination of which he is a member repudiates the position of biblical separation and is therefore disobedient to the plain teachings of the Bible. 1. Dallas Seminary understands that Promise Keepers operates under broader theological umbrella than most churches and parachurch "There is a general misperception about Promise Keepers. Too often , judgments are made on limited and fragmented information by people who are not directly involved with that ministry. Ministries that are being used of God to encourage men to become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, to live godly lives, to be devoted to their wives and families, and to be active in their local churches deserve thoughtful consideration. No one can deny the benefits of those goals. To assist each other in accomplishing such wholesome objectives, groups that differ theologically can agree to stand together on crucial issues. For example, Roman Catholics and evangelical Protestants can unite in opposition to such evils as abortion on demand and pornography. "Furthermore, noncharismatics and charismatics can unite in support of the basic biblical values of sexual morality, personal integrity, and family fidelity. Promise Keepers has made a commitment to focus on significant personal, social, and moral issues that are accepted by a broad spectrum of individuals, denominations, and other Christian groups. Since Promise Keepers is not an ecclesiastical body, participation does not imply support for ecumenical union. We can join with others in support of basic moral issues without violating our theological convictions." In the first sentence, we see that Dallas Seminary is without excuse in cooperating with a movement which "operates under a broader theological umbrella" than most churches and parachurch ministries. Just how far this theological umbrella will broaden remains to be seen, but already we know it includes liberal Protestant churches, the Roman Catholic Church and Mormons. In the middle portion of this statement, Dallas tries to justify cooperation Roman Catholics by claiming these can "unite in opposition to such evils as abortion on demand and pornography." But Promise Keepers is not only advocating unity in such matters but unity in worship, prayer and witness. In the second sentence, Dallas incorrectly holds that noncharismatics and charismatics can unite in "support of basic biblical values of sexual morality, personal integrity, and family fidelity." Charismatics are under God's curse by trying to add their supposed revelations to the written Word of God and by evangelism with Roman Catholics and others who preach a false gospel. It should be noted that the founder of Promise Keepers and many of its

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key leaders are charismatics. In the middle of this paragraph, note that Dallas Seminary is aware that Promise Keepers "has made a commitment to focus on significant personal, social, and mora1 issues that are accepted by a broad spectrum of individuals, denominations, and other Christian groups." Promise Keepers does indeed include a spectrum, but it is far broader than the Word of God allows and the closing sentence further reveals the spiritual blindness and inconsistent, contradictory position of Dallas Seminary. 2. Dallas Seminary's mission differs from that of Promise Keepers-but it is not in opposition to their stated objectives. "Although the Seminary supports the overall program of Promise Keepers this does not mean that we are in complete agreement theologically with some participants. We believe, however, we can support the objectives of Promise Keepers without compromising our theological position or biblical distinctives. For this reason some of our faculty and alumni continue to be involved with this organization in order to reach our world for Christ and add discernment to the agenda of Promise Keepers, all the while providing theological stability. Mature Christian leaders with solid biblical training can bring needed substance and guidance to this young and dynamic ministry." One must ask, "Just what is Dallas Seminary's mission?" Historically, Dallas has claimed its mission is to train men and women to know the Scriptures so as to teach others the truths of God's Word effectively and correctly. If this is still its mission, how could it possibly state that it is not in opposition to the stated objectives of the Promise Keepers? Be sure to read our publication, "The Promise Keepers Movement is Dangerous - Watch Out For It," in which at least three of the Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper are clearly found to be unscriptural. Yes the world needs more godly men, but the program of Promise Keepers can never accomplish that goal since it is fatally flawed by giving its adherents unbiblical counsel. In the last portion of this section, note the following amazing, inconsistent, contradictory claim: "For this reason some of our faculty and alumni continue to be involved with this organization in order to reach our world for Christ and add discernment to the agenda of Promise Keepers, all the while providing theological stability." Can the world be reached for Christ by cooperating with Roman Catholics and others who preach a false gospel? Of course not! How can Dallas Seminary possibly provide theological stability to Promise Keepers when Dallas has no stability itself? 3. Dallas Seminary applauds Promise Keepers' commitment to vital personal, moral, and social issues. The moral fabric of modern society is unraveling. At the core of the problem, among other causes, is the lack of godly masculine leadership both in the home and the workplace. Promise Keepers began, in men, to assume the responsibility intended for them by God. Promise Keepers focuses on a man's commitment to Jesus Christ, personal integrity, the family, the church, and racial harmony. We at Dallas Seminary believe these are God-honoring objectives rarely acknowledged in the world and, therefore, worthy of our pursuit and support. Neither Dallas Seminary nor Promise Keepers is scripturally dealing with the moral fabric of modern society that is indeed unraveling. While it is true that more godly men are needed, they will not be produced by teaching men that they disobey the Word of God as to theological matters as long as they try to give leadership in moral and social issues. Promise Keepers, led by charismatic deceivers, motivated by psychological experimenters, and applauded by deceived believers will no doubt continue to grow, but it cannot escape God's judgment. Both Promise Keepers and Dallas Seminary need to hear

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and heed the same warning God gave in the Old Testament to King Jehoshaphat who had disobeyed the Lord by joining hands with wicked King Ahab in a battle against a common enemy, " . . . Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord" (2 Chron. 19:2). Before concluding this analysis, the first sentence of Dallas Seminary's defense of Promise Keepers needs further consideration. Obviously referring to those who had expressed concerns and voiced criticisms, Dallas stated, "There is a general misperception about Promise Keepers. Too often judgments are made on limited and fragmented information by people who are not directly involved with that ministry." While this may be true of some, it certainly does not apply to others we know of who have expressed concerns about Promise Keepers. We have followed this movement from its beginning, have read all of its books and regular publications and listened to hours of tapes from the rallies. By no stretch of the imagination could the information on which our conclusions and warnings are based be called "limited or fragmented." What we have repeatedly found is that many, many people who support Promises Keepers do so only on the basis of "limited or fragmented" information. Many such believers have had questions in their minds about this rapidly growing movement but have heard or read only the promotional materials with which Promises Keepers has flooded most churches. Pastors, churches and individuals have requested and distributed thousands of our Promise Keepers warning leaflets. We have had more requests for this item than anything else we have published in our sixty-eight year history. We have followed and analyzed the compromises of most of the charismatic and evangelical leaders who are speaking at Promises Keepers rallies through the years of our religious news-gathering ministry. Without question these men have proven their dedication to furthering the ecumenical movement. Men such as Bill Bright, Jack Hayford, Joseph Stowell, E.V. Hill, Gary Smalley, James Dobson, Chuck Colson, Bill Hybels, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Luis Palau, Dave Bryant, Billy Kim, and James Ryle do not have a consistent record of fidelity to God's final Authority. In these crisis times, the compromised positions of both Promise Keepers and Dallas Seminary pose grave problems to those who are following their unscriptural programs and positions, having become enamored with their apparent successes and acceptance by the majority of believers. The need for spiritual discernment has never been greater (Heb. 5:12-14). The time for absolute fidelity to the Word of God rather than the ideas of men is now (Acts 5:29). The need to practice biblical separation from false teachers, disobedient brethren and worldliness is paramount. Let us always speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), but let us never remain silent when "truth is fallen in the street" (Isa. 59:14). Dallas believes Promise Keepers is worthy of their pursuit and support. The question is, "What does God say?" (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

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