Ecumenism: Another Gospel: Lausanne's Road to Rome

by E.S. Williams

The Lausanne Movement is a worldwide network committed to the cause of ‘world evangelization’, founded by two of the biggest names in Christianity, American evangelist Billy Graham and British theologian John Stott. The Movement, which was established in 1974 in Lausanne, Switzerland, has introduced a new way of doing evangelism that combines social activism with the message of salvation – called ‘evangelization’. Over the years the ecumenical ambitions of the Movement have become increasingly obvious, as many within it seek to work closely with the Church of Rome. Another Gospel provides evidence of how the Lausanne Movement, influenced by the compromised ideas of new evangelicalism and the liberal theology of Fuller Seminary, has moved away from sound biblical Christianity. The third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town (2010), which claimed to be the largest gathering of church leaders in history, proclaimed its love for the world’s poor, dealt with the role of women in church leadership, expressed concern about climate change, emphasised the importance of the arts in worship, and promoted social justice. Top of the agenda, however, was the concept of storytelling the Gospel and an oral Bible. Of concern is the influence that Lausanne’s unsound teaching is having on churches in the developing world, and on most missionary organisations worldwide. Well known theologians from the West, supported by Fuller Theological Seminary, are using the Lausanne platform to propagate a social agenda that compromises the Gospel of Truth.

158 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2014

About the author

Dr E S Williams was Director of Public Health for Croydon Health Authority for many years. He is the author of 'The Dark Side of Christian Counselling', 'Christ or Therapy?' and numerous research papers in medical journals.

Reviews

[Mark Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norman Vincent Peal loved Billy Graham's revivals because he (Peal) would get more church members. This speaks poorly of Mr. Graham. Compromise for the sake of unity is wrong. An observation, the higher criticism has always attacked the book of Deuteronomy. The Bible says the book was found in Temple during the time of Hezekiah. I believe the Bible and not the "experts."

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Minnesota. As such I became concerned when I heard of pastors from the Twin Cities actively promoting Lausanne methodologies, especially one known for "Christian hedonism."
(Search: "mega church pastor" Lausanne movement. )

This book pulls back the arts & programs (smoke & mirrors) to expose the roots of Lausanne, the influence of Fuller seminary, and warns readers of the deceptive practices coming out of this movement. My only critique of the book is that Williams could have gone further and named/described the Lausanne offshoot programs: Perspectives, Business as Missions, etc. These methods/programs are especially targeted at youth & cross cultural interactions. But this isn't surprising when you realize the goal of the Lausanne Movement isn't evangelism, but their own contrived word of evangelization. Anyone who has a heart to reach unsaved people in other cultures needs to read this book

Dr. Williams has a sermon on Sermon Audio which features many of the ideas from the book.
War on World Culture in Church
Confronting Secularism
Dr. E. S. Williams
Saturday, September 15, 2012