PROMISE KEEPERS
A new movement called PROMISE KEEPERS is sweeping our nation like a wildfire. Is it of God, or man? Will it solve the problems of those who have embraced its principles and teachings, or will it compound those problems? Can a Biblical answer be given to those important questions now, or is it best to withhold judgment until a later time? I believe it can be clearly shown thru this booklet, which contains the quotes, goals and philosophies of the men in leadership at PK (PROMISE KEEPERS), that it is definitely not of God. The reason this bible study was put together in the first place was to inform the Christians about what is really going on behind the scenes at PK. Our intent is not to “bash” PROMISE KEEPERS because we have some kind of personal “hate” against the PK organization. We don’t necessarily doubt the sincerity of the PK organization, but sincerity without truth does not please the Lord.
Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper is the title of a book published in 1994 by “Focus on the Family”, Colorado Springs, CO. and distributed in the USA and Canada by “Word Books”, Dallas, TX. It is key to the understanding of what PROMISE KEEPERS is trying to do. Contributing authors are: Bill Bright, Edwin Cole, Dr. James Dobson, Tony Evans, Bill McCartney, Luis Palau, Randy Phillips, Gary Smalley, Jack Hayford, Wellington Boone, Howard Hendricks, E. Glenn Wagner, Gary Oliver, Dale Schlafer, H. B. London, Jr., Philip Porter, and Gordon K. Weeden.
Although Bill McCartney is credited with founding PROMISE KEEPERS, today he is basically the figurehead. Randy Phillips is the president and administrative head of Promise Keepers. He has served as a senior pastor for five years, as an associate pastor for ten years, and led the Denver Broncos’ Bible study for two years. Phillips, like McCartney, is a former Roman Catholic. Both are also affiliated with the hyper-charismatic Vineyard movement–Vineyard churches emphasize the validity of “signs and wonders” for today and view miraculous displays of divine power as essential to the growth of the Church. (Incidentally, Phillips was also a speaker at apostate Robert Schuller’s 4/94 International Men’s Conference.)
PROMISE KEEPERS is making concerted efforts to bring their program into the local church body. Their success is evidenced by the fact that many churches have now assimilated various PK programs into their churches as a “springboard” for their local men’s ministries. Men have been specifically designated as PROMISE KEEPERS “Point (Key) Men”, who then aggressively recruit others. (The “Point Man” name was changed to “Key Man” in 11/95). PK “Ambassadors” have been positioned by PK between the field Ministry staff and the Key Men. Their function is to introduce PK to churches in the community and to recruit Key Men–“He carries the message of PK to his community, identifies potential Point (Key) Men, and encourages reconciliation across denominational and racial lines” (4/95 Men of Action).
The Ambassador Candidate booklet states that, “Because PROMISE KEEPERS is committed to building relational bridges, Ambassadors must avoid negative political, doctrinal, and denominational remarks and discussions”, and that if an Ambassador encounters “a church outside his personal comfort zone” in doctrine or culture, “he should remember he doesn’t have to answer every question” (pgs. 3 & 4). Nevertheless, the “walls of denominationalism” are difficult to break down--“this process may take six months to a year” (pg. 12).
Once a man is accepted to be a PK Ambassador, the cautions against standing for sound doctrine become even more specific. The Ambassador’s Instructional booklet warns the Ambassador that he no longer represents himself and his “personal stands on a doctrinal issue”, but instead represents PROMISE KEEPERS “unique mission” and is “participating in the task of uniting men”. The booklet gives “Some of the (doctrinal) issues that should not be addressed: Eternal security; The gifts of the Spirit; Baptism; Pre-tribulation or post-tribulation: Sacraments or ordinances” (pg. 10). The Ambassador is told that the PK’s Purpose Statement and Statement of Faith had been “carefully worded” in order to avoid doctrinal conflict. Of course, how else could it be accepted by Mormons and Catholics alike (see later in this study)? (Reported in the 11/95 The Berean Call)
This para-church, man-made organization is quickly surpassing the influence of the local church in our society. Secular writers are beginning to ignore the local church as the principal representative of the Christian ethic looking rather to PK and their leaders as that spokesman.
In a conversation with a PK representative, a man was criticized for calling his organization a “para-church” ministry. But when the man pressed the issue, he could not tell him the name of the local church which had authority over the group. He could not tell him which local church among the thousands which participate in their rallies, had commissioned such an organization. He could not tell him if PK is not a para-church ministry, why it has its own staff, its own budget (quickly approaching 100 million dollars), checking accounts, counselors, its own office complex, stationery, logo, its own fund-raising projects, ambassadors to local churches, board of directors, its own scheduled conferences and rallies in footballs stadiums and convention center rather than within the confines of a local church sanctuary or auditorium. These things would not be necessary if it were a ministry affiliated with and sanctioned by a particular church. We agree with what that inquiring man said and that is that PK is an unscriptural para-church organization! Pastors, you had better “wake up and smell the coffee”.
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
REVENUE:
Direct public support: $8,693,000
Program service revenue: $41,375,210
Interest: $1,040,402
Gross profit from inventory sales: $6,569,626
Other Revenue: $201,531
TOTAL: $57,879,769
EXPENSES:
Program services (Rallies/field ministry/communications): $41,082,949
Management and general: $6,189,265
Fund-raising: $2,062,191
TOTAL: $49,334,405
Excess revenue over expenses: $8,545,364
Net assets/fund balance 12/31/94: $6,761,925
Net assets/fund balance 12/31/95: $15,306,889
OFFICER/DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
PK President Randy was paid $104,496, plus $2,943 in benefits and $11,320 in allowances.
Founder and Board member Bill McCartney was paid $20,000 in honoraria for speaking at conferences while four of the other 14 Board members received similar honoraria totaling $30,272.
The corporation paid $2,943 for McCartney’s health insurance.
Phillips owed $6,750 as of Dec. 31 on an unsecured $15,000 loan from the corporation that remains interest-free while he remains employed by the corporation.
Glenn Wagner, vice president for national ministries, owed $1,500 as of Dec. 31 on an unsecured $4,000 load from the corporation that remains interest-free while he remains employed by the corporation.
OTHER PAYROLL INFORMATION:
Total payroll other than for corporate officers and directors totaled $11,009,837 for a staff that totaled 300 at the end of 1995. Among its highest paid employees, five vice presidents received pay and benefits ranging from $75,675 to $77,966.
Nine other employees received more than $50,000 in compensation. (Source: PROMISE KEEPERS 1995 IRS Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990)
DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION
Baptist: 34.1% (Baptist-23.9%; Southern Baptist-10.2%)
Independent Nondenominational: 13.5%
Charismatic/Pentecostal: 9.5%
Assembly of God: 5.9%
Various: 3.6% (Charismatic, Faith Christian Fellowship, Foursquare, Full Gospel, IFCA, Pentecostal, Vineyard)
OTHER IDENTIFIED DENOMINATIONS: 42.7%
Methodist/ United Methodist: 5.2%
Nazarene: 4.5%
Wesleyan: 1.8%
Christian Missionary Alliance: 1.7%
Lutheran (ELCA): 2.4%
Lutheran-Missouri Synod: 0.2%
Evangelical Free Church: 2.6%
Church of God: 1.6%
Evangelical: 0.3%
Bible Church: 3.5%
Evangelical Congregational: 0.2%
Berean: 0.4%
Presbyterian: 3.6%
Covenant: 0.5%
Reformed: 2.4%
Christian Church: 3.5%
Church of Christ: 1.2%
Mennonite: 1.6%
Brethren: 1.1%
Episcopal: 0.7%
Friends/Quaker: 0.5%
Other Protestant: 0.8%
Roman Catholic 2.2%
Other: 0.1%
(Source: National Center for Fathering survey of 1995 PROMISE KEEPERS rally attendees. Response was voluntary and not random. NCF has no contractual or financial relationship with PROMISE KEEPERS.)
ABOUT BILL McCARTNEY
Bill McCartney was a lifetime devout Roman Catholic who attended Mass daily until he visited the Boulder Vineyard Fellowship, liked the pastor’s preaching, and began attending there. He has never broken with the Catholic Church. In contrast, McCartney accepts Catholics as Christians and sees no reason to evangelize them. In his autobiography, From Ashes to Glory, McCartney admits that as a “daily communicant in the Catholic Church”, he “had never been encouraged to read the Bible, so ... knew nothing about the Word of God” and “had been totally without a clue about what it’s like to be a whole-hearted, committed Christian” (p. 110). Those statements alone condemn Catholicism!
He then tells what he apparently offers as his conversion story (Pgs. 110-113) and calls himself a “born-again Catholic”. In fact, it sounds like a “dedication” of his life to Christ, as though he thinks he was already saved and is confusing “sanctification” with “salvation”.
His next statement is even more confusing: “Making a profession of faith like I did may not be expected and may not even be important in the Catholic church.” This is an astounding declaration if he has just related how he got saved. No ex-Catholic who has come to faith in Christ as his Savior would ever say that. To do so would not be essential for other Catholics. In fact, he would insist that they, like all mankind, are lost and on their way to hell until they receive Christ and look to Him alone for their eternal salvation instead of to their Church and its sacraments.
Clearly McCartney has no such conviction. The above quotes are right from the mouth of the men in leadership at PROMISE KEEPERS. You decide for yourself if PROMISE KEEPERS is of God or man.
Here are some other McCartney quotes:
PROMISE KEEPERS not only erases doctrinal distinctives, but embraces and supports error. At the 1994 National Conference, Bill McCartney made it clear just how far PROMISE KEEPERS is willing to go with their doctrinal indifference and desire for “Christian” unity (quoted in the 9/19/94 Christian News): (Statements similar to the one made below were also made by McCartney at the 1994 Promise Keepers’ regional conference held in Portland, Oregon, and in the book Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, pp. 160-161). “Promise Keepers doesn’t care if you’re a Baptist. Are you born in the Spirit of God? Promise Keepers doesn’t care if you’re a Pentecostal. Are you born in the Spirit? Now hear this! Promise Keepers doesn’t care if you’re a Roman Catholic. Are you born into the Spirit of God?”
Should anyone doubt the fact that the Promise Keepers movement seeks an unbiblical unity, just read the words of its founder, Coach Bill McCartney, as found in the pages 160 and 161 of Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper says: “Now, I don’t mean to suggest that all cultural differences and denominational distinctives are going to disappear, but what I know is that Almighty God wants to bring Christian men together regardless of their ethnic origin.”
McCartney also stated at the 1994 National Conference that he thought perhaps the Lord’s main purpose for Promise Keepers was to gather His clergy. To hype this plan, McCartney held a revival-style “altar call” of sorts for pastors. All the pastors present among the 52,000 in attendance were asked to come down to the stage. All the people sang and yelled for ten minutes while about 3,000 pastors came forward. McCartney had all the pastors assembled in front of the stage turn and hold up their hands to the crowd and a blessing was pronounced on the people. Then the pastors turned an kneeled, and there were prayers said confessing sin for not carrying out their office faithfully, including “putting up barriers on account of denominational dogma”; i.e. a prayer asking for forgiveness for being a pastor who is not doctrinally indifferent! Some pastors there called this the “emotional high-light” of the weekend and “special”. (Reported in the 9/19/94 Christian News, p. 6)
Promise Keepers held a “1996 National Clergy Conference” (2/13/96 - 2/15/96) in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome stadium. The theme for the conference was “Fan the Flame”, because McCartney believes “God wants to bring revival to His church through its clergy” (2/26/96, Christian News, p. 10). The purpose of this gathering, according to McCartney, was to “tear the hearts of pastors wide open so that a single leadership can be produced”. He had hoped to “bring as many as 100,000 minsters and priests of all races together” (7/1/95 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p. C8). [Actual attendance was 38,914, which represented all 50 states and more than a dozen foreign countries: 600 in attendance were Roman Catholic priests.]
Scheduled speakers for the event were Jack Hayford, Joseph Stowell, Chuck Swindoll, and E.V. Hill. Also James Dobson’s Focus on the Family sponsored a three-hour evening reception for the attendees on 2/14/96. PK plans an even larger gathering for the autumn of this year to draft a manifesto on racial and denominational reconciliation, denominational background, or style of worship. There’s only one criterion for this kind of unity: “to love Jesus and be born of the Spirit of God. Can we look one another in the eye – black, white, red, brown, yellow, Baptist, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, Catholic [emphasis ours], and so on – and get together on this common ground”. We believe in salvation through Christ alone, and we have made Him the Lord of our lives? Is that not the central, unifying reality of our existence? And if it is, can we not focus on that and call each other brothers instead of always emphasizing our differences? Men, we have to get together on this!”
In this statement, McCartney’s contradictory words should be noted concerning the necessity of believing in salvation through Christ alone – and then including Roman Catholics as “brothers” in spite of the fact that they do not believe in salvation through Christ alone because they add sacraments and good works as requirements for salvation.
Catholic Religion says PK is OK!
As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the feeling is apparently mutual. The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is quite willing to welcome McCartney and friends back into fellowship with Romanism.
An article in the 3/15/95 The Tidings, an official publication of the L.A. Archdiocese, had this to say about Promise Keepers (“Promise Keepers’ among more fundamentalist and evangelical Christian communities but [is] now being expanded to include Catholic congregations,...at the urging of Cardinal Roger Mahony [of the L.A. Archdiocese]...has studied the feasibility and appropriateness of utilizing Promise Keepers at the Catholic parish level. [It was concluded that] there is no ‘doctrinal’ issue which should cause concern to the Catholic Church. Promise Keepers places a very strong emphasis on returning to your own church, congregation, or parish and becoming an active layman. There is no attempt at proselytizing or drawing men away from their faith to another church.” (Emphasis added.)
One Catholic who attended the Anaheim, California regional Promise Keepers conference in May of 1994 was so “inspired”, he brought “the concept back to his parish, which in turn sponsored a Promise Keepers seminar for 100 men, with presentation by local priests.”
The Los Angeles Archdiocese has concluded that “Promise Keepers can grow at the local parish level – without adversely impacting existing parish programs or finances”. In fact, the L.A. Archdiocese is quite confident that no Catholics will be lost to Protestant churches through Promise Keepers, since “one of the promises of the [Promise Keepers] program is to return [a PK participant] to [his] local church...”. Thus, Roman Catholic leaders are quick to observe how Promise Keepers can be used to build their own church which preaches a false gospel! [With this official Roman Catholic endorsement of Promise Keepers, the 5/5/95 - 5/6/95 Promise Keepers Los Angeles Men’s Conference drew in excess of 72,000 to the 100,000 seat Los Angeles Coliseum.]
The Catholic charismatic magazine New Covenant has also featured Promise Keepers. On the front cover of the 4/95 edition and in an article titled “Bands of Brother”, New Covenant cites Promise Keepers as a hope for bringing men back into the churches. (Reported in Media Spotlight, Vol. 16 - No. 1, “Promise Keepers Update”, pg. 3).
An article in the 7/23/95 Today’s Catholic titled “Promise Keepers’ Christian crusade draws Catholic men,” claims that Catholics have become very active in Promise Keepers. In fact, PK has even made a practicing Roman Catholic (Steve Jenkins) a PK Field Ministry representative for all of the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Jenkins used to be a computer salesman, but became involved in PK after attending the 1992 PK conference in Boulder, Colorado.
The same issue of Today’s Catholic also reported that an official PK Men’s Ministry Leadership Seminar was held in July of 1995 at Catholic Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, where 640 Catholic men attended. The conference closed with a Catholic mass performed by Steubenville’s president, priest Michael Scanlon.
Scanlon is a traditional Catholic. He believes the sacraments are necessary for salvation. He believes h an turn the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper into the very body and blood of Christ. He prays the rosary. He prays to Mary, hailing her as the “Mother of God” to any gullible “Protestants” who will listen. He is a participant in Promise Keepers. Every Catholic who accepts Roman Catholic doctrine believes that the church and the sacraments have a part in salvation. The New Catholic Catechism states: “The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation” (1129).
Romans 3:20 & 24 - "because by the works of the Law NO FLESH will be justified in His sight;...being justified as a gift of His grace through the redemption which is IN CHRIST JESUS;"
Romans 3:12 - "...There is NONE who does good; There is not even one." (Not even Mary.)
Words could not be plainer. Promise Keepers is being welcomed by Roman Catholic leaders in Southern California. According to the official publication of the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese, The Tidings, March 31, 1995 edition. Promise Keepers is now considered a viable ministry for Catholics.
The Tidings reported that at the urging of Cardinal Roger Mahony, Christian Van Liefde, Roman Catholic priest and pastor of St. Hillary Church in Pico Rivera, “has studied the feasibility and appropriateness of utilizing Promise Keepers at the Catholic parish level.” Van Liefde, while noting “the evangelical roots of the program”, was quoted as stating that “there is no doctrinal issue which should cause concern to the Catholic Church”. Van Liefde was further quoted as saying, “Promise Keepers places a very strong emphasis on returning to your own church congregation or parish and becoming an active layman”. Van Liefde also mentioned the fact that one of the promises of Promise Keepers is his commitment to “give generously of their time, treasure and talent to their local church”.
Roman Catholic leaders are quick to observe how Promise Keepers can be used to build a false church which preaches a false gospel. It is plain that traditional Roman Catholics believe the sacraments are necessary for salvation. Are traditional Roman Catholics participating in Promise Keepers?
PK founder Bill McCartney said plainly that Roman Catholics are invited to participate in Promise Keepers. He did not specify what kind of Roman Catholics. According to the December 1995 issue of the Charismatic Roman Catholic publication New Covenant, a Promise Keepers group is being formed in a Catholic parish in Tallahassee, Florida.
The July 23, 1995 issue of Today’s Catholic contains an article entitled “Promise Keepers Christian crusade draws Catholic men”. As for “salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone”, Roman Catholic apologists insist that this is what their church teaches. That is why it is not enough to simply “preach what is true” without pointing out error.
All Catholics agree that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again the third day and that “salvation” is received by grace. In addition, however, Catholicism teaches that “the graces and merits Christ won on the cross” can only be received by the individual through the sacraments of the Church, and then only in partial installments.
Ephesians 2:8 & 9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."
Romans 3:10 - "as it is written, 'There is NONE righteous, not even one;"
John 6:47 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who BELIEVES has eternal life."
According to the Catholic church, no one ever gets saved and has assurance of going to heaven. Even the pope lacks that assurance, as we have pointed out. Thus, even a clear gospel message at any Promise Keepers rally will likely be understood by Roman Catholics and Mormons because the truth of the gospel is not backed up with a clear definition of what is NOT part of the gospel.
Are these Roman Catholics confused about Promise Keepers’ doctrines and goals? Have they been misled? Why do they have the idea that Promise Keepers will accept them regardless of their false doctrine? I will tell you why? Because Promise Keepers has already accepted them and has made no issue of doctrine whatsoever. For Promise Keepers representatives to claim that they only desire unity among those who follow the true Gospel is a deception. To claim that Promise Keepers is not ecumenical is nonsense. To claim that its ecumenism is scriptural is also nonsense.
What the Mormons think of P.K.
Promise Keepers also has no problem involving Mormons in its meetings. While Mormon headquarters has no official position on Promise Keepers, many Mormon leaders generally agree with Promise Keepers seven promises and have privately praised the movement and commented on how attendance “has been a life changing experience for some of the Mormon men”.
Promise Keepers has given at least one presentation to a Reorganized Mormon church that was “very high” on the Promise Keepers and “would no doubt be going with it” since they had “no problem with it all”. ...It’s a wonderful program. The men at my church will be participating”. (Reported in the May/June 1995 PsychoHeresy Awareness Letter; Promise Keepers, Catholics, and Mormons...Together”, pp. 1 & 3).
(Chip Rawlings, a local Los Angeles lawyer and leader in the Palos Verdes Stake (a group of Mormon congregations), has publicly urged members to participate in PK. PK’s seven promises are “like something straight out of the men’s priesthood manual for the [Mormon] church”, he told the L.A. Times (5/6/95 article). It is interesting that Promise Keepers, while claiming to preach a non-doctrinal gospel at its rallies, finds acceptance even among Mormon leaders, whose theology and Christ-ology are aberrant (Mormons view Jesus as Satan’s brother, the product of the Father’s physical intercourse with Mary, who then attained Godhood as had His Father before Him).
John 10:30 - "I and the Father are one."
John 5:23 - "...he who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."
John 14:7-11 - "If you had known me, you would have known the Father also; from now on you know Him and have SEEN Him...Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me?...He who has SEEN Me has SEEN the Father; how do you say 'Show us the Father'?"
WHAT OTHER RELIGIONS ARE IN PK?
In keeping with the spirit of paganism, PK had a group of Cherokee Indians walk 168 miles from North Carolina to perform a name-giving ceremony. Since the highest honor that an Indian can receive is a name, the Indian’s Chief conferred names on Randy Phillips and Bill McCartney. Phillips was given an Indian name that means God’s Eagle, while McCartney received the name Victorious Warrior. Both were honored with Indian Headdress, a poem was read called “No More Broken Treaties”, and a former Indian Medicine Man, Peter Gray Eyes, prayed over Phillips and McCartney. What will PK come up with next? (Reported by Christian Interactive Network’s live coverage.)
What other PK leaders are saying.
Jack Hayford
For example, in the first chapter of the book, Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, Charismatic leader Dr. Jack Hayford sets forth some precious truths concerning the different aspects of worship a set forth in the Scriptures. However, when he writes about “Redeeming worship” on page 19, he teaches serious error. Hayford writes: “Redeeming worship centers on the Lord’s Table. Whether your tradition celebrates it as Communion, Eucharist, the Mass, or the Lord’s Supper, we are all called to this centerpiece of Christian worship.”
Jack Hayford, pastor of the Church on the Way in Van Neys, California, is on the board of directors of PK. He frequently speaks at PK stadium rallies. He writes for PK. It sounds like he is a busy man, but he is not too busy to also be one of the founders and first officers of Charismatic Bible Ministries, a leadership organization initiated by Oral Roberts in the mid-eighties. All but one or two of the “Word-Faith and Kingdom Now” teachers quoted in this publication are also trustees or officers on the CBM board.
Hayford is, in fact, the pastor of a man who says, “If we are not ‘little’ gods’, we will apologize to you in front of ten thousand times ten thousand before the Crystal Sea.” This man, who makes such heretical claims, is the earlier quoted Paul Crouch, president of TBN. The revealing news is that Crouch has been in good standing in Hayford’s church for years and is under no kind of discipline for his heretical teaching.
Hayford himself taught the “we are gods” error first in 1979, and the teaching was rebroadcast in 1986 on the Living Way radio program. Hayford has often shared the stage with New Agers and Catholic leaders in unity movements around the world. The point here is that Hayford is not the least squeamish about changing God’s Word or holding hands with New Agers that teach we are or can be gods.
Exodus 20:3 & 5 - (The First Commandment) "I am the Lord your God...you shall have no other gods before Me...for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God...".
James Ryle
Ryle, like Wimber, declares himself to be a modern prophet, and thus, claims to have many of the same “revelatory” powers claimed by Wimber. For example, at an 11/90 Vineyard Harvest Conference in Denver, Ryle asserted that God instructed him to reveal to the church that both the Beatles and their music were the result of a special anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that God was looking for others upon whom to place that anointing, supposedly to bring about a worldwide revival through music. Ryle said: “The Lord has appointed me as a lookout and shown me some things that I want to show you...The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘What you saw in the Beatles–-the gifting and the sound that they had––was from Me. ...It was My purpose to bring forth through music a worldwide revival that would usher in the move of My Spirit in bringing men and women to Christ. ...”
One should be leery of an “prophet” who discerns the demonic as anointed. [Speaking of delusions, one could also ask why Ryle was a speaker at apostate Robert Schuller’s 4/94 International Men’s Conference.]
James Ryle, on the board of directors of PK, is the pastor of both Bill McCartney and PK president Randy Phillips. Ryle has been listed among those affected by the Manifested Sons of God doctrine by Tarkowski (Christian Conscience”, February-August, 1995) and Leslie and Leslie (“The New Gnostics”, 1996). He is a loose cannon who believes the Lord is moving amongst the elite, the gnostics, who will quench all opposition who dare to question their teachings. He refers to those who hold fast to time-tested Bible teaching as the “graycoats”. The elite, who receive their doctrine through revelation experiences, are the “bluecoats”. His prediction of a bloody civil war between the two has been cited by the Toronto movement to scare off its critics.
Paul Cain
Paul Cain was introduced earlier in this publication as a well known and long-standing proponent of the Manifest Sons of God doctrine who offers inspiration and guidance to the Toronto movement. He performs the same role for PK. Between the Toronto craze and PK, he supposes that he is finally realizing his life-long dream of ‘Joel’s Army’ of god-men rising up to take dominion of the earth. He said at a 1995 pastor’s conference in Alabama: “I had a dream that became a recurring dream, and it was about all the stadiums–and we’ve told this hundreds and hundreds of times across America–and I saw these stadiums...all of them filled with thousands of people... We’re closer to it [the rising of Joel’s Army of god-men) than we’ve ever seen before. Who would think that there would be a group like Promise Keepers who’d already be setting the stage and filling stadiums.”
As a result of the attention the Toronto craze and PK give him. Cain is realizing another life-long dream, as well–that he is now being recognized as a pre-eminent Kingdom Age prophet. Cain’s group, the Kansas City Prophets, have often bragged to congregations about their frequent trips to heaven. But now, men and women who are falling all over themselves for the Toronto craze and PK are giving to Cain a ‘heretic’s heaven on earth’. Measured by the magnitude of his acceptance, he probably represents the farthest advancement of the Manifested Sons of God since the 1940's.
The goals and hype of the PK rally is uncomfortably close in description to the gnosticism described by Leslie and Leslie: “Essential to Gnosticism is a belief that one is part of an elite group, described as an ‘overcoming company’ that is evolving, or ‘becoming more and more perfected so that they will be able to drive Satan from the world’” (“The New Gnostics”, 1996, pg. 5).
Consistent with the goals of the army of god-men described in Dager’s previously cited analysis of Kingdom Now theology. McCartney describes the goals of PK as the entire reformation and cleansing of all of America’s evil. Does he really suppose that PK will be America’s savior?
The vision McCartney describes is perfectly in tune with Kingdom Now theology: “We have a great army assembling. They’re the Christian men in this nation. However, our leadership, our clergy are not in uniform. Our clergy are divided...Now listen to me men. February 12th, 13th, and 14th to me is not a coincidence that it comes over Valentine’s Day. I think we’re going to have another St. Valentine’s Day massacre. I think Almighty God is going to rip open the hearts of our leaders. I think He’s going to put them back together as one. One leadership. We’ve got to have one leadership, one leadership only” (Detroit PK rally, 1995). (Doesn’t this sound like a man who is eagerly waiting for the great religious, one world ruler, know as the Anti-Christ?)
We note that the second promise of the PK requires the dedication of a man to his mentors, so it is not the least surprising that McCartney should espouse the same doctrine as Hayford, Cain, or Ryle.
IN CONCLUSION
Based on the information detailed, it is evident that in addition to the well-known Seven Promises of Promise Keepers, there are three unwritten promises also being made and kept. The three unwritten promises are just that – unwritten. You will not find them directly stated in Promise Keepers’ books; nor do they appear in any of their talks, whether at the rallies or in smaller gatherings. It is doubtful, if asked, that the Promise Keepers would directly affirm or deny these three promises.
Nonetheless, Catholics, Mormons, and Reorganized Mormons know that the three unwritten promises exist and they trust the three promises will be kept. The three unwritten promises of Promise Keepers are very simply: 1. Promise Keepers will not violate your doctrines; 2. Promise Keepers will not proselytize your men; and 3. Promise Keepers will send men back to their parishes, churches, and wards.
If these three unwritten promises were not committed to and kept, why would Catholics, Mormons, and Reorganized Mormons encourage their men to participate? Would they send their men to rallies or meetings where their doctrines would be violated or their men would be proselytized and stolen from their parishes, churches, and wards? Absolutely not! And, that is what we were told in speaking to numerous Catholics, Mormons, and Reorganized Mormons.
The March-April 1996 issue of the respected Foundation magazine reported the following relevant bit of information: “Some people find it difficult to believe that Roman Catholics are actually participants in the Promise Keepers movement, but it is true. A Promise Keepers Wake Up Call brochure distributed in San Louis Obispo, California urges pastors, churches and their men to attend special rallies during March, one of which is to be held at the St. Rose Catholic Church in Paso Robles, California. This fact was confirmed with a phone call to the local PK area leader.
So, what have you decided? Is Promise Keepers of God? The facts make it pretty obvious. There is no way a person can be both an obedient, God-fearing, biblical man of God and be a member of Promise Keepers.
Galatians 1:6 & 7
"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ."
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord..."
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GOOD NEWS BIBLE CHURCH
718 Riverspring Dr.
Prentice, WI 54556
(715) 428-2075