By Marsha West
Christians cannot take that good impulse and then baptize an ecumenical mess where Protestants, Rome, hyper-charismatic prophets-for-profit, Jews, and whatever other religious representatives happen to be available all join hands as though we are praying to the same God through the same mediator with the same gospel. We are not. ~ The Dissenter
I’m taking a well-deserved victory lap here. In 2010, I alerted my readers that NAR wolves were infiltrating what was then known as the Religious Right. The scent of a wolf is easy to detect, even when you’re not sniffing around. I was not. Yet there they were, roaming around the grounds of the White House and scratching at the back door, hoping that someone from the kitchen staff would open it and whisk them inside.
Wolves Are Inside The House!
I’ll begin this piece with a warning: There is a war going on in America that you may not have heard about. No, not a war with a Middle Eastern enemy. The conflict is between two opposing factions of what has been dubbed Christian Nationalism. It’s a long story—too lengthy to explain here–so for now I’ll whittle it down to a single issue: ecumenism.
In short, ecumenism is “achieving universal church unity,” the goal being to set aside differences of which there are many and promote unity among the world’s Christian churches. According to GotQuestions.com:
Ecumenism can also be defined more broadly: “a movement that promotes worldwide unity among all religions through greater cooperation.” For example, a Catholic priest may invite a Muslim imam to speak in his pulpit, or a church may get together with a Hindu temple to hold a joint prayer service. Defined this way, ecumenism is definitely wrong. We are not to be “yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14; see also Galatians 1:6–9). Light and darkness have no fellowship with each other.
Note that GQ, a Chistian website, applies scriptures to show what the Bible says.
Continuing….
the important question is this: are ecumenical ventures right and biblical? Should we be involved with other “Christians” in joint ventures locally, nationally, or internationally? The answer is not absolute. Of course, unity among true Christians is important (Psalm 133:1; John 17:22). But what if some of those who profess Christianity actually deny certain fundamentals of the faith? One must consider each situation individually.
….
There is a major emphasis in our day on ecumenical unity among evangelicals and Roman Catholics. Those who promote such unity state that both groups are Christian and both are God-honoring systems of faith. But there are substantial differences between the two groups. Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are two different religions that practice and believe different things about how one is saved, the authority of the Bible, the priesthood of believers, the nature of man, the work of Christ on the cross, etc. The list of irreconcilable differences between what the Bible says and what the Roman Catholic Church says make any joint mission between the two impossible. Those who deny this are not being true to what they say they believe, no matter which side they are on. Any Catholic who is serious about his faith will reject what a serious evangelical Christian believes, and vice-versa.
One of the draws of ecumenism is that often theologically divergent groups are passionately like-minded regarding certain issues. Biblical Christians usually hold a strong pro-life stance, a traditional view of the family, a conviction to care for the homeless and sick, and a desire to see justice in the world. Other groups, which may have unbiblical theology, can hold the same social positions. Thus, the temptation to pool resources in pursuit of a common cause is sometimes great. This leads to the next question.…Scripture gives clear guidance as to how Bible-believing Christians are to live. Colossians 3:17 states our purpose…Regarding our interactions with the lost, [Jesus makes that clear in] Matthew 5:16. Matthew 28:18–20 and 1 Corinthians 2:2 make the gospel our top priority. All that we do is to bring glory and honor to God, we are to live in good works before a lost and dying world, and we must bring to the world the life-changing message of the gospel. Sharing the death and resurrection of Christ brings glory to God and should motivate our interaction with the world.
Regarding ecumenical ventures, we need to ask whether or not these goals are being pursued. Often, sharing the gospel becomes an afterthought, if it is even thought of at all. In place of the gospel, ecumenism tends to focus on political and social messages. Rather than seek to transform hearts, ecumenical endeavors often seek to transform environments—political, social, or financial. The ultimate goal of our actions should be the salvation of lost sinners (Ephesians 2:1–3). The angels of heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). There is nothing in the Bible that says the angels rejoice when a law is passed, when a well is dug, or when a street is paved. (Not that there is anything wrong with accomplishing those things, but they cannot be allowed to overshadow the gospel.) As we contemplate ecumenical ventures, we need to make sure God’s kingdom is being expanded through evangelism. (Source)
As stated above, uniting with those who teach a false gospel, or to hold a prayer vigil, or to band together for political, social, financial or environmental conferences is not sanctioned by God. Moreover, ecumenical gatherings are NOT glorifying to God.
Evangelicals Uniting With False Teachers
[Paul] warns of “savage wolves” (v. 29)-a term borrowed from Jesus (Mt 7:15; 10:16). This metaphor stresses the extreme danger false teachers pose to the church. “From among your own selves” (v. 30). Even more deadly than attacks from outside the church are the defections of those (especially leaders) within the church (1Ti 1:20; 2Ti 1:15; 2:17; Jude 3, 4, 10-13). These wolves would speak “perverse things.” The Greek word means “distorted” or “twisted.” False teachers twist God’s Word for their own evil ends (13:10; 2Pe 3:16). ~ John MacArthur Daily Bible, entry on July 18 [HT Elizabeth Prata]
According to a 2010 piece over at Discernment Research Group (DRG), self-proclaimed “prophet” Cindy Jacobs of Generals International (can you hear me rolling my eyes) was part of “The Awakening 2010” conference that year. The awakening that never happened was hosted by The Freedom Federation. DRG reveals the names of others who were featured at the conference including Christian Political Right leaders such as Tony Perkins, Richard Land, Wendy Wright and Samuel Rodriguez plus NAR self-proclaimed apostles and prophets Rick Joyner, Ken Blackwell, Lou Engle and many more Christian cultural leaders. DRG informs:
“This rise to fame was apparently planned for some time because Cindy Jacobs, along with the other self-anointed self-appointed “apostolic elders” of the NAR, in October 2009, predicted a “Third Great Awakening” for 2010. They also “prophesied” their involvement in the rising Tea Party Movement, which they claim is the formation of “a new third political party.” [Jacobs prophesied]: Over the next years in the United States there will be a new third political party that will arise. The Lord is preparing His leadership for this party that will come out of the citizens of the United States groaning under the corruption of the old guard. Many leaders are being tested and tried in the fire right now who will take leadership in due time, for it will begin not so much as a political party but a movement. The movement will become a party in time. (Source)
Running on the “Great Awakening” plank, Cindy Jacobs hosted a third annual Convergence conference, “Convergence: A Cry to Awaken a Nation,” held on March 4-6, 2010 in Cedar Hill, Texas, and described its theme as to “see the nation experience a Great Awakening that turns us back to God.” This conference featured Janet Porter, who coordinated the May Day 2010 event at the Lincoln Memorial with the assistance of Mike and Cindy Jacobs who “helped us to birth the idea of May day.” Convergence 2010 also featured Lance Wallnau, who is the chief promoter of the 7 Mountain scheme for Dominion.
In 2010 Lance Wallnau was getting warmed up to infiltrate the White House with the intention of taking “dominion” over societal institutions and government. And once this is accomplished the plan is to assume control of the kingdoms of this world and build a literal Kingdom of God on earth. Then what, you ask? Apostles and prophets will rule and reign as kings over the Kingdom they’ve established.
NAR clowns aim high.
More from DMG…
Cindy Jacobs’ prayer activities are totally interconnected to her political commitment to the “7-M Mandate” of social transformation, which she has described aggressively as “His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven… we need to understand that every sector of society needs to be governed by the knowledge of God…. Generals are strategists. And so we as generals have these different mountains of society that we want to take systematically. And some of you will fit on each of these mountains…. You will become the principals of the universities on the education mountain. You will write the textbooks that are read. The law of God becomes the law! God is calling his next generation to be the heads of nations….”
The Great Awakening campaign theme continues right into election season, as another conference planned by Cindy Jacobs is timed just before the elections. The “Open Heavens Conference” is scheduled for October 21-23 in Melville, New York, and it is billed as “Releasing the Apostolic & Prophetic.” Its stated purpose is similar to that of all of the other conferences – a Great Awakening – The Church is in a very critical hour. Not only is the moral foundation of America fractured, but the moral foundation of the Church co fractured as well. The Church has a mandate to be spiritual salt and light. In order to see God’s Kingdom advance in the earth, the Church is in a desperate need of another Great Awakening.
All of this above represents mere snippets, randomly collected small pieces of evidence that the planned “Great Awakening” is nothing more than a scheme to take Dominion over various segments of American culture and society. Elsewhere around the world, there is increasing evidence that the self-anointed self-appointed apostolic networks are coming out into the open and claiming their “destiny” to rule the nations.
This pompous and grandiose scheme might be funny, or whimsical, or even the farcical stuff that comedies are made of, if it weren’t for the fact that these men (and women) have gained great ground and credibility in certain political circles. One might ask why no one is pointing out that these “emperors have no clothes” this is all so patently absurd. Nevertheless, these men (and women) have stated that in order to access God and His will, one must go through them. To obey them is to obey God. And to stand back and permit these leaders their positions of mountainous power, is to further the “kingdom of God on earth,” they say.
Back in 2012, I wrote a column titled Should Christians hold prayer vigils with apostates? where I examined syncretism’s encroachment into the visible Church. Syncretism occurs when different beliefs or practices are blended to create something new—in short, when ingredients are mixed without a recipe. (I used the metaphor of grocery shopping for “syncretism stew” ingredients.) Ecumenism primarily focuses on Christian unity, such as efforts to unite Christians and Muslims through interfaith dialogue. “While both deal with religion, syncretism is broader, encompassing culture and philosophy. Ecumenism is more specifically focused on Christian unity, though it can extend to interfaith dialogue.”
In that piece I identified Christian Political Right do-gooders and organizations that helped concoct a batch of syncretism stew. Then they served their slop to innocent little lambs. Not surprisingly, some of them promoted and participated in interfaith dialogue. Many of you will find what I said here…
Syncretism slithered into the Church through liberalism. But well intended evangelical conservatives who make up a large part of pro-family groups are also responsible. In their desperation to “bring America back to God” groups such as the American Family Association, Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, Americans for Working Families, Wall Builders, Traditional Values Coalition, Liberty Council and Concerned Women for America reached out to a slew of controversial Christians (false teachers), including men and women in theological cults! And they’re routinely invited to participate in spiritual and political endeavors — including prayer rallies!
Over the years religious renegades have shared a platform with GOP candidates, congressmen, entertainers, heads of pro-family groups, and other conservative superstars. Now, I’m not saying that people on stage with renegades share their beliefs; what I’m saying is that when highly regarded leaders unite with word-faith/health & wealth/prosperity gospel heretics, the public sees it as an endorsement!
In 2026 some of these people are still around. Some of them have passed away; some of the organizations are now defunct; some people continue in their role as influencers. Meaning? They have the Trump administration’s ear, including Paula White-Cain, Donald Trump’s spiritual adviser, who now holds the title Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office. More on this NAR wolf here.
Two decades ago, DMG bloggers and many other discernment bloggers gave the visible Church fair warning. They were not prophets and never claimed to be, but they understood what was coming. Having no fear of man, they LOUDLY proclaimed: Wolves are coming! Wolves are coming!….RUN!
I’ll close with a reminder from Mathew Henry who wrote the six-volume biblical commentary Exposition of the Old and New Testaments. Following is Henry’s comment on Deuteronomy 13:1-5. But before we get to that, following is what God says:
“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. (emphasis added)
Now to Matthew Henry’s comment on biblehub.com:
Moses had cautioned against the peril that might arise from the Canaanites. Here he cautions against the rise of idolatry among themselves. It is needful for us to be well acquainted with the truths and precepts of the Bible; for we may expect to be proved by temptations of evil under the appearance of good, of error in the guise of truth; nor can any thing rightly oppose such temptations, but the plain, express testimony of God’s word to the contrary. And it would be a proof of sincere affection for God, that, notwithstanding specious pretences, they should not be wrought upon the forsake God, and follow other gods to serve them.
Further Research
Naming Names of those who participate in ecumenical events
TPUSA’s “Faith Forward Pastors’ Summit” on March 18-20, 2025.
The event was held at Jentezen Franklin’s Free Chapel church in Gainesville, GA, and featured the following speakers:
Charlie Kirk, Lucas Miles, Jentezen Franklin, Dr. Ben Carson, Matt Walsh, John Bevere, Samuel Rodriguez, Eric Metaxas, Riley Gaines, John Amanchukwu, Allen Jackson, Rob McCoy, Megan Basham, Virgil Walker, Joshua Broome, Lorenzo Sewell, Billy Hallowell, Ryan Helfenbein, Lance Wallnau, among others.
TPUSA Faith event involving 1000 pastors took place from May 24-25, 2023, in Nashville, TN and featured:
“TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, Riley Gaines, Dave Ramsey, Rob McCoy, Jentezen Franklin, Eric Metaxas, Allen Jackson, Frank Turek, James Lindsay, E.W. Jackson, Michael Knowles, Danny Gokey, Troy Maxwell, Russell Johnson, Steve Berger, Kevin McGary, Kelly Shackelford, Scott Macleod, Michael Chandler, Michael Oher, John Amanchukwu, David Engelhardt, David Barton, Ian Gilchrist, Pierre Wilson, Leanne Matthesius, Raleigh Washington, Lily Hate, Michael O’Fallon, Chad Connelly, Bill Federer, Victoria Robinson, Clint Mosley, Rich Green, and Pete Hegseth.”
Related
The Next Great Awakening. . . – Herescope
Dominionism, Kingdom Now: NAR’s Heretical Eschatology by Masha West
Why Evangelicals and Catholics Cannot be “Together” by Mike Riccardi
President Trump appoints Paula White, who has been rubbing shoulders with NAR ne’er do wells for decades, to head new faith office by Marsha West
NAR extremism: Why don’t leading apostles call it out? by Holly Pivec