To be able to say that the Promise Keepers have some strong points is easy to do. But, many organizations can say that. That, alone, does not justify participation in those organizations, however, To be a part of them because they do some good requires one to make some compromises. In the case of the Promise Keepers, they endorse error, that which is blatantly at odds with plain New Testament teaching.
In the first of the seven "promises" they promote, they teach that Promise Keepers respond to the Lord in worship, prayer, and obedience to His will being empowered by the Holy Spirit. An in depth study of John 4:20-24 does not teach that the Holy Spirit moves an individual to worship, prayer and obedience. It is the will of the individual, having been moved into action out of the love God has shown for him, which moves one to worship, prayer, and obedience. If not, how do we then account for some not being empowered by the Holy Spirit? Is God/the Holy Spirit a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)?
Number two of their "promises" teaches that a man needs help from other men before he can keep His promises. Why is that so? Where is the scripture that teaches a man is likely not to live true to his commitments to his wife, family, Lord, church, etc., unless there are a few other men in his life to assure fidelity? The Christian's commitment to truth, honor, and integrity (things which lie at the heart of his relationship with heaven) should assure that he will live true to his vows and commitments. Christians should be encouragers of one another and they should not have to be a part of some man-made organization to do that. To suggest that one must have a Promise Keeper friend in his life before he can or will keep his promises is a terrible indictment of the church and one's relationship with the Lord. It was Paul who said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).
The third of the "promises" has to do with purity, both morally and spiritually. Moral and ethical purity in life is abundantly taught in the New Testament (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 4:8; I Thessalonians 5:22; I Timothy 5:22; Titus 1:15,16; among many others). Why does one have to be a "Promise Keeper" before keeping his promises when his commitment to God's Word demands that of him? Moral and ethical failure implies sin! Sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and the wages of it is death (Romans 6:23). Can I not live the spiritual life to the best of all levels because of my love for God, appreciation of His willingness to redeem me at such terrible cost, and because I know what sin is capable of doing for me here and in the hereafter? Can I not live a morally pure life and an ethically upright life without the help of another man? The scriptures teach that I can.
Spiritual purity is purity which is brought about by respecting and submitting to God's Word. This is a funny thing for the Promise Keepers to be promoting because in some easily documented areas they can be shown to be false teachers. They talk spiritual purity, but in reality, do not practice it. Why be a part of a man-made group which speaks of the importance of God's Word, but then distorts the obvious teaching on very vital subjects, such as salvation and the oneness of the church? This is a very critical area of compromise Christians must make to become a part of the Promise Keepers.
NO! Christians should not be a part of that movement, for a variety of reasons!
The next installment on this subject will look to the other "promises" advocated by this group.
--Charlie T. Garner |