Wake Up, Bright, And Early!
Here again we have more evidence, for those Christians who are still skeptical about the ecumenical and interfaith agenda of Bill Bright and Campus Crusade For Christ, that he is well off the path of orthodoxy. His participation in Awakening 2000 is a case in point.
The following information is taken from the Awakening 2000 web page (no longer available online). Here is the statement at the top of the Awakening 2000 page:
"Awakening 2000 will challenge people of all faiths to grow spiritually. Regardless of our diverse faith traditions, there is a consensus that human dignity comes from God and is worthy of our utmost respect, and this consensus must be celebrated. Awakening 2000 seeks to build a better Florida, one heart and soul at a time."
Some questions need to be asked.
How can people from all faiths "grow spiritually" if they do not know and believe in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him based on His death on the cross and by His grace through faith in Him alone? What "god" are they talking about here? Surely the "god" of the Hindus and Buddhists is not the "God" of Scripture. Neither is it the "god" of the Catholics who they now claim is of a triune nature with Mary and whose son dies each time the Mass is celebrated. But then I guess Bill Bright has no problems with the Mass since he celebrated it with the Pope awhile back himself. He was also one of the original signers of the now infamous "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" document.
Some of the people who attended the "Summit Of Faith" in support of the Awakening 2000 were as follows:
"Florida Governor Jeb Bush; Lt. Governor Frank Brogan; U.S. Senator Bob Graham; Senate President Toni Jennings; Speaker of the House John Thrasher; Chief Justice Major Harding, Florida Supreme Court; Attorney General Bob Butterworth; Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford; Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher; Secretary of State Katherine Harris; Comptroller Robert Milligan; Insurance Commissioner Bill Nelson; Lynda Bell, President Florida Right to Life; Dr. William Bright, President Campus Crusade for Christ; Mr. Alvah Chapman; Rabbi Mitch Chefitz Havurah of South Florida; John Delaney, Mayor of Jacksonville; Archbishop John C. Favalora Miami, Catholic; Bishop John Howe Central Florida, Episcopal Bishop Stephen Jecko; NE Florida, Episcopal Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin; President, Barry Univ.; Bishop John Ricard, Pensacola -Tallahassee, Catholic; Rev. Walter Richardson, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist; Rabbi Solomon Schiff, Miami Jewish Federation; Steven Uhlfelder, Holland & Knight"
Notice the presence of rabbis and Catholic priests.
Here is a list of their common goals:
"PRAY each day"
A good thing to do if you are praying to the Triune God who sent His Son to die once and for all, who is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Otherwise your prayers are to the wrong "god".
"FORGIVE others, and seek to be forgiven when we fail God and others"
Forgiveness is essential, but which "god" are they talking about failing. It is a good thing to fail the "god of this world".
"RENEW FAMILY relationships, particularly with family members who are difficult to love or forgive"
Always a good idea.
"RESPECT LIFE and confront death"
The only way to "confront death" is to be born again.
"HONOR ELDERS and promote civility in our all our dealings"
Should we honor elders in the cult groups? In Satanist religions? When they are leading people astray? When they are abusing young people?
"REACH OUT to those most in need, particularly those who are unloved and unwanted"
Clearly a Biblical mandate.
"SMILE as a simple means of spreading peace"
Peace does not come as a result of a "smile" but as a result of being a new creation in Christ and obeying Him as Lord.
"SACRIFICE make some daily sacrifice as a sign of this commitment and as an offering to God"
The Bible says: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (1 Sam. 15:22) Perhaps it would be better to obey the Lord, Mr. Bright, and get away from those who are not living in obedience to the Lord. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14)
