Prior to a consultation gathering at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Antelias, Lebanon on November 17–20, 2003, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Dr. Konrad Raiser said: “We need to capture the original spirit that led to the founding of the World Council of Churches in order to reassess and reflect changing times.” Christ did not recognize “reassess” or “time”, but Dr. Raiser cares not. And change to what? Worldliness in place of Christ’s words?

Dr.Raiser’s goal is a “universal world religion.”

The idea of a universal “world” church is nothing new. It has been the dream of the anti-Christ dark forces for centuries. Like all other false prophets who infiltrated the Christian religion by creating “fronts” or “disguises” by deceptively using the “kingdom of God.” Their kingdom was not pictured as a spiritual society into which men and women had to be born as individuals through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as savior, but rather as a collectivist society, which would be brought about by “eradication of poverty”, “redistribution of wealth”, “correction of industrial inequities”, bringing about “economic justice”, while creating chaos and class hatred.

The teaching of Christ and his apostles was not of “this world”. Jesus did not come to liberate the Jews from the Romans. It was not a political or economic liberation but rather the liberation of the sinner from the sin. Spiritual liberation was the savior’s goal. He did not need a world council of churches to change, improve or “reassess” his religion.

There are many examples of past participation and support of violence by The World Council of Churches. Just one example was the inauguration of a program in 1970 to combat racism. Using money from a special fund, the (WCC) funded 19 “liberation” movements in Africa. When examination was made of the groups to be funded, it was found that out of the 19 receiving aid, 14 were engaged in guerrilla and terrorist activities.

Throughout the history of the ancient Armenian Church there were always defenders that did not allow emperors, kings, tsars or World Council of Churches to change or desecrate its national church. They defended it with their lives.

Today the predominate Armenian National Church leaders are enamored with voices that ring about “changing times”, because it feeds their personal egos. The criterion for Christian leaders should not only be for oratorical skills but rather how devotedly they embrace Jesus Christ. Only fearless defenders, while raising the spirituality of the flock, must lead the Armenian National Church. Oh! Khrimian Hairik, where art thou?

Ardavast Avakian
ardavast@att.net
August 20,2003