Many are unaware of the historical roots of this evangelistic method.  As a true born-again Christian, have you ever wondered why Catholics in the Third World can simultaneously practice voodoo or other animistic religions?  Larry Casso, an ex-Catholic, provides the answer:

"In 1540, during the great Reformation, The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) founded by Ignatius Loyola was given Papal sanction, and was to play a large part in the Catholic counter-reformation. Their motive was 'All for the glory of God' and meant to them the extension of God's kingdom on earth [a form of Amillennialism], which of course was the Roman Church represented by the Pope. Their methods were varied but their greatest success was in the field of educational propaganda. Remarkable results were attained, but only at the expense of unethical procedures. Jesuit casuistry stands in the forefront of their subtle approach. Their doctrine of 'Intentionalism' simply taught that the end justifies the means.

Regarding the Jesuit's missionary methods, Casso quotes from the book Sketch of Missions, written in 1819 by Miron Winslow:

"By the compromising plan which they adopted, it was easy to bring the heathen to embrace their doctrines. They made it an object to effect a coalition between the Catholic system and the schemes of paganism, by magnifying any apparent similarity between them, and by softening down the manifest points of difference."

In contrast to the Apostle Paul's standard in which converts "turn to God from idols" (see 1 Thessalonians 1:7-9), the Jesuits' method above did not require converts to reject error, only embrace Rome and Catholic dogma.  So it is today, many employ evangelistic methods which only require converts to embrace their "Gospel" without the convert understanding or rejecting errors held.  As with the Jesuits, it is erroneous to assume that in time the error will be rejected.

Most serious, the non-denominational approach opens the door of the church to the new phenomenon of postmodern relativism (5) and the growing inclusivist spirit here at the end of the age.   Non-denominational policies create and contribute to a vexing atmosphere both within churches and the community.  Their philosophy of infrequently or never pointing out doctrinal error sends a message to those in the pews that all denominations are either a) equally valid, or b) equally invalid, and to differ with others over articles of faith (doctrine) is offensive and intolerant.  Further, to state that the beliefs of certain denominations or religions are wrong while others are right is today viewed as arrogant.  These folks inconsistently maintain that we can know moral absolutes, but take the opposite position on matters of doctrine!   Further, the common psychological appeal of the non-denominational position is that it claims to be above (to transcend) religious disagreement and conflict--beautiful music in the ears of a feminist and postmodern society.  However, this opens the door of the church to yet another heresy...Gnosticism. (5) and the growing inclusivist spirit here at the end of the age.   Non-denominational policies create and contribute to a vexing atmosphere both within churches and the community.  Their philosophy of infrequently or never pointing out doctrinal error sends a message to those in the pews that all denominations are either a) equally valid, or b) equally invalid, and to differ with others over articles of faith (doctrine) is offensive and intolerant.  Further, to state that the beliefs of certain denominations or religions are wrong while others are right is today viewed as arrogant.  These folks inconsistently maintain that we can know moral absolutes, but take the opposite position on matters of doctrine!   Further, the common psychological appeal of the non-denominational position is that it claims to be above (to transcend) religious disagreement and conflict--beautiful music in the ears of a feminist and postmodern society.  However, this opens the door of the church to yet another heresy...Gnosticism.

1. Promotional literature may contain something like the following statement, "We are a non-denominational church composed of people of many church backgrounds."   However, upon investigation, one typically finds that the "many" are overwhelmingly Arminian and non-dispensational.  Nearly always, the minister or pastor's theological beliefs will allow for cooperation with several questionable religious organizations and movements.  For example, see the following:

   Promise Keepers - http://withchrist.org/promises.htm

   Vineyard Churches - http://withchrist.org/vineyard.htm

   Campus Crusade for Christ - http://withchrist.org/CCC.htm

   Misplaced Faith - http://withchrist.org/misplace.htm

   The New Gnostics - http://www.netins.net/showcase/conscience/pk/pagan_3.htm

2. Nearly all of Christendom suffers from the errors of the Reformation.  Theologian L. S. Chafer wrote: "The Reformers did not restore all features of doctrine, and along with justification by faith retained the Catholic notion that the Church is the Kingdom, fulfilling the Davidic Covenant, and appointed to conquer the world by bringing it under the authority of the Church. Israel has never been the Church, is not the Church, nor will she ever be the Church. Covenant Theology, in consistency with its man-made premise, asserts its inventions respecting an Old Testament Church, which, it is claimed, is an integral part of the New Testament Church and on the ground that, since God's grace is one unchanging attribute, its accomplishments must be the realization of one standard ideal.  The Covenant theory does retain Israel as such to the time of Christ's death.  The Church is thought to be a spiritual remnant within Israel to whom all Old Testament blessings are granted, and the nation as such is allowed to inherit the cursings.  Reformed theology, which has molded the major theological concepts for many generations, recognizes no distinction as to ages, therefore can allow for no distinctions between law and grace.  This dominating attitude of Covenantism must account for the utter neglect of life-truth in all their works of theology.  No more representative theological dictum from the Covenant viewpoint has been formed than the Westminster Confession of Faith, which valuable and important document recognizes life-truth only to the point of imposing the Ten Commandments on Christians as their sole obligation, this in spite of the teachings of the Pauline Church Epistles which assert that the law was never given to Gentiles or Christians, and that the latter has been saved and delivered from it--actually dead to it (Galatians 2:19)."  Further, see CHRISTIANITY in CONTRAST - Man-Centered vs. Moses-Centered vs. Christ-Centered Christianity. - http://withchrist.org/truth.htm.

3. Some members of Your Local Community are likely to or have been affiliated with the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement - http://withchrist.org/campbellites.htm,  (Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Christian Church).  These Arminian denominations teach a form of  baptismal remission or regeneration (a heretical error) and have been involved in ecumenicism for years -- e.g., Max Lucado.

4. See THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE - http://withchrist.org/unholy.htm, for an in-depth review of this error.

5. Most Christians are familiar with the terms "situational ethics" and "moral relativism." However, postmodern relativism is different from the terms above.   Christians are just beginning to understand this new cultural phenomenon.   Indications of its presence in the church was identified in a recent Gallup poll.   While 88 percent of evangelical believers believe that "the Bible is the written word of God, accurate in all it teaches," 53 percent of the same respondents believe "there is no such thing as absolute truth."  Christian philosophy professor Douglas Groothuis, in his book Truth Decay page 111, identifies postmodernist influence upon the church such that "Community should take precedence over doctrinal propositions."  Surprisingly, the concepts of objectivity and reason are being abandoned by so-called evangelical Christians.  What is postmodernism?  Read this short introductory article: Postmodernism: The 'Spirit of the Age' - http://www.xenos.org/essays/relrev2.htm by Jim Leffel.

6. By way of contrast, take a look at so-called "tolerance" today, see The Redefining of Tolerance - http://withchrist.org/toleranc.htm