Promise Keepers:
An Example of Parachurch Paradigm
of Extrabiblical Authority

by Dr. John Murphy

         World magazine, a conservative news weekly, has published an article written by one of its regular editors entitled, "Promise Keepers' parachurch paradigm" [March 2, 1996]. The author, Joe Maxwell, is admittedly pro-PK and has, according to the magazine's publisher, been involved in their activities.
         The article seeks to be as objective as humanly possible, given the author's stated bias. That's all any of us can do. However, although Mr. Maxwell raises issues that might be construed to be adverse to the PK movement, he fails to anchor them within the proper context of orthodox theology, leaving a less discerning reader with the impression that such issues carry no more weight than opposing points of view.
         While I will not attempt an in-depth critique of Mr. Maxwell's article, I should point out that Mike Horton has thoroughly dealt with such issues as "unity in diversity" and Unity as a function of anything but Doctrine in his magazine, Modern Reformation [Issue #26], when he wrote against a similar ecumenical movement between certain evangelical leaders and their peers within the Church of Rome.
         Mr. Maxwell's article is revealing as it exposes the core values of this fast-growing movement known as "Promise Keepers." He draws out the usual arguments concerning its competitive effect on the local church, the lack of well-grounded theology and the fact that it tries to unite people in a superficial way, based on their relationship with "Jesus" alone. What is absent is not only a discussion of which "Jesus" these men might be "relating" through, but a developed discussion of the Authority of the local church -- a point of relevance when speaking about any parachurch organization.
         Mr. Maxwell quotes a leader of PK as saying, "Send men to our seminars where we will help to equip them to come back to your church and give direction and encouragement and build an effective men's ministry." How do we square such words with those of the Apostle Paul's in Ephesians 4:11-16? There, we are told how God will "build up" and "perfect" (bring to maturity) the saints -- within the local church by those He brings to that local body to be "over them" [1 Peter 5:2]. It is the Elders who have been given Authority, the "keys to the kingdom," and to whom the ministry of the word and prayer (for their flock) has been entrusted -- not to men outside the local body, outside the divinely ordained Authority of that body.
         Yes, PK is truly another paradigm. The question is: is it a biblical paradigm? Do we see the lines of authority ordained by God? I think not. That it meets needs, there is no doubt. However, when we have our needs met by unbiblical means, are we to assume the Lord's favor? "But," you might say, "PK does good; it addresses issues men need to face." And I would concur. But that is merely justification based on pragmatic principles -- not biblical principles. God knows our needs and He has revealed how those needs are to be met.
         What's sad is that, for the most part, the men behind this movement and the men attending its meetings are seeking to be more holy in their lives. They are men who sense that something is lacking in their walk with God, in their families and in their churches. But, we can't please God in the flesh and that's what this movement is all about -- pleasing God by our own efforts. When the "Hoorah's" are over and dad is back to being "Dad"; when the burnouts take effect from attending support group meetings and trying to live up to God's standards man's way, the walls will come tumblin' down. Families will feel it and the ride will be over... until the next circus comes to town.
         The needs these men express are real. The problem is that, in some cases, the men feeling those needs feel them because Jesus Christ does not inhabit their souls. In the Arminian-dominated evangelical churches, too many have walked the isle and thought they found salvation when all they really did was make a "decision for Christ." Others, indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, have languished in churches which have merely fed them dispensational and arminian pablum. They are malnourished! The "needs" they feel are the pangs of hunger! They need to feed on Puritan literature, good expository preaching and orthodox principles derived through the ages within the confines of the reformed traditions set by those godly men who first threw off the shroud of Papist heresies and started us back on this road to the "faith once and for all delivered to the saints."
         They need to familiarize themselves with the historical, creedal statements made by these men. There, they will indeed find the answers they so need to hear. There, they will find solid food for their souls which, when digested and eaten with their brethren within the walls of their own local church, will begin to produce the long-lasting effects only transformation from within, by His power, can produce [Phil. 2:13 w/ Rom 12:2]. That's the real transformation!
         The answer, then, for these men is this: Men, your needs are real. If you aren't growing in the areas of biblical sexuality within your church, don't seek answers outside the means established by God. Rather, seeks out a church that is carrying on the spirit of Reformation within its walls. Place yourself under the authority of those shepherds and begin to thrive as a Man, a Father, Husband, Provider and Son -- as a child of the living God! It is only by "rooting" ourselves by the stream of living waters that we will bear fruit in season [Psalm 1]. Christ is that stream and His Body is the local church where each "member" is fed and nurtured by an ordained shepherd so that he may then minister to other members in their need. That is the picture in Scripture. Parachurch organizations are outside the walls of Jerusalem, outside the camp where, vigor and excitement notwithstanding, the "dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and whoever loves and practices a lie" live and fester [Revelation 22:15].
         I hope many read and heed!