Well known author Max Lucado has placed his name on the Covenant for Civility. Who, after all, can argue against such a document, which calls for an end to mean-spirited debate and rancor?
Had this truly been a secular document, there would be no problem. Unfortunately, this document is presented in spiritual terms. It begins with Psalm 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when the people of God live together in unity.”
The document then states, “As Christian pastors and leaders…”
The Covenant for Civility also refers to “the unity we have in the Body of Christ.”
Incredibly, the agreement also includes a pledge there be “no questioning of the other’s faith…”
Yet Brian McLaren, who rejects the Biblical Christ, is one of the signatories. There are others who reject Jesus Christ, yet have been included.
How do we join in this spiritual agreement when Christ tells us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
The “can’t we all just get along” plea is not found in the Bible if it means compromising doctrine.
We are told, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6: 14-16)
And yet, this is the way it will happen. Welcome to the future.
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons… (1 Timothy 4: 1)
This is sad but should not surprise. Lucado has a long term rep for being congenial to a fault. The Bible tells us such things will continue to happen, until He returns.
Let us hold fast to the Truth delivered once to the saints of the living God.