by E. S. Williams
Reviewed by Gary Gilley
For a no-holds-barred, well documented, and biblically sound critique of the Lausanne Movement, this work by E. S. Williams would be difficult to beat. The concluding statement demonstrates well what the author intends to prove, "In light of the evidence presented in this study, we must conclude that Lausanne is a heretical movement that is perverting the gospel of truth" (p. 150). In order to come to this conclusion Williams organizes his book around individual chapters devoted to his concerns. He begins with the history, background, and founders (Billy Graham and J.R.W. Stott) of the original Lausanne Congress in 1974. Their social/political action was combined with the gospel to provide the "whole gospel" (p. iv). The social agenda has continued to be a key component of Lausanne and evangelicalism to this day (see pp. 8-11, 13-14, 40-45, 117-128, 148). A strong charismatic element was added at Lausanne II held in Manila in 1989. Lausanne III at Cape Town in 2010 widened the ecumenism by drawing evangelicals closer to Rome, emphasized the arts over Scripture (p. 64), introduced the orality movement (pp. 75-106), added the feminist agenda (pp. 129-135), promoted the Alpha Course (pp. 107-116) and favored the unproven claims of environmentalism (pp. 136-144). Overall, Lausanne and its leaders have a low view of Scripture (pp. 36-38, 50) and a high view of liberation theology (pp. 46-47). Click here to read this book review!
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