Relativism: any theory of ethics or knowledge which maintains that the basis of judgment is relative, differing according to events, persons, etc.

On page 10 of the "Evangelism Syllabus" on the PK Web page, the reader is directed to the "Brothers!" resource as a next step "for further study." This "Brothers!" resource (a PK book titled, "Brothers! Calling Men into Vital Relationships, 1994) was adapted into a text that can be found in the PK New Testament ("Man of his Word", 1996) as well as the "Break Down the Walls" (1997) workbook. The book's consistent emphasis by PK since 1994 shows that it reflects a foundational aspect of Promise Keepers.

This resource claims that the purpose of coming into a relationship with God through the cross of Christ is to become "all that men were intended to be," "full maturity in Christ", "men of genuine integrity" which they equate with being "Christlike", a state they imply can be attained in this life via involvement in a PK men's small group. In an attempt to marshall biblical support for their teaching, Romans 8:29 and 2Cor.3:18 are then quoted:

Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

One of the dangers of PK is that they raise up counterfeit hopes to replace the hope of the gospel, and then make their counterfeit hope look biblical by taking verses having to do with the biblical hope out of context. In the case above, PK has redefined what "conformed into the image of His Son" means. In the Christian faith, it is something that will occur at the Rapture of the Church

Phil 3: 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

I Jn 3: 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

In the context of Rom.8:29 quoted above, Paul the Apostle expressed God's purpose in another way: "glorified" (Rom.8:30). This passage occurs in the context of several other mentionings of the same hope:

Rom 8: 17 and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ... 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

The "same image from glory to glory" in 2Cor.3:18 is the same thing. Paul goes on to write more about it in 2Cor.4:13-18, speaking of the resurrected/glorified body, the eternal weight of glory.

The gospel the Apostle Paul was preaching had as a calling "the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2Thess.2:14, cf. 2Tim.2:10). Meanwhile, the gospel PK is preaching, allegedly a "pure salvation gospel", has as it's goal becoming "all that men were intended to be," "men of integrity" which they equate with being "Christlike" in this life via involvement in a PK men's small group, and they then hijack biblical hope verses (Rom.8:29, 2Cor.3:18) to make their pursuit look biblical. Their teaching is false, and thus should not be taught to Christians, especially new Christians who haven't the discernment to know right from wrong (Eph.4:14, Heb.5:14).

Besides setting up a counterfeit hope before Christians, the leadership of PK are attempting to destroy biblical faith in what the Bible teaches. They make this condition sound good ("becoming all that men were intended to be", "full maturity in Christ", "men of genuine integrity", "Christlike"), but it is antithetical to the Christian faith. What does PK mean by these wonderful-sounding terms? They claim that these things are obtained via "male relationships" (PK men's small groups).

GUIDELINES OF PK "MALE RELATIONSHIPS"

They begin with what they call "accepting one another" which is equated in meaning with Rom.15:7. But Rom.15:7 was said in context of Rom.14, wherein the issues involving this acceptance are "doubtful things" (Rom.14:1) such as what to eat and drink and what days to observe, i.e., things the Bible doesn't take a stand on by rather gives the Christian liberty in. In PK however, many other issues the Bible does take a stand on, matters of absolute truth, are thrown into Rom.14 on the basis that not all Christians agree on these issues, totally ignoring the possibility that the reason Christians don't agree is because some are believing false doctrine which has caused the division (Eph.4:14, Acts 20:30, Rom.16:17).

Phase 1 of the process of "conflict resolution" involves encouraging men to have an "accept one another" attitude. Then in Phase 2 they ask the participants to express their beliefs as "ideas and opinions" rather than absolute truth established by the Word of God. The purpose of this "encouraging" and "building each other up" (1Thess.5:11 is quoted, in context the content of the "encouraging and edifying" has to do with Rapture) is not to communicate the truth to edify the Body towards a mature knowledge/understanding of God's Word, but rather to help everyone "understand" one another (as opposed to "winning", i.e., proving that your belief is part of the Christian faith and that your "brother" is believing false doctrine) and feel "bonded" - to participate in the "discussion" is to confess that your beliefs are no more the truth than anyone else's beliefs: they call it "mutual respect."

Now that they have you "accepting one another", "understanding" that everyone's beliefs are merely "ideas and opinions", the next phase (3) involves making sure everyone continues to think this way. This is done by getting everyone to enter into a "covenant" (foreign to the Christian faith) to stick with this new value system (aka "moral excellence"), a covenant that gives permission to "teach and admonish one another" (Col.3:16 is quoted, but in that context the content of the teaching and admonishing is the Word of Christ rather than PK relativism) if anyone starts to express their beliefs as the absolute truth and/or says that someone else's beliefs are false doctrine (a stand equated with "prejudice", "insensitivity" to "differences"/"uniquenesses")

With everyone sticking to the "covenant", keeping their promise to value relativism and tolerate false doctrine, you now have "Coach's" "integrity" manifesting, which is equated with being "Christlike", as if Jesus was the king of relativism. The group now has confidence that they can openly believe virtually anything without the fear of being "betrayed" (rebuked and avoided). A state of "unity" (they quote John 17:23, which perfect "oneness" will actually be fulfilled at the Rapture, cf. Eph.1:10, 4:13, 1Thess.4:17) has been attained whereby PK claims the world will want to be "Christians."

What the leadership of PK have in fact done is conform "Christ" into their own image and then try to conform Christians into their own image, twisting the Word of God beyond recognition in the process.

E-mail the author: Hebrews928@juno.com

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