The Movement is decidedly modernistic in trend. No simple enquirer reading their literature can get a clear knowledge of the cross, of redemption, of the way to be saved. Here and there orthodox sentences are dropped in, but mixed up with them is vague teaching of a modernistic tendency as we have seen. Nor are its practices Scriptural, but fraught with danger and disaster to those who practice them. Further, the gospel received by the Groupers does not deliver from the world. It was said of a married couple, who had " surrendered " and become Groupers, "Together they have begun to do great things for Christ. Although they go to dinners, dances, theater parties, concerts with the old crowd, all their social life is permeated with the spirit of deeper understanding" (" Children of the Second Birth," p. 50. S. M. Shoemaker, Jr.). Again we read, "All alone in the quiet of her room one night scarcely realizing all that was involved in it, she surrendered to God. A terrible restlessness had been tossing in her soul; she lay there thinking rebellious and mutinous thoughts, and then she said to herself, 'I've tried my way and haven't found happiness, why not try God's way?' She did it there and then. All through the hours till morning she lay bathed in a wonderful Presence, filled with unutterable calm and peace... A man she was dancing with, whom she had known for years, asked her, 'What makes you look so radiantly happy?' And with a twinkle she replied, 'I've got religion'" ("Children of the Second Birth," p. 165).
We ask, what kind of conversion is this? Believers are told, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him " (1 John 2:1515Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)). What stern language we read, " Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:44Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)). A religion in which the offense of the cross has ceased is not the religion of the Bible. We note, too, how very seldom does the word "Lord" occur in the vocabulary of the Group. Yet we are told, "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost " (1 Cor. 12:33Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3)). Constantly we read "Jesus" and "Jesus Christ" and "Christ," but scarcely once does the word "Lord" appear. This is a bad sign indeed.
We are convinced that a religion founded on experience, and that experience not founded on the Word of God, is false and antichristian.
The conclusion of the Rev. C. M. Chevasse as to The Oxford Group Movement is the mature judgment of one who has had ample opportunities of examining it firsthand. He says:—"The Movement is Group-centered, not Christ-centered.. Surrender is made to the Group. Witness is born to the Group. Loyalty is demanded for the Group. Guidance is checked by the Group. Inspiration is expected from the Group. Fellowship is centered in the Group. It is possible for a member not to believe in the Divinity of our Lord, and yet to be content...
"The Collective Guidance of the Group has become the accepted test of the guidance of each of its members. And it is well to remember that behind the many local groups there is the Inner Group with its head, which—I dare to affirm with deliberation and knowledge—can fairly be compared to the hierarchy of the Roman Church and an infallible Pope."
Where is the Spirit of God in all this, spite of their claim to His guidance in their Quiet Time?
What is our conclusion, come to reluctantly and after much thought and inquiry? We believe solemnly and before God that The Oxford Group Movement is one of the latter day delusions of Satan, posturing as an angel of light. Comparing the Bible and its own literature, it stands condemned. Its own literature, written in its favor, we repeat, is its own blackest condemnation. Every true Christian should avoid this cult, and warn any they come across, who are likely to be ensnared by its subtlety and evil.
We are assured that many true Christians are caught by it, and we trust many such will be delivered by this attempt to set things in their true light.
May God be graciously pleased to bless this effort, and use it for His glory and the spiritual help of our readers.
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