Does Billy Graham preach the wrong Gospel?
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:17 pm
The following exchange is the fruit of an email sent to me privately. I wish it had been posted here, but it was not, so I will post both sides of the correspondence (below):
**************************************
Steve,
I wanted to say thank you for your great 30 session teaching on church history. After listening to the final MP3 on the 20th century, I was shocked to hear you say no one has been able to "dig up any dirt" on Billy Graham. I won't go any further other than to offer the the following 1 minute MP3 clip, which features part of an interview by Robert Schuller of Billy Graham.
I would like you to listen to this one minute clip, and then tell me if you agree with what Billy has said:
http://www.earthquakeresurrection.com/G ... huller.mp3
Please reply,
Dave
*****************************************
Hi Dave,
I've been traveling and too busy to respond to all my emails. I heard the sound bite you sent from Billy Graham. What dirt on him did you think it contained?
Steve
*****************************************
Steve,
So what dirt does the audio have on Billy? How about these quotes from that audio:
"the body of Christ consists of people from all Christian groups, or outside Christian groups"
"everyone who loves 'Christ', whether they are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ"
"whether they are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or unbelievers, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God"
"they know in their heart that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have. And I think that they are saved and that they are going to be with us in heaven."
Steve, you agree with all these statements? Billy is implying that sincere Muslims, Buddhists, etc. will be in heaven because they were born into a system of religion, and that's the only light they have, and they are saved. Robert Schuller exclaims there's a "wideness in God's mercy" after Billy says what he calls "fascinating"...but does that mesh with "the narrow path," the name of your show? Should you rename your show "the wide path," since God's mercy is so wide that he includes people of all religions in the body of Christ?
What about needing to have their sins washed by the blood of Christ? Billy said they don't even need to know the name of Jesus Christ to be members of it...if that's the case, we need to call ALL the missionaries home. And yet, Peter said there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. What's the need of calling Muslims to repentance if Billy says they are already members of the body of Christ and on their way to heaven?
If you want my opinion, Billy is preaching another gospel...rather than a rock of offense and a stumblingblock, it's an ecumenical, tolerant gospel of inclusion. This isn't the only time he's said things like this.
Please reply,
Dave
*****************************************
Dave,
I think you need to listen to the sound bite again—more carefully and more charitably. I confess to being a little put-off when young, hot-headed, heresy hunters decide to write-off an aged, circumspect and saintly statesman of the Kingdom on the basis of the contents of a one-minute sound bite.
Billy specifically limited his comments about the body of Christ to those "who love Christ and who know Christ," whom God is calling "out of the world"—whether Buddhists, Muslims, or whatever.
Billy said:
"the body of Christ consists of people from all Christian groups, or outside Christian groups"
So true! There are people in all Christian groups (denominations) and people, like myself, who do not belong to any such group, but who are part of the body of Christ. Why understand this any less charitably than necessary?
Billy said:
"everyone who loves 'Christ', whether they are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ"
I don't know why you would put "Christ" in quotation marks. Billy didn't. By doing so, you add a less distinctly Christian spin to his statement. Not very charitable. I also believe that all who love Christ may be regarded as members of His body, whether they understand this or not.
Billy said,
"whether they are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or unbelievers, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God"
Why did you omit the words immediately preceding this clause? They were as follows: "That's what God is doing today: He's calling people out of the world for His name—whether they are Muslim, Buddhist..." Do I believe this? Of course! Don't you? I thought all Christians believed that Buddhists and Muslims could be called out of the world to become members of the body of Christ through loving and knowing Christ. I don't know why this would be controversial.
Finally, Billy said:
"they know in their heart that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have. And I think that they are saved and that they are going to be with us in heaven."
I don't know whether this statement is true or not, but it is believed by many conservative evangelicals, and I don't see why Billy Graham would not be entitled to his opinion as much as anybody else. Peter said something very similar, in Acts 10:34-35—
"In truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him."
This statement was made about Cornelius and his family, who were neither Christians, nor even Jews, but were pious heathen. Because their unenlightened worship was pleasing to God (Acts 10:4), they were "accepted" (v.27) and were granted the opportunity to enter the body of Christ, just as the faithful remnant of Israel were permitted to do. Where would such an "accepted" man (or a faithful O.T. Jew) have gone if he had died before hearing about Christ?
Paul appears to have had a similar attitude and opinion, as stated in Acts 17:26-27—
"God has made from one blood every nation of men...so that they should seek the Lord, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any of us..."
Interestingly, Paul acknowledged that some of the Athenians were already ignorantly worshipping the God that Paul came to proclaim to them (Acts 17:23). He seemed to think it possible for a heathen to "seek the Lord" and "grope for Him," and, conceivably, even to "find Him."
How could it be otherwise? Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. Is this limited to that small percentage of people who have had the opportunity to hear the gospel correctly preached to them? Can't He also save those who have had no such opportunity (e.g., the Old Testament saints)? No one has ever been saved apart from Christ. He is clearly the Savior of all men—especially those who believe (1 Tim.4:10). Whether they need to know about His atoning work in order to be atoned by it is less clear. Hebrews 11 lists many people who, apparently, were saved by their faith, but never knew the name of Jesus, nor about His cross or resurrection.
Why then do we evangelize? For the very reason Billy Graham mentioned in the sound bite: so that people may come to know Christ and be included in the Body of Christ! We don't evangelize just to give people an opportunity to go to heaven. Abraham is in heaven, and he never heard the name of Jesus in his lifetime (though we can be pretty sure that he became well acquainted with Him in the afterlife). We evangelize so that people, in addition to going to heaven after they die, may know Christ and live for the glory of God right now.
The kingdom of God, which we preach, is "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom.14:17). It is the will of God for every living creature that they possess these things. Those that are never evangelized will never be able to fulfill the purposes in life for which God created them. Where, in the book of Acts, does any preacher mention heaven or hell as incentives for coming into God's kingdom? The Gospel is not so much about people escaping the fate that they deserve as it is about God receiving the glory in their lives that He deserves!
You asked:
"Steve, you agree with all these statements? Billy is implying that sincere Muslims, Buddhists, etc. will be in heaven because they were born into a system of religion, and that's the only light they have, and they are saved."
I didn't hear any suggestion from Billy Graham that people will go to heaven "because they were born into a system of religion." If he believed that, he would probably not have preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people than has any other preacher in history. There is a difference between saying that a person may be saved despite the fact that he has only been exposed to ancestral religion, on the one hand, and saying, on the other, that he is saved because he was born into such a religion. Billy Graham may believe the former, but he certainly does not believe the latter. You misrepresent him.
You asked:
"...but does that mesh with 'the narrow path,' the name of your show? Should you rename your show 'the wide path,' since God's mercy is so wide that he includes people of all religions in the body of Christ?"
No religions will ever be included in the body of Christ...only reborn believers in Jesus Christ are there. The question of who may or may not be in heaven is another matter, and it is God's decision, not ours. Billy Graham stated his opinion, which is shared by many Christians. His opinion may be mistaken, but it hardly constitutes "dirt" on the guy. The path of discipleship is still narrow, and few there be that find it. But that is another matter than what Billy Graham is discussing in this sound bite.
You asked:
"What about needing to have their sins washed by the blood of Christ? Billy said they don't even need to know the name of Jesus Christ to be members of it...if that's the case, we need to call ALL the missionaries home. And yet, Peter said there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. What's the need of calling Muslims to repentance if Billy says they are already members of the body of Christ and on their way to heaven?"
Billy Graham believes, as we do, that nothing can wash away our sins other than the blood of Jesus, and that there is no other name (that is, no other Person) whereby we must be saved. Have you never heard him preach? If Billy doesn't believe in missionaries, why would he preach the Gospel, as he has, in every nation? Are you not thinking clearly? If the implications of his statements were as you suggest, then the man would be in a career entirely other than the one he has chosen. Perhaps it would make more sense to interpret his comments in a manner consistent with what is known of his life?
You said:
"If you want my opinion, Billy is preaching another gospel...rather than a rock of offense and a stumblingblock, it's an ecumenical, tolerant gospel of inclusion. This isn't the only time he's said things like this."
Again, have you ever heard Billy Graham preach the gospel (that is not what he is doing in his interview with the heretic Schuller: he is stating a personal opinion). I have heard Billy Graham preach scores of times, since my youth (I got saved at one of his crusades). The gospel he preaches sounds pretty pure to me. I think he has become stronger in the emphasis on repentance in his preaching over the past few decades. Could you send me a sample of Billy presenting the Gospel and it being the wrong one?
For a fellow Christian to attack Billy Graham for his honestly answering a question concerning his opinion, is a low blow. Do you ever state any controversial opinions of your own? How would you like the brethren to judge you when you do? I am frankly astonished at how many nit-pickers there are in the body of Christ, criticizing and undermining the men who are actually reaching the lost! It is no surprise that the heathen see nothing in the Church to convince them that Jesus is real (John 17:21, 23).
I hope this adequately answers your concerns. God bless you.
In Jesus,
Steve
**************************************
Steve,
I wanted to say thank you for your great 30 session teaching on church history. After listening to the final MP3 on the 20th century, I was shocked to hear you say no one has been able to "dig up any dirt" on Billy Graham. I won't go any further other than to offer the the following 1 minute MP3 clip, which features part of an interview by Robert Schuller of Billy Graham.
I would like you to listen to this one minute clip, and then tell me if you agree with what Billy has said:
http://www.earthquakeresurrection.com/G ... huller.mp3
Please reply,
Dave
*****************************************
Hi Dave,
I've been traveling and too busy to respond to all my emails. I heard the sound bite you sent from Billy Graham. What dirt on him did you think it contained?
Steve
*****************************************
Steve,
So what dirt does the audio have on Billy? How about these quotes from that audio:
"the body of Christ consists of people from all Christian groups, or outside Christian groups"
"everyone who loves 'Christ', whether they are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ"
"whether they are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or unbelievers, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God"
"they know in their heart that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have. And I think that they are saved and that they are going to be with us in heaven."
Steve, you agree with all these statements? Billy is implying that sincere Muslims, Buddhists, etc. will be in heaven because they were born into a system of religion, and that's the only light they have, and they are saved. Robert Schuller exclaims there's a "wideness in God's mercy" after Billy says what he calls "fascinating"...but does that mesh with "the narrow path," the name of your show? Should you rename your show "the wide path," since God's mercy is so wide that he includes people of all religions in the body of Christ?
What about needing to have their sins washed by the blood of Christ? Billy said they don't even need to know the name of Jesus Christ to be members of it...if that's the case, we need to call ALL the missionaries home. And yet, Peter said there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. What's the need of calling Muslims to repentance if Billy says they are already members of the body of Christ and on their way to heaven?
If you want my opinion, Billy is preaching another gospel...rather than a rock of offense and a stumblingblock, it's an ecumenical, tolerant gospel of inclusion. This isn't the only time he's said things like this.
Please reply,
Dave
*****************************************
Dave,
I think you need to listen to the sound bite again—more carefully and more charitably. I confess to being a little put-off when young, hot-headed, heresy hunters decide to write-off an aged, circumspect and saintly statesman of the Kingdom on the basis of the contents of a one-minute sound bite.
Billy specifically limited his comments about the body of Christ to those "who love Christ and who know Christ," whom God is calling "out of the world"—whether Buddhists, Muslims, or whatever.
Billy said:
"the body of Christ consists of people from all Christian groups, or outside Christian groups"
So true! There are people in all Christian groups (denominations) and people, like myself, who do not belong to any such group, but who are part of the body of Christ. Why understand this any less charitably than necessary?
Billy said:
"everyone who loves 'Christ', whether they are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ"
I don't know why you would put "Christ" in quotation marks. Billy didn't. By doing so, you add a less distinctly Christian spin to his statement. Not very charitable. I also believe that all who love Christ may be regarded as members of His body, whether they understand this or not.
Billy said,
"whether they are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or unbelievers, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God"
Why did you omit the words immediately preceding this clause? They were as follows: "That's what God is doing today: He's calling people out of the world for His name—whether they are Muslim, Buddhist..." Do I believe this? Of course! Don't you? I thought all Christians believed that Buddhists and Muslims could be called out of the world to become members of the body of Christ through loving and knowing Christ. I don't know why this would be controversial.
Finally, Billy said:
"they know in their heart that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have. And I think that they are saved and that they are going to be with us in heaven."
I don't know whether this statement is true or not, but it is believed by many conservative evangelicals, and I don't see why Billy Graham would not be entitled to his opinion as much as anybody else. Peter said something very similar, in Acts 10:34-35—
"In truth, I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him."
This statement was made about Cornelius and his family, who were neither Christians, nor even Jews, but were pious heathen. Because their unenlightened worship was pleasing to God (Acts 10:4), they were "accepted" (v.27) and were granted the opportunity to enter the body of Christ, just as the faithful remnant of Israel were permitted to do. Where would such an "accepted" man (or a faithful O.T. Jew) have gone if he had died before hearing about Christ?
Paul appears to have had a similar attitude and opinion, as stated in Acts 17:26-27—
"God has made from one blood every nation of men...so that they should seek the Lord, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any of us..."
Interestingly, Paul acknowledged that some of the Athenians were already ignorantly worshipping the God that Paul came to proclaim to them (Acts 17:23). He seemed to think it possible for a heathen to "seek the Lord" and "grope for Him," and, conceivably, even to "find Him."
How could it be otherwise? Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. Is this limited to that small percentage of people who have had the opportunity to hear the gospel correctly preached to them? Can't He also save those who have had no such opportunity (e.g., the Old Testament saints)? No one has ever been saved apart from Christ. He is clearly the Savior of all men—especially those who believe (1 Tim.4:10). Whether they need to know about His atoning work in order to be atoned by it is less clear. Hebrews 11 lists many people who, apparently, were saved by their faith, but never knew the name of Jesus, nor about His cross or resurrection.
Why then do we evangelize? For the very reason Billy Graham mentioned in the sound bite: so that people may come to know Christ and be included in the Body of Christ! We don't evangelize just to give people an opportunity to go to heaven. Abraham is in heaven, and he never heard the name of Jesus in his lifetime (though we can be pretty sure that he became well acquainted with Him in the afterlife). We evangelize so that people, in addition to going to heaven after they die, may know Christ and live for the glory of God right now.
The kingdom of God, which we preach, is "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom.14:17). It is the will of God for every living creature that they possess these things. Those that are never evangelized will never be able to fulfill the purposes in life for which God created them. Where, in the book of Acts, does any preacher mention heaven or hell as incentives for coming into God's kingdom? The Gospel is not so much about people escaping the fate that they deserve as it is about God receiving the glory in their lives that He deserves!
You asked:
"Steve, you agree with all these statements? Billy is implying that sincere Muslims, Buddhists, etc. will be in heaven because they were born into a system of religion, and that's the only light they have, and they are saved."
I didn't hear any suggestion from Billy Graham that people will go to heaven "because they were born into a system of religion." If he believed that, he would probably not have preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people than has any other preacher in history. There is a difference between saying that a person may be saved despite the fact that he has only been exposed to ancestral religion, on the one hand, and saying, on the other, that he is saved because he was born into such a religion. Billy Graham may believe the former, but he certainly does not believe the latter. You misrepresent him.
You asked:
"...but does that mesh with 'the narrow path,' the name of your show? Should you rename your show 'the wide path,' since God's mercy is so wide that he includes people of all religions in the body of Christ?"
No religions will ever be included in the body of Christ...only reborn believers in Jesus Christ are there. The question of who may or may not be in heaven is another matter, and it is God's decision, not ours. Billy Graham stated his opinion, which is shared by many Christians. His opinion may be mistaken, but it hardly constitutes "dirt" on the guy. The path of discipleship is still narrow, and few there be that find it. But that is another matter than what Billy Graham is discussing in this sound bite.
You asked:
"What about needing to have their sins washed by the blood of Christ? Billy said they don't even need to know the name of Jesus Christ to be members of it...if that's the case, we need to call ALL the missionaries home. And yet, Peter said there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. What's the need of calling Muslims to repentance if Billy says they are already members of the body of Christ and on their way to heaven?"
Billy Graham believes, as we do, that nothing can wash away our sins other than the blood of Jesus, and that there is no other name (that is, no other Person) whereby we must be saved. Have you never heard him preach? If Billy doesn't believe in missionaries, why would he preach the Gospel, as he has, in every nation? Are you not thinking clearly? If the implications of his statements were as you suggest, then the man would be in a career entirely other than the one he has chosen. Perhaps it would make more sense to interpret his comments in a manner consistent with what is known of his life?
You said:
"If you want my opinion, Billy is preaching another gospel...rather than a rock of offense and a stumblingblock, it's an ecumenical, tolerant gospel of inclusion. This isn't the only time he's said things like this."
Again, have you ever heard Billy Graham preach the gospel (that is not what he is doing in his interview with the heretic Schuller: he is stating a personal opinion). I have heard Billy Graham preach scores of times, since my youth (I got saved at one of his crusades). The gospel he preaches sounds pretty pure to me. I think he has become stronger in the emphasis on repentance in his preaching over the past few decades. Could you send me a sample of Billy presenting the Gospel and it being the wrong one?
For a fellow Christian to attack Billy Graham for his honestly answering a question concerning his opinion, is a low blow. Do you ever state any controversial opinions of your own? How would you like the brethren to judge you when you do? I am frankly astonished at how many nit-pickers there are in the body of Christ, criticizing and undermining the men who are actually reaching the lost! It is no surprise that the heathen see nothing in the Church to convince them that Jesus is real (John 17:21, 23).
I hope this adequately answers your concerns. God bless you.
In Jesus,
Steve