Posted on 06/24/2005 6:52:11 PM PDT by RaceBannon
Problems of Ecumenical Evangelism
Is Billy Graham Right or Wrong?
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
For years the evangelistic campaigns of Billy Graham have drawn worldwide attention. Repeatedly he has been named the "Man of the Year" in the area of religion. It has been said that Dr. Graham has preached to more people than any other man in history. His influence is significant:
As a stone cast into a pool produces concentric waves which ripple their way to the banks, so often the thoughts of one man influence a whole generation. It is no exaggeration to say that no man has more influence with evangelicals today than Billy Graham. He is immensely popular. [Erroll Hulse, Billy Graham—The Pastor’s Dilemma, p.34]
We all recognize Billy Graham as a gifted speaker. As he has proclaimed the Bible message of salvation, we cannot deny that many have come to a saving knowledge of Christ, and for this we thank the Lord. I can remember as a new believer being greatly encouraged listening to Billy Graham preach on a televised crusade. At that time my heart was warmed by his preaching and blessed by his ministry.
I take no delight, therefore, in being critical of the ministry of Dr. Billy Graham. From time to time people have questions about Billy Graham and they have difficulty understanding why we do not attend his crusades and why we do not commend and support his type of evangelistic efforts.
Unsaved people in general see Billy Graham as the representative of Bible-believing Christianity. The evangelical world has esteemed him as its hero and champion. What he says and does, therefore, demands examination. "Prove all things [test all things by the Word of God] and hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). Numbers of Bible-believing people have been discerning and honest enough to recognize serious problems involved in Billy Graham’s ecumenical approach to evangelism. May we prayerfully and carefully consider these problems in the light of God’s Word. This is a delicate and difficult subject. May the Lord help us as we proceed.
review later
I had read that only 2% of the people who respond to his altar calls end up going further in the faith.
Of three family members I know who went forward at a Graham crusade, only one is saved as far as I can tell. The other two responded emotionally to the moment and it quickly faded. I continue to pray for them, and I rejoice at the salvation of the other.
I've seen that first-hand with the teen group that I used to work with at my old church. It's so easy to whip people up into an emotional frenzy that they "make the decision" - then a few days later everything's back to normal.
It's a heart-wrenching thing to witness, and it can tend to make them jaded to Christianity and salvation - "I went to that thing, went up to the altar, and nothing happened!"
There is a reason that these "decisions" to follow Christ don't hold many times. In order to become a Christian, one must do more than just pray. There must be belief in the Word of God. There must be repentance. There must be a confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. There also must be a burial of the old, sinful man in baptism.
Amen.
When I was 13, I was baptized at my church, but it was more of a ritual than anything foundational. I "made the decision" simply because everyone else who was 13 did, and that was the thing to do.
However, I was 27 when I actually became a Christian. The difference between the 13-year old decision and the 27 year old commitment was in the death of the old self - the things you just mentioned.
With a true, effectual calling, your eyes are opened to your own sin and it mortifies you - something that hadn't happened when I was a teenager, and something I venture doesn't happen at many emotionally-driven altar calls. I saw my need for a savior, and not just how he can "make my life better" - like some sort of ATM card.
And I thought it was by "faith" we are saved and not by works.
This series of sermons is not going to be broadcast right away, because a book is coming out first. A little closer to the 2006 election might be nice for the television special, right? Then rebroadcast it in 2008? Smooth.
Faith produces a belief in His word, which states that repentence and a turn from the old lifestyle are necessary. That with Faith comes the regenerated heart.
Just saying "I believe" and leaving it at that is foolhardy. Faith requires dedication, sacrifice, a rejection of worldly things. We are commanded to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" - work - meaning it's active and not passive.
My reading of the Bible tells me that it is the by and through the simple act of faith that we are saved by Grace. These additional efforts do not save us.
And BTW, who's job is it to see to it that your faith produces such things? Is it through your own efforts? Or is it a work of God?
Do you agree that baptism is for the remission of sins, and occurs before salvation?
I believe it occurs after salvation. You can't be baptised unless you know what your baptism truly means, and you can't know that until you have recognized your need for a savior. It's a product of salvation, not a cause of.
So you see no need for repentance of sin, or a stiving to life a holy life?
If one is indeed truly saved - repentence, sacrifice, study of His word, hungering for righteousness, seeking humility, serving others, etc all come naturally as a by-product of Faith. The Holy Spirit, indwelling, is a guide.
Recognizing your need for salvation is not salvation in itself. If you believe the Word of God, then you will recognize the need for salvation, but you are not saved based on just belief.
Hang on - I think I see where we may be confused. I said "Faith requires.." - that was not my intent. Those things I mentioned are a RESULT of Faith, not a REQUIREMENT.
My apologies for the confusion - this is what I get when I try to carry on two conversations at the same time! :-)
>>Recognizing your need for salvation is not salvation in itself<<
I never said it was - I simply said that baptism occurs after salvation - that you can't be baptised unless you know why you're doing it, and that you can't know why you're doing it unless you're saved.
The purpose of baptism is the remission of sins. How can you be saved before your sins are removed?
Now we're back full circle to where you started with me, when you asked what I thought the purpose of baptism was. You may re-read my respose if you feel like going around the circle again. I, however, do not.
Do your thoughts about the purpose of baptism agree with the Word of God? According to the Bible, Paul was told to "be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). When were Paul's sins washed away?
Then who is to say whether the other 98% of those who walked the aisles at the Billy Graham crusades are not saved? It is by faith and faith alone that we are saved. Sanctification is another process and it is entirely a work of God. Some people are slow to be sanctified, but since it is God's responsibility to sanctify the believers, then one simply cannot say anything about the eternal status of those who commit their lives to Christ at a Billy Graham crusade. If they have faith, then that is enough. (Is it not?) If they keep on smoking and drinking and cursing after they come to Christ, then that may be evidence either that (1) they were not all that serious and did not actually exercise faith, or that (2) God is not finished with them yet.
Don't think because you are objectively holier than the next guy that you are any more saved than he is. Your reward may be greater, but your holiness is not what is saving you. It was your faith, once delivered... It was his faith, once delivered that will save him.
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