LTRP Note: Posted for informational purposes.
From BBC
US evangelist Billy Graham – one of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century – has died aged 99.
Graham became one of the best-known promoters of Christianity, beginning his worldwide mission in large arenas in London in 1954.
He died at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, a spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said.
In a 60-year career, he is estimated to have preached to hundreds of millions of people.
Graham reached millions of them through TV – the first to use the medium to convey the Christian message on that scale. Click here to continue reading.
Sometimes, though, as may be the case with Graham, a preacher’s statements can be misunderstood out of context. Also, rubbing elbows with other dubious religious dignitaries can easily be mistaken, even if justified. I’ve read both Graham’s books and once attended his crusades. I believe Graham did MORE GOOD than not, bringing many to genuine faith in Jesus Christ for repentance and salvation. The New Testament even speaks of those who may preach the Gospel from wrong motives, but that God still uses them, “for whether by faith or greed, the gospel is still preached,” said Paul. I completely agree we must point out false teachers and teachings, even any by Billy Graham. But let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater, at least in this case. We can cite problems, but we’re possibly heading into unnecessary demonization of an entire person here. Graham preached the true Gospel. God will judge, fellow believers. Thanks, Lighthouse, for your ministry of truth. Research is a real work!
have a read on this sad story https://www.wayoflife.org/database/billy_graham_and_rome.html
I grew up attending a dead church which gave lip service only to the Lord. I heard Billy Graham preach on television during those same years, and he clearly proclaimed that the ONLY way to Heaven was through Jesus Christ, also teaching other true and wonderful Bible lessons. The Lord used him in a powerful way to reach me and show me my need for Jesus. My life was completely changed when I became a child of God. I’m not sure what happened, but somewhere along the line Graham changed. I saw him on Larry King’s television show in the late ’90s, and couldn’t believe my ears when King asked him directly if he (a Jew) needed Jesus, to be saved, to go to Heaven, and Graham minced words, not giving the clear message I had always heard him preach before. Then in more recent years I read that he made unbiblical statements about Muslims and others. This is very humbling to me; it says that none of us can take anything for granted; we need to ABIDE in the LORD always, enduring to the end as Christ Jesus said.
Sadly, this man did more damage to the church than good. It saddens me, that as a result from his death, we will probably see his books, sermons, and ecumenical ( inclusive) mindset, re- circulated, and embraced like never before. We have been educated, and warned sufficiently, by the Word of God, that we are to test all spirits, to know, whether they are of God, or, not of God! That’s 1 John 4:1. Billy Graham claimed that there are many ways unto salvation, denying that our Lord, Jesus Christ is the only way. The people that he was associated with ( the Pope being a major one), Robert Schuler, and many more, should be cause enough for a Christian to question Graham’s teachings in direct comparison to the Bible. The enemy masquerades as light, and as good, and usually under the name of “Christian”. Just like the emergent, or, N.A.R. so called “churches” that we are seeing today. It grieves my spirit to say that Billy Graham helped to set the stage for a one world church, and all inclusive mindset. That is the furthest thing from the truth of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
…. probably one of the most influential persons in the ecumenical movement … bridged evangelicals and catholics …