Billy Graham, Charles Finney and Pelagius
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Some of the statements which Billy Graham made publicly and which have been documented seem to show that he was waffling on some critical issues. As to associations, Jesus mingled with all and sundry to bring salvation to them. But He clearly dissociated Himself from the Scribes, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees -- the religious elite (ecclesiastical separation).
Billy Graham started out as a fundamentalist preacher, therefore he would have definitely known that associating and cooperating with the Roman Catholic Church was unacceptable for a Gospel preacher, because they have "another gospel" altogether. Yet he had Catholic clergy participating in his crusades. How does one condone that?
Billy Graham started out as a fundamentalist preacher, therefore he would have definitely known that associating and cooperating with the Roman Catholic Church was unacceptable for a Gospel preacher, because they have "another gospel" altogether. Yet he had Catholic clergy participating in his crusades. How does one condone that?
Extending fellowship with others is not a sin in my book. Is it sinful to sit on a dais with those of different faiths? Jesus had nothing to do with the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees because they were teaching law with their own variations of it. They were smug, elitists, without humility. Jesus was the absolute opposite.
Not Catholics compromising, but Billy Graham compromising. Here is the answer to your question:
Ecumenism In England
Ten years later Billy Graham went to London for his Mission '89 Crusade. Foundation Magazine for November-December 1989 carried the following quotation from Cardinal Basil Hume, written in April of 1989, two months before the Crusade:
We are, as the Catholic Church in this country, working as closely as we can with Billy Graham in his Mission '89...The view I take is that I believe the grace of God is at work in the Mission and, if it helps people return to their own churches, then that is good
Rev. Michael Seed, Ecumenical Advisor to Cardinal Hume, wrote further in recruiting Catholics to take part in the Billy Graham Group Leaders Training Courses:
The idea behind this is that those who come forward for counselling during a Mission evening in June, if they are Roman Catholic, will be directed to a Roman Catholic 'nurture-group’ under Roman Catholic counselors in their home area. If certain people present themselves for counselling at a Mission and have no church roots at all then they are asked 'which church brought you’ and asked to contact that church...
Billy Graham's Catholic Connection
In other words the Catholic Church was using Billy Graham to strengthen their own church, since he did not expose the blatant errors of Rome and directed Catholic back to their churches.
Ecumenism In England
Ten years later Billy Graham went to London for his Mission '89 Crusade. Foundation Magazine for November-December 1989 carried the following quotation from Cardinal Basil Hume, written in April of 1989, two months before the Crusade:
We are, as the Catholic Church in this country, working as closely as we can with Billy Graham in his Mission '89...The view I take is that I believe the grace of God is at work in the Mission and, if it helps people return to their own churches, then that is good
Rev. Michael Seed, Ecumenical Advisor to Cardinal Hume, wrote further in recruiting Catholics to take part in the Billy Graham Group Leaders Training Courses:
The idea behind this is that those who come forward for counselling during a Mission evening in June, if they are Roman Catholic, will be directed to a Roman Catholic 'nurture-group’ under Roman Catholic counselors in their home area. If certain people present themselves for counselling at a Mission and have no church roots at all then they are asked 'which church brought you’ and asked to contact that church...
Billy Graham's Catholic Connection
In other words the Catholic Church was using Billy Graham to strengthen their own church, since he did not expose the blatant errors of Rome and directed Catholic back to their churches.
You hit the nail on the head -- "because they were teaching law with their own variations of it". And since the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches teach their own variations of the Gospel, that is sufficient reason to separate from them in any kind of Gospel outreach. They themselves desperately need the true Gospel and repentance from their false doctrines.
Well, that is why I asked where do we draw the line contextually. As far as concerning the lost, we preach the Gospel to everyone, but we are speaking here of ecumenical associations.
If we have no answer we should search out the answer in Scripture. Concerning how we treat those who preach a false gospel, there is much to be said in the NT & OT. Galatians 1 is a good starting point, as in other places; 1 John, 2 John; 2 Peter, 2 Timothy, Titus &c.
If we have no answer we should search out the answer in Scripture. Concerning how we treat those who preach a false gospel, there is much to be said in the NT & OT. Galatians 1 is a good starting point, as in other places; 1 John, 2 John; 2 Peter, 2 Timothy, Titus &c.
I didn't see that in his statement. He said that many are called by the Lord, and even though they may never hear the name of Jesus, they turn (I would say they are drawn) to the only light they have.
And i I remembered what Paul said in Romans 2, I think it is.
Rom 2:14 For whenever gentiles, who do not possess the Law, do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the Law.
"They show that what the Law requires is written in their hearts, a fact to which their own consciences testify, and their thoughts will either accuse or excuse them" Rom 2:15
"on that day when God, through Jesus the Messiah, will judge people's secrets according to my gospel." Rom 2:16
I always wondered what exactly these scriptures meant.
And i I remembered what Paul said in Romans 2, I think it is.
Rom 2:14 For whenever gentiles, who do not possess the Law, do instinctively what the Law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the Law.
"They show that what the Law requires is written in their hearts, a fact to which their own consciences testify, and their thoughts will either accuse or excuse them" Rom 2:15
"on that day when God, through Jesus the Messiah, will judge people's secrets according to my gospel." Rom 2:16
I always wondered what exactly these scriptures meant.
Yes, the RC gospel is a false gospel. If fellowship all came down to "Are they nice people, are they against abortion, sodomy, social injustices, and are they conservative and give to the poor?" If so, then we'd have no issue. In fact, false teachers are already doing this, we are doing it, so there is no need to extend a hand of fellowship because that always compromises the Gospel message.
Let's also not forget the anathema of Rome placed upon all outside her, let's make no pretense where she stands.
But Scripture doesn't do this concerning false teachers or make the above the test of fellowship: we are to have nothing to do with them. Jesus didn't say look and see if you like the way their wool grows, or, see how nice are they then join hands.
Scripture is clear in its warnings against false gospels and those who bring this false message.
Let's also not forget the anathema of Rome placed upon all outside her, let's make no pretense where she stands.
But Scripture doesn't do this concerning false teachers or make the above the test of fellowship: we are to have nothing to do with them. Jesus didn't say look and see if you like the way their wool grows, or, see how nice are they then join hands.
Scripture is clear in its warnings against false gospels and those who bring this false message.
Romans 2 isn't instruction on how to get to heaven Sis, it is showing no man has done those things, nor can earn salvation.
In Romans 3 Paul makes this clear, climaxing in part in Romans 3:23 showing none do this, all are lost. Romans 3:11ff shows the precursor to this indictment, so the thought that others seek the light (always some group in another country far away) isn't true, nor could it be because we are not saved via effort via graduations of given light.
Cultic groups use Romans 2 as their proof of works salvation. I'd highly recommend D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones for sound teaching on Romans.
In Romans 3 Paul makes this clear, climaxing in part in Romans 3:23 showing none do this, all are lost. Romans 3:11ff shows the precursor to this indictment, so the thought that others seek the light (always some group in another country far away) isn't true, nor could it be because we are not saved via effort via graduations of given light.
Cultic groups use Romans 2 as their proof of works salvation. I'd highly recommend D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones for sound teaching on Romans.
The third verse tells me this is how the sheep and goats out of all nations will be divided by the Lord. Only He knows who He has called. He sees hearts.
Can Holy Spirit not work with those who have never heard the gospel?
I don't know anything about groups trying to make this about works. But, the religious spirit will latch onto anything and twist truth.
Can Holy Spirit not work with those who have never heard the gospel?
I don't know anything about groups trying to make this about works. But, the religious spirit will latch onto anything and twist truth.