Billy Graham, world-famous televangelist, died on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the age of 99. Having discovered the power of radio and television preaching, as well as annual “Billy Graham Crusades” attracting thousands of listeners, he has been called one of the most influential preachers of the twentieth century. It is estimated that he preached to live audiences sometimes approaching nearly 215 million people, and in more than 185 countries. He advised every American president since Harry Truman, a remarkable accomplishment. An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Graham authored dozens of books, many of which were best sellers, and wrote a newspaper column, “My Advice” for over 60 years. He operated several media outlets, and hosted a popular radio show in the 1950’s. He was, by all accounts, a very, very influential man. He preached a simple, attractive message of salvation to all who “accept Jesus Christ into their heart by faith.” In President George W. Bush’s book, Decision Points, Graham is quoted as responding to a question about salvation by saying that some people “require a born-again experience to understand God, and some of us are born Christians.” [pg. 31]
So here’s my problem: Amid all of the accolades and tributes, many of which I have no doubt are well deserved, I can’t find Billy Graham’s message in my Bible. I have looked. Nowhere does the word of God indicate that anyone who simply “accepts Jesus Christ into their heart by faith” will be saved. Quite the contrary. The book is full of clear teaching about obeying the commands of God. For example, Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven,” (Mt. 7:21). Over and over again I find warnings that faith alone is insufficient. One of the clearest examples is the statement of James, “Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only,” (Jas. 2:24).
Where did Billy Graham get the idea that “some people require a born-again experience to understand God, and some of us are born Christians?” The Bible does not say that. Jesus said, “Except one be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,” (Jn. 3:5). Being “born of the water and the spirit” sounds like baptism, which Billy Graham did not preach. Jesus did. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, (Mk. 16:16). In answer to the question of what to do to be saved, Peter did not say that some of you are “born Christians.” He said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, for the remission of sins,” (Acts 2:38).
I have great respect for the good works done by Billy Graham, and many others like him. This is nothing personal against his lifestyle or his morality. But I get concerned when I find that someone for 60 years has been telling millions of people that they can be pleasing to God by doing less than what God himself has said he requires. I honor his moral lifestyle, his civil rights achievements, his political decisions, but I cannot endorse or recommend what Billy Graham preached, because it does not square with the word of God. Instead, Graham was one of the world’s foremost purveyors of the common error that man can be saved by “faith only.”
Guy Woods used to tell an interesting story about Billy Graham, which you probably won’t hear in the media. He suggested that, despite Billy Graham’s erroneous message, he would indeed be responsible for at least one soul going to heaven. Many years ago, while preaching to a large gathering, Billy Graham quoted part of Acts 2:38, as follows: “Repent! and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!” Someone in the audience called out, “Read the whole verse!” Graham ignored the call at first, but the person persisted, “Read the whole verse!” Finally, Graham said, “Oh, you must be one of those Church-of-Christers!” The man had never heard of the Church of Christ before. But he knew that, whoever they are, they must believe in quoting the whole verse. After that meeting, he independently searched out the local church of Christ, engaged in a thorough Bible study, and was baptized into Christ for remission of sins. With all due respect to Billy Graham, and others who honor him, it would seem to be a good time to be reminded of something more important. And that is the need to have the courage and kindness to teach “the whole counsel of God.” Even if it may be wildly popular to subtract from or add to it, may we preach the Bible in sincerity and love. Such may not make us popular with presidents, or with the American people, but it is the only way I know to be popular with God. And that’s what really matters.
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
