Comment By Torchlight

The Graham Crusades

We referred here in March last to the sensationalism and gimmickry which are sometimes employed under the guise of preaching the gospel. We also commented in April on "spurious enthusiasm" and the dangers of modern mass evangelism with its choirs and other stimuli.

Our attention has been drawn to the increasing doubts of some "evangelicals" over certain aspects of the campaigns of Dr. Billy Graham. These doubts are growing in intensity and are being freely ventilated in the religious Press. They are mainly related to the methods employed by the Graham organization. The acceptance by Dr. Graham of "modernists" on his platforms has brought understandable concern to many born-again believers. A former supporter of the Graham crusades has stated: "A pulpit (or platform) compromised by co-operation with men who are unsound in the faith which the evangelical is required of God to defend, is in danger of rendering disservice rather than service to the cause of God and truth".

It is alleged that Dr. Graham's acceptance of "modernist" sponsorship has resulted in the strengthening of modernist churches. This criticism is directed at the practices of counsellors who handle enquirers. Where enquirers or converts have former church affiliations, counsellors are required to return them to their previous religious connexion. The evil of this is self-evident. It operates even in the case of Roman Catholics as the following testimony reveals:

"My counsellor took my name and address and asked to what church I belonged. I wasn't attending any at the time but I told him that I belonged to the Catholic Church. He asked me which one ... He took down all this information and began to tell me that I should go to this Church (the Catholic Church). He said that he would send me Bible lessons by mail, but to go to the Church to which I belonged. I was fourteen years old then. Since Billy Graham sent me for the Catholic Church I was under the impression that this was the right Church. By the end of 1958, after having studied the catechism of the Catholic Church, and being convinced that the Catholic Church was true, I had made my first communion (one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church). What did I gain from the Billy Graham Crusade? I gained about one year and a half in darkness and ignorance of the Bible, because Billy Graham sent me to the Catholic Church."

Criticism is also directed at some of the films made by the Graham organization. Mock tears of repentance in the eyes of actors and actresses who appear in these films are repellent to many spiritually-minded believers. Are such methods suitable for the presentation of the gospel and are they acceptable to God? The same questions arise about other features of these campaigns which many find equally repugnant. At the same time it is only fair to say that many believers wholeheartedly support the Graham Crusades and dismiss queries as to methods with the argument - "the end justifies the means". The danger of this form of reasoning was discussed here in December last.

We record these matters here for the general information of readers who may be unaware of the developments to which we have alluded. For ourselves we stand as we have formerly expressed in these pages. If "Christ is proclaimed" we rejoice (Philippians 1.18). If Dr. Graham stands foursquare on the fundamentals of the gospel, God, by His sovereign act, may use His message to the salvation of many, despite methods which appear to be contrary to His word. This does not at all imply divine approval of the methods used in these crusades. We believe that the clear mandate of our Risen Lord demands our full obedience:

"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28.19,20).

This is the broad pattern laid down by our Lord for the prosecution of the work of God from Pentecost to His second coming. It is the pattern by which all must be measured; it has never been amended or superseded. To disregard it for whatever cause or to substitute another is surely a grave departure from "the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). The apostles devoted their lives to the pursuance of the divine purpose. Disciples were made, baptized and taught. Churches of God were founded into which the baptized disciples were gathered and each of these churches was a golden lampstand of divine testimony from which light and truth were diffused to others.

The principles and methods of apostolic labours are on record for our guidance, embodied in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. The confusion and division which we see around us today are the result of departure from the teaching of our Lord and His apostles. Ecumenicalism on the one hand and inter-denominationalism on the other must be rejected if we are to give effect to the divine pattern of gathering for God's people in churches of God. Loyalty to God's word, and to the truth He has taught us, demand that we stand aside in separation from the ecclesiastical confusion of our times.

A study of divine principles of separation from evil appears on page 91 of our present issue entitled. "A people that dwell alone" by our co-worker A.J.S. Thomson.

unknown | Jun 1966
Comment By Torchlight