Billy Graham's MY HOPE

[allan_brooks]

There have been very few "national" evangelistic programs that have exited me in over thirty years as pastor. MY HOPE excites me. Imagine if every church in the United States has five couples invite five lost people and witnessed to them!

[Ed Pettibone]

There have been very few "national" evangelistic programs that have exited me in over thirty years as pastor. MY HOPE excites me. Imagine if every church in the United States has five couples invite five lost people and witnessed to them!

Ed: Allan, welcome to Baptistlfie. com (I left a space in the URL so as to not create a link) What can you tell me about how you found us?

You may have noticed that I am a good bit more accepting of Billy Graham than my friend Steve fox., But I am not familiar with the My Hope program how long has it been around? On first blush, I feel a bit irritated. As presented it sounds as of some one is presenting BG as their hope, when Billy for years worked at avoiding that idea. He affirmed over and over that Jesus is our only hope. And then when I looked a the website I see them using Mt: 9.9 as a base for a ministry encouraging folk to invite others into their home for a meal as a means of evangelism. In 9.9 Mathew and Jesus are in Mathews tax collectors office, from whence Jesus invites Mathew to follow him and then they are at Mathews work place. Then in v.10 they are in Mathews house having dinner with many other tax collectors and "sinners". Note having no house (not even a place to lay his head), it appears Jesus had invited himself and some of his followers to Mathews home.


In deed hospitality is a wonderful christian trait but this is not a passage that supports that idea. For the Graham organization or someone using their name to do this sets my teeth on edge a bit. And to be consistent in calling for accuracy and honesty and transparency, I haven't had my own natural teeth for 11 years.

[Haruo]

Yes, my first thought when I saw the thread title was a hymn (or parody):

MY HOPE is built on nothing less than Billy Graham's righteousness...

but of course once I read Allan's post it was obvious what he meant, even though I too am unfamiliar with the program in question. (And I'll admit I'm leery of pointing at others and saying "Lost"...)

[allan_brooks]

The MY HOPE campaign is produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They sent out a free dvd containing the how to and a composite of Billy Graham sermons (20 min.) to be shown to the dinner guests. The "My Hope" comes from Billy Graham's desire to see the United States stop the slide into secularism.

I think we all know at least five people, whether friends or family, whose lives are lived without any reference to God. To me, that's "lost".

[Ed Pettibone]

The MY HOPE campaign is produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They sent out a free dvd containing the how to and a composite of Billy Graham sermons (20 min.) to be shown to the dinner guests. The "My Hope" comes from Billy Graham's desire to see the United States stop the slide into secularism.

I think we all know at least five people, whether friends or family, whose lives are lived without any reference to God. To me, that's "lost".

Ed: Allen, are the guest informed of the purpose of the invitation? I once had a fellow invite my wife and I to dinner with a few other folk, and then showed a 25 min film promoting an investment scheme It ended a nice friend ship. I have no doubt that this program has a positive impact on some, however I am concerned about the potential of collateral damage for others.

[allan_brooks]

Evangelism carries risks. Jesus knew this and when He sent out the disciples two by two. He instructed them that if they are not received to knock the dust from their shoes. Sure, some of them probably got mad and told the temple priests about the "heretics".

I guess the bottom line is what we believe about eternity. If we believe that when the body dies that we continue to existence then some thought should be given to that state of existence. Should God accept everyone into His abode then there's very little to think about. But should God only accept certain of the deceased spirits then some thought should be given to His requirements for admission. And, if rejected what are the alternatives? Could it be that this is the dialogue some people could be induced to share in?

I believe God sent His son, Jesus, into the world to save, from the consequences of sin, those who would believe and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. I believe that this "Good News" should be shared.

[Tim Bonney]

The idea makes me a bit uncomfortable if the persons coming aren't warned. I'd never invite a group to dinner with the intention of showing a video for evangelism purposes without telling them. That smacks of a bait and switch. They think they are coming for a friendly dinner and you have a plan in mind to hit them with this gospel presentation that they might or might not want to see if given the opportunity to say no.

Now if you set up a dinner and invited people saying, "Hey I've got this video that presents the Christian faith and I'm inviting you and some of my other non-Christian friends to come see it over dinner." That would be a lot different. There are no tricks involved. People can decline if they aren't interest.

[Ed Pettibone]

Allen Brooks wrote "I believe God sent His son, Jesus, into the world to save, from the consequences of sin, those who would believe and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. I believe that this "Good News" should be shared."

Ed: Allen I think everyone here agrees with you on that. It is the essence of the great commission.

The question revolves on methodology. And I am persuaded that no one size fits all who proclaim or every audience. And in my 79 years 9 months I have observed some sloppy evangelism.

[Tim Bonney]

The question revolves on methodology. And I am persuaded that no one size fits all who proclaim or every audience. And in my 79 years 9 months I have observed some sloppy evangelism.

Agreed Ed.

[Willis]

I wouldn't allow my Chinese Pug, Lexie, listen to Billy Graham. He is 'buddy-buddy' with the pope and he will not preach the necessity of salvation to the RCC. Plus, he is a full-blown mystic.

From an interview given by Robert Schuller to Billy Graham...

Some American fundamentalists are now saying that Billy Graham should be considered a heretic because of televised remarks which he made to Dr Robert Schuller a few years ago. Dr Graham - allegedly - stated that Jesus is not the only way to salvation. What did Dr Graham possibly mean, and where does UK Apologetics stand on this issue?

The conversation occurred between Dr Billy Graham and Dr Robert Schuller, who is the pastor of the 'Crystal Cathedral' in Garden Grove, California and founder of the Hour Of Power television programme. The interview was broadcast on May 31, 1997 in the United States on Schuller's show, apparently subtitled "Say 'Yes' To Possibility Thinking." Billy Graham's actual words in the interview are no secret and remain widely available on 'You Tube.' The comments go like this:


Dr. Schuller: "Tell me, what is the future of Christianity?"

Dr. Graham: "Well, Christianity and being a true believer, you know, I think there's the body of Christ which comes from all the Christian groups around the world, or outside the Christian groups. I think that everybody that loves Christ or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the body of Christ. And I don't think that we're going to see a great sweeping revival that will turn the whole world to Christ at any time."

"What God is doing today is calling people out of the world for His name. Whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world, or the non-believing world, they are members of the body of Christ because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts they need something that they don't have and they turn to the only light they have and I think they're saved and they're going to be with us in heaven."

Dr. Schuller: "What I hear you saying is that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into a human heart and soul and life even if they've been born in darkness and have never had exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you're saying?"

Dr. Graham: "Yes it is because I believe that. I've met people in various parts of the world in tribal situations that they have never seen a Bible or heard about a Bible, have never heard of Jesus but they've believed in their hearts that there is a God and they tried to live a life that was quite apart from the surrounding community in which they lived."

Dr. Schuller: "This is fantastic. I'm so thrilled to hear you say that. There's a wideness in God's mercy.

Dr. Graham: There is. There definitely is."

Full-blown mysticism.

Here's the link: http://www.ukapologetics.net/11/graham.htm

[Sandy]

A couple of points here related to Willis' post.

He is 'buddy-buddy' with the pope and he will not preach the necessity of salvation to the RCC.

Not that he's done a tremendous amount of preaching at all lately, or writing, but I can't find any evidence that Billy Graham has ever refrained from preaching the necessity of salvation. Perhaps he has a relationship with Pope Francis, I don't know, but I'd say his health has, in recent years, precluded much activity of any kind.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV

Denominations are creations of human initiative, and all of them are hindered by human reason and error, because they are made up of sinners who are still in the flesh. No doubt, with its long history, the Roman Catholic Church is burdened and laden with layers of church tradition and not all of it has its origin in either the leading of the Holy Spirit, or in the scripture. But no denomination has a corner on the truth, no matter how close to it they think they are, or how literal they think they are interpreting the scripture. Here's what the scripture says:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. I John 4:1-3, ESV

I see nothing there that says anything about getting the doctrine right, or which denomination you belong to. In fact, this passage comes from the middle of a church epistle written by the same Apostle who penned the words that are so familiar to us in John 3:16. Two themes run through this epistle in a very clear, concise manner. That confession of Jesus as the messiah is the foundation upon which Christian faith rests, and that the absolute assurance of that faith is that those who make this confession treat other people with the same kind of love that Jesus had for them. This is a love that would lead one to lay down their life for another, if necessary. Keep in mind the persecution that the church was already going through at that time, and that a choice between denying Christ or dying might happen to anyone at any time. And since the convenant between believers and God is an individual one, joining "the right church" can't bring it about any more than joining "the wrong church" can disqualify you from receiving it. There are plenty of Roman Catholics among those whose lives give evidence of the sincerity of their confession of Jesus. How many sermons has Graham preached, and books that he has written, have focused squarely on this theme? As far as I can tell, all of it has.

As far as the accusation of "mysticism" goes, I'm not seeing it. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1, makes it clear that God's eternal power and divine nature can be seen in creation, enough to bring about conviction of sin. And if the spirit brings conviction of sin, then it can also bring about a response of repentance that leads to salvation.

[Tim Bonney]

I wouldn't allow my Chinese Pug, Lexie, listen to Billy Graham. He is 'buddy-buddy' with the pope and he will not preach the necessity of salvation to the RCC. Plus, he is a full-blown mystic.

Silly question I suppose, but why would Billy need to talk to the Roman Catholic Church about the necessity of salvation?? And what the heck to you mean about him being a "mystic?" You lost me here Willis totally.

[Haruo]

I wouldn't allow my Chinese Pug, Lexie, listen to Billy Graham. He is 'buddy-buddy' with the pope and he will not preach the necessity of salvation to the RCC. Plus, he is a full-blown mystic.

Silly question I suppose, but why would Billy need to talk to the Roman Catholic Church about the necessity of salvation?? And what the heck to you mean about him being a "mystic?" You lost me here Willis totally.

Boy did I misread that one! I thought Willis was saying that Lexie the pug was buddy-buddy with the pope, etc. etc.

[Tim Bonney]

I still still wish I knew what on earth Willis meant about Billy being a "mystic?"

the "Regular Baptist" denomination he comes out of is a very very small group of people. He may have trouble finding his own kind to hang out with.

[William Thornton]

I'd say you're a kind of a mystic...all that Celtic stuff. I regularly call some members of the small group that I attend 'mystical.' Me, I'm generally non-mystic but inclined towards being dyspeptic.

[Tim Bonney]

I'd say you're a kind of a mystic...all that Celtic stuff. I regularly call some members of the small group that I attend 'mystical.' Me, I'm generally non-mystic but inclined towards being dyspeptic.

LOL, I don't think of you as dyspeptic William. But you are right to think of me as a mystic. I am drawn to the contemplative life, neo-monasticism, and sacramental theology.

[Tim Bonney]

As to Graham, he just isn't someone that I'd have thought of as "mystic" fitting him. While Willis was from a very different background, I'm sorry he didn't give it more of a shot. I've figured out most of the regulars around here.

[Mrs Haruo]

As for inviting a bunch of acquaintances over to surprise them with a film about Christianity---- My cousin's grandpop had a saying about that.: "If a man comes to my house talking about religion, I make sure my cattle are branded early that year". I come from a family where a lot of people have been taken advantage of by so-called "church people". Including me. No dinner table film is going to change my mind. I gotta see if you walk the walk before I pay much mind to your talk.

[Ed Pettibone]

As for inviting a bunch of acquaintances over to surprise them with a film about Christianity---- My cousin's grandpop had a saying about that.: "If a man comes to my house talking about religion, I make sure my cattle are branded early that year". I come from a family where a lot of people have been taken advantage of by so-called "church people". Including me. No dinner table film is going to change my mind. I gotta see if you walk the walk before I pay much mind to your talk.

Ed: Mrs.H. could you give us some examples of how members of your family "have been taken advantage of by so-called 'church people" ? I have quite a large extended family given the fact that my mother had 6 sisters and two brothers. My dad had three brothers and two sisters. I have never heard one of them say they or their children had been taken advantage of by either church people or "so called church people". I have known pastors who have milked their congregations for buildings and land to make themselves look good and live luxuriously.
I
I do have a retaliative who along with his spouse where lured into a cult that kept demanding contributions for what I would call spurious causes.

As for inviting people to to dinner and then springing a film about any religion, I believe it is rather tacky, unless those doing the inviting, tell the invitees that their will be such a film.

[Mrs Haruo]

I was lured into a cult by youth leaders at the church I attended as a teenager as a new Christian. They, and several other members of the church thought this teacher was the best thing since sliced bread, but his seminars were full of false teaching that led me to an unwise marriage to a man with severe psychological problems that I was too young to inexperienced in the ways of the world to recognize. TThis well known leader's teachings led me to be excessively harsh and violent in disciplining my children. My daughter was left with deep emotional scars she has never forgiven me for.
I have cousins who were led into direct sales schemes that had them spending money on over priced products and sales training workshops they couldn't afford in hopes of getting rich quick (They must be honest-- I met them at church!)

Thats just the tip of the iceburg. Haruo and I were discussing today a long line of High School Sunday school teachers with some really odd theology that paraded across the pulpit in the High School department of our home church during our teen years .....

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed: Mrs, I have heard a few others give even more specific examples, generally occurring in "independent churches" with under educated pastors. There was recently (with in the past year) a case here in upstate Ny where a teenage boy was beaten to death by members of a church made up mostly of one family and in a church setting during a "group counseling session" they attempted to force he and a brother "to confess their sins"" by taking turns at beating the two the older brother survived...physically. I have heard no reports of what sort of psychological help he may be getting.

But this so far from the norm for the vast majority of churches some of are inclined to say that it was an exception and will probably never happen again. I believe that would be a safe bet in most denominational churches but what can or should be done about small clans of misguide people? Some Baptist are slaves to our doctrine of separation of church and state to the point they would not report suspected child abuse at a church if they caught wind of it. That I feel is a gross misunderstanding of the doctrine.

if you would care to pursue this subject we should start a new topic. Unfortunately I am quite busy with my down sizing efforts, at this point in time.

[Haruo]

The cult in question was Bill Gothard's, and the church was United Presbyterian, very mainstream outfit but with some nut cases and ignorami assigned to teach Sunday School and lead youth groups. There is already a thread named for him, here, and also some mention of him in the one on The Duggars. I would suggest using the former for further discussion of Gothard and his "ministries". I attended a seminar of his along with Mrs. Haruo and others from the Rose Hill Presbyterian youth group. I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now. I didn't take him any more seriously than I do the Mormon missionaries current angling for our souls, or the Nichiren Shoshu folks I joined briefly a few years later.

[Tim Bonney]

I've not heard the name "Gothard" for a while. But his views on marriage and family are infamous. <shudder>

[Ed Pettibone]

I've not heard the name "Gothard" for a while. But his views on marriage and family are infamous. <shudder>

And what does Gothrd have to do with Billy Graham?