Franklin Graham: Speaking Truth or Hype?

Posted on May 10, 2010
Viewed 4173 times
(324) comments

OK... I want your input on this. Franklin Graham has, of course, been in the spotlight recently over the whole National Day of Prayer dis-invitation thing. Last week, on the eve of the National Day of Prayer, Graham said this in a webcase from the offices of the Family Research Council:

"I think its coming to this country where we (will) have the freedom to preach inside a church wall, but we will lose the freedom to do it outside. That day will probably come – maybe in my lifetime."

I want to know what you think of this quote.

Do you agree or disagree?

Is it probably truth or purely hype?

Franklin Graham continues:

“(In the United States) we see everyday our rights being eroded. Just a little at a time, but its happening. Everyday. So let’s preach while we can. Let’s stand up and holler ‘Jesus Christ! King of Kings, Lord of Lords!’to the top of our voice... The secularists are going to get ticked off, the news media’s going to hate it. I don’t know, maybe the people in the White House are going to be mad. But you know what, I don’t care. Because God has called us to take the Gospel -- His Gospel, the power of God and His Salvation -- unto the ends of the Earth.”

Again... agree or disagree?

My take: I don't know. In some ways, I think it is the proverbial militant preacher that is preaching 'Jesus Christ! King of Kings, Lord of Lords' at the top of their voice that somehow is causing much of the turmoil and 'rights reduction' in America. Don't get me wrong... America was based on religious freedom, and we need to protect our right to proclaim the gospel without government intervention; but purposefully ticking off the people who are the ones who are in power over making the rules doesn't make sense to me either.

We can holler Jesus' name all day long at those we don't agree with; and at people who don't know Jesus. They'll just think we're nuts. (And they should... they don't know Jesus!) And if they think we're nuts, they probably WILL move to keep us quiet. After all, that's what we want to do with them, right?

What's the answer? Let the church be the church. Like it was in Nashville last week. The more we as churches (and individuals) can be the hands and feet of Jesus rather than trying to be the mouth of Jesus, the better off we are. Out of the opportunities that God gives us every day being the hands and feet, lives will be changed, and instead of having to 'holler' Jesus' name; we can whisper it. And my guess is that we'll be a lot more effective.

Am I all wet? It's Monday. Early. And I haven't had my coffee yet. (But that's no excuse... I hate coffee).

What do YOU think? Leave a comment below...

Todd

Comments

if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, your picture will displayed on any website that supports gravitars.

Jerry Long on Mon, May 10, 2010

Amen, Todd! I totally agree with you! In fact, I preached a sermon yesterday on this exact point - The love of Jesus is truly seen through our actions. As St. Francis of Assisi is quoted as saying, “Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.”
Randy on Mon, May 10, 2010

If you don’t see the trend toward removing the freedom to preach the gospel in public, praying in the Name of Christ Jesus, or even sharing love in His Name, perhaps you have moved beyond being all wet and are drowning.
FORREST KRUMMEL on Mon, May 10, 2010

Much ado about nothing. The early church was most vital and vibrant when it was not embraced by the culture-government. Still true today. We too easily confuse nationalism and love of country with the Kingdom of God and Jesus-lifestyle. I have greater fear of having the State co-op the Faith (as happened in Germany prior to WWII) than the Church being suppressed by the State. Besides, the President is a practicing Christian—maybe not in a political conservation mode as his immediate predecessor—but faithful, nevertheless. He is in the mold of Rev. Jim Wallis and Sojourner.
Wayne Lewis, Pastor Richardson East Baptist Church on Mon, May 10, 2010

Have we become to timid that we cower to what may happen if we preach the Gospel? Jesus was considered a radical in His day and because we preach to a sinful world and in essence tell them they are sinners in need of repentence they are going to rebel against that. Look at what they did to John the baptist and even our Lord Himself. There just may not be much time left to preach the good news of the Gospel so I say “all ahead, full speed.”
Chris on Mon, May 10, 2010

Todd, I think you needed your coffee before you went off on this. Seems you are more upset about the “hollering” quote than the reality that the first quote addressed. Graham is addressing how we need to be bold, verbal, and courageous in sharing the gospel while we still have freedom to do so (just as we should be when these freedoms no longer exist). The apostles were no different - they chose to obey God rather than man and paid the price of persecution and martyrdom for doing so. Hands and feet are great, but Christ said this: �THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.� (Luke 4:18-19). And this: �Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.� (Mark 1:38). There is no substitute for verbal proclamation of the gospel backed by a credible lifestyle. We are not commissioned be to be little Francis of Assisi’s, but little Christ’s. Mouth versus hands and feet is a false dichotomy that Scripture does not support.
Dennis Thurman on Mon, May 10, 2010

I’m not going to call you an idiot—just ignorant. Not as in “stupid ” for you are certainly a bright fellow. I mean this: you are ignoring part of the Scripture and the current cultural climate. You’ve got the “let the church be the church” part right in that it’s no good to share our faith without showing our love. Neither need we be screaming about our rights, but we ought to embrace our responsibilities to share the Gospel. That’s not being obnoxious, but it will often be often offensive. We can expect persecution if we stand for Christ—the meek and mild Jesus taught that. While I do not relish ridicule and worse that may come, it isn’t so much what I face that concerns me. I have a precious wife, 5 children and so far expecting a ninth grandchild. My desire is that they experience the blessings and freedoms I have enjoyed flowing from America’s godly heritage. I am willing to fight for that. Ignore the portions of Scripture that don’t fit a milktoast template, ignore the deepening darkeness we are sinking into, if you will, but Franklin Graham is not ignoring the facts—freedom is being eroded. This has been happening gradually, but now the foundation is being laid for what happened to the Jews in Germany to occur with Christians here. Those churches in Germany took much the same stance when Hitler came to power. They pooh-poohed the possibility. Consider me another Baptist who will still cry out in the world’s wilderness, “Repent!” A lot of churches wouldn’t let old John preach in their pulpits. They would call him nuts. Jesus said, however, “There has not risen one greater…” and so I’ll close on that note.
Rev. Ray Tanyer on Mon, May 10, 2010

What is wrong with you people. Where in the Bible does it say to shut up in the face of societal opposition. Scripture tells us that the church will become apostate and many of these comments seem to indicate that you are helping. |Jesus took on the Pharisees when it was unpopular. He cast demons into pigs and they drowned themselves and the people wanted Him to leave. At various times the people wanted to stone Him because He took unpopular stances. The Apostles were ordered to not preach Jesus by the Sanhedrin yet they resisted. There are good pastors who are preaching the Word and are in trouble with authorities in this country. What part of your salvation are you willing to give up in order to get along with the world ? Franklin is telling the truth and is taking the heat for it. He does not need to be sniped at by those who are to be defenders of the faith. Paul also tells Timothy to be ready to preach the Word in season and out. And remember 2 Tim 3:16. If we all cower down to people who don’t know Jesus then we are already Apostate. There are so many “leaders of the faith” who go on Larry King and say they don’t know if Jesus is the only way to heaven. These leaders are apostate when they deny the truth of Scripture and the Truth of Jesus. He is who He says he is or He is a liar and therefore not the Son of God and our Savior. Jesus confronted evil and we must be willing to do so as well. The early church martyrs could have escaped death by denouncing Jesus and didn’t. What would the think of our puny efforts to be liked in the world?
Andee marks on Mon, May 10, 2010

Interestingly, I was reading Matthew 13 from The Message this morning and it seems at least a bit applicable to this discussion. When the disciples asked Jesus why He told stories, He replied that there were blessed to have received insight into God’s kingdom. He goes on to say that not everyone has been given that insight; that when someone has a ready heart, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, there is no receptivity. So, Jesus told stories to create readiness, to nudge people toward receptive insight.
Perhaps we might do well to follow Jesus’ example and tell stories—which are more apt to be heard than shouting—all the while praying for the readiness of the hearer’s heart, that the word might fall on fertile soil, take root, and bear much good fruit.
Craig on Mon, May 10, 2010

Todd,
I believe (my opinion) that those who are offended by the volume of the messenger would hate the message anyway. I don’t believe its’ the volume or the manner that means anything it’s the message the speaks too loud. I understand what you stated in the blog about how the unsaved hear the gospel, but I don’t believe quieter would be any “nicer” than loud. I have some street-preacher friends that do quite well for the Kingdom using volume. As for our rights eroding like Franklin Graham said, I agree they are. But we should not fear that. We should still speak out for the Kingdom even if it is” Against” the law of Caesar. I am under the impression ( and I can be wrong) we as christians in this nation have had a soft life, when it comes to our faith. I believe those days are coming to a close. Another reasson for our eroding rights as christians are because of what I call the “ugly christian”. Those who are a part of a militia or some sort of arm-bearing assembly. They make Christ and all of us look “ugly”. That’s what the government can get a hold of, and, we get dirty in association with them. We are not called to be national zealots. I hope my comments help you and others a little.
Paul on Mon, May 10, 2010

I agree with Franklins first comment completely. I have seen things moving in this direction for years. As for shouting out Jesus Christ. Yes and no. we need to be bold but strategic. Yes we need to serve, but at the same time we need to tell the truth.
N. P. Leafblad on Mon, May 10, 2010

You’re not an idiot, Todd. You’re proposal to be hands and feet speaks volumes to those who don’t know Jesus. The middle ages during the Great Plague should have taught us that. We could lose our ‘right’ by government to proclaim the gospel, but then we’d just go under ground like other places in the world and continue. I have come to believe that followers of Christ in the US have placed the country and its government as an idol, something that has displaced our faith in the Lord God. It is to Him we need to look, not to whether or not a law is passed to restrict our voice. The Gospel will always be heard, until time comes to an end, one way or another because the sovereign Lord will keep it going, not because of any act of human law.
Wayne Rediker on Mon, May 10, 2010

Our greatest example of how to go about our Christian life always comes back to Jesus. He preached in the synagogue, He taught in villages (outside the church) and in small groups (disciples). When confronted with questions from the public He gave answers that were difficult to debate. He never seemed to critcize the government, but weighed heavily into the religious leaders of the day.
The only time He got a little angry and might have raised His voice was with the money changers in the temple.
Sgillesp on Mon, May 10, 2010

But Greg, he wasn’t speaking to the church, or at least “within” the church - he was speaking on a webcast from the Family Research Council, which is a political organization. And that right there is what is wrong with it: of course “dark days” are coming because these are the last days (even if they go on for 10,000 more years). Jesus said we’d get what he got; I don’t expect the world and its systems to understand or accommodate the speech or values of the kingdom of God. But Franklin is speaking, in this case, into a microphone of the world (yes, he is: the Family Research Council is a lobbying effort on the right, and though Christians may agree with them on many issues, that doesn’t make them “Christian” or a mouthpiece of the church), and thus he is talking to the world. And as others here have noted, his message is not what Jesus said. In fact, had Jesus the microphone and something harsh to say, he just might have turned it around on the FRC itself. All of this behavior is creating the very circumstances we see as darkness, and making it harder to speak of the good news of the gospel with individuals, without having to move a whole lot of unnecessary obstruction out of the way first.
Dan on Mon, May 10, 2010

I am glad Franklin has the courage to speak the truth. The elephant in the room is that we will continue to lose our freedoms if things continue like they are. We must speak up and get the attention of those who will listen. Franklin has a different “spiritual office” than I do. Historically speaking, prophets have always spoken in a strong way. From what I have seen and heard, he speaks the truth…even if it is offensive to some at times.

I also think we will continue to lose our rights to speak openly if you and I do nothing about it. Here is a little parable that you probably have seen - it seems to fit…

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

“What food might this contain?” The mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed this warning : “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray�Be assured you are in my prayers.”

The mouse turned to the cow and said, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.” So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap…Alone…

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house—the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it. It was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital.

When she returned home she still had a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient�a chicken.
But his wife’s sickness continued. Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

But, alas, the farmer’s wife did not get well…She died.
So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon. And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn’t concern you, remember—- When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

—-

There really is a bigger picture here than how Franklin said what he said.
Linda Stanley on Mon, May 10, 2010

My opinion - yelling louder won’t get the point across any faster or win folks over. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was using hyperbole to make his point.