What follows is an excerpt from Frank Viola’s new book – ReGrace: What the Shocking Beliefs of the Great Christians Can Teach Us Today. The endnotes which contain first-hand sources are not included in the excerpt.
WARNING: BEFORE GOING FURTHER, READ THIS FIRST
1) Some of the so-called shocking beliefs that I cover in ReGrace are beliefs that I myself agree with. Others I find abhorrent.
Consequently, just because a shocking belief is listed doesn’t reveal how I personally feel about it.
It simply means that many evangelical Christians will find the belief to be shocking (at worst) or peculiar (at best).
Therefore, to those of you who are inclined to finish this book and proudly throw your chest out saying, “Good grief, I wasn’t shocked by any of those beliefs!” remember three things:
You missed the point of the book; each person I feature had people who believed they were heretics during their day; and every one of them still have people raking them over the coals because of their viewpoints.
2) While I disagree with a number of beliefs that each person I feature held, I have respect for each of them. In fact, I cannot tie the laces of their shoes.
Each individual was remarkable in his own right. I realize this means that people who don’t like Calvin, Lewis, Wesley, Augustine, and so forth will be turned off by that statement.
And some may misuse this book as a frontal attack on each person it covers, completely missing the boat on those chapters and the intent of this volume.
Finally, remember, the point of this book is NOT to highlight what our spiritual forefathers believed. It’s simply that they all had imperfect views. For that reason, let’s have more grace and civility whenever we disagree with each other over theology and politics.
The book explains practically how to disagree – even strongly – in a Christlike manner without getting down in the mud and engaging in fleshly, carnal behavior over a diverging viewpoint held by a fellow Christian.
For if the “heroes” of the faith didn’t possess immaculate perception, than the same is true for every child of God today – including you.
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Read Excerpt Now
Seven Shocking Statements by Billy Graham
True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance.
~ Oswald Chambers
Billy Graham is an icon.
Few people in history have impacted the Christian faith like Graham. While he has his critics—like every other servant of God—countless positive things can be said about him, all remarkable. Throughout his lifetime, Graham preached to an estimated 215 million people in more than 417 crusades.
In the summer of 2005, during his final evangelistic crusade, he preached to a quarter of a million people over a three-day span.
In addition to his remarkable preaching ministry, Graham prayed with or counseled twelve American presidents.
In my humble (but accurate) opinion, Graham was one of the “greats.” That said, here are seven little-known shocking quotes from Billy Graham. Graham isn’t noted for being an “out-of-the-box” nontraditionalist, but these quotes show a side of him that runs against traditional evangelical thinking.
Whether you agree with the sentiment of these quotes or not, they will surprise many evangelicals.
Quote 1—Are Muslims and Buddhists Saved? (an Interview with Robert Schuller)
Schuller: Tell me, what do you think is the future of Christianity?
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 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. I think James answered that, the apostle James in the first council in Jerusalem, when he said that God’s purpose for this age is to call out a people for His name. And that’s what God is doing today, He’s 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 nonbelieving 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 that they need something that they don’t have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think that they are saved, and that they’re going to be with us in heaven.
Schuller: What I hear you saying is that it’s possible for Jesus Christ to come into human hearts and soul and life even if they’ve been born in darkness and never had an exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you are saying?
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, and never heard of Jesus, but they’ve believed in their hearts that there was a God, and they’ve tried to live a life that was quite apart from the surrounding community in which they lived.
Schuller: That’s fantastic, I’m so thrilled to hear you say that, there’s a wideness in God’s mercy.
Graham: There is. There definitely is.
Quote 2—Salvation without Christ? (an Interview with McCall’s Magazine)
I used to play God, but I can’t do that anymore. I used to believe pagans in far-off countries were lost—were going to hell—if they did not have the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them. I no longer believe that. . . . I believe there are other ways of recognizing the existence of God—through nature, for instance—and plenty of other opportunities, therefore, of saying “yes” to God. (Graham later clarified what he meant here.)
Quote 3—Should We Link America with the Kingdom of God?
Speaking as an American himself, Graham said: I came close to identifying the American way of life with the kingdom of God. Then I realized that God had called me to a higher kingdom than America. I have tried to be faithful to my calling as a minister of the gospel.
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The above is a short excerpt from ReGrace with the endnotes removed. The rest of the quotes by Graham — including clarifying remarks he made about some of them — are included in the book.
To order the book, go to ReGrace: What the Shocking Beliefs of the Great Christians Can Teach Us Today.
Here is the Back Cover Description:
The church is tired of seeing Christians act ungraciously toward one another when they disagree. Social media has added to the carnage. Christians routinely block each other on Facebook because of doctrinal disagreements. The world watches the blood-letting, and the Christian witness is tarnished.
But what if every Christian discovered that their favorite teacher in church history had blind spots and held to some false–and even shocking–views?
Bestselling author Frank Viola argues that this simple awareness will soften Christians when they interact with each other in the face of theological disagreements.
In ReGrace, he uncovers some of the shocking beliefs held by faith giants like C.S. Lewis, Luther, Calvin, Moody, Spurgeon, Wesley, Graham, and Augustine–not to downgrade or dismiss them, but to show that even “the greats” in church history didn’t get everything right.
Knowing that the heroes of our faith sometimes got it wrong will empower us to treat our fellow Christians with grace rather than disdain whenever we disagree over theology.
How Ambition Destroys Discernment
Could not have come at a better time.
“Multitudes of Christians within the church are moving toward the point where they may reject the institution that we call the church. They are beginning to turn to more simplified forms of worship. They are hungry for a personal and vital experience with Jesus Christ. ”
This is the fact that true discipleship happens more in a house simple setting than a 1 hour church service. The authentic reality of churches is dwindling into entertainment and show. Therefore God is starting to raise up simple groups of those who are making disciples and following Jesus Christ in self-denial and godliness.
God calls people to Godself. And as His creation and children, I believe humans are all born with a spiritual whole in our hearts yearning to be filled through the relationship God desires –whether we acknowledge it as such or not. Therefore, I think the argument could be made that even those fishermen who are called disciples, left what might be considered the institutional faith of Judaism when Christ called them to “come and follow” the “spiritual food” or new covenant Jesus lived and taught.
Unfortunately in Billy Graham’s latter years … [The rest of this post has been removed by the Blog Manager. It violates the commenting rules – https://www.frankviola.org/rules – the comment had nothing to do with the post and slandered a brother in Christ. If someone has a concern about Mr. Graham, they have a responsibility to write him personally, just as Jesus taught, asking him questions about their concerns with an open heart. May we treat others the same way we want to be treated if it were us. To do otherwise is sin.]
Loving my church: the Christian Church, in my small town WI. We are blessed with an awesomely robust, Biblical, preacher who consistently feeds the flock with the Word – not his opinions or latest personal tales or flights of fancy. We are part of the United Reformed federation of NA. Anyway, I am not what is normally considered an Evangelical, and I have a hard time understanding what your main thrust is here. What post explains it clearly?
Thank you and Peace. Susan
I don’t think there’s one post in particular. There are many. But there is a revolution happening in the body of Christ right now … what some are calling a second Reformation where it concerns what “church” means and how it functions. If you’re happy with your church, that’s great. No need to be worried. But Billy’s words are coming to pass according polls by Barna, Stezter, Gallup, and others.
As snow begins to melt it trickles downward, this water has a desire, to seek a common level. Pools of water feed small streams, and streams feed rivers.
This seems to be an analogy for the “grass roots” revolution that underway. This revolution will be not by might, but by spirit. This revolution has a historical perspective, and a present impact, with a futuristic focus. This revolution will indeed be peaceful, for it is founded in the Author of Peace.
As someone going through training for ordained ministry, the 8/10/ 12 men (does it have to be men…?) model is one I want to adopt in my own ministry, when I am in a position to do so.
Reading Pagan Christianity right now as a “refresher” for me. Started to feel like maybe I was loosing focus on the reasons my husband and I originally felt organic church was healthier for the Body. These prophetic statements so show the heart of God… It’s not about bashing the institutional system, but it’s about bringing health to the Body through love and patience. I’m excited for the changes and desires in many brothers and sisters today, further up and further in!
Thanks for sharing this, Frank. I’m often finding more believers who are moving in this direction.
Having just finishing Jon Zens latest, “The Pastor Has No Clothes”, I’m realizing not only how devastating all this is to the conventional wisdom but how important this is to prepare the church for the suffering of going underground, despite the current seeming popular climate.
Hello. I am new to this site. I find that once again as followers of Christ Jesus that we are not above being fooled by Satan and our own sinful nature. As humans our sinful nature is that we all want control over all things that we come in contact with. Satan wants control over all that he comes in contact with as well.
I don’t know much but I do know that the “church” is populated with broken, sinful and searching people. I believe that God knows this and will always reveal Himself to those who continue to seek His face (wisdom, knowledge, etc..). I also believe that we as the body of Christ need to continue to strive for what God’s perfect plan was/is/will be. I for one see that the damage is done; and has been done well; to the body of Christ that we as the body need healing. Yes, the institutional church has become a far cry to it’s predecessor. Yes, man has fouled things up with sin. So yes, God is the only one to fix what has been done.
I have been to busy to fight my way to this blog topic until now.
Having just had surgery I now am finding time.
All I can say is wow!
That is a prophetic mouthful from Billy isn’t it.
Coming from one who drew crowds like no other. To say that has real force and meaning.
We have all been to busy working for Jesus.
Rather than busy listening to and following Jesus.
John Wimber once said something along these lines: Jesus told Wimber, “John I have seen your ministry. Now, let Me show you Mine!”
Church plants began to explode.
This is all well and good but I find most Christians dissatisfied with the institutional church afraid and/or reluctant to leave and anyone we find who would like to participate in house church has a theology so far out in left field that it’s heresy. I know–my frustration shows…
Randall: That’s precisely why I wrote the ReChurch Series: http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org – it doesn’t advocate institutional or “house church,” but Jesus Christ and His Body in real living expression. Experiential rather than theoretical as well.
What I find most interesting is that he said that but continued with his large gatherings. Obviously he saw the great value of a large group of people coming together.
If we are honest what many people consider missional church is no more than the missional responsibility of each and every Christian. While its true than some institutional churches do not prepare people to live missionally it’s outright foolishness to dismiss the positive effect of the institutional church.
Chris: there’s massive confusion today as to what “living missionally” means and what “the mission” actually is. As I’ve written on this blog numerous times and in the book FROM ETERNITY TO HERE, some view it as “evangelism” and/or “discipleship” as an individual program. But the New Testament is strikingly clear that neither is the mission of God. While God certainly uses the institutional form of church as best He can (despite the incongruences with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles), it’s not His original intent. The same goes for the typical “house church.” What’s needed is a revolution, or as I call it a ReChurch – http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org – and that begins with a revelation of Jesus Christ and God’s Eternal Purpose in Him.
…phew. Sobering.
The first quote from Billy Graham may be accurate in so far as Billy’s thought are concern, as to whether the “church” has a unified form, functions, organization, power structure that it is applicable to every culture at all times is questionable. In fact the second quote reveals Billy’s thought on “church institution”; he intended to something that have not been tried in the first 1,900 years after the death of Jesus, a cell group of some type.
The problem that pastors and theologians has to contend with is the assumption that the Christian traditions and theological thoughts and conclusions that came from Europe and the west are the only biblically sound interpretations of the Bible and God’s plan for every human communities. On the other hand “market driven” ministries and missions are causing confusions as to the nature and purpose of a church. Pastors are enticed to follow fads and trends or the “USU” without considering their respective cultural and political context. (Read “The Church Goes to Market”, I forget the author).
Damaso: You would no doubt be interested in reading this book:
The culture of Christianity certainly is in danger, but our walk with Christ is not cultural. It’s relational. 🙂 The more institutional church fights to keep their culture going, the more people will see it for what it is.. a money maker. The IC has become an idol to many people, so has it’s pastors. God will take down the idols so they can see Christ as he is.
Certainly Billy’s observation was spot on:
“Multitudes of Christians within the church are moving toward the point where they may reject the institution that we call the church.”
However, is his solution helpful? Is it clear? What exactly does it mean?
“Unless the church quickly recovers its authoritative Biblical message”
Could it be those who are leaving the institution who are “reclaiming” the “Biblical message”?
Could it be those who are leaving are doing so in part because of an unending anxiety created by those who feel compelled to defend and protect an “authoritative Biblical message”?
Weren’t the Great Schisms and the Protestant Reformation largely fueled by conflict over *whose* Biblical message was authoritative?
Isn’t the Catholic Church guilty of guarding the authority of their institution ahead of guarding those who could not guard themselves?
Is there really ANYTHING that needs to be “reclaimed” if everything we have is a gift, including a “Biblical message”?
Sean: Right. Billy shared what he saw coming according to his context and knowledge and tradition. Today, many are leaving the institutional church because they are looking for a deeper and more authentic experience of Jesus Christ and His Body. They may not have or use this language, but at bottom, their spiritual instincts are leading them not just “out” but “unto” God’s Eternal Purpose — the highest thing that God is, was, and will ever be after. This, of course, doesn’t represent everyone who leaves the IC. But it does represent a growing segment.
I translated the first quote of this post into spanish. Palabras de Billy Graham en 1965
Blessings.
Hello Frank. Thank you for your ministry. These prophecies remind me of how much Father loves us. Always giving us the “heads up.” MLK Jr. wrote the exact same prophecy in his letter from a Birmingham jail in April of 1963. I’m not fully versed in copyright law, so I won’t quote it here, but the similarities between the two are so overwhelming that even a blind man could see it…well, then again, maybe not!
Tasha: Go ahead and quote it. It’s not a problem, so long as you give credit to the author (which you have) and the source would be nice.
i just love it when Christ confirms himself as truth through his people….it shows that he’s not catching up with us, we’re catching up with Him…He is leading whether we realize it or not.
Cool word! I don’t think Billy meant the first quote as a positive exodus though… But does that matter?
Another thing, isn’t the second quote describing the G12 vision that bombed and became another mini-system however well-intentioned?
Dallas: I think the first quote describes exactly what’s happening today and what George Barna and have called “the Revolution.” It’s one of leaving the old wineskin for the new.
I don’t think the second is a description of any system other than the Lord’s own way of training 12 (which Paul duplicated in Ephesus by training 8). It’s actually the way that church planters in the first-century raised up Christian workers. I discuss this principle at length in FINDING ORGANIC CHURCH.
and this is where God is leading many, to the simplicity of Christ. Thanks for the post – as always .. God bless ya
Seems odd that he made that quote in 1958 about what he would do different, then seemingly stuck with the same thing for 50 more years. Not that what he is/was doing didn’t yield fruit, but I’m just saying that seems like a quote he would have made in 2008 looking back, not in 1958.
Still, the man has been incredibly blessed and brought countless to Christ. I’m not trying to take away from his efforts, in the least. Just a thought.
Michael, the question he was being asked was, what would he do if he weren’t a traveling evangelist, but a local minister.
“I think one of the first things I would do would be to get a small group of eight or ten or twelve men around me that would meet a few hours a week and pay the price. It would cost them something in time and effort. I would share with them everything I have, over a period of years. Then I would actually have twelve ministers among the laymen who in turn could take eight or ten or twelve more and teach them. I know one or two churches that are doing that, and it is revolutionizing the church. Christ, I think, set the pattern. He spent most of his time with twelve men. He didn’t spend it with a great crowd. In fact, every time he had a great crowd it seems to me that there weren’t too many results. The great results, it seems to me, came in his personal interview and in the time he spent with the twelve.” (Quoted in “Billy Graham Speaks: The Evangelical World Prospect”, Christianity Today, vol.3, no.1, p.5, Oct.13, 1958).
I also read an alleged quote from Billy Graham that I have been trying to track down to verify its authenticity. The quote was along the lines that Billy Graham said the he believed that only 5% of those who made a profession of faith in his crusades were truly saved. Again, this is not an exact quote of what I read, but a praphrase. Any help that anyone has with tracking this down would be appreciated.
Frank, I worked for Billy Graham for six years, and I recall he said on numerous occasions (none of which I’m finding via Google at the minute, however) that if he hadn’t been a world-renown evangelist, he would’ve spent his life pastoring a small church somewhere and been just as (or perhaps even more) fulfilled. So that ties in with the comment made earlier by Kathy, who cited a more direct source for the quotation.
Billy Graham, eh? Cool 🙂 And yes, definitely not a negative thing!
The word about Billy Graham choosing 12 men to pour into is in The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. It’s in the Epilogue under the subtitle Group Meetings. But the quote is in the context of what he would do if he were a pastor. You can check it out. In the back of his book, Coleman gives the original source.
Thanks for your hunger to reveal truth about the church as it is. Thanks for your willingness to step out and take risks.
It seems that Billy Graham meant this word to be a warning to the Church to prevent a negative action. The statement is truly prophetic, but the exodus from the institutional church is certainly not negative, but a new reformation and revival of the Church’s true nature.