FIRST READ:
Crystal Cathedral megachurch files for bankruptcy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101018/ap_on_re_us/us_crystal_cathedral
New Age Secular Humanism Invades Uganda and Africa
http://www.yesumulungi.com/index.php/apostasy-watch/367-secular-humanism-invades-uganda-and-africa.html
COMPARE THE NEW AGE HUMANISTS WITH PASTOR DR. ROBERT SCHULLER'S ‘GOSPEL’ IN HIS BOOK SELF ESTEEM... BELOW
"Self-Esteem: The New Reformation"
http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/Church/compromise/self-esteem-schuller.htm
What do I mean by sin? Answer: Any human condition or act that robs God of glory by stripping one of his children of their right to divine dignity. ... I can offer still another answer: `Sin is any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem.'" (p. 14)
"And what is `hell'? It is the loss of pride that naturally follows separation from God -- the ultimate and unfailing source of our soul's sense of self-respect. `My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' was Christ's encounter with hell. In that `hellish' death our Lord experienced the ultimate horror -- humiliation, shame, and loss of pride as a human being. A person is in hell when he has lost his self-esteem. Can you imagine any condition more tragic than to live life and eternity in shame?" (pp. 14-15)
"Labels such as, `evangelical,' `fundamental,' `charismatic,' `liberal' contribute to polarization and produce a climate of implied or outspoken distrust. Respectful dialogue becomes virtually impossible. What we desperately need to offset this disunity and distrust is a new and cleansing theology of communication." (p. 27)
"Are we aware that theology has failed to accommodate and apply proven insights in human behavior as revealed by twentieth-century psychologists?
"A widespread tension has too long existed between psychologists and theologians. Both disciplines should be committed to the healing of the human spirit. Both can and must learn from each other. Neither one can claim to have 'the whole truth.' Conflict between theology and psychology points to a need for growth and accommodation until the contradiction in thought is reconciled on the altar of truth. What we need is a theological restructuring which synergizes scientific and spiritual truths as related to the human being." (p. 27)
"What is our Lord's greatest passion for his church today? Believe that he wants his followers to respect themselves as equal children of God and to treat all other human beings with that same respect. ... I believe we know that Jesus would say something like this to us: '...Receive and the enjoy the fruit of salvation: Self-esteem, self-worth. ...
"If the gospel of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed as a theology of self-esteem, imagine the health this could generate in society!" (p. 47)
"Many sincere students within the larger body of believers are turned off by a theology that offers nothing more than a classical heaven and hell proposition. The alternative theology of mission focuses on peace, brotherhood, and economic equality. And the tension between these two theologies of mission is strong in the church today. Somehow a strong fresh theology of mission must be articulated that will allow sincere followers of both points of view to merge mind, motive, method, and message." (p. 60) [The dialectic process -- merging opposites into a new truth]
"We are born to soar. We are children of God. ... The Fatherhood of God offers a deep spiritual cure for the inferiority complex and lays the firm foundation for a solid spiritual self-esteem." (p. 60)
"Classical theology defines sin as `rebellion against God.' The answer is not incorrect as much as it is shallow and insulting to the human being. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity even if he or she is a `rebellious sinner'." (p. 65)
"The core of original sin, then is LOT--Lack Of Trust. Or, it could be considered an innate inability to adequately value ourselves. Label it a 'negative self-image,' but do not say that the central core of the human soul is wickedness.
"... positive Christianity does not hold to human depravity, but to human inability. I am humanly unable to correct my negative self-image until I encounter a life-changing experience with non- judgmental love bestowed upon me by a Person whom I admire so much that to be unconditionally accepted by him is to be born again." (p. 67)
"To be born again means that we must be changed from a negative to a positive self-image--from inferiority to self-esteem, from fear to love, from doubt to trust." (p. 68
"The Cross sanctifies the ego trip. For the Cross protected our Lord's perfect self-esteem from turning into sinful pride." (p. 75)
"Historical theology has too often failed to interpret repentance as a positive creative force. ... Essentially, if Christianity is to succeed in the next millennium, it must cease to be a negative religion and must become positive." (p. 104)
"Negative-thinking theologians looked at the doctrine of sin, salvation and repentance... through distorted glasses tinted with mortification mentality. Too many prayers of confession of sin and repentance have been destructive to the emotional health of Christians.... I am not fully forgiven until I allow God to write his new dream for my life on the blackboard of my mind, and I dare to believe 'I am; therefore, I can. I am a child of God. ... God has a great plan to redeem society
"The emerging church, reformed according to the needs of self-esteem-starved-souls under the Lordship of Christ.... will help us to affirm the concept that 'While god's ideas may seem humanly impossible, he will give us these ideas which will lead to glorious, self-esteem-generating success.'" (104-105)
"Protestants quote their Bible, Fundamentalists declare their orthodox theological dogmas, and we are all expected to renounce private reflection and peacefully acquiesce to these pronouncements. And the result is that the dignity of the person is violated by such oppressive, intelligence- smothering forms of communication."
"Christ is the Ideal One, for he was Self-Esteem Incarnate." (p. 135)
"...the kingdom of God is that invisible collection of committed Christians that transcends cultures, ideologies... and creeds-- all bound by the golden commitment to say nothing and do nothing that would attack the self-esteem, the self-respect, and the dignity of any other human being, whether or not they are committed members of the kingdom of God. The dignity of the person then is the irreducible cell of true Christianity." (p. 135)
"The tragedy of Christendom today is the existence of entire congregations of church members who are dominated by emotionally deprived or emotionally under-developed persons. These congregations have been accurately labeled `God's Frozen People.' ... And they do this by exercising narrow authoritarianism in doctrines and practices and by sowing seeds of suspicion and dissension in the religious community. ... By contrast, strong persons--self-assured personalities, whose egos find their nourishment in a self-esteem-generating personal relationship with Jesus Christ--dare to face contrary opinions, diverse interpretations, and deviations of theology without becoming disrespectful, judgmental, or accusatory." (pp. 153-154)
"The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the `unworthiness of the sinner...." (p. 162)
Who is Dr Robert Schuller?
http://www.truthwatch.info/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=116
Posted by: AdminMagill on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 07:54 PM
Ministry & Church
Crystal Cathedral
Hour of Power television show
Robert Schuller School of Preaching (Institute for Successful Christian Leadership)
Crystal Cathedral Academy (School for Children)
Crystal Cathedral High School
Beliefs & Key Doctrines
Possibility thinking
Self Esteem
Positive confession
Ministry Emphasis
Positive life examples
Achieving your dream/vision for your life
Television broadcasts
Ecumenism with an emphasis on monotheism
Books
Leader training emphasis
Books Authored
• 11 books written by Schuller, are listed on his web site. His most recent book is: Mountain Moving Faith: Here’s How it Works
Known Associates
• The Pope (Schuller has had a number of audiences with the Catholic Primate)
• Other Word-Faith teachers
• Bill Hybels (Schuller works closely with him)
Mentor
Norman Vincent Peale (deceased).
Strengths
Positive messages of hope and constructive living in this world.
Weaknesses
Little systematic bible-based teaching
A false self esteem gospel that is leading people to place their hope in themselves rather than the Christian God of salvation, through Christ Jesus
An unbiblical reliance on self development
Truth Watch: Assessment / Warning
Arguably, Dr Robert Schuller is the most dangerous leader within the Western Christian World. He reaches into the homes of millions with his TV programme, tapes, books and radio programmes.
His ‘self-esteem’ gospel is not the gospel of Jesus Christ, but it has a seductive power with its emphasis on salvation by feeling good about ones self through the power of positive thinking. Schuller’s saviour is his good friend and mentor, Norman Vincent Peale from whom he inherited his power of positive thinking teachings.
On his Hour of Power TV broadcast (25/3/01) Schuler preached that we enter the Kingdom of God when we ‘have a dream…focus on the dream…[and] fuel the dream’. Theologically, this is nonsense, but perfectly consistent with a man who is on record as saying that:
• The Church needs a theology that is man-centred, not God-centred
• Jesus bore the cross to sanctify our self esteem
• Self-love is the ultimate will of man (Self Esteem: The New Reformation, 1982)
• He focuses on the things the major faiths can agree on
• Transendental Meditation, Zen Buddhism and yoga are valid methods for harnessing God’s divine laws
• "Its time to go to the Pope and say, ‘what do we have to do to come home?’" (1987)
• If he came back and found his grandchildren were Muslims it wouldn’t bother him
• When the Bible says a people without a vision perish it is talking about the ‘inner eye’ of visualisation (Psychology Today, 1985)
Schuller’s ‘doctrinal’ position on sin is so far from biblical truth that any mature Christian immediately recognises that it is part of “no gospel at all” (Galatians 1:7). It is a perversion of an essential part of the true gospel (Galatians 1:7). Schuller redefines sin as any human condition or act that robs someone of their divine dignity (c.f. 1 Timothy 1:9; Romans 5:19; 2 John 3:4 and 1 John 5:17 for descriptions of sin).
Schuller shamelessly maintains that repentance from sin is a positive, highly motivated redirection of ones life. What happened to turning to the cross, accepting the finished work Christ Jesus did to redeem us from our fallen natures and reconcile us to our Father in heaven?
Schuller is trying to please men and thus contradicts Paul’s warning that, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
Schuller’s false belief in the saving merits of self-esteem entirely contradicts Scripture which clearly tells us to deny self (Luke 9:23; 14:26). In the Great Commission our Lord Jesus already knows we love [respect and protect] ourselves. He tells us to respect and protect others in self-sacrifice not self-esteem (2 Timothy 3:2-5; Matthew 26:36-40). In 2 Timothy 3:2-5 Paul includes self-love in a long list of depraved behaviour. Perhaps it is significant that being “lovers of themselves” (NIV) heads the list.
Schuller elevates how we feel about ourselves above Scriptural injunctions to test our actions and thoughts against God’s word and bring ourselves into submissions to His righteous commands. It is by humbling ourselves before a holy God that we find true esteem – God’s esteem for us. It is on that basis alone that we can feel ‘good’ about ourselves. Schuller turns Scripture on its head.
Schuller’s mentor, Norman Vincent Peale, was heavily influenced by psychology, with strong links to both Freudian and Jungian psychiatry. The Scriptures played second fiddle to his positive thinking and positive confession gospel. Interviewed on the Phil Donahue show in 1984 Peale, a 33rd degree mason, is recorded as saying “Its not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God, I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto Shrine”. Peale was merely religious. He defined religion as “…a scientific methodology for thinking your ways through problems” (Book: Stay alive All Your Life, p. 147). He also believed that Jews and Muslims and other non-Christians worship the true God. He denied the virgin birth, did not believe Christ was eternal and refused to accept that Jesus Christ’s death atoned for sin. Peale was no Christian despite being the pastor of a reformed church for 52 years. Schuller has done little more than repackage his mentor’s false theology.
Schuller’s positive confession-self-esteem teachings closely aligns with the ‘word-faith’ beliefs of men like Kenneth Haggin, Kenneth Copeland and their mentors E W Kenyon and William Branham. Biblical truth is replaced with the power of a positive confession. It is not what we believe in our hearts about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ that saves us, it is the power of a positive confession. Whatever we confess with our mouths in faith will happen. This is witchcraft long before it even approaches anything remotely Christian.
Visualising what one wants and then speaking it into being has got everything to do with the magic arts and nothing to do with Christianity. If Christians want something from the Lord they pray to God in faith, trusting that the Lord’s will, shall be done. The operation of faith in a Christian context has nothing to do with visualisation (a Buddhist practice popularised in Charismatic circles by Yonggi Cho) and speaking things into being. Instead, the Christian relies not on their own power (Copeland’s the god within us) but the grace and good pleasure of an all powerful God who is not subject to the manipulation of a positive confession.
Schuller is just one of a pack of false teachers. Many born again believers are not fooled by men like him. Sadly some professing Christian are. If you are one of them refer to the following references and go back to the Scriptures. God’s word easily exposes Schuller’s false gospel.
References:
General
• The Holy Bible (NIV)
• http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/schuller/error.htm
• Hunt, D. (1998). Occult Invasion: The Subtle Seduction of the World and Church. Harvest house, Oregon
Self-esteem
• http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/self-est/key.htm
Norman Vincent Peale
• http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/guidepo/peale.htm
Word-faith error
• http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/posit.htm
Deceptions: Graham, Peale & Schuller
http://www.seekgod.ca/deceptions.htm
2 Corinthians 11: 3-4
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
Those who are new to what's happening in the religious realm are probably unfamiliar with events that have recently taken place. There is a rapid move to try to unite all denominations worldwide. From the papacy to Pentecostals, from Lutherans to witch doctors, there is an incredible move to bring all religions together. Many bear the label of being Bible-believing or upholding the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, many have simply become vehicles and fronts of compromise and contradiction.
The 'Christian' ecumenical movement is being applauded by many politicians around the world and is viewed as instrumental in helping to unite Europe into the European union.
ENI News Service,15 September 1998
"...President Santer told the general assembly of the European Ecumenical Commission for Church and Society (EECCS)..."I hope the churches will make their voices heard in this respect, and help us to overcome the proliferation of obstacles on our path,".... EECCS is mainly comprised of national councils of churches from western Europe ...Santer welcomed plans for the integration of EECCS and another major church body, the Geneva-based Conference of European Churches (CEC), which has 125 Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox member churches from all parts of Europe, including from the former Soviet Union... "The Conference of European Churches is especially well placed to undertake this mission, as it represents the churches of the Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, and thus provides a forum for discussion between Christian traditions of East and West," Santer said... Santer pointed out that Christianity continued to "pervade Europe, its nations and its cultures" and that the resulting "cultural consensus" had been an "astonishingly effective contributory factor in the process of the unification of Europe".
"...But stressing the importance of interfaith dialogue, Santer said that other spiritual and cultural traditions - particularly Judaism and Islam - had also made "great contributions to the development of Europe and the emergence of a European spirit".
The future of the European Union depended on enabling the various ethnic, cultural and religious traditions to live together, Santer said, adding that this was "too ambitious an objective for politicians to attain on their own". He called for initiatives and commitments from churches and church-related organisations.
Churches and church agencies played a major role in many of the programmes sponsored by the European Commission, President Santer said, particularly in the areas of social policy and development aid. But increasingly, he added, issues related to the "meaning, spiritual direction and ethical dimension of European integration" had come to the fore in the dialogue between the European Commission and EECCS...."(The above is presented as a report---I am in no ways in agreement with, nor do I support the Ecumenical news or the groups referred to)
In a summation of those thoughts, one person suggested this: " the totalitarian State desperately needs the Church to build the "cultural consensus" needed for unification, which is "too ambitious an objective for politicians to attain on their own."
Many believe that their religious leaders are not politically motivated, or if they are it is for the purpose of promoting and protecting their views of morality, or family. That often means uniting with those of various denominations or faiths who may not uphold the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ. The justification becomes that it is necessary to unite in order to make any impact in the political arena. But, what is the purpose of having a Christian party, or trying to impose Biblical values on a world that is rejecting Christ? Is that what Christ called us to?
Galatians 1:6-9
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
Some believe they can reconstruct society and pave the way to a Christian world before Christ returns. Dominionist theology involves the perception that Christians have a mandate to rule the nations in the name of Christ. Many believe that all this can take place through a worldwide revival, thereby turning entire nations to Christianity. Others believe the Church will rule united under one religious ruler, the pope, until Christ returns. Hence the world ecumenical movement back to Rome. Christian denominations as well as Hindu and Muslims are entering into dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church to unite with Rome. Many of the uniting issues revolve around social concerns first and doctrinal issues being second. Though there may be disagreements about doctrine, they do not view them as insurmountable.
Some of the things that have been uncovered are very disturbing, not only because of whom is involved, but also because of the magnitude of consequences due to the nature of the information. We must be lovers of truth. This means evaluating Christian people or groups and their words and actions against scripture. In fact, we are required to do so. It isn't easy and it can become very disheartening to understand that those we may have esteemed as "solid" may be a deception.
When people speak of various social issues, their true beliefs about God, and their relationship with Christ become evident. For example: a review of Tony Campolo, speaker, and Promise Keeper, on the issue of homosexuality. He believes that it is best that gay men should be involved with only one partner, rather than a multitude of sexual partners. Are homosexual relationships then acceptable before God if one holds to that line of thinking?
Many Christians also use psychology as a means to solving social and family problems. It is highly accepted in the secular world as a religion of its own and as one of the means to deal with various issues and people. Christians embrace the philosophy as acceptable because people like James Dobson, and many other religious leaders, possibly including their own pastors, promote it.
Where did psychology come from? It came from people like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who determined to find answers to sin issues and life, by excluding God. Carl Jung was heavily involved in the occult. Freud wanted to exclude any reference to a need for God or an acknowledgment that He existed. Is it Biblical to uphold psychology in Christian circles simply because 'Christian' and secular leadership does?
Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Matthew 7:17-18 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
In other words, if the source of some idea or thought came from the occult, the idea or philosophy cannot become good. It cannot come from God simply because someone embraces it and they claim to be of God. It can not change trees or roots.
Billy Graham
Researching and weighing to Scripture also means that we must seek the truth, no matter what the opposition, or whether people will hear and understand the facts. The following is part of a correspondence regarding well-known evangelist Billy Graham in which some statements I made were being questioned.
"This really surprises me to hear such things of Billy Graham. I have a hard time believing that he doesn't think that Jesus is the only way. I am almost positive I have heard him quote the verse "I am the way, truth, life, no one comes to the father but through me
Billy Graham has said those verses, probably hundreds or thousands of times. Due to reading a review of Graham's autobiography by a former pastor who became a reporter, I started to look into Billy Graham and what he really believes. One fact that I noticed quickly and which disturbed me was that one complete chapter of the autobiography is devoted to his viewpoint of Bill and Hillary Clinton being godly people and god-fearing. Recent current events show where the Clinton's truly stand in their views on morality and godly living.
Other information came to my attention in the form of an interview that Billy Graham had done. I had seen other documentation regarding the same interview and have done a lot of background research about things he has said and upheld over the years. One thing that I felt initially, before the background research, was that if he is saying things contrary to scripture because he isn't well, or because of his age, then his family should protect him. They should stop the interviews so that his ministry and credibility are not destroyed. In saying that, though, I have done enough research to know that all is not, and has not been, what it seems.
Titus 2:7-8 "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
When researching the following interview that took place on television with Robert Schuller, I phoned directly to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. The purpose was to verify the information and also obtain a copy of the interview directly from them.
The individual I spoke with was new to the department. However, upon my inquiry he went and got a copy of the requested interview and verified that Dr. Graham had indeed said what is quoted below. I then asked for a copy of the interview and at first he sounded quite willing to accommodate that request. However, he then left the telephone for a fairly lengthy time. When he came back, his tone had changed and he said his supervisor said they no longer gave out copies of the interview. He said it was because Billy Graham didn't really mean it like it sounds. However, further research has revealed that Billy Graham has said the same thing, in various ways, in many interviews over many years.
I then contacted the Robert Schuller organization and asked for verification and tried to obtain the transcript. I had already received a copy from another source, but wanted verification that it was correct. It was.
Television Interview of Billy Graham by Robert Schuller, Hour Of Power, Part 1, an approximately 7 minute long Broadcast in Southern California on Saturday, May 31, 1997. The following is an exact transcript of an excerpt close to the end of the Broadcast.
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. This comes from all the Christian groups around the world, 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 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 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 that they have, and I think they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in heaven.
SCHULLER: What, what I hear you saying that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into human hearts and souls 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?
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: I, I'm so thrilled to hear you say this. There's a wideness in God's mercy.
GRAHAM: There is. There definitely is.
***************
John 5:23 "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him."
John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
2 John 9-10 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed."
The Television interview of Dr. Billy Graham by Dr. Schuller continued: Part II, which was broadcast on Sunday, June 8, 1997. The following is an accurate transcript of a segment.
SCHULLER: You knew ...Fulton Sheen. You knew these men. Your comments on both of these men [Fulton Sheen and Norman V. Peale].
GRAHAM: The primary way of communication is to live life, let people see that you're living what you proclaim....[comments on his friendship and conversations with Fulton Sheen] I lost a very dear friend, and since that time, the whole relationship between me and my work, and you and your work, and the Roman Catholic Church has changed. They open their arms to welcome us and we have the support of the Catholic Church almost everywhere we go. And I think that we must come to the place where we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, not on what denomination or what church or what group we belong to."
To obtain the entire interview contact: Crystal Cathedral Ministries, PO Box 100, Garden Grove, CA 92642 telephone 714--971-4000
In the above quote by Dr. Graham, he stated, "...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 non-believing world. They are members of the Body of Christ because they have 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 ARE GOING TO BE WITH US IN HEAVEN."
This statement directly agrees with the Roman Catholic Universal Catechism, page 224; par. 847: " Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience, those too may achieve eternal salvation. "
We know that God's Word never fails to provide the insight and guidance in all issues in our life. It is inerrant. It is truth. In saying that, we must then ask if what Dr. Graham stated above is in line with the Word of God?
Acts 4:12 " Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. "
John 14:6 " Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
2 Thessalonians 2:11-15 "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."
Someone also sent the following message and information to me.
"I too have seen Billy Graham's version of "universalism" - that people may have Jesus in their heart without being conscious of it... (From a transcript of an interview with David Frost, May 1997). "It took place the day before the interview with Robert Schuller - Here's one part I found to be particularly disturbing:"
FROST: "A quote: "If ever there was a woman called of God to proclaim the strip - Scriptures, my daughter Ann is one. She's one of the great Bible teachers among women today. I have a great appreciation for her and other women who have a gift of God." Does that mean that you are in favor of the ordination of women? "
REV. GRAHAM: "It's -- it would be according to the circle I was in because I'm -- I feel that I belong to all the churches. I'm equally at home in an Anglican or a Baptist church or a Brethren assembly or a Roman Catholic Church. And I would have to say that I would identify with the customs and the culture and the theology of that particular church."
2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
It has been documented that Billy Graham is also a 33° Mason. Although a statement has been issued to the contrary by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, there were at least two Lodges that had posted him as one of their famous freemasons.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
Billy Graham has consistently moved towards Rome and the papacy, and has never tried to dissuade others of the false teachings involved in it, or any other faith. In fact, for example, any Catholics that attend his crusades are moved to Catholic counselors if they seek counseling. Many in the Christian community believe that his ministry is without blemish and would be highly offended by what has been stated above.
Robert Schuller & Norman Vincent Peale
Dr. Grahams association with Robert Schuller causes us to review even in a small way, the ministry that Dr. Schuller is associated with.
Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral is part of The Reformed Church in America (RCA) This is the oldest denomination in America and has it's roots in the Dutch Reformed Church. Robert Schuller has patterned his ministry after the teachings and self-based psychology of Norman Vincent Peale. Peale had pastored the Marble Collegiate Church, which is also a Reformed Church. Like Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Shuller is also a 33° Mason.
It should be noted that Norman Vincent Peale, upheld by Billy Graham and Robert Shuller, held doctrines that were also contrary to the word of God. In a television interview with Phil Donahue in 1984, Peale said: "It's not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God; I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine...I've been to Shinto shrines; and God is everywhere."
"Donahue exclaimed, "But you're a Christian minister; you're supposed to tell me that Christ is the Way, and the Truth and the Life, aren't you?" Peale replied, "Christ is one of the ways! God is everywhere." Peale told Donahue when he got to the Pearly Gates, "St Peter would say, I like Phil Donahue; let him in!" (1)
Galatians 1:8-9 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
1 Timothy 4:1-2 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"
The newsletters, put out by the Crystal Cathedral also provide much insight into what Dr. Schuller embraces and promotes as sound doctrine. The following are excerpts from his February 1998 "Powerlines".
Schuller tells Larry King Why He's Happily Married
"...during a recent on-air interview what was the key to the longevity of his marriage.
Schuller replied that one of his psychology professors at Hope College had told him:" Schuller, when you get serious about a girl use your head first and your heart will follow."
"That changed everything," Schuller continued, " I began to say, I need a girl I can live with for the rest of my life and be happy."
And Schuller added: "When I don't agree with my wife, I sure listen because she might be right and I might be wrong."
This is the Schuller recipe for a happy, long lasting marriage! ..."
1 Timothy 6:3-4 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings."
The Powerlines Newsletter continues with a lengthy presentation regarding a statue of Jesus which Dr. Schuller had commissioned. It was to be placed on the Crystal Cathedral grounds.
SMILING JESUS: Life Size Bronze Masterpiece for Cathedral Ground
"The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes" was created for the Crystal Cathedral grounds by famed Christian sculptor John Soderberg. ...this unique masterpiece will be unveiled in our gardens on Palm Sunday, April 5th. ( Picture: Dr Schuller directs John Soderberg as he puts a smile on Jesus' face.)
"This is the first time in the history of religious art that a prominent sculptor has yielded a beautiful bronze statue of Christ that actually depicts our blessed Lord smiling," Dr. Robert Schuller said.
Dr. Schuller spent a considerable amount of time in John Soderberg's studio in Mesa Verde, Arizona putting the finishing touches on the facial features of the smiling Jesus. It was important for Dr. Schuller to have this masterpiece show Jesus Christ as a positive, happy figure who smiled often.
John Soderberg told Powerlines that this is the most important and difficult piece of work he's ever done. It took him two years, and the hardest thing was to capture all his feelings about Christ. He did fifteen different faces before he found the right combination of emotions, power, gentleness and love....
He met Dr. Schuller several years ago when he was commissioned to sculpt the figures of Billy Graham, Bishop Fulton Sheen, Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller that are in the Robert Schuller Center...and he met all his subjects except Bishop Sheen.
The idea for the smiling Jesus came when Soderberg told Schuller that he had been wanting to do a piece of art about Jesus since he was a kid.
John Soderberg says that Dr. Schuller's vision, kindness and simple power were his inspiration for the statue because "that's how I feel about Christ---simple, deep and spiritual."... end quote
A close look at the facial features, the cheekbone structure, the shape of the lips, the smile and one might get the impression that the inspiration that the artist took from Dr. Schuller came through in more than spiritual ways. One can't help but wonder how our Lord Jesus feels about being modelled after Dr. Schuller. Pictures showing the statues of Billy Graham, Bishop Fulton Sheen, Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller also on display at the Crystal Cathedral, makes one wonder why they exist. According to Dr. Schuller, they are there as a reminder of "great men of the faith" whom Dr. Schuller views individually as his heroes. They all clearly belong together.
Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
Heroes
Robert Schuller states this in a pamphlet: "Without a hero, we all lack the motivational commitment to excel. We need heroes in athletics, heroes in music. Yes, we all have a desperate need for heroes to inspire us..."
There is no Scripture to reflect that. On the contrary, God says:
Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is."
" One of the members of my Board is Bob Brown...He said, "It's time the young kids of America hear the positive thinking messages that points people to Jesus Christ like Billy Graham, and 'posi-tive-izes' the Christian faith like Norman Peale and makes faith intelligent like Fulton Sheen."
"...You have to have a positive message. Don't preach, witness. There is a difference. Be a bright light. You must have a gospel that leads people to Christ...like Billy Graham. You have to have positive thinking...like Norman Peale. And the message must be intelligent and not contradict, but cooperate with truth that comes to us from science... like Fulton Sheen. You need a powerful message..."
In other articles like Good Fruit from Evil Trees: Part 1 &2, these issues are discussed, including the concept that "true Knowledge is found in science". The Bible tells the message clearly, it does not need the help of man's wisdom.
Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."
"...but you can step in and be a bright light! And people will say, "Wow, is that the spirit of Jesus Christ? Then I want to change! I want to be a better, more beautiful, kinder, more gentle, more honest person. I want to be more helpful." Heroes: Find One! Be one! Jesus Christ is my Hero of Heroes..." (Pamphlet, "Heroes! Find One! Be One! Dr. Robert Schuller)
Colossians 2:6-8 "As ye therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Another excerpt from "Powerlines" includes the following promotional material: It describes "rewarding" people for sending donations by mailing them a replica of a statue of an eagle. The original life size eagle statue is also on display at the Crystal Cathedral Gardens.
"Eagles Club Porcelain (it was started in the last newsletter) ...created this replica of the life size eagle soon to be placed at the Crystal Cathedral Gardens to be handcrafted in porcelain.
This beautiful piece was lovingly selected by Dr. Schuller to honor all those generous people who fly at his side, making the Hour of Power possible through their contributions.... "
Colossians 2:4 " And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
2 Peter 2:1-3 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
The Crystal Cathedrals Reformed Church
As stated above, Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral is a member of the Reformed Church of America, which belongs to the WARC:
The ecumenical WARC has members from Presbyterian, United, Congregational and other Reformed denominations around the world. A brief discussion explaining the World Council of Churches (WCC) is found with David Cloud
"The World Council of Churches (WCC) is an international ecumenical union of more than 300 denominations representing more than 400 million professing Christians. It was officially formed in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1948 with 147 denominations. Today there are 307. The goal of the World Council was plainly stated at its convening Assembly in August 1948. Former General Secretary of the WCC, W.A. Visser 't Hooft, verbalized the sentiments of the ecumenists gathered for that historic occasion:
"'Our name indicates our weakness and our shame before God, for there can be and there is finally only one Church of Christ on earth. Our plurality is a deep anomaly. But our name indicates also that we are aware of that situation, that we do not accept it passively, THAT WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS THE MANIFESTATION OF THE ONE HOLY CHURCH' (The Genesis and Formation of the World Council of Churches, p. 66)
"Though the Roman Catholic Church is not officially a member of the WCC, it has worked closely with the WCC since the 1960s. Many Catholics serve today in leadership positions within the WCC. Edward Panosian notes, 'Rome's conception of the ecumenical movement is the joining of all churches--eventually all religions--to Rome. Rome does not join the WCC; she invites the WCC to join her. The whole ecumenical program has been called `the reversal of the Reformation'" (The World Council of Churches, p. 40).
"We could describe the error of the WCC under a wide number of categories. We could speak of its Doctrinal Heresy, its Modernism, its Marxism, its Humanism, its Feminism, its Sacramentalism, its Syncretism, its Universalism. The simple fact is that the WCC fails every biblical test which could be applied. It is patently and grossly unscriptural."
[Way of Life Literature, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. The Way of Life web site is http://wayoflife.org/~dcloud. The End Times Apostasy Online Database is located at this web site. (360) 675-8311 (voice), 240-8347 (fax). dcloud@whidbey.net (e-mail)]
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
These are difficult times and there are many, many deceptions, false teachings and teachers. Jesus himself warns us of these things with Scripture after Scripture. We are never to put people on a pedestal, only Christ. One person told me that if I kept taking people like Billy Graham down off pedestals, soon I would also take God down off a pedestal. Sadly, that person has never spoken to me again.
My response was and continues to be that God is the only one we should have elevated and on a pedestal in our hearts. No man is perfect, all sin, and all can be deceived. We would do well to only fully trust and believe God, and weigh all things to Scripture rather than having men as our gods.
1 John 4:1-6 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
All Scripture Quotes taken from the Authorized King James Bible
Endnote:
1. Hugh Pyle, Sword of the Lord, Dec.14,1984, also quoted in : from the Berean Call-Oct.1997---it's noted source was.. Christian News, (May 12, 1997)11
Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen
ALSO SEE:
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SHULLER
http://www.letusreason.org/Poptea1.htm
Dr.Robert Schuller’s satanic error
www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/schuller/error.htm
http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/schuller/general.htm
BILLY GRAHAM TELLS ROBERT SCHULLER HE BELIEVES PEOPLE CAN BE SAVED APART FROM JESUS CHRIST!
http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1141.cfm
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51461
ROBERT SHULLER AND FREE MASONS
www.geocities.com/endtimedeception/robert.htm
