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"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15
Billy Graham Does an About Face
Billy Graham has done an 'about face' on the AIDS question. According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle of October 12, 1993, Billy Graham completely reversed himself concerning a recent statement he made about his belief that AIDS is a judgment of God. We quote:
"Graham Sets Record Straight --
Evangelist Billy Graham has apologized for preaching in Columbus. Ohio, two weeks ago that he thought AIDS was a judgment of God. 'ls AIDS a judgment of God?' he had said, 'l could not be sure, but I think so.' Later, Graham told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, 'l don't believe that and I don't know why I said it. I remember saying it, and I immediately regretted it and almost went back and clarified the statement. 'He said he believes 'that God stands in judgment of all sins, but AIDS is a disease that affects people and is not part of that judgment. To say that God has judged people with AIDS would be very wrong and cruel. I would like to say that I am very sorry for what I said."
Why would Graham contradict himself on such an important issue?
Why would he publicly apologize for speaking the truth about AIDS? It cannot be denied that the beginning of the aids epidemic and the vast majority of those who have since contracted this terrible disease have done so by a willful disregard for the consequences of sinful conduct. While it is true that many innocent victims have also fallen prey to this terminal infection, attempting to disassociate the evil of the sin which predominates among the primary carriers of the virus from God's judgment upon such conduct amounts to glossing over Biblical reality.
It would appear that Graham's overriding determination not to offend anyone, as has
been the case so often in the past, has once more led him to follow the path of compromise
rather than absolute fidelity to the Truth.
Billy Graham's collaboration with apostate ecumenical leaders; his refusal to expose the unscriptural position upon which their search for "Christian unity" is based; and his willingness to cooperate with apostate religious leaders, was demonstrated once again in his reported cordial visit with Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.
The EPS report said”
"Raiser reported that he and Graham had a friendly, informal and wide-ranging conversation. Graham recalled his attendance at the earlier WCC general assemblies and talked about many of his current activities, Raiser said. Raiser said he told Graham that the WCC had been unsuccessful in a number of efforts to develop ties with evangelicals, and asked for any thoughts he might have about how that might be done more effectively. But he said Graham offered no suggestions, and appeared to have little involvement in the internal political affairs of evangelical organizations, and remained focused rather on his own campaigns and projects. An assistant to Graham later expressed hope that WCC efforts to develop ties with Graham and other evangelicals would continue, Raised said, and reported that he had invited Graham to visit WCC headquarters in Geneva whenever he could do so."
Once again, we see that Billy Graham's determination to avoid controversy led him to give no specific answer to Raiser's queries when Graham could have and should have used this opportunity to explain scripturally why Bible believers can have no fellowship with Bible doubters and especially with WCC leaders and members who openly advocate fellowship with leaders of heathen religions and others who deny the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has just announced its projected North
American Conference for Itinerant Evangelists to be held in Louisville, Kentucky
June 28-July 1, 1994. It will include the participation of more than forty denominations
and organizations and Graham predicts that “A New Generation of Evangelists is on
the Horizon." If this conference follows the pattern of previous conferences, it
will give a great boost to WCC-NCC denominations, the charismatic movement and the
Roman Catholic Church.
In the waning years of his ministry, Graham is giving great emphasis to training the future generation of evangelists to disobey God's Word when it comes to working with those who preach a false gospel. We must once again sound a strong word of warning.