Franklin Graham Visits N. Korea to Deliver Aid

[nikki1]

Hunterpoet:

unless of course you think his trip to NK was totally political, but I didn't get that from the article posted.

From the article

According to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, Graham said he hoped his visit would "play the role of a bridge for better relations" between the U.S. and North Korea.

I think it was only another political move, as the article implies.

Blessings,

Nikki

[nikki1]

Woah!

~~~~~~

Franklin Graham Visits N. Korea to Deliver Aid

CBNNews.com

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Franklin Graham arrived in North Korea Tuesday to deliver food and other aid to the impoverished communist nation.

Graham is the head of the Christian relief ministry Samaritan's Purse.

He will be meeting with North Korean officials to discuss a new dental center in Pyongyang and he'll visit a hospital that Samaritan's Purse helps support.

The Samaritan's Purse ministry has sent more than $10 million in aid to North Korea since 1997.

Graham is the first high-profile representative of a non-government organization to visit the country after North Korea shut down a food distribution program earlier this year.

In March, North Korea ordered workers from five U.S. aid organizations to leave the country.

North Korea is currently being ostracized by the international community for its pursuit of nuclear weapons. On Monday, it test-fired several short-range missiles.

According to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, Graham said he hoped his visit would "play the role of a bridge for better relations" between the U.S. and North Korea.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2009/Octo...to-Deliver-Aid/

I wouldn't put too much stock in the idea that Franklin Graham is going to N. Korea. Three years ago, he went to China and created quite a controversary and interference with his statements with the persecuted Chinese House Church. As much as I used to admire Franklin Graham for his good Christian deeds, he seems to be going politically correct and ecuminical. Because the Gospel of Christ is illegal in China, Graham advocates complying with the government and refrain from taking it to the people during the Olympics. ]The persecuted House Church is way ahead of Franklyn Graham and they really didn't need his sticking his nose in, nor does the persecuted church in N. Korea, both of which have millions of converts without Graham, which continues to grow daily

Full Story Here

The son of Billy Graham has been preaching and meeting with government officials in China -- and he created somewhat of a storm in recent comments to Chinese press.

While in Beijing, evangelist Franklin Graham told Chinese reporters he is opposed to missionary work during the Olympic Games this summer in Beijing. Some Christian groups have announced plans to proselytize during the Games in August -- but Graham, recognizing that Chinese law prohibits such actions, said he would not encourage anything illegal. (See related story)

Blessings,

nikki

I completely agree. US and S.Korea give millions of dollars to N.Korea to feed its people yet N.Korea hordes the money and food and only gives it to his military. Graham is only trying to make the news and is doing more harm then any, as you have already seen. Graham should be speak out against how N.Korea is mistreating the underground Christians and it citizens, yet he goes there and treats Kim Jong Il as a pal and a good friend.

Blessings, Jedi4Yahweh

Having been in So. Korea yourself in the military, you certainly would know what is going on first hand. Thank you and God bless you for all you do in keeping us safe. This is what disturbs me about Franklin Graham, and I thought he should be speaking out in support for the real or underground severely persecuted church in China and not supporting the communist state run church in China. Even after his interference in China, he never issued a public apology to the persecuted church in China. N. Korea is just a repeat episode, IMO.

nikki

[Hunterpoet]

NIkki

Well, the whole China thing was 3 years ago, correct.

As far as I can tell, this was a one time incident and I've heard nothing since about F. Graham to make me think that he is more interested in politics, unless of course you think his trip to NK was totally political, but I didn't get that from the article posted.

I guess I just don't understand why you came out so strongly against F. Graham. He certainly doesn't seem to be in the habit of sticking his nose into world affairs.

I just think maybe your being a little too hard on the guy.

Blessings, Hunterpoet:

Well, I don't really think I was being hard on Franklin Graham, just being honest.

I have given Franklin Graham the benefit of doubt, but then I read about other things he has been doing of late, and it really does look as if he is getting himself involved with the politically correct elites, and fore saking the Gospel of repentence through God's grace by the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ, and ecuminism, or bringing all "religions" together under one roof for "works" and politics which is not biblical and in fact is another gospel. Galatians 1:9...

The Christian Post writes in July of last year

Christians, Jews and Muslims will gather in Madrid later this month for what could be one of the highest profile interfaith meetings in recorded history.

The three-day conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia, aims to highlight the attendees’ shared heritage as children of Abraham and lists many prominent leaders and figures of faith including evangelist Franklin Graham, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and former Vice President Al Gore.

Also among the 200 prominent religious leaders will be major Jewish leaders including Rabbi David Rosen, the former chief rabbi of Ireland and head of the interfaith committee of the American Jewish Committee.

Although Israel and Saudi Arabia do not currently have formal diplomatic ties, Rosen said that he believes the conference will do much to promote peace and understanding.

"I think that will be a great achievement,” he told The Associated Press.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said he hopes that the conference, which will be held July 16-18, will help facilitate relations between the world’s three major religions while helping to improve the world’s perception of Islam.

Last month, Muslim scholars meeting in Saudi Arabia wrapped up a three-day conference by calling for efforts to ease tensions within Islam and boost dialogue with Christians and Jews.

In a statement reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, the scholars stressed the need for dialogue with other religions to give a "correct picture of Islam" and to reach "out to other sects of Islam, which will lead to uniting the nation."

They also called for "solving the problems and disagreements that might take place among Muslims and other [non-Muslims] ... and to achieve an understanding among civilizations and human cultures."

Saudi King Abdullah, one of Sunni Islam's most prominent figures, spoke at the start of the conference in the holy city of Mecca and urged Muslims to get on the same page ahead of opening dialogue with Christians and Jews.

More recently, Abdullah has been making efforts to present oil-rich Saudi Arabia as a force for moderation in the Middle East, despite the kingdom's adherence to the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Sunni Islam and its religious restrictions at home.

Religious practice is so restricted in Saudi Arabia that even certain Muslim sects, such as Sufis and Shiites, face discrimination, while conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death.

nikki

I can see where there may be some cause for concern. I don't trust the muslims, but obviously some feel it worthwhile to pursue talking with them.

Aside from talking with the muslims or providing aid to NK, I don't see where F. Graham has changed the gospel message. Fact is, nothing at all in the articles you have provided, indicate that F. Graham preaches anything other than redemption through Christ Jesus.

You see, I hear you accusing F. Graham of apostasy from the pulpit, and I just don't see any evidence for that at this time.

If you disagree with his efforts to try and make peace or stop useless slaughter, fine, but to accuse him of turning his back on the Lord based on what you have provided is very much in error. Nowhere in these articles has it been stated that he no longer preaches redemption through Christ Jesus.

IMO, his comments 3 years ago in China were very poor and it would have been better not to speak. As far as NK is concerned, I say praise God, at least the people are being helped through his efforts and nowhere in the gospel are we to demand conversion for giving aid or even the right to evangelize, we are not given the gospel as a bargaining tool. This meeting with the muslims is very dangerous, because I think it has more to do with them forcing their ideology on the rest of the world than it does with peace, but that doesn't mean F. Graham will or has signed onto a different gospel.

You see you stated that F. Graham has forsaken the gospel of Jesus Christ and cited Galatians1:9, but you have not shown where F. Graham has PREACHED any other gospel, and until you are able to prove he is , you are wrong.

Please understand that my concern here is just as much for you as it is F. Graham. You tarnish this man's reputation improperly and in doing so bear false witness.

I pray you God's counsel and that I have been His servant.

Grace and Peace

[nikki1]

NIkki

Well, the whole China thing was 3 years ago, correct.

As far as I can tell, this was a one time incident and I've heard nothing since about F. Graham to make me think that he is more interested in politics, unless of course you think his trip to NK was totally political, but I didn't get that from the article posted.

I guess I just don't understand why you came out so strongly against F. Graham. He certainly doesn't seem to be in the habit of sticking his nose into world affairs.

I just think maybe your being a little too hard on the guy.

Blessings, Hunterpoet:

Well, I don't really think I was being hard on Franklin Graham, just being honest.

I have given Franklin Graham the benefit of doubt, but then I read about other things he has been doing of late, and it really does look as if he is getting himself involved with the politically correct elites, and fore saking the Gospel of repentence through God's grace by the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ, and ecuminism, or bringing all "religions" together under one roof for "works" and politics which is not biblical and in fact is another gospel. Galatians 1:9...

The Christian Post writes in July of last year

Christians, Jews and Muslims will gather in Madrid later this month for what could be one of the highest profile interfaith meetings in recorded history.

The three-day conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia, aims to highlight the attendees

[Hunterpoet]

Nikki,

I withdraw from this discussion. It does not edify or Glorify the Gospel, and the person central to the discussion is not here to defend himself.

Grace and Peace

[Believer1997]

Nikki,

I withdraw from this discussion. It does not edify or Glorify the Gospel, and the person central to the discussion is not here to defend himself.

Grace and Peace

Hunter,

I respect your comments. I am grateful that true Christians like Franklin Graham who goes to countries where people are so impoverished and in desperate need of the most basic care and his organization "Samaritan's Purse" gives millions of dollars over the last 10 years to alleviate some of that suffering. He is a fine man and he's been unfairly attacked. I know that he is the answer to so many prayers of those who suffer under these horrible regimes - He is doing for the 'least of us' - as Jesus would have us do. God Bless you Hunter - you are a fine man and I appreciate your input on Mr. Graham.