Billy Graham

[redeemed098]

Why have "the book of Life" if everyones name is already in it..??

The word clearly says that "those whos names were NOT found in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

Dont presume anything at all people..I may not know who is saved and who is not, but I do know that wherever a person goes will be perfectly RIGHT..!!

Jesus also said that "not everyone who calls me Lord will enter into the kingdom of God, but only him who does the will of my father who is in heaven."

He goes on to add to that......he will say "get away from me you who practice lawlessness, for I NEVER KNEW you..."

It isnt just about YOU knowing HIM......Its about HIM knowing YOU..! You might claim to know Jesus, but if you knocked on his door and he answered, would HE know YOU...???? How do you know if your name is in the book of life....??? Are you certain that Jesus would say these words to you...

"Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the place that has been prepared for you." Those who are truly Born Again of the spirit of God HAVE this UNexplainable assurance.....That is why it is called "blessed assurance." Cannot be explained, cannot be broken down through exegesis and cannot be discovered through apologetics.

This can only be realised through a very real relationship with the God of all creation, your creator. Jesus said it best....."I never KNEW you.."

What will Jesus say to YOU..???

Regards,

Ben.

[pointer]

Why have "the book of Life" if everyones name is already in it..??

The word clearly says that "those whos names were NOT found in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

Dont presume anything at all people..I may not know who is saved and who is not, but I do know that wherever a person goes will be perfectly RIGHT..!!

I quite agree. Even the angels desire to know who the sons of God are. But I think that more can and should be added to that. I do not think that a Jew, Muslim or 'Christian' who has heard the gospel and rejected it is at all in the same position as the Jew, Muslim or secular person who has never even heard the gospel. Now the OP mentioned 'good' people. The Scripture, however, says that all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags in which we are clothed. We would be far better off not to mention them. We cannot really expect heaven to contain born again people who have recognised their helplessness in sin, and taken the righteousness of Christ through a living faith, as well as Jews, Muslims etc. who believe that their righteousness is adequate. All must own their sin and confess it, and instead own Jesus as Lord of their lives. Whether that occurs in this life, or at the beginning of the next, is ultimately unimportant, but it is necessary for anyone who desires to avoid the terrors of hell.

[Guest shiloh357]

QUOTE(shiloh357 @ Aug 19 2006, 07:42 AM)

As to the OP, I have listened to many of Billy Graham's sermons

Is the OP about Billy Graham? I did not think so.

Yes, the OP is about Billy Graham.

It is not for you to say.

But who cares? 'Christians' are not to be expected to behave in an honorable manner, and will do whatever they like, quite irrespective of what Christ and conscience would have them do.

The OP is a quote from Billing Graham, and the Sylvan was asking us what we thought about Graham's remarks, so yes it is about Graham. Try reading.

[st. Worm]

Why have "the book of Life" if everyones name is already in it..??

The word clearly says that "those whos names were NOT found in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

Dont presume anything at all people..I may not know who is saved and who is not, but I do know that wherever a person goes will be perfectly RIGHT..!!

I quite agree. Even the angels desire to know who the sons of God are. But I think that more can and should be added to that. I do not think that a Jew, Muslim or 'Christian' who has heard the gospel and rejected it is at all in the same position as the Jew, Muslim or secular person who has never even heard the gospel. Now the OP mentioned 'good' people. The Scripture, however, says that all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags in which we are clothed. We would be far better off not to mention them. We cannot really expect heaven to contain born again people who have recognised their helplessness in sin, and taken the righteousness of Christ through a living faith, as well as Jews, Muslims etc. who believe that their righteousness is adequate. All must own their sin and confess it, and instead own Jesus as Lord of their lives. Whether that occurs in this life, or at the beginning of the next, is ultimately unimportant, but it is necessary for anyone who desires to avoid the terrors of hell.

"Whether that occurs in this life, or at the beginning of the next, is ultimately unimportant, but it is necessary for anyone who desires to avoid the terrors of hell."

I am aware of nothing in the Bible that teaches that people get a second chance to believe following their death in this world.

sw

[Guest shiloh357]

Sounds more like the unconditional election doctrine with Calvinism. It does not appear that Graham is saying that there are people saved outside of Christ. That has yet to be established from his words thus far.

What a misinformed comment. Calvin did not believe anyone could be saved apart from faith in Christ. Where do you get this stuff?

sw

Maybe you need to learn how to read. I did not say that Calvin taught that. But it appears that Graham may have a calvinist bent in those remarks. I said it does not appear that Graham is saying that anyone can be saved outside of Christ. Again, it appears to hearken back to the Predestination doctrine that God has pre-selected who will and will not saved.

You're the one who needs to either learn reading or comprehension skills. Graham's comments do not sound like the doctrine of unconditional election in the least and that's what you said. Read your own quote again. You should not venture into areas that you know nothing about.

sw

I know about Predestination and what it entails. Graham's remarks do resemble a Calvinistic bent, but they are being misrepresented to portray him as saying that he believes that Muslims and others can be saved outside of Christ, and that is not how it appears to me.

[Guest charlye]

Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, religious and secular people who have never heard the gospel in this life will, it is believed, have the opportunity to accept or reject Christ after it. Anyone who has rejected Christ in this life or the next will have only his or her own righteousness to offer, which will be of no use.

Edited August 19, 2006 by charlye

[Guest shiloh357]

The OP is a quote from Billing Graham, and the Sylvan was asking us what we thought about Graham's remarks, so yes it is about Graham.

That is a falsehood.

Really, here is what the OP said:

Billy Graham was recently quoted in a Newsweek article saying the following:

When asked whether he believes heaven will be closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or secular people, though, Graham says: "Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won't ... I don't want to speculate about all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody regardless of what label they have." Such an ecumenical spirit may upset some Christian hard-liners, but in Graham's view, only God knows who is going to be saved: "As an evangelist for more than six decades, Mr. Graham has faithfully proclaimed the Bible's Gospel message that Jesus is the only way to Heaven," says Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross. "However, salvation is the work of Almighty God, and only he knows what is in each human heart."

Do you agree with this?

I would think that many here on Worthyboards would disagree with the part about who will be in heaven. I have seen many posts in which people are quite confident in saying who will be in heaven or hell.

You are saying that is not about Billy Graham??? It is clear that you simply did not pay attention. We are being asked if we agree with Billy Graham.

[st. Worm]

Sounds more like the unconditional election doctrine with Calvinism. It does not appear that Graham is saying that there are people saved outside of Christ. That has yet to be established from his words thus far.

What a misinformed comment. Calvin did not believe anyone could be saved apart from faith in Christ. Where do you get this stuff?

sw

Maybe you need to learn how to read. I did not say that Calvin taught that. But it appears that Graham may have a calvinist bent in those remarks. I said it does not appear that Graham is saying that anyone can be saved outside of Christ. Again, it appears to hearken back to the Predestination doctrine that God has pre-selected who will and will not saved.

You're the one who needs to either learn reading or comprehension skills. Graham's comments do not sound like the doctrine of unconditional election in the least and that's what you said. Read your own quote again. You should not venture into areas that you know nothing about.

sw

I know about Predestination and what it entails. Graham's remarks do resemble a Calvinistic bent, but they are being misrepresented to portray him as saying that he believes that Muslims and others can be saved outside of Christ, and that is not how it appears to me.

Well, that is not at all what Calvin says about predestination and election. Graham's remarks imply that some receive a saving knowledge of God apart from God's Word. Calvinistic doctrine says God's elect will encounter the gospel through God's word through the providence and grace of God, not some other knowledge. Unfortunately I see a tendancy here not to criticize, Dr. Graham, a sacred cow.

sw

[LadyGunivere]

I believe that God is the only one who knows that answer and it would be wrong of us to speculate on who will or won't. It is hard for us to know exactly who cause some people put on an act. Or secretly might be a christian for fear of being made fun. It is hard to know for sure and definate who will or won't. I believe I will be in heaven when God wants me to be. Throughout my life I've could have probably been a cat with 9 lives or more at this rate. Not cause of my inability to protect myself just some of the situations call me to take risks. This is just my opinion though. For those that disagree that's fine I'm not here to say whose right or wrong. and from the last couple of comments it seems everybody wants to be right...

[pointer]

Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, religious and secular people who have never heard the gospel in this life will, it is believed, have the opportunity to accept or reject Christ after it. Anyone who has rejected Christ in this life or the next will have only his or her own righteousness to offer, which will be of no use.

The only opportunity anyone has to accept Jesus is before they die their physical death.

Then why did Christ preach to the antediluvians?