C.S. LEWIS - IS HE THE FATHER OF ECUMENISM ? BY JACK THOMSON

We know that C S Lewis has been, and continues to be widely acclaimed as a great apologist for Christianity and, while it is not my purpose in this piece to dispute such acclamation - it is certainly my intention to explore the possibility that this prolific writer was not a Christian - by any biblical definition of the term.

Preposterous - untrue - unfair - unfounded - ridiculous - risible - heretical - irrational - you cannot be serious - judge not lest ye be judged…The tirade of comments which I’ve received in knee jerk defence of C S Lewis’ Christian integrity are as endless - as they have been formidable - as they have been hostile. Indeed I sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t be more acceptable in some ‘Christian’ circles to attack Christ’s claims of divinity rather than cast the ‘merest’ shadow of doubt over the authenticity of C S Lewis’ Christian status.

But, setting aside the subject of the popular author’s Christian credentials let me digress, momentarily, by introducing the following questions:

Does a sport’s commentator need to be practised in the sport on which he/she offers informed commentary?

For instance, the renowned, now retired Formula One Racing commentator - Murray Walker - was he ever a Formula One racing driver?

Since the answer to both questions is an emphatic ‘No’, I can promptly return to the main theme with the affirmation that a person doesn’t need to be practised in a discipline to become an ‘expert commentator’ on that discipline. - and it is with this ‘thin edge’ of reason that I hope to begin the arduous process of wedging open the most prejudiced of closed minds to the possibility that a person can have an intellectual grasp of, and be an ‘expert commentator’ on Christianity - without necessarily being a real ‘Christian’.

And, having placed that ‘thin edge’ of reason against, what might only be, the slightest of fissures on the stubborn skull of the partisan, pro-Lewis mindset - let me continue by attempting to hammer the wedge in a little deeper and open the crack a little wider…..

Thwack, thwack.

Window cleaners are an interesting bunch, are they not?

The window cleaner’s task enables him to gather a considerable amount of information about customers’ homes and lifestyles - without any need to enter their houses. When the chamois champ goes about his daily business he can’t help but engage his natural inquisitiveness and explore the furnishings, fittings and personal effects which lie in the rooms behind each of the windows he has cleaned.

Indeed, if such a cleaner, for whatever reason, developed an obsessive interest in any particular customer - he could, if he so desired, prepare a very detailed dossier on that client’s home, habits and interests - and it would all have been done, quite naturally, in the normal course of his work -  without the necessity of entering the home.

So the questions arise, and they are crucial questions:

Was C S Lewis an occupant of a house called ‘Christian Faith’ - or was he merely an inquisitive window cleaner who, for his own selfish reasons, took a special interest in that particular house and occupiers?

Or, to put it another way, did C S Lewis glean all of his information about Christianity purely as a self indulging intellectual exercise - or did he obtain his knowledge by actually becoming a spiritually regenerate  Christian ?.

Thwack, thwack.

Well, despite his copious knowledge of the ‘Christian Faith’ - and his undoubted intellectual familiarity with some of its general precepts and principles, C S Lewis didn’t seem to have much of a ‘inkling’ as to where the only entrance to ‘Christian Faith’ was located - and neither did he have any idea of the doorway’s form - which raises the interesting question of whether or not he had ever actually entered the house………

Thwack, thwack.

So, what of this doorway - where is this ‘one and only entrance’ to ‘Christian Faith’ of which C S Lewis had apparently no personal knowledge and experience?

Well - the door is invisible to the naked eye, indeed it cannot be detected by any natural human sense, nor can it be intellectually appraised - because, like the house which it serves, its substance is spiritual - and therefore, it can only be spiritually discerned and understood.

Yes indeed, as the apostle Paul confirmed in 1 Corinthians 2/14, no natural man (as C S Lewis must have been before his ‘conversion’) is capable of true spiritual discernment:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Unless, that is - and according to Jesus, the natural man undergoes true spiritual birth:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. –

 John 3/5-7

Thwack, thwack………

Not that C S Lewis’ experience of spiritual regeneration reflected this.

Thwack, thwack.

Consider the author’s own description of his ‘conversion’ experience:

You must picture me alone in that room at Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England" (Surprised By Joy, ch. 14, p. 266).

Well - it might have been the ‘unrelenting approach of Him’ whom he so earnestly desired not to meet - but I think that this unwelcome 'god' had a more natural origin - I believe that his unwanted visitor went by the name of 'cognitive dissonance'.

Cognitive dissonance is a common psychological condition experienced by all who can hold established attitudes on any subject. The condition presents as a terrible feeling of unease and occurs when a person, in holding a settled viewpoint, is confronted with information which challenges that viewpoint.

When cognitive dissonance prevails, the host will seek to regain peace of mind by engaging one or, if need be, two consecutively operating mechanisms. Initially the host will stubbornly disregard the opposing information and, if this is successful, peace of mind will, once again, prevail - and there will be no more to be done. However, should the incoming information (in over-riding the initial ‘deaf ear’) be persistent and unrelenting in its presentation and persuasion, this might induce a second, more dramatic and very much different response - that of a sudden ‘paradigm shift’ - the result of which is a complete rejection of the established attitude, and the unconditional acceptance of the new viewpoint.

C S Lewis was friends with the Roman Catholic writer J R Tolkien, and had been influenced by G K Chesterton, another Roman Catholic writer - as well as being schooled and heavily influenced through the writings George MacDonald - a Scottish (Universalist) minister and writer of fantasy tales.

With the weight of their combined theistic beliefs warring against the author's established atheistic mind set, an increasingly unbearable mental stress, i.e., ‘cognitive dissonance’ would have prevailed in his psyche. And, when this tension reached intolerable levels it would have precipitated a sudden 'paradigm shift' in his thinking and, Voila, our reluctant hero moved instantly from being a stubborn atheist to becoming a confirmed 'Christian'.

In other words C S Lewis' conversion was not 'spiritual' - it was a natural phenomenon which had nothing to do with Christ's supernatural union with his hitherto unregenerate spirit......and had everything to do with the author instinctively, naturally and selfishly seeking to preserve and promote the ‘intellectual’ peace of his own mind.

There are many, many people of the C S Lewis type who have become ‘Christian’ based on their own natural, self preserving and self promoting terms and, because 'their god' essentially remains their own (unregenerate) mind and emotion, they will constantly experience difficulty in extending unconditional authority to God's word. And, alas, when a contentious issue raises it ‘discordant’ head, and they start to feel the goads of conflict between God’s Word and their own established opinion they will, quite naturally, seek to preserve their ‘peace of mind’ by ignoring God’s word - while still maintaining, with one excuse or another, that their ‘traditional’ or ‘modern’ slant on Biblical teaching is ‘reasonable and rational’

I understand that C S Lewis perceived his own ‘spiritual’ re-birth as a life long process which involved as much of his own effort and initiative - as it did God’s.

He referred to God’s presence in His own, or anyone’s life as the ‘Christ life’ (how very impersonal) and he also asserted that the way in which to improve - or increase this ‘Christ life’ resource was by a combination of three different means viz. baptism, belief and participation in the Mass, the Eucharist - or Communion.

Baptism (in the true biblical sense) and ‘belief’ (presumably in Christ) are surely things which would be practiced after eternal birth i.e., after a person had been made spiritually alive in and to Christ - and would be undertaken - or practised to confirm rather than initiate or create new eternal life.

And, likewise, participation in the Lord’s Supper is essentially a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice, which would - and always will be carried out by those who have already been ‘born again’. As for his inclusion of the Roman Catholic Mass……..well, there is nothing biblical - or Christian about that particular ceremony….and to refer to it as ‘Christian’ must, in itself, call his ‘spiritual integrity’ into serious question.

I can only conclude that his understanding of ‘Christian Faith’ was gleaned from his own external observations - and not as one who had truly entered His Father’s house. And I come to this conclusion with Christian conviction because, through the grace of God, I live in ‘Christian Faith’ - and the hallway which C S Lewis describes in one of his books - with its various doors leading to, and occupied by different denominations - it isn’t there - it just isn’t there - and neither is it planned, for it was never in the Architect’s original blueprint:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

 John 17/20-23.

Thwack, thwack…….

The problem with C S Lewis and all who come to ‘adopt’ Christianity as a preferred lifestyle - because they have been persuaded ‘intellectually’ that it is in their best personal interests so to do - is that they are ‘coming to Christ’ on their own selfish (unrighteous) terms, and selfish motive (unrighteousness) is not eternal in derivation or spirit - and therefore cannot contribute in the remotest way to eternal birth. It is that simple. New eternal life needs eternal and perfectly selfless - or sinless parentage - which qualities mankind is absolutely incapable of producing.

Eternal conception requires immaculate contribution coming together in immaculate, selfless consummation to give birth to immaculate life, and thanks be to God, it is God who has provided the ‘absolute perfection’ in every instance:

When the eternal Spirit of God descends upon and unites with any person, it does not unite with the sin which has enshrouded and corrupted that person’s true eternal identity, rather it penetrates that sinful mantle - and unites with, and consummates a life giving relationship with that person’s original and true eternal identity.

It is a system which cannot fail, and does not fail, because there is no sin - no anti-life influences to adversely effect a perfect outcome.

God - Jesus Christ is eternally pure; the eternal essence which lies implicit and swaddled within every elect person is eternally pure, the matching of the two partners is perfect because they are the separated parts of a previously intact spiritual reality - and the entire ‘reconciliation’ process is being carried out in the pure and selfless Spirit of Eternal Love.

And the outcome of that eternal consummation is a redeemed and complete child of God - an eternal child of God who will grow and develop as it focuses and feeds exclusively on his/her true eternal companion - on Christ's Holy Spirit for all of his/her spiritual guidance and sustenance:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 16/13-14.

Thwack, thwack.

I believe that C S Lewis lived in a house called ‘Mere Christianity’ - I have never visited it, never had the inclination - but I am aware that the driveway serving this mansion is served by very wide and very grand gates which are situated at the end of a very broad avenue called Destruction Way:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7/13-14.

Thwack, craaaaaaaack.

Why have I written in such a provocative - controversial way about C S Lewis?

The main reason is that I believe that the writings of C. S. Lewis have been directly responsible for the promotion of the strong - and strengthening spirit of Ecumenism which is prevalent in ‘Christendom’ today.

And Ecumenism does not worship God, as Christ directed, in spirit and in truth - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. – John 4/24. Rather the followers of the ecumenical movement worship ‘God’ in accordance with the lowest common denominator which prevails among their previously mixed and conflicting beliefs - to the continued exclusion, or subsequent rejection of vital eternal precepts.

In consequence Ecumenism produces a false Christianity which does not promote, and therefore cannot produce true conversion (mortal to eternal) in the lives of those who follow its teaching and, as a result, cannot effect real change in the lives of its adherents. 

THE FACADE OF STEPHEN GREEN CHRISTIAN VOICE

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16).

Stephen Green is supposedly a "Christian" conservative activist and national director of Christian Voice, a far right UK based lobby group. Green is former Chairman of the Conservative Family Campaign who converted from Anglicanism to Pentecostalism. According to Wikpedia, Green attends an Assemblies of God Pentecostal Church. {1}

The Assemblies of God (AG) is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. The AG has spawned many false prophets and questionable TV evangelists, including Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, Jim Bakker, Paul Crouch and Jimmy Swaggart to name but a few. Not least of their problems is that the AG are a member of Churches Together in England, which puts them firmly on the ecumenical bandwagon of false unity both with apostate Christian denominations and with non-Christian religions via the closely connected inter-faith agenda. {2} Considering the central tenet of Christianity is Jesus' claim to be the only way to the Father, the AG is completely out of step with the scriptures. (John 14:6).

Green is infamous for voicing strong judgements about moral decline and ungodly government which he describes as his "prophetic duty". Christians are called to preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15), as lambs in the midst of wolves (Luke 10:3). We should warn those involved in all kinds of sexual immorality and other sins, but nothing positive can be achieved by engaging in ad hominem attacks upon gay celebrities, or by verbally abusing individuals publicly as Green has done repeatedly in the past. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6). Is Green's behaviour likely to cause conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, or alienation and hostility? If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (Psalm 130:3). God's kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Christians have no business judging those outside the church: For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? (1 Corinthians 5:12). Even Jesus Christ did not come to judge the world. (John 12:47-48 cf. 2 Timothy 4:1).

Green holds a position somewhat analogous to dominion theology:

"Christian Voice is a ministry for those Christians who have had enough of secularist politicians imposing wickedness on the rest of us. We are not even satisfied with trying to get ‘Christian influence in a secular world’. That’s because we know ‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein’ (Psalm 24:1). So by God’s grace we are praying for national repentance and working for godly government. If you have had enough of the way things are and want instead to lift high the Crown Rights of the King of kings, you have found the right place!" {3}

God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4). However, in reality only a few will be saved. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:14). The call for "national repentance" is entirely unbiblical. God calls individuals from all nations, He does not call nations!

The Assemblies of God issued a statement officially condemning the deviant teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation in 2000. However, an appalling situation exists where the practice of many autonomous AG churches contradicts these guidelines, effectively rendering the whole denomination completely impotent in upholding truth!

This statement was adopted by the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God on August 11, 2000:

"Kingdom Now or Dominion theology. The thought that God’s kingdom can come on earth with a little help from humankind is intriguing to those who advocate this approach to impacting society. Rather than scoffing at the promise of Christ’s imminent return (2 Peter 3:3,4), this errant theology says that Jesus will not return until the Church takes dominion of the earth back from Satan and his followers. By taking control, through whatever means possible, of political, ecclesiastical, educational, economic, and other structures, Christians supposedly can make the world a worthy place for Christ to return and rule over.6 This unscriptural triumphalism generates other related variant teachings." {4}

The scriptures are emphatic that the world will continue to decline and that the end times will correspond to the days of Noah.. just as it was in the days of Noah (Luke 17:26). The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5). Matthew 24 indicates that there will be increase in lawlessness, culminating in the man of lawlessness, aka the Antichrist who will take his seat in the temple of God. (Matthew 24:3-15). Dominion theology denies futurism and the return of Jesus Christ to a godless world that will gather to make war against Him, and yet this is the plain teaching of the scriptures.( Revelation 19:19). The scriptures tell us that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36).

Christian Voice has called for British law to be based on the Bible: "Her Majesty the Queen promised in her Coronation oath on 2nd June 1953 to 'Maintain the Laws of God and the True Profession Reformed Religion established by Law.'” {5} I find it bizarre that Stephen Green should put any confidence in the Queen's oath (James 5:12), or to expect the government to maintain biblical standards. In a previous post I wrote that the Queen was initiated as a Welsh Druid in 1946 when she was Princess Elizabeth, and that her religion is probably more akin to Freemasonry than Christianity! {6} "Every Prime Minister since Edward Heath has been a Bilderberger, and they (Freemasons) have controlled the leadership of the Conservative party since the late 1960's." {7}

God Hates Hypocrisy!

In 2005 Green condemned the marriage of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles:

"Colonel and Mrs Parker Bowles should have been divorced for adultery, but they weren't because that would have been too embarrassing," he says. "So in the eyes of God they are still married." He likens Christian Voice to John the Baptist who preached against the incestuous marriage of King Herod. "We're saying to the Prince of Wales: 'You cannot have your brother's wife.' This woman is still married to someone else." {8}

Ironically this situation also applies to Green who has himself broken the seventh Commandment: You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 cf. Matthew 5:27). Green's adulterous remarriage to a Kenyan Pentecostal woman some 25 years his junior in 2010 puts him in exactly the same position as Prince Charles and Camilla! (Romans 2:1). Green has made homosexuality his particular hobby horse, and yet adulterers are mentioned in the same sentence as homosexuals in 1 Corinthians 6:9.

"In January 2011, Green's former wife, Caroline Green, accused him of repeatedly physically assaulting her and their children, including one incident where he allegedly beat her with a weapon until she bled, and another in which their son allegedly required hospital treatment after having been beaten with a piece of wood. The couple subsequently divorced." {9}

The scriptures are explicit - remarriage is prohibited on all grounds except adultery!

And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9).

Green's facade is almost convincing at times, he often rightly identifies sin.. BUT in practice if you have do not have love you are just a resounding gong. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1 cf. 1 Peter 3:7).

{1} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Voice_(UK)
{2} https://www.cte.org.uk/Groups/234772/Home/Contacts/Member_Churches_list/Member_Churches_list.aspx

{3} https://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/about-us/

{4} https://ag.org/Beliefs/Topics-Index/Revival-Endtime-Revival--Spirit-Led-and-Spirit-Controlled

{5} https://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/britain-in-sin/

{6} https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/trinity-life-church-leicester-and-open.html

{7} https://eutruth.org.uk/freemasoncontrol.html

{8} http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4303965.stm

{9} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Voice_(UK)

Further Reading:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/meet-stephen-green-the-right-wing-christian-voice-leader-who-went-on-a-homophobic-tirade-against-10039270.html
https://www.christianvoice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Britain_in_Sin.pdf

THEWEEFLEA: DAVID ROBERTSON'S SPIRITUAL UNITY WITH ROME - BY JACK THOMSON

Contending for the Faith..

Recent conversation had aroused past memories and, thereafter, curiosity had taken me  back to the Solas website to see, perchance, if David Robertson had ever removed his controversial fleabyte No 6, but alas, it was still there, and David was still warming to Joseph Ratzinger (the then Pope) as a Christian brother while holding the pontiff’s new book ‘Jesus of Nazereth’ to camera.

 ‘Nothing too controversial in that’, some might respond.

‘Especially in this ecumenical day and age’, others might readily agree.

While a few - like me, will shake their heads in utter disbelief and thereafter seek reasonable explanation as to how and why an apparently reformed, protestant minister can relate to the Pope as his Christian brother????

But where do I, as one of the few, start to seek such explanation?

I can only look to God and continue to write - in faith that an answer will come……

I’m an intelligent person - who, by the initiative of God’s grace -and  only  by   that  divine  initiative, is a disciple of Christ, but who cannot, and never will recognise the Pope as a spiritual brother.

David Robertson on the other hand, while likewise viewing himself to be an intelligent person and a Christian, does acknowledge the Pope as his spiritual brother.

One of us is wrong - not partly wrong but completely wrong – for our attitudes towards the Pope are diametric.

If I am right then David is wrong, and if I am wrong then David is right - there is no middle ground which either of us can occupy - None.

None - but, nevertheless, we do share some commonality - because, both of us recognise that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and we both desire to proclaim a ‘gospel’.

But there the concord must end because, while David thinks that he can coax, cajole, persuade and convert the lost to Christ by his intellectual prowess, cultural sensitivity and skilful apologetics, the Spirit of Truth informs me otherwise:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2/2-5.

“Ah but”, David might counter and continue, “What about Peter’s words as recounted in 1 Peter 3/15: ‘But sanctify the Lord God  in  your  hearts,  and   always  be  ready   to  give  a   defence   to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;’  Do these words of the apostle Peter not compel us to persuade?”

To which I would respond, “And what  could that  defence be other than to give testimony to the redeeming effect of the gospel of Christ crucified in our their own lives?”

Christ crucified - Christ, who  knows that the spiritual  re-birth and subsequent sanctification of every true believer is a matter of the Father’s initiative, working through His self sacrifice at Calvary and, there from  and   thereafter, by the Holy Spirit’s work in empowering

every true believer to persevere as He works providentially in each believers life to bring about the defeat of sin by dying to the perverse will of their own natural flesh….…. Natural flesh, which according to Jesus, can only give birth to flesh:

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3/6-7.

And, if David does not trust the words of Christ - then let him trust the memory of His own experience - at least to confirm the first half of Christ’s statement: ‘that which is born of flesh is flesh’.

David will recall that his persuasive, intellectual ways (of the flesh) were eventually responsible for the once vaunted conversion of Richard Morgan, a retired music teacher, from Atheism (a religion of the flesh) - to his (David’s) ecumenical Christianity (a religion of the flesh) - from which, and   thereafter Richard Morgan converted to Roman Catholicism (another religion of the flesh).

Which extended conversion process proves Christ’s assertion that flesh can only give life to flesh - can only give life to flesh – can only give life flesh - in mortal perpetuity.

And here - right here, without contrivance, it would appear that I have been given a ‘rational’ explanation as to why David Robertson can view the Pope as his spiritual brother. The reason, quite simply, is that he is the Pope’s spiritual brother - he and and the Pope are both carnal Christians, that is, they are both Christians fathered by  the same self-preserving and self-promoting ‘flesh’- the   same unregenerate spirit of fallen human intellects.

Unregenerate human intellects who, in having been persuaded to ‘convert’ through the work of their own intellect working in response to someone else’s intellectual persuasion, will confidently think that they can pass that ‘conversion’ experience on to others in the same way……

And they are right - for they have succeeded in their intellectual pursuits, they have created new Christians but, There are Christians…… and then there are Christians or, There are Christians born of the flesh… and then there are Christians born of the Spirit. Which are you?

Are you, like David Robertson, the Pope’s spiritual brother or, Do you see the Pope, as I see him, as carnal and anti-Christ ? In 1 John 1/22-23 John presents an anti-Christ as one who denies that Jesus is the Christ and, furthermore, as one who also denies the Father…..

Before continuing it would be worthwhile exploring a fuller meaning of the prefix ‘anti’. ‘Anti’, as well as meaning opposed to, can also mean to compete with, and to run alongside in an attempt to supplant… And the Pope’s ‘office’ fulfils all of these definitions….

Jesus is the Rock on which any true Christians faith is built – but the Pope claims to be this ‘rock’.

Jesus is truly Emmanuel (God with us) but the Pope’s office competes with Him by claiming that   the Pope holds on earth the place of God Almighty (Pope Leo X111). Jesus is the mediator between God and men - but by being called ‘Pontiff’ which means ‘bridge builder’ - the Pope is attempting to usurp Christ’s position.

The Pope is called ‘Holy Father’ - but only God is our Holy Father……

Anyway, I could go on, and on, and on but, at the end of the day

I can only conclude that, despite all   outward appearance, David Robertson, like the Pope, is a (spiritually) dead man leading……… spiritually dead men through the cemetery of this transient life…  And the real tragedy is that very few, if any, from his church, from Solas - or indeed followers of his ‘Fleabyte’ blog seem to have had their eyes opened to this sad, salutary situation.

Are you, perchance, one of the few?

For - strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7/14.

Do you hear Christ’s voice?

.….and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10/4.

And if you know His voice - are you listening?

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.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6/14 – 7/1

It has given me no pleasure to write as I have done - I do not seek contention - but  before, throughout and subsequent to David Robertson’s term as Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, I have been waiting for a Spirit led church, group - or even an individual to speak out against the vile mixture which is David Robertson’s carnal gospel, but I have heard nothing - which is a very sad indictment on the spiritual state of the Free Church of Scotland - and all of those who would call David Robertson a brother in Christ.

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; 1 Timothy 4/1

But, I can hear people ask, how can such a sincere, well educated man,  who has dedicated his life to Christ, and who  has been Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland - and who is Director of  Solas, the Centre for Public Christianity - and who is, judging by the title of one of his books, obsessed with Christ - how can such a person be accused of being a false disciple?

How indeed?

Well, consider Judas - one of Christ’s disciples.

He knew Jesus. He must have walked with Him and talked with Him, in short he must have known Jesus exceptionally well but, close as   his   relationship   must   have   been,   it could only have been conducted at a natural level. In other words, he was very familiar with Jesus at a human level - but not, as the other disciples had been predestined to be, at a spiritual level.

LEICESTER@THECROSS MAKES A MOCKERY OF JESUS CHRIST!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6).

Leicester at the Cross 2018: "The significant events of Good Friday", is being promoted by Churches Together in Leicestershire, the organisation that is "Furthering Ecumenical Cooperation within Leicester and Leicestershire." {1}

Ecumenism is defined as "The movement or tendency toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation. The term, of recent origin, emphasizes what is viewed as the universality of the Christian churches." {2} In broader terms, the ecumenical movement goes beyond uniting various so called "Christian" denominations. The Roman Catholic Church has vigorously promoted the modern ecumenical movement since the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), and it continues to gain ground at an alarming rate. Many evangelicals are embracing Rome as if it were a valid expression of Christianity, and yet even a cursory examination of Rome's doctrine and practice reveals that it is at deviance with the teaching of the New Testament. Pope Francis' statement that "Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters", utterly contradicts the scriptures. Islam denies the divinity of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. The Pope has even stated publicly that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences. (Ephesians 2:8). {3} The ultimate aim of ecumenism is to unite all religions, including Mormons, Islamists, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans, Universalists, and a variety of New Age belief systems as equally valid via interreligious dialogue. Ecumenism/Interfaith is insupportable from a scriptural perspective, since it ignores the central tenet of Christianity i.e. the exclusivity of Jesus Christ, the only way to God. (John 14:6 cf. Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 1:3-4). 

The growth in religious pluralism and the interfaith dialogue is a denial of the cross of Christ. (Colossians 1:19-20). As such, any commemoration of the crucifixion by ecumenists makes a mockery of Jesus Christ by default! (Galatians 1:8-9). I know of no church in Leicester that has not compromised in some way with the ecumenical movement, whether openly or by association. The ultimate fate of ecumenical churches is extremely bleak unless they repent. The inevitable drift into the one Ecumenical World Church aka the One World Religion under the Roman Catholic umbrella is taking place before our very eyes, and yet so many professing Christians do not seem to have grasped the gravity of the situation. Ecumenism foreshadows what the scriptures predict will be the one world religion under the power of the Antichrist. The book of Revelation gives us a frightening picture of the end time Harlot Church aka Babylon the Great:

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

When I saw her, I marvelled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:1-18).




Churches Together in Leicestershire Constitution (Constitution Adopted 16.11.2010)

"This is The Basis of Churches Together in England (CTE), to which the following churches already subscribe: Baptist Union of Great Britain, Cherubim and Seraphim Council of Churches, Church of England, Church of Scotland, Congregational Federation, Council of African & Afro-Caribbean Churches, Council of Oriental Orthodox Christian Churches, Free Church Federal Council, Greek Orthodox Church, Independent Methodist Churches, International Ministerial Council of Great Britain, Joint Council for Anglo-Caribbean Churches, Lutheran Council of Great Britain, Methodist Church, Moravian Church, New Testament Assembly, Religious Society of Friends*, Roman Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Salvation Army, United Reformed Church, Wesleyan Holiness Church. * Any church which in principle has no credal statement in its tradition, and therefore cannot formally subscribe to The Basis, may be accepted as a member provided that 75% of the full member churches are agreed that it manifests faith in Jesus Christ as witnessed to in the Scriptures, is committed to the aims and purposes of CTE and will work within the spirit of The Basis. The Religious Society of Friends has been welcomed into CTE under this clause." 
file:///C:/Users/Owner/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe/TempState/Downloads/constitution-pdf.pdf

{1} http://www.churchestogetherinleicestershire.org/
{2} https://www.britannica.com/topic/ecumenism
{3} http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-assures-atheists-you-don-t-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven-8810062.html

FALSE TEACHER JACOB PRASCH DIGS A DEEPER INTRA-SEAL HOLE!

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 1:9).

Jacob Prasch (Moriel Ministries) persists in digging an even deeper hole by continuing to peddle his Intra-Seal deception. (2 Corinthians 2:17). Intra-seal absolutely misrepresents the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ during the 70th week of Daniel. Prasch has mixed elements of pre-trib and pre-wrath in a clumsy attempt to jump onto the rapture bandwagon. This is the teaching of a desperate man and a deceiver who refuses to repent!

"The Great Restrainer and 7 Year Tribulation-James Jacob Prasch."
26th February 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB13W4cvbd8&feature=youtu.be

Firstly it is important to define the Greek word thlipsis which is often translated "tribulation".

Original Word: θλῖψις, εως, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: thlipsis
Phonetic Spelling: (thlip'-sis)
Short Definition: persecution, affliction, distress
Definition: persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. {1}

Thlipsis does not invariably refer to persecution for the faith as Prasch attempts to demonstrate. For instance, the Apostle Paul refers to worldly troubles when he says: ..those who marry will face troubles (thlipsin) in this life.. (1 Corinthians 7:28). It is important to consider the context of a passage before we identify thlipsis specifically as persecution against believers.

Jesus stated that there would be persecution against believers throughout the Church Age. Persecution is a necessary consequence of true faith in Jesus Christ. In the world you will have tribulation (thlipsin). But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 cf. John 15:18-19; John 16:33; Matthew 10:22; 13:21). It is essential to make a distinction between tribulation as a general consequence of faith in Jesus Christ, and THE TRIBULATION at the end of the age. Critically, Jesus gave no indication that persecution against Christians will escalate during the first half of the 70th week of Daniel:

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Matthew 24:3-8).

The above verses indicate various initial "birth pains" in terms of false christs, spiritual deception, various wars and worldwide catastrophes. Where precisely in the above passage is the elusive "tribulation" that Jacob Prasch keeps insisting upon? Persecution against believers is not even mentioned by Jesus during this initial 3.5 year period when the first four seals are opened! For this very reason we cannot speak about a "seven year tribulation".

A significant shift occurs at the halfway point of the 70th week of Daniel:

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death. (Matthew 24:9). Notice that "great tribulation" is not mentioned here, simply "tribulation". This is why it is important to refer to "the tribulation" i.e. the escalation of persecution against Christians as a 3.5 year period (cut short). The word "great" is added for emphasis in verse 21. Martyrdom will be involved on a massive scale during this final 3.5 year period following the abomination of desolation. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (Matthew 24:21). The mid point of the 70th week of Daniel when the Antichrist is revealed is the specific marker that refers to tribulation/great tribulation, not the previous "birth pains".

The 3.5 year tribulation period is emphasised in the scriptures unequivocally a number of times:

Daniel 7:25 - He (the Antichrist) shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (3.5 years).

Revelation 11:2 ..but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.

Revelation 13:5 - And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

Revelation 12:5-6 ..and the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. This period coincides with what is also known as "Jacob's Trouble". (Daniel 12:1, Jeremiah 30:7).

Matthew 24:15-21 ..when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.

Daniel 9:27 - And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” The abomination of desolation will occur halfway through the final seven year period, often referred to as Daniel’s 70th week. {2} 

Prasch's constant insistence upon a "seven year tribulation" is a fallacy. Where is his scriptural evidence?

BIRTH PAINS

As with thlipsis, Prasch's treatment of "birth pains" is also frequently inaccurate and taken out of context. Birth pains do not necessarily or exclusively refer to persecution against Christians: The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time due to its bondage to corruption. (Romans 8:21-22). As already demonstrated "the beginning of birth pains" are worldwide phenomena unrelated to the tribulation. (Matthew 24:3-8).

REVELATION 12

Prasch "Once Satan fails to prevent the rapture by killing all the believers.. he turns against the Jews." (18:00) This is a blatant reversal of events as they are recorded in the scriptures! (Revelation 22:18). Satan turns against the Jews before the tribulation! (Revelation 12:13-17). Prasch has moved the goal posts significantly here! If the rapture occurs before the flight of Israel, then this would put the timing of the rapture before the mid point of the week, but Prasch has already stated that the rapture will occur between the sixth and seventh seals.  Prasch: "The fifth seal begins the persecution of the church...   After the rapture God pours out his wrath on the kingdom of Antichrist and refocuses on the redemption of Israel." God's focus goes back to Israel at the mid point of the 70th week when He protects them from the Antichrist. (Revelation 12:13-16; cf. Zechariah 12:10). The Jews flee to the wilderness, and shortly afterwards, in his frustration, the Antichrist turns his attention towards Christians. (Revelation 12:17). God continues to  protect Israel for the period of the tribulation (3.5 years cut short). Israel remains on the earth after the rapture during the Day of the Lord i.e. the wrath of God, though obviously they do not experience the wrath with the rest of the world. This blatant scripture twisting just about sums up the ministry of Jacob Prasch! 

Revelation 12: 5 - She (Israel) gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, (Jesus Christ) but her child was caught up (raptured) to God and to his throne. The general consensus is that this verse refers to the ascension of Christ and his subsequent abiding in heaven.{3} This verse cannot possibly refer to the rapture as Prasch states, because believers are still here in verse 17:

Then the dragon became furious with the woman (Israel) and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (This is the church, not yet raptured, but still on earth whilst Israel is being protected by God for 3.5 years) ..And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Revelation 12:17).

Once the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God, persecution against Israel appears to be instantaneous. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-21). This happens half way through the 70th week. When the fifth seal is opened, the martyrs under the altar cry out to the Lord for judgement. Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.(Revelation 6:9-11). God is therefore at work both amongst the persecuted church and amongst the Jews, albeit separately, during the 3.5 year tribulation. If we need proof of Prasch's conniving we certainly find it in this exposition. 

Prasch continues with his "birth pains" gibberish and alleges that John 16 refers to a last days format. The reason that there is no Olivet discourse in the Gospel of John is because he wrote the book of Revelation! Prasch teaches incorrectly that thlipsis in John 16:21 refers to the persecution of believers. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish (thlipseōs), for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:21). Adam Clarke's Commentary sums up the general consensus that John 16 refers to Jesus' death and resurrection: "Jesus Foretells his death, and promises them the Comforter, John 16:5-7. Points out his operations among the Jews, and in the world, John 16:8-11. His peculiar influences on the souls of the disciples, John 16:12-15. Speaks figuratively of his death and resurrection, at which his disciples are puzzled, John 16:16-18." {4} 

Prasch points out that the Antichrist is on the scene long before the mid point of the 70th week, at the opening of the first seal (Revelation 6:1-2). The scriptures say that the Antichrist is not "revealed" until he takes his seat in the temple of God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3). During the "beginning of birth pains", there will be political turmoil and a struggle for power. In addition one quarter of the world's population will perish during this time. (Revelation 6:7-8). At some point, the ten kings will give their power over to the beast (the Antichrist), and he will subdue three of them. (Revelation 17:12-13, Daniel 7:24). It appears to me that this may not be fully accomplished until the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple, when he becomes completely autocratic and his power becomes absolute. (Revelation 13:4). My view is that it will not be clear exactly who the Antichrist is until the mid point of the 70th week when he is revealed. Prasch's theory that the Antichrist will be revealed to believers prior to this point is based on eisegesis. We should not assume that events will follow the same format as when Jesus privately revealed Judas Iscariot as the traitor. (Mark 14:20). The world will worship the dragon and the beast (Revelation 13:4,13); the Jews will be taken by surprise; the only people remaining to appreciate the significance of these events will be the Christians. Nothing in the scriptures indicates that the Antichrist will be revealed prior to the mid point of the week. There are some similarities between Judas Iscariot and the Antichrist, but there are also significant differences. Unlike Judas Iscariot, the Antichrist will be a warlike political figure: And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2). The second beast will be a "religious" figure. (Revelation 13:11).

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Prasch's blasphemous "reversal of Pentecost", is a denial of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the ministry Holy Spirit. There is no indication anywhere in the scriptures that the eternal gospel will not be preached during the 70th week of Daniel. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 cf. Revelation 14:6). Additionally, there is no evidence whatsoever that the Holy Spirit is the "Restrainer" of 2 Thessalonians 2:6. Sadly, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that Prasch's real agenda with Intra-Seal is to undermine the pre-wrath/post trib positions, which are, for the most part, based on sound exegesis. Unless Prasch's followers are prepared to test Intra-Seal against the scriptures, they are likely to find themselves confused and vulnerable to spiritual deception in the last days. The Bereans were praised for examining the scriptures and questioning Paul to see "if these things are so". (Acts 17:11). When examining the Intra-Seal rapture theory we certainly do not find it to be so! We have a responsibility to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1). Prasch's defence is always to confuse, and if that doesn't work, to revile anyone who questions his false doctrines too closely. This pattern of behaviour in itself is evidence that something is very wrong. (1 Corinthians 6:10). It is not good enough to simply shrug our shoulders, as if it is beyond us to understand end time prophecy. Jesus has gone into a great deal of detail in the scriptures to ensure that we do understand these end time events. (Matthew 24:4).

Prasch is very good at squealing repeatedly that he has been taken out of context. I do ask readers of this post to listen/watch the thirty four minute YouTube link very carefully in order to verify that I have not taken him out of context. {5}

What do Prasch's "friends" make of his integrity and his supposed credibility as a bible teacher? There are those who stick with Prasch no matter what blatant falsehood he teaches. Prasch's friends, especially those in leadership, have a responsibility to the Body of Christ! A true friend would warn Prasch of his error. (Proverbs 27:6). The following message I received from Scott Pruitt (NO PRE-TRIB) sums up a dangerous mentality of denial and a head in the sand attitude:

NO PRE-TRIB: "In my opinion posttrib, midtrib, prewrath, and intra-seal have more in common than they have different.. The way I view future predictive prophecy is the way it was described by Paul in 1 Cor 13:12 "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." What is the practical implication if one is wrong about the timing of the rapture? Pretrib is the only position that leaves believers unprepared to face what is to come and it has the least exegetical Biblical support and therefore it must be opposed. The other 3 views are debatable but I certainly would not castigate a brother like Jacob Prasch over his intra-seal view even though I don't agree with it. I consider him an ally and one with a heart for truth."

Those who find it convenient to trivialise Prasch's scripture twisting should remember that the Lord takes it very seriously!

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.. (Revelation 22:18 cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6).

..let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:28).

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:7-9).

..preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2).

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke).

{1} http://biblehub.com/greek/2347.htm
{2} https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-seven-year-tribulation-fallacy.html
{3} http://biblehub.com/revelation/12-5.htm
{4} http://biblehub.com/commentaries/clarke/john/16.htm.
{5} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB13W4cvbd8&feature=youtu.be

Further Reading:

There are a number of posts critiquing various aspects of Intra-Seal in detail on this blog. Alternatively: https://www.amazon.co.uk/INTRA-SEAL-RAPTURE-DECEPTION-EXPOSED-devised-ebook/dp/B06X6N2JJT

BILLY GRAHAM ENEMY OF JESUS CHRIST!

Billy Graham: 33rd degree Freemason? Arch Deceiver, Friend of the Vatican, ecumenist, friend of the world, ENEMY OF JESUS CHRIST!

Graham: "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 are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ..

God is 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 heart 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 saved and that they are going to be with us in heaven..

I think Islam is misunderstood, too, because Muhammad had a great respect for Jesus. He called Jesus the greatest of the prophets except himself…We are closer to Islam than we really think we are”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nwu2c0Ll1U

One of the worst deceivers of modern times, Billy Graham's assertion that there is salvation outside Jesus Christ is rank heresy! His infamous betrayal of the true faith has long been a cause of concern to many bible believing Christians. (1 Timothy 4:1). The above quote from Graham is comparable to the Pope's false pronouncement that "..everyone is redeemed through Jesus, including atheists, who don't have to believe in God to go to heaven."{1} These statements stand in diametric opposition to the teaching of Jesus Christ:

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:14).

Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:24).

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.(John 1:12-13).

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5).

And then I will declare unto them, 'I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:23).

Many people are praising Billy Graham, not because he spoke the truth, but because he was a friend of the world. (Luke 6:26; James 4:4). Among those who have paid tribute to Graham are Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Justin Welby and all the usual ecumenical apostates. {2} Graham played a major role in promoting the ecumenical and inter-faith agenda as early as the 1950s. His alliance with the Vatican and many other false teachers is a testimony to his true agenda to subvert the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Graham's early addresses were convincing, but in reality he had been on the same page as the Vatican for decades. He sent his so called "converts" to Roman Catholic churches, Jewish synagogues and various other false denominations. At such places, the word of God would, in all likelihood, be snatched away very quickly. (Matthew 13:19).

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) butchered the Halley Bible Commentary in an attempt to cover up the martyrdom of millions of Christians at the hands of the RCC. After the BGEA acquired the printing rights for Special Crusade editions of Halley's book, they agreed to leave it unchanged. Halley’s widow was appalled to find that the BGEA had changed her husband’s work by removing pages 676 to 705, the pages that described the martyrdom of millions through the papal Inquisition.

If Billy Graham was not a 33rd Degree Freemason, he did a very good impression of one! His association with Freemasons such as Robert Schuller, Norman Vincent Peale and various presidents is well known. The Vatican officially condemn Freemasonry, but I suspect this is part of their Hegelian dialectic. 

Graham + President Truman, Past Grand Master

{1} http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-assures-atheists-you-don-t-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven-8810062.html 
{2} http://www.joydigitalmag.com/news/charismatic-leaders-praise-billy-grahams-influence-legacy/