Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

[Jim Franklin]

Franklin Graham has challenged all Christians to sign a statement proclaiming, "I am a Christian." Who will join Franklin and this Franklin in signing the proclamation. I am sure you will be able to find it even though I still have not figured out this link thing. Maybe it is my age or the age of this contraption.

[Cam Pence]

So what does he think Facebook is?

[Jim Franklin]

I have no idea about Facebook. I was persuaded to register for that but upon doing so, I have never been able to get back into Facebook. Must be that old technically challenged syndrome that I have.

[Ryan Scott]

I don't mind publicly associating myself with Jesus Christ, but publicly associating myself with Franklin Graham is something else entirely.

[Ryan Pugh]

I don't mind publicly associating myself with Jesus Christ

I never see you sharing the "Share this photo if you love Jesus and aren't ashamed of it!" photos on Facebook so I'm not so sure...

[Ryan Pugh]

Jim, I can't find a link for this Franklin Graham "I'm a Christian" thing.

But maybe it's buried beneath all the other links about Graham being "not sure" if Obama is a Christian but affirming that Santorum probably is.

[Bud Pugh]

I hesitate briefly to suggest that everyone should watch/listen to Andy Stanley's pre-Easter series entitled "Christian". The hook goes like this: "Ask 100 people to define it and you'll get 100 different answers. It's likely that all 100 will be incorrect." He says that the word Christian occurs just 3 times in the NT, never with a definition, and typically in a derogatory sense (or at least that is how the term was used by those outside the church). He suggests "disciple" as the operative NT word. I prefer that and I like "follower of Christ."

The reasons I hesitate to suggest everyone watch/listen to it is that I have only made it through 3 of the 5 messages in the series (although I especially recommend the 2nd in the series on love being THE identifying mark of a disciple- especially appropriate in regards to the discussions regarding judging/exposing false teachers vs dealing with disagreements in love), and that he uses an illustration in the 3rd message about his "very good friend" Mark Driscoll and his wife and endorses the Driscolls' marriage book. I've listened/watched Andy Stanley a lot and this is the first time I have had any issue with what he has said. He was not illustrating from the book, though, but from the Driscolls' appearance on The View, and illustrated his point well, so I can accept the one almost-aberration.

[Craig Laughlin]

I hesitate briefly to suggest that everyone should watch/listen to Andy Stanley's pre-Easter series entitled "Christian". The hook goes like this: "Ask 100 people to define it and you'll get 100 different answers. It's likely that all 100 will be incorrect." He says that the word Christian occurs just 3 times in the NT, never with a definition, and typically in a derogatory sense (or at least that is how the term was used by those outside the church). He suggests "disciple" as the operative NT word. I prefer that and I like "follower of Christ."

The reasons I hesitate to suggest everyone watch/listen to it is that I have only made it through 3 of the 5 messages in the series (although I especially recommend the 2nd in the series on love being THE identifying mark of a disciple- especially appropriate in regards to the discussions regarding judging/exposing false teachers vs dealing with disagreements in love), and that he uses an illustration in the 3rd message about his "very good friend" Mark Driscoll and his wife and endorses the Driscolls' marriage book. I've listened/watched Andy Stanley a lot and this is the first time I have had any issue with what he has said. He was not illustrating from the book, though, but from the Driscolls' appearance on The View, and illustrated his point well, so I can accept the one almost-aberration.

I too have begun watching Andy Stanley a fair amount. He is an exceptionally good communicator and his content is always solid.

[Ryan Scott]

I never see you sharing the "Share this photo if you love Jesus and aren't ashamed of it!" photos on Facebook so I'm not so sure...

That's not fair. I feel your joke took away my joke's thunder and thus cost me a few likes. For shame! Who's really a Christian now?

[David Pettigrew]

Billy Graham is a true statesman of the church, and served as a great spiritual guide to Presidents of both parties. How sad that his son has chosen to waste his legacy on partisan agenda and tear down the generations' worth of good will stored up for the one prominent evangelical almost universally respected by those inside and outside Christian culture.

I have yet to see the child of a prominent televangelist take on the mantle of their parent's ministry and do well. In fact, they almost always kill it.

[Jim Franklin]

I challenged NazNetters to join me in the proclamation without any idea that I would arouse a spate of criticism and condemnation. I just added my name to the proclamation to support righteousness and the chance to make ones state of spirituality known. How Christian of you.

[Scott Moseley]

B

I have yet to see the child of a prominent televangelist take on the mantle of their parent's ministry and do well. In fact, they almost always kill it.

Depending on how you define "do well" and "prominent", I would say that Joel Osteen has done quite well taking over his papa's TV ministry.

[Jon Twitchell]

That's not fair. I feel your joke took away my joke's thunder and thus cost me a few likes. For shame! Who's really a Christian now?

Wait... your post was a joke?

[David Pettigrew]

Depending on how you define "do well" and "prominent", I would say that Joel Osteen has done quite well taking over his papa's TV ministry.

Well, yeah, if you want to count him.

He has of course far surpassed his father. Having grown up in Houston, I do miss the days when Lakewood was in the worst neighborhood in town, was known as the "Oasis of Love" and was marked by their ministry to the down and out.

The examples I had in mind actually were Robert Schuller's kids, whose infighting over control of the ministry basically bankrupt the church, and Richard Roberts.

[David Pettigrew]

I challenged NazNetters to join me in the proclamation without any idea that I would arouse a spate of criticism and condemnation. I just added my name to the proclamation to support righteousness and the chance to make ones state of spirituality known. How Christian of you.

Sorry I offended you, Jim. Just my honest feelings.

[Rich Schmidt]

I challenged NazNetters to join me in the proclamation without any idea that I would arouse a spate of criticism and condemnation. I just added my name to the proclamation to support righteousness and the chance to make ones state of spirituality known. How Christian of you.

If someone could point us toward this proclamation, I'd at least read it. Who knows if I'd end up signing it or not.

[Mike Schutz]

I challenged NazNetters to join me in the proclamation without any idea that I would arouse a spate of criticism and condemnation. I just added my name to the proclamation to support righteousness and the chance to make ones state of spirituality known. How Christian of you.

Jim,
I understand your frustration.

I truly believe that Franklin Graham is a Christian.

However, based upon the criteria he seems to use, I'm not sure he would consider me a Christian.