George W. Bush relates, in Decision Points, that his family assembled in the summer of 1985 at Kennebunkport, Maine. H. W. had invited Billy Graham to visit with the family. There were thirty sitting there at the table – H. W., Barbara, Laura, George, brothers, sisters, and cousins. H. W. asked Billy Graham this question: “Some people say you have to have a born-again experience to go to heaven. Mother here is the most religious, kind person I know, yet she has had no born-again experience. Will she go to heaven?”
Now, if Billy Graham had been a Gospel preacher, he would have answered differently. If he had soaked in the teachings of Peter and Paul, as well as Jesus, he would have quoted God.
Instead, he answered, “George, some of us require a born-again experience to understand God, and some of us are born Christians. It sounds as if your mom was just born a Christian” (page 31).
No wonder sound Gospel preachers have roundly criticized the teachings of Billy Graham throughout the years.
What Peter says is this: “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). What Paul says is this: “there is no distinction” (Romans 3:22). It is absolutely false to suggest that one person can be saved one way and another person can be saved another way.
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What Billy Graham should have said is that H. W.’s mom may be religious and kind but works will not get her to heaven. Jesus said, “when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:10). Just one sin that “Mother” committed made her unworthy of heaven. What Billy Graham just taught was that if “Mother’s” good deeds outweighed her bad deeds, she would not need a “born-again experience.” That is a works-salvation!
There is only one way to heaven – the grace of God. Works will not cut it. The gospel of the grace of God teaches there are conditions to being saved. Obedient faith will save (Romans 1:5) – because Jesus promised that if we obey, He will save. To be “born again” is to receive the Word into our hearts (James 1:18, 21) and allow the Holy Spirit through that Word to guide us to obey the Gospel, including being baptized to wash away our sins (Acts 22:16).
It will be an eternal shame that multitudes will stand before the God of heaven on the day of judgment, having obeyed Billy Graham rather than Jesus Christ.
–Paul Holland
