(This is a work in progress.  Discussion is welcomed: info@new-light.org)
 

Many Roads – One Destination?

Organizations like the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Promise Keepers, Campus Crusade for Christ and Chuck Colson’s ministries openly work with the Roman Catholic Church whereas others like John MacAuthur’s Grace To You refuse any association that would legitimize the Catholic Church as Christian.

Who is right?  I don’t know.  I see the benefit and detriment from all sides.

The first road is that like the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA).  Their website www.billygraham.org clearly presents the Biblical Gospel.  Their presentation is contrary to Catholic Church doctrine – a doctrine that specifically states that one who believes as the Billy Graham Evangelical Association web-site is anathema (forever damned).  Yet the Catholic Church works with the BGEA.  They are like chess players where the stakes are high – the eternal destination of many people.  It would seem the BGEA believes that the proper presentation of the Gospel will convict those to Truth – regardless of previous or current religious affiliation. 

Billy Graham openly admits that he knows that not everyone that has stated they accept Christ at one of his crusades are actually Saved citing the parable of the seed and the soil.  The “gamble” extends to giving a list of Catholics that have walked the aisle so that the Catholic Church can follow-up and minister to them.

These people are energized but not necessarily Saved and the Catholic Church wants to make sure that they are guided into Catholic theology.  Additionally, the presence of Roman Catholic Church allows acceptability of Catholicism by Protestants that may not otherwise be so.  Unfortunately, this acceptability by BGEA gives credibility to Catholics as fellow Christian brothers resulting in Protestants/Evangelicals not seeing Catholics as a mission field. 

As a result, the Catholic Church has been very successful in this approach as evidenced by the embracing of Protestant religions of Catholicism – even though Catholic doctrine clearly states that these same Protestant faiths are unsaved!  When fellow Protestants/ Evangelicals state anything Biblically positive yet contrary to Catholicism, they are chastised and ostracized by fellow Protestants/Evangelicals.  Another example of the effective policy is the Catholic influence and growing control over Promise Keepers.

Is this union of opposite Gospels beneficial?  There is only one Gospel.  Paul writes “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal 1:8.    Without question there are Catholics that have been convicted by the Word from a Billy Graham Crusade, such as Pastor Skip Heitzig.  There are also many Catholics who will listen to Billy Graham because the Catholic Church is not opposed to his crusade (Note: Billy Graham’s autobiography points out that in past years the Catholic Church attempted to prevent a crusade but currently it does not since he’s inclusive of the Catholic Church).

The negative side of legitimizing Catholicism produces some very concerning situations.  The Catholic patient doesn’t realize that he is eternally deathly ill – the gospel that he is guided back to is a false one of works and requirements through the Catholic Church only – throwing us back to the seed and the soil.  Are you truly saved?  Even worse, since other Evangelicals/Protestants don’t see a mission field with the more than one billion Catholics worldwide, they don’t present the true Gospel to them when an opportunity arises.  Unfortunately, because of legitimizing Catholicism and fellow Christian chastising, the workers that try to reach out to Catholics become de-motivated, frustrated, and de-moralized.

The second road is one of not embracing but not attacking.   Ministries, such as Charles Stanley’s In Touch, apply this method.  Fewer Catholics are willing to listen because it is not a Catholic co-sponsored event.  From a Catholic viewpoint – “He’s just another one of those Protestant preachers.”  If a Catholic does tune in, they will find that the In Touch website and In Touch ministries clearly present the Biblical Gospel.  The Catholics that listen to Charles Stanley will get excellent Biblical foundation.  I personally listened to Charles Stanley for a couple of years before I was Saved.  It was from his teaching that I realized that I needed to compare the Catholic Catechism to the Bible.

After talking with some of the International ministers for In Touch, at least three of them clearly stated that there isn’t a problem with the Catholic Church.  Unfortunately, we once again have a confusion of who is Saved. 

The third road is one of clear doctrine against the Catholic Church with occasional reference to the false doctrine of Catholicism but concentrates on the gospel.  Once again, Catholics are less willing to listen but when they do, there is no muddying of the water.  The Gospel is clear and they realize the falseness of their religious works.  This method is applied by John MacAuthur’s Grace to You Ministries and it is interesting to note that his church is comprised of one-third ex-Catholics.  They are very devoted to the Word and leave little room for falling away or doubt about the errors of the Catholic Church.

The final road confronts the Catholic in a threefold method – the True Gospel, Biblically showing the false gospel presented by the Catholic Church, and presenting this combination in love.  Unfortunately, it’s often received as an attack (Catholic bashing) but Ministries like Mike Gendron’s Proclaiming the Gospel have been effective in this method including helping Catholic priests find Salvation.  Even though this ministry and others like it speak the Truth in Love, they are often perceived by many in the Evangelical\Protestant community as just the opposite resulting in a reduced effectiveness to lead more to Christ.

Conclusion 

Is it possible that the Spiritual Gift the ministry gift has some bearing on this?  For example, a ministry that has more of an Evangelistic Spiritual Gift may be more apt to present an “easier” Gospel whereas a Teaching Spiritual Gift ministry would be prone to present the Gospel to assure Salvation was understood, as well as felt. 

Is it possible that we need present the Gospel and let the Holy Spirit convict and guide?

We know that Paul corrected Peter helping get back on track to the true Gospel – not one of works (circumcision) Galatians 2:11-21.  So the question arises, “Which ministry is Peter and which Paul?”  Both effective – both necessary but one was starting down a wrong road.  Does this apply to us today?

Of course the answer lies with our Lord and His Word.  If you feel convicted, please respond.

Yours In Christ,

Chuck Bethancourt
New-Light Ministries
www.new-light.org

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Updated November 24, 2001