AMSTERDAM 83:

AMSTERDAM 83: BILLY GRAHAM’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR ITINERANT EVANGELISTS

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF ECUMENICAL APOSTASY IN THE NAME OF EVANGELISM

By M. H. Reynolds
Foundation magazine
Volume IV, Number 4, 1983
Fundamental Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93402

AMSTERDAM ‘83--The International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists, was held in Amsterdam, Holland, July 12-21, 1983. Sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, it was said to represent the fulfillment of a "dream" Billy Graham has had for years. And, at the close of the Conference, Graham said that it had far exceeded his expectations in every way.

Held in Amsterdam’s massive Rai Conference Center, AMSTERDAM ‘83 was superbly planned and carried through by top leaders of the Graham Team augmented by leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ—men whose expertise in handling a conference of this magnitude and complexity was clearly in evidence.

Over 3800 itinerant (traveling) evangelists from 133 nations were present together with nearly 1300 staff, press, speakers and invited guests—a combined total of over 5000 people. without doubt, AMSTERDAM ‘83 was unique in the history of evangelism.

As editor of Foundation Magazine, I personally attended AMSTERDAM ‘83 with press credentials in order to make a frank, scriptural appraisal of this Conference. We are vitally interested in biblical evangelism and felt it was important to obtain first-hand information regarding this history-making gathering of evangelists.

AMSTERDAM ‘83 TAKES ON ADDED SIGNIFICANCE because it is now being looked on by its sponsors as a "model" for future regional conferences and another International Conference within the next four or five years. If this indeed is the case, then even more careful scrutiny must be given to AMSTERDAM ‘83. What were its strengths and weaknesses? Did it further the cause of biblical evangelism or will it move evangelical churches closer to the ecumenical movement? An honest answer to these questions is crucial to every person who is redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and who is anxious to do everything possible to "preach the gospel to every creature."

THE MAJOR EMPHASIS AT AMSTERDAM ‘83 WAS UPON EVANGELISM. The spirit and mood of AMSTERDAM ‘83 was as different from World Council conferences as day is from night. Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Cliff Barrows are two of the most personable men I have ever met. Their associates are gracious, talented people. They know how to move the hearts of an audience.

AMSTERDAM ‘83 was superbly organized and directed. Much of the material provided for the itinerant evangelists was simple and Bible based. Many of the seminars provided helpful instruction and suggestions for evangelizing the lost. A number of the messages were warm, moving presentations which undoubtedly brought blessing and encouragement to these itinerant evangelists from around the world. Without a doubt, there was much to commend in AMSTERDAM ‘83.

THE TOTAL PICTURE OF AMSTERDAM ‘83, HOWEVER, SHOULD BE OF GREAT CONCERN TO EVERY BELIEVER. It actually provides a graphic illustration of what happens when truth is mixed with error. Time and time again, the speakers presented a scriptural truth with great power, only to modify or contradict that truth in the next few sentences. Over and over again, some speaker would emphasize an important aspect of evangelism, only to have another speaker present the absolute opposite view. It was heartbreaking to realize that, according to conference statistics, over 40% of those attending had no formal biblical or theological training; over 70% were from the Third World; and over 90% had never attended a major conference of any kind before. Here were some 3800 evangelists who were literally "babes in the woods" when it came to recognizing the many clever disguises of Satan and his emissaries. Along with instruction and encouragement in evangelism, they desperately needed information which would protect them and their converts against the wiles of the Devil. But, instead of warnings concerning the dangers of ecumenism, liberalism, communism, catholicism, worldliness or the charismatic movement, these inexperienced, untrained evangelists were given the false impression that differences should be overlooked in order to accomplish the task of world evangelism.

"HAVE A BROAD MIND AND AN OPEN HEART," GRAHAM URGED on the opening day, pointing out that "they would see some things that would thrill them" but also "some things they would not agree with." This statement itself, coming from the world’s acknowledged leader in evangelism, would have been sufficient cause for them to drop their guard and prepare the way for the acceptance of many of the unscriptural philosophies and programs which were an integral part of this Conference. But other top leaders in the field of world evangelism added the weight of their prestige to the promotion of this same theme—"Have a broad mind and an open heart." The result was that AMSTERDAM ‘83 became a vehicle for the promotion of many of Satan’s most clever deceptions in the name of evangelism!

THOSE WHO SLAVISHLY FOLLOW BILLY GRAHAM and take a compromising, new-evangelical position may consider this report to be just "sour grapes." This is certainly not true but we might point out that it is always difficult to set the facts before people wherever evangelism is involved because an immediate reader reaction is apt to be that we are against evangelism. Some may conclude that we are just "casting stones" at Billy Graham because of jealousy but this is not true either. However, beloved, many of the concepts and precepts propounded at Amsterdam were clearly related to ecumenical liberalism rather than biblical evangelism. If, as Graham has stated that AMSTERDAM ‘83 is to be a model for many future conferences, is there not a compelling reason to warn about the "poison in the pot" rather than praise the good ingredients? The warnings in this report may be rejected or go unheeded but our obligation before God is to give those warnings as clearly and explicitly as possible. Although it would take a small book to fully document the presence of "poison in the pot" at Amsterdam, it is our hope and prayer that the factual information given here may be used of God to awaken believers to some of the insidious, deceptive ways in which Satan is mixing truth with error in the name of evangelism!

EVERY PROGRAM PARTICIPANT AT AMSTERDAM WAS THERE BY INVITATION, NOT BY ACCIDENT! At a press conference, we were told by a conference official that all of those who were official participants were there in accordance with Billy Graham’s specific wishes. This meant that ecumenists, charismatics, communists and other promoters of error were there because Graham wanted them there. They did not force their way in—they came by invitation, Billy Graham’s invitation. Remember this fact when you read the names and see the words of some of those who were present because Billy Graham wanted them to be there.

"I FIRMLY BELIEVE IT TO BE GOD’S WILL THAT EVERY REAL EVANGELICAL SHOULD BE AN ECUMENICAL AND THAT EVERY REAL ECUMENICAL SHOULD BE AN EVANGELICAL." These were the words of Dr. J. Verkuyl whom Graham invited to bring opening greetings (Verkuyl’s home is in Holland) even though his ecumenical liberalism is well documented over a period of many years. Verkuyl’s entire address was ecumenical to the core, but he was there because Billy Graham wanted him there. As a result, nearly 4000 itinerant evangelists heard clever ecumenical propaganda from a platform supposedly dedicated to biblical evangelism!

AMSTERDAM ‘83 PROVIDED A PLATFORM FROM WHICH DR. ROBERT SCHULLER COULD PROMOTE HIS HERETICAL TEACHINGS. Schuller brought along several hundred copies of his book, Self Esteem-The New Reformation, which he distributed free to Third World evangelists. This book contains theological poison of the worst and most deceptive kind, but there was no word of warning from Graham or any conference official. After all, Schuller was there because Billy Graham wanted him to be there. He could promote his heresies in the name of evangelism because Billy Graham gave him that platform. Schuller, whose weekly TV program, Hour of Power, is America’s most-watched religious telecast, is one of Satan’s "angels of light" even though Graham embraces him as a dear brother in Christ. A review of Schuller’s heretical book will appear in a future edition of Foundation Magazine. Many members of the religious press were greatly disturbed after reading Schuller’s book and planned to question him extensively at a press conference scheduled for the day after he spoke. Schuller never showed up!

AMSTERDAM ‘83 DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SOFTEN OPPOSITION TO COMMUNISM. Now that the communists know that Graham is a friend rather than a foe, he will apparently have little difficulty obtaining visas for those he wants to bring to his conferences. 108 were present from Eastern Europe (the communist countries); some were present from Cuba and Communist China though conference officials would not release the names of the latter. 14 representatives from 12 communist countries, including top leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Baptists, took part in a special workshop on Marxism. They were provided a platform from which to promote their lying communist propaganda in the name of evangelism. All of them were there because Billy Graham wanted them to be there!

METROPOLITAN VLADIMIR ROSTOV WAS AT AMSTERDAM ‘83, representing the Russian Orthodox Church and its titular head, Patriarch Pimen. In a prepared address, mimeographed copies of which were available in English, Rostov presented the typical communist line as follows: "Believers and non-believers, citizens in our country have equal rights and duties and they are united by the common task and goal. We are in favor of contact and cooperation among all people of good will and share every effort that promotes the welfare of the people and leads to peace. Our church is actively participating in the WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, in the Committee of European Churches and the CHRISTIAN PEACE CONFERENCE, and we participate in dialogues with all of the Christian churches. ... We support the official statements, proposals, and concrete steps of our government and of the governments of the Eastern European countries towards peace, towards peace negotiations, disarmament, and peaceful cooperation with the Western countries."

AMSTERDAM ‘83 PROVIDED A PLATFORM FOR THE LYING PROPAGANDA OF THE GEORGIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN BEHALF OF THE USSR. Its representative spoke at the workshop on Marxism and distributed a printed booklet from which we quote as follows: "Like all other religious associations in the Soviet Union, the Georgian Orthodox Church is separated from the State, which guarantees her canonical independence and autonomy. Article 50 of the Constitution of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic states: ‘Citizens of the GSSR are guaranteed freedom of conscience, that is, the right to profess or not to profess any religion, and to conduct religious worship or atheistic propaganda. Incitement of hostility or hatred on religious grounds is prohibited.’ ... The internal and international prestige of the Georgian Orthodox Church is growing with every passing year. She is now a full and active member of such well-known international organizations as the WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, the CHRISTIAN PEACE CONFERENCE [COMMUNIST] and the Conference of European Churches. The Georgian Orthodox Church evaluates highly the ecumenical movement. Her Primate, His Holiness and Beatitude Iliya II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, is the founder of ecumenism in Georgia and one of its leading figures in the world. ... At the session of the WCC Central Committee in Kingston, Jamaica, in January 1979, His Holiness and Beatitude Iliya II, was elected one of the six presidents of the World Council of Churches, which undoubtedly is a recognition of his contribution to present day ecumenism." This lying propaganda was permitted at Amsterdam without refutation or rebuke. It was there because Billy Graham wanted it to be there!

THE PASTOR OF THE MOSCOW RUSSIAN BAPTIST CHURCH WAS AT AMSTERDAM ‘83 because Billy Graham wanted him there. In his remarks, Pastor V.E. Logvinenko asked his audience "to exert some influence upon those, including even believers in the West, who to our regret have been determined to make various accusations and even slanders against our government." He claimed that such changes are counterproductive even though "such people think they render real support to Christians in the Soviet Union." this lying communist propagandist, disguised as a Baptist pastor, went on to say, "But the facts show us the opposite. Whenever the prestige of the authorities is recognized and respected and the problems are solved by means of petitions and prayers, we obtain blessed results." This "wolf in sheeps’ clothing" paid generous tribute to Billy Graham’s visit to Moscow in 1982, stating that this visit "has left many good impressions in the churches and upon public opinion in general." Logvinenko offered "to take back to Soviet leaders any message adopted by the evangelists meeting here." That portion of his remarks is true of necessity since all religious leaders whom the Communists permit to travel to other countries are required to report back immediately upon their return. And, while they are away, they are under continual KGB surveillance.

"THE BEST PROPAGANDA THE COMMUNISTS COULD WANT." That’s the way a newsman from Finland described the showing of Billy Graham’s film on his visit to Moscow for the Communist-approved peace conference in 1982. This newsman pointed out that such a film was much more valuable to the Reds than one which they could produce themselves. It left the false impression that religion is doing well under communism. It presented communism in the best possible light. And, coming from one of the world’s top religious leaders, it carries a tremendous amount of weight with millions of people who are unaware of the real situation. One thing is certain. Graham’s position toward communism has changed. (See previous Foundation articles concerning his Moscow trip.) He has either been "taken in" by the communist lies or he has sold out in his effort to hold crusades behind the Iron Curtain.

YES, AMSTERDAM ‘83 GAVE A PLATFORM FOR COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA by representatives of the following communist nations: USSR, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic (Communist East Germany), Hungary, Poland, Romania, Armenia and Yugoslavia. They were all there because Billy Graham wanted them there. True, this platform was that of a workshop rather than the main assembly, but the deceptiveness was heightened by the fact that it was listed under the title, "Resistant Peoples and Difficult Areas—Marxists." The obvious impression was that this workshop would present suggestions for reaching people for Christ in Communist countries. Instead, it really amounted to a defense of communism and a criticism of anti-communism. In addition, this workshop was personally chaired by Dr. Walter H. Smyth who is the chief executive officer in Graham’s organization. Smyth said, "I do no want to see this meeting today turn into any kind of a confrontation. I want you to listen and listen carefully to what these men of God from these various churches have to say whether you agree in principle with what they are saying or not." Smyth went out of his way to present the most favorable image possible for the first speaker from the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Vladimir, referring to "the great and rich tradition of Orthodoxy." Of course, the Orthodox Church, like its Roman Catholic sister church, preaches a false gospel of salvation by grace plus sacraments and works. Thus, the Orthodox Church in Communist countries is not only a chief apologist for communism but is under God’s curse for preaching "another gospel."

WORLDLINESS IN EVANGELISM WAS PROMOTED AT AMSTERDAM ‘83 in a variety of ways and by a number of speakers in spite of the fact that God’s Word specifically says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world ... ." 1 John 2:15. Rev. Michael Green, rector of St. Aldate’s Church in Oxford, England, was a main speaker as well as a workshop leader. An official press release said, "A bright, brainy Briton brought the house down at his workshop here Wednesday and he did it with wit." Green is without doubt a brilliant, witty person but he gave the evangelists at Amsterdam a huge dose of worldliness! His messages were typical of many heard at Amsterdam—containing precious truths, diluted or even negated by the philosophies of men—the wisdom of the world. Here was a man who warned against the dangers of "tampering with the Gospel" and of "avoiding the more painful areas of truth ... which might upset our hosts, financial backers or theological supporters." Yet, Green’s remarks included such shocking, unscriptural advice as the following: "DON’T TALK ABOUT NEW BIRTH, TALK ABOUT LIBERATION." Green continued, "Identify with and befriend secular society. Become one with them. Read their materials. Get out of our Christian ghetto mentality." Imagine poisoning the minds and hearts of untrained evangelists with such unscriptural advice! Green criticized the evangelist who "never reads a modern novel ... who never goes to a modern play or sees a thoughtful modern film." "Consequently," said Green, such an evangelist "does not scratch people where they itch." Specifically, Green urged this huge audience of itinerant evangelists to "go from time to time to a serious film like ‘Gandhi’ or an adventure farce like James Bond’s ‘Octopussy.’ Pray that you may not be harmed by such exposure, but learn from it. Analyze the moral of the Gandhi film. Or take apart the empty secular presuppositions of James Bond’s attitude to possessions and women." Such instruction is not that "wisdom which is from above" but is "earthly, sensual, devilish"! Jesus did not instruct his disciples to attend the filthy Greek Theatre or read pornographic literature in order to "scratch people where they itch." Jesus told Nicodemus he must be "born again" even though Nicodemus had never heard that expression before and didn’t know what it meant. Green is guilty before God of grossly misleading those he spoke to at Amsterdam! And, Billy Graham bears the responsibility for giving such unscriptural instruction a respectable platform!

THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT WAS GIVEN A BOOST AT AMSTERDAM ‘83. Two of its top leaders, Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho of Korea and Dr. Pat Robertson of the USA were featured plenary speakers. Throughout the conference, Charismatic evangelists were busy indoctrinating other evangelists with their unscriptural teachings. Lots of Charismatic literature went home with these untrained evangelists who would not have the scriptural knowledge to recognize and refute their erroneous teachings. No warning was given from conference platforms concerning the real dangers of the charismatic movement. To the contrary, one of the conference leaders, Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, said that there has been a maturing in both evangelical and charismatic circles and that he "hopes even more bridges can be built between the groups." Of course, Bright himself is a "bridge" between evangelicals and charismatics, having recently modified a previous Campus Crusade policy prohibiting Charismatics on staff. Bright presently dodges the issue of whether or not he believes tongues and healing are gifts of the Holy Spirit for today. Although he admits he has not personally spoken in tongues, he says, "I am not prepared to say tongues are not for today." How could men with such "uncertain" views of their own be of genuine help to untrained evangelists?

CONFUSION CONCERNING THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN EVANGELISM was evident at AMSTERDAM ‘83. Although the participation of women was minimal, most being wives of speakers or participants, a trend toward acceptance of women as leader, pastors, evangelists, etc. was clearly observable at Amsterdam as it is throughout the whole evangelical movement. This is due to three main factors: (1) Closer relationships with Charismatics; (2) Following in the footsteps of the ecumenical movement; (3) The subtle pressures of the women’s liberation movement. To disobey God’s plain commands concerning the place of women in the family and in the church will not produce blessing, but a curse!

TWO WOMEN BROUGHT MAJOR ADDRESSES AT AMSTERDAM ‘83, Mrs. Becky Pippert of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, and Mrs. Anne Graham Lotz, a daughter of Billy Graham. Five other women were in charge of workshops. Mrs. Ruth Graham spoke to a special meeting of about 300 wives of participants. The influence toward approving an unscriptural place for women in the ministry was more by example than by verbal advocacy, but it was there. One woman said she had been "inspired by the example of women evangelists" in a film, "Called to Proclaim" which had been shown the first night of the conference. She said, "I see that other women have done it, so I know that I can do it too." Another woman who said that she and her husband were both evangelists, was quoted as saying, "The Holy Spirit moves among women as He does among men. He has given me the same power and the same responsibility." Another woman present said that she would like to see "another conference specifically for the woman evangelist." The trend toward women pastors, evangelists and church leaders is escalating rapidly. AMSTERDAM ‘83 did nothing to discourage such an unscriptural trend. Instead, it gave new momentum to it!

NOTED USA PREACHER CONTRADICTED HIS WORDS AT AMSTERDAM ‘83 by his subsequent action. Dr. E.V. Hill, pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, is one of the most powerful black preachers in the world. Many people accept him as a bonafide evangelical. At Amsterdam, he certainly sounded like an old-fashioned fundamentalist when he thundered out against those who were "destroying the simplicity of the gospel by their ‘isms that ought to be ‘wasms.’" He called for "a recommitment to the Scriptures in a day when God’s solid truth, the Bible, is discarded for the untested notions from the fickle mind of man." Strong, true words these are—but only a few months later, Hill was elected to serve on the governing board of the National Council of Churches in the USA—a group which is doing the very thing Hill condemned. One can only hope and pray that the untrained evangelists at Amsterdam will follow Hill’s words, not his actions!

GREAT EMPHASIS WAS PLACED UPON UNITY AT AMSTERDAM ‘83. The importance of "spiritual unity" in the ministry of evangelism was repeatedly emphasized. So often was the theme of "Christian Unity" mentioned that, in this respect, it sounded more like an ecumenical gathering than a conference on evangelism. Billy Graham reiterated this theme many times during his five messages at the Conference. And, in his remarks at his closing press conference he said, "Many, in fact, have already begun to speak of ‘The spirit of Amsterdam’ because of the sense of SPIRITUAL UNITY and commitment which has developed here." Such a statement is all the more difficult to comprehend, preceded as it was in Graham’s remarks by the statement that "those who came here were from over thirty religious denominations, including Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Lutheran, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and many other groups. In addition there were observers here from various groups, INCLUDING THE VATICAN and a very high level delegation from the ORTHODOX CHURCHES OF THE SOVIET UNION, including two Metropolitans." Years of compromise have apparently deprived Graham of spiritual discernment, resulting in an unscriptural concept of true Christian Unity.

THE UNBIBLICAL ECUMENICAL CONCEPT OF CHRISTIAN UNITY was most explicitly and deceitfully beamed at the 3800 evangelists at Amsterdam in a plenary address by Rev. Kalevi Lehtinen, European director for Campus Crusade for Christ. The apostate ecumenical movement could not have found a better way to promote their unscriptural concept of Christian Unity than the message of Rev. Lehtinen. Note the following full quotation from the official printed copy of his address: "The commitment to all expressions of the Body of Christ in all nations, races, cultures, classes, denominations, movements is not only crucial for the disciples themselves, but to the whole world. The biggest hindrance in the way of fulfillment of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ in the world, and also the deepest wound in the Body of Christ today, is the lack of love between those who are disciples of Jesus Christ. This lack of love and fellowship hinders the world from seeing the reality of Jesus Christ and from believing in Him. The Bible does not present even one justifiable reason for any Christian to refuse to love and accept another child of God. Before God we have only two alternatives: (1) to unconditionally love the whole Body of Christ in all of its expressions, or (2) to consciously disobey Jesus Christ." Such a conclusion is absolutely contrary to the Word of God. Biblical love does not condone or ignore error nor does it justify fellowship with disobedient brethren or false teachers. And, lest anyone think we have misrepresented or misinterpreted Lehtinen’s words, he becomes even more specific in a following portion of his address.

AMSTERDAM ‘83 SPEAKER ADVOCATES A NEW MOVEMENT! Rev. Kalevi Lehtinen, mentioned in the preceding paragraph, explained that God had given him a vision of "a new movement in the body of Christ, a movement of love and fellowship. It is a movement of Christians, disciples, from all denominations, churches, movements, and other Christian groups who by the grace of God commit themselves to love unconditionally every child of God in the world regardless of his denomination, race, nationality, DOCTRINAL UNDERSTANDING, social standing, etc. These Christians would express their commitment by signing a pledge where this vision is verbalized. They will promise to love the WHOLE CHURCH in the world in the SAME WAY; REFRAIN FROM CRITICIZING OTHER CHRISTIANS; and would consider all God’s children as equal brothers and sisters." What a tragedy that 3800 evangelists should have been taught such a deceptive mixture of truth and error! Lehtinen’s concept of love is that of ecumenism—not that of the Bible. Much of the professing Church today is apostate—Christian in name only. Biblical love demands separation from, not fellowship with those who preach another gospel or who walk disobediently as believers! The fact that many of these evangelists went away from Amsterdam with a false concept of love and an unscriptural concept of Christian unity is due to the fact that Billy Graham wanted it that way. It is, in fact, Graham’s own position also.

POLLUTED BIBLE VERSIONS AND TRANSLATIONS WERE PROMOTED at Amsterdam ‘83. Copies of the Living New Testament were offered free to participants in their own language. Speakers quoted from a wide variety of versions including Good News For Modern Man which tampers with the words "virgin" and "blood." Nearly 40 exhibitors, "using every approach imaginable," sought to interest the evangelists in their literature and programs. Exhibitors were primarily those related to new-evangelicalism or the charismatic movement. Third World evangelists were given free cassette recorders, tapes, books and so much literature that a major problem was created for the Conference when participants were faced with huge costs for excess baggage on their return flights. With their hearts and minds filled with so many conflicting ideas and principles about evangelism; with so much written material of various sorts to review; with such a vast difference between what they saw and heard in Amsterdam and the situations they actually face at home; confusion will be the inevitable result unless someone sounds a warning and urges them to stay by the Word of God and reject the unscriptural teachings they received at Amsterdam!

BILLY GRAHAM AND THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. At the beginning of the Conference, Billy Graham received hearty applause as he suggested that the conference send an urgent message to the World Council of Churches General Assembly which was to convene in Vancouver, B.C., shortly after the close of Amsterdam ‘83. At various times during the conference, the question was asked, "When will this statement be made?" The answer was always the same, "It is still under consideration." Finally, after the close of the conference, a press statement was issued by Billy Graham as follows: "In light of what we have seen and heard at the International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists, I call upon the World Council of Churches to give a renewed emphasis to the roots from which it sprang, recognizing the priority of biblical evangelism. Never before in the history of the Christian church have the opportunities been so great and never before has the challenge to the Christian church been so compelling. I call upon the World Council to make as its first priority the biblical mandate to proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that those countless millions who are spiritually impoverished and without hope in our world may turn to Jesus Christ, the Hope of the world."

BILLY GRAHAM’S DUPLICITY CONCERNING THE W.C.C. Throughout the Amsterdam ‘83 conference, Billy Graham gave the evangelists the distinct impression that it was urgent for them to send some message to the WCC. Yet, the conference closed without any such message, after which Graham immediately released the text of his personal message printed in the preceding paragraph. What the 3800 evangelists at Amsterdam were not told was that Graham had already sent a message to the WCC even before Amsterdam ‘83 began. In the providence of God, I was able to obtain press credentials to cover the WCC Meeting in Vancouver and it was there that I was able to obtain a copy of the telegram Graham had sent to the WCC—the telegram he failed to tell the evangelists at Amsterdam about. The text of this telegram, addressed to Dr. J. Philip Potter, General Secretary of the WCC, follows: "Dear Philip: Your gracious and generous invitation to speak twice in Vancouver was deeply appreciated. Thank you for seeing my representatives, Dr. Smyth and Dr. Haraszti. They impressed me with the importance of the opportunities which you offered me and also conveyed your personal greetings. I have tried to juggle my schedule but it is just too heavy at this late date for me to make the drastic changes that would be necessary for me to be in Vancouver. This will be only the second general assembly of the WCC that I have had to miss. I will certainly miss seeing you and many other old friends and fellowshipping with those from all over the world. We have 4000 delegates coming to Amsterdam and have had to turn away 2000 applications. There seems to be a growing grass roots desire for renewal within the church and emphasis on evangelism and service. It is my prayer that Vancouver and Amsterdam will both experience pentecostal blessings that could possibly bring about the extension of the kingdom of God in a world so filled with danger. May God grant you personally his wisdom as you lead this Sixth Assembly. Signed, Billy Graham." Note that not a word was mentioned concerning the fact that the WCC, as a bastion of radical theology, is the enemy of Christ and the true Gospel. Graham is no enemy of the apostate WCC—he is one of their best friends!

BILLY GRAHAM’S TRUE ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WCC is revealed in the above telegram coupled with these further remarks in his closing press statement—a statement which most of the 3800 evangelists will likely never see and which most publications have failed to report. Graham said, "In a few days the Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches will convene in Vancouver. Dr. Philip Potter, the General Secretary of the Council, graciously extended an invitation to me to come to Vancouver and to speak several times during the Assembly. Unfortunately, previous commitments will make it impossible for me to attend (one of these commitments being this Conference. When we set the dates of this Conference two or three years ago we unfortunately did not take into account the date of the Vancouver meeting.) I deeply appreciated the warm telegrams of greetings and the promise of prayers for us from leaders of the World Council, including one from Dr. Potter, the General Secretary."

GRAHAM CONTINUED, "A number of people will be going directly to Vancouver from this Conference, including several members of my organization who will be there as observers. It has been my privilege to be at every Assembly of the World Council except Nairobi, as an observer or visitor. ...I cannot help but recall that I was present in 1948 when the World Council of Churches was formed here in Amsterdam, in large part out of the desire of many for a new thrust in evangelism and world missions. The World Council has its roots deep in biblical evangelism." Graham is not only deceived about the origin and nature of the WCC—he is now deceiving others. The WCC was not formed because of a desire for a new thrust in evangelism and world missions. It was formed largely by those church leaders who had rejected the Word of God, the Son of God and the Gospel of God. The WCC, from its beginning to the present, has been a major force in opposing biblical evangelism and missions. The WCC is fostering the cause of socialism, communism and world revolution. The gospel they preach is a false gospel. Billy Graham is well aware of this and he will one day have to answer to God for helping the WCC to maintain its deceitful mask of Christianity.

HOW WILL AMSTERDAM ‘83 INFLUENCE THE FUTURE OF EVANGELISM? In an article by Sherwood Wirt in Billy Graham’s Decision Magazine for November 1983, we learn that Graham himself has suggested that Amsterdam ‘83 "might be compared to the Jerusalem Council, which was presided over by James, the brother of the Lord, and recorded in Acts 15." Wirt went on to say, "The comparison is apt and has some legitimacy, for that Council laid down important ground rules for itinerant evangelists who were taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to distant parts." In our judgment, such a comparison is totally unjustifiable. The first century Council at Jerusalem was a gathering of faithful leaders of the church and it did indeed result in some important ground rules concerning evangelism and the church. But the 20^th Century Council at Amsterdam ‘83 was a gathering of untrained, itinerant evangelists who were presented with a wide variety of "options" from which the bewildered, broad minded, open hearted evangelists were free to choose. Wirt’s article concluded by calling Amsterdam ‘83 "A GOLDEN PAGE IN CHURCH HISTORY." A more accurate description would be, "A CONFUSING PAGE IN CHURCH HISTORY."

BILLY GRAHAM REMAINS AN ENIGMA TO MANY. This is not surprising since he so often appears to be on both sides of a theological fence at the same time. He knows how to combine the language of fundamentalism, evangelicalism and ecumenism in just the right amounts to satisfy most conservatives and not disturb very many liberals. He often quotes well known Christian leaders of the past but also favorably quotes outstanding liberal leaders, giving verbal bouquets to individuals and institutes which are the enemies of Christ and the Gospel. He knows how to lash out at sin in generalities while disregarding specific applications which might bring offense. He often speaks against sins of the flesh but ignores the more serious sins related to the spiritual relationships of believers. He sends his converts to "the church of their choice" with no specific warning against the apostasy which has permeated so much of present-day protestantism. He sends converts back into Roman Catholicism with no warning concerning the false gospel Romanism preaches. At Amsterdam, he could walk the evangelical-ecumenical tightrope with ease, leaving everyone in doubt as to whether he was pro-WCC or anti-WCC. No wonder some have referred to him as "Mr. Facing-Both-Ways."

WHICH BILLY GRAHAM ARE WE TO BELIEVE? At Amsterdam ‘83, he gave five major addresses, a careful examination of which will demonstrate his duplicity with regard to many important issues. In a plea for world peace, Graham said that this generation is unique "because it has the awesome ability to obliterate human life on the planet." He told the evangelists that they "have a personal responsibility to see that a man-made Armageddon does not happen." Later in the same message he said, "The Bible does not teach that God will allow man to extinguish life." In his opening address, Graham correctly stated, "We engage in evangelism today, not because we want to, or because we choose to, or because we like to, but because we have been told to. We are under orders. Our Lord has commanded us to go, to preach, to make disciples." Yet, in his efforts to link social action with evangelism (an ecumenical philosophy) Graham spoke of the necessity of "earning the right to speak" with the clear implication that "social action" must accompany or even precede evangelism. Which of Graham’s statements are we to believe?

GRAHAM SAID, "WE CANNOT RISK CONFUSION if we are to make the impact on our generation that God expects of us." For his authority, he quoted 1 Cor. 14:8, "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" Yet, Graham and the other leaders and speakers at Amsterdam ‘83 produced more "uncertain sounds" in ten days than would normally be produced in ten years! One of the main speakers was retired archbishop of Sydney and former primate of the Anglican Church of Australia. He brought a basically strong message, saying that "Evangelists around the world must recommit themselves to the basic doctrines of the Christian faith if modern evangelism is to survive." He cited three basic doctrines as hallmarks that must undergird all evangelism: "justification by faith alone, forgiveness on the sole basis of Christ’s death on the cross, and the absolute necessity of the new birth by the Holy Spirit." In support of his "hallmark" doctrines, he referred to the Articles of Faith of the Anglican Church (Church of England) Yet, archbishop Loane is well aware that, for the most part, the Church of England no longer believes its articles of faith except with the head—and even then with a good many "mental reservations." He knows that liberals who are working for reunion with Romanism control his church—yet he gave no word of warning concerning this tragic fact. Instead, the Anglican Church was made to appear to be a bedrock of doctrinal soundness! In Billy Graham’s response to the opening remarks by the ecumenical leader, Professor J. Verkuyl (mentioned earlier in this article) Graham said, "I agree with Professor Verkuyl that proclamation, service, fellowship and participation are involved [in evangelism]. We would agree on some of the things he had to say under those four points, and not agree on others. I am sure that he and I could have an interesting discussion." The 3800 evangelists at Amsterdam were left to wonder just what things Graham agreed or disagreed with. Is not this risking—yes, even creating further confusion—the very thing Graham warned about?

BILLY GRAHAM SOUNDED LIKE A FUNDAMENTALIST in one of his major addresses when he said, "...we are involved in a spiritual battle. The evangelist and the work of evangelism are opposed on every hand by Satan and his forces. When the seed of the Gospel is being sown, he is always there sowing the tares and blinding the minds of those whom we seek to evangelize. Let us not underestimate the strategy of Satan. He uses every kind of deception, force, and error to try to destroy the effectiveness of the Gospel." But, although Graham and other speakers warned the evangelists specifically about satanic deceptions and sins such as pride, immorality, jealousy, lack of financial honesty and accountability, no such specific warnings were given about the deceptions of Satan involved in spiritual adultery whereby Christians are encouraged to join hands with Satan’s angels of light in the ministry of evangelism. Graham had a golden opportunity to unmask the World Council of Churches and to help these untrained evangelists to recognize and separate from the deepening apostasy within their own denominations and in the various units and programs of the WCC. No such warnings were forthcoming!

BILLY GRAHAM HAS ACTUALLY BEEN TEACHING "THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM" for many years, teaching by precept and example that it is quite all right for God’s people today to commit spiritual whoredom just as Balaam’s doctrine encouraged the physical whoredom of Israel. In Revelation 2:4, God tells us that those who follow the doctrine of Balaam are guilty of "casting a stumbling block" before His people. In the spiritual realm, which is far more important than the physical, Billy Graham and the other new-evangelicals of our day are casting a stumbling block before believers by encouraging them to maintain or even enter into spiritual relationships with the enemies of our Lord. This is a very serious matter. If the evangelists of the world are taught that spiritual whoredom is acceptable, their converts would logically take the same, unscriptural position. Billy Graham’s tremendous power, prestige and funding give him a position of major responsibility for the future direction of evangelism and the church. We pray that God may deliver him from the snare of the devil into which he has fallen.

"THE AMSTERDAM AFFIRMATIONS" was the title of a 15-paragraph document prepared, according to one of its writers, "to express the need evangelists feel they have for a code of belief and conduct." It was made clear that these 15 Affirmations were "non-binding," simple statements, "most of which are totally believed by everyone here." "Affirmations" and "non-binding" are two frequently used ecumenical terms. They express the thought of flexibility rather than finality. We plan to print these affirmations in full in a subsequent edition of Foundation Magazine together with an analysis which will reveal the way in which an attempt was made to satisfy those who engage in ecumenical evangelism as well as those who believe only in Biblical evangelism. Flexibility in doctrine and practice, a hallmark of ecumenism, was continually in evidence at Amsterdam ‘83. The continuing slide of the new-evangelical movement toward ecumenism was tragically documented there! In his closing press statement, Graham said, "we have called attention to the biblical priority of evangelism," but he also said, "We leave Amsterdam ‘83 with a new commitment to pray and work for peace in our world and to do our utmost to meet personal and social needs of people." Note that in Graham’s first statement, he did not say, "the priority of biblical evangelism," but rather "the biblical priority of evangelism." The placements of the words "biblical" and "priority" are highly significant. The apostate World Council of Churches claims it already is giving biblical priority to evangelism but their definition of evangelism encompasses their radical economic, social and political activities. The Bible warns about the use of "feigned words" to deceive. Such deception has been practiced by the ecumenical movement since its inception. It is now becoming commonplace within evangelicalism!

WILL AMSTERDAM ‘83 PRODUCE "BILLY GRAHAM CLONES"? Billy Graham specifically stated that this conference had no such design. Of course it would be impossible to produce a "Billy Graham Clone" as to his person, but it is possible to produce hundreds of "Billy Graham Clones" as far as his compromising "position" is concerned. In fact, that is exactly what Amsterdam ‘83 initiated! Without doubt, most of the 3800 evangelists present went home after ten days of instruction in compromise by word and example, convinced that it would be a great privilege to be a "Billy Graham Clone" as they seek to emulate his compromised position in their own ministries. Our concern is that the great "success" attained by Graham’s unbiblical, ecumenical evangelism will now be used by Satan to keep these evangelists from looking to the Word of God for their doctrine and position. It is always easier on the flesh to go with the crowd even if it means traveling the downward road of compromise than to stand firm and true against all the wiles of the Devil, even if that means standing alone!

GRAHAM PLANS TO USE AMSTERDAM ‘83 AS A SPRINGBOARD to reach thousands of evangelists around the world who could not be present at Amsterdam. A gigantic follow-up program was instituted immediately following the close of the conference—a follow-up program that had obviously been planned well in advance. We quote from the official Amsterdam ‘83 press release as follows: "The follow-up effort, directed by John Corts, will provide continuing help and training for the evangelists who attended and the thousands who could not attend. ‘Within a few months, we expect to have the names of 40,000 to 50,000 traveling evangelists around the world,’ said Corts, who until two weeks ago was pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Fla., USA. The follow-up will involve a newsletter, a tape ministry, regional conferences, video production and possibly another international meeting." Graham spoke repeatedly of "extensive plans for follow-up to help evangelists around the world deal with their continuing task of evangelism." MOTIVATIONAL AND TRAINING TAPES are to be used in this extensive follow-up, according to the December issue of "WORLD EVANGELIZATION." We quote: "The follow-up to Amsterdam ‘83 will also have a very practical aspect. One businessman in America contributed 5,000 simple tape recorders to be given to the Third World Evangelists. We expect to send to all those who attended the conference motivational and training tapes over the months ahead." Thus, the compromises of Amsterdam ‘83 will be reinforced in the minds and hearts of the 3800 evangelists who were there—and spread to additional thousands of evangelists in the years to come.

SADLY WE ARE FORCED TO CONCLUDE THAT AMSTERDAM ‘83 FURTHERED THE CAUSE OF ECUMENICAL EVANGELISM RATHER THAN TRUE, BIBLICAL EVANGELISM! When Billy Graham began his evangelistic ministry nearly 40 years ago, he recognized Communism, Ecumenism and Catholicism as major enemies of Christ and the Gospel. Now, he goes out of his way not to offend any of these Satanic groups. To the contrary, Graham invites their representatives to his conferences and does his best to give them a respectability they do not deserve—a protected haven they should not have—a platform they can use to deceive! Communism, Catholicism, Ecumenism—all are still deadly enemies of the Gospel—enemies of the true Church. But these three major enemies of the Christian faith all know that Billy Graham will do or say nothing to expose their errors or reveal their deceit. This situation is tragic beyond words because so many people look to Billy Graham for leadership!

WE CALL UPON GOD’S PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVE DANGERS INHERENT IN ECUMENICAL EVANGELISM and to join us in a clarion call for a return to Biblical Evangelism. The purity of the Gospel cannot be maintained where the fellowships of the evangelists are impure. The power of the Gospel is diminished whenever its proclaimers join hands with false teachers, disobedient brethren or the world in a misguided effort to reach more people. The true Gospel does not join hands with its enemies—it exposes them. May God open our eyes to the Satanic deceptions of these last days, both within and without the Church, and lead us into a closer walk with Him in absolute fidelity to His eternal Word as we await His return! "If we walk in the light as He is in the light," we will indeed enjoy precious fellowship with our blessed Lord and with those of like precious faith!

(Foundation magazine, Volume IV, Number 4, 1983, Fundamental Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93402)