Billy Graham & G.T. Haywood on the Light Doctrine

[Sam]

Dr. Schuller: "Tell me, what is the future of Christianity?"
Dr. Graham: "Well, Christianity and being a true believer, you know, I think there's the body of Christ which comes from all the Christian groups around the world, or outside the Christian groups. I think that everybody that loves Christ or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the body of Christ. And I don't think that we're going to see a great sweeping revival that will turn the whole world to Christ at any time. What God is doing today 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've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their hearts they need something that they don't have and they turn to the only light they have and I think they're saved and they're going to be with us in heaven."
Dr. Schuller: "What I hear you saying is that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into a human heart and soul and life even if they've been born in darkness and have never had exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you're saying?"
Dr. Graham: "Yes it is because I believe that. I've met people in various parts of the world in tribal situations that they have never seen a Bible or heard about a Bible, have never heard of Jesus but they've believed in their hearts that there is a God and they tried to live a life that was quite apart from the surrounding community in which they lived."
Dr. Schuller: "This is fantastic. I'm so thrilled to hear you say that. There's a wideness in God's mercy.
Dr. Graham: There is. There definitely is."

The conversation above occurred between Billy Graham and Robert Schuller, who is the pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California and founder of the Hour Of Power television program. The interview was broadcast on May 31, 1997 on the Hour of Power television program, titled "Say 'Yes' To Possibility Thinking," program #1426.

[Sam]

This is from Bishop G.T. Haywood's book titled "The Resurrection"

The Second Resurrection.

According to the inspired word of God the resurrection of the
"blessed and Holy" is completed a thousand years before the second
resurrection. It is from this point that we are obliged to note the
difference between partakers of the two resurrections.

After the thousand years expire "the rest of the dead" (those who
did not come forth in the first resurrection) both righteous and
wicked, live again and are made to stand before God. It is then that
Jesus separates them as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats
according to Matt. 25:31-46.

In this resurrection is included all the righteous men of all
ages who walked in all the light that they were given. It is my candid
opinion that all heathen, Israelites, Christian professors who have
never heard the true gospel of Christ and those who die during
the millennium, walking in the light of their times will be given
eternal life at the last resurrection.

Many righteous people have died without the Holy Ghost and
the question has been asked: "Where will they come in?" They shall be
given eternal life in the last day. They shall inherit the New
Earth where life eternal reigns because "there shall be no more death.

[pelathais]

What happens to Bishop Haywood's model if we were to take away the Dispensationalism and apply a more historic interpretation to Bible prophecy (an interpretation that wasn't just invented in the past 100 years or so)?

Then, we have all of "the righteous" sharing equally in the promises of God. In other words, those who Jesus saves are all saved.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by pelathais

What happens to Bishop Haywood's model if we were to take away the Dispensationalism and apply a more historic interpretation to Bible prophecy (an interpretation that wasn't just invented in the past 100 years or so)?

Then, we have all of "the righteous" sharing equally in the promises of God. In other words, those who Jesus saves are all saved.

depends full preterism is in error because they dont believe in the ressurection.

and the book of revelations was considered prophecy before a preterist view came into play, after the rise of roman catholicism.

even in first few centuries you can find tidbits of believers records that believed in the 1000 year reign ( literaly)

[crakjak]

I'm with Billy, "...there is a wideness in the mercy of God...!!!!" And the bishop.
See, many that have gone before us have believed in the greater hope of mankind, so I am in good company!! LOL

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by acerrak

depends full preterism is in error because they dont believe in the ressurection.

and the book of revelations was considered prophecy before a preterist view came into play, after the rise of roman catholicism.

even in first few centuries you can find tidbits of believers records that believed in the 1000 year reign ( literaly)

Haven't met a preterist that doesn't believe in a resurrection

[mfblume]

Just a note. A literal 1000 years' view in the early centuries was a MINORITY at that time. EVERYTHING was in the early centuries. EVERYTHING.

[trialedbyfire]

I love Bro. Haywood and thank God for him, may he be resting in Jesus. But I humbly disagree.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Haven't met a preterist that doesn't believe in a resurrection

well let me clarify that. they do not believe in a bodily ressurection like at jesus second comming

[Lafon]

I believe the truth which will prove both Haywood and Graham are amiss, can be found in the underlying reason why God, in His infinite wisdom, has decreed that there MUST be two future resurrections!

Surely it is acknowledged the Bible reveals that there will be two resurrections, separated by a period of 1,000 years, however, the question we must determine the answer for as we ponder these events (or so it would seem to me), must be why.

Why did not God decree all would be resurrected at the same time? Why must there be a 1,000 year separation between these two future resurrections?

Why is it that nothing is stated in Revelation 20 about an examination of the "book of life" having been made to determine the participants of the first resurrection, yet those who participate in the second resurrection are subjected to this examination? Will there be a separation among those who partake of the 1st resurrection? If so, where in the Bible is this expressly stated, including the reason why such a separation must occur?

Why could those participants of the 2nd resurrection, whose names were found recorded in the "book of life" (and who were granted eternal life in the kingdom of heaven), not also have been granted the privilege of participation in the 1st resurrection, or enjoy reigning with Christ Jesus upon the earth during His coming millenial rule?

Lastly, if it be true (as alleged by both Haywood & Graham) that one can be saved based exclusively upon the fact that they were "walking in the light of their times" (Haywood), or "they know in their hearts they need something that they don't have and they turn to the only light they have" (Graham), then how might such assertions be reconciled with Paul's statement of II Corinthians 4:3, which explicitly states - "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost"? It appears (to me at least) that Graham and Haywood are asserting (not suggesting) that none will be lost.... and that is NOT what Paul was inspired of God to write!