Date/Time
Date(s) - March 3, 2017 - March 5, 2017
All Day
Location
Rogers Arena
Categories No Categories
Canadians today know less about Jesus than at any other time in Canadian history. Yet, research reveals many people are very interested in spirituality.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada wants to offer Greater Vancouver Area residents something that will satisfy their deepest longings—a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Festival of Hope is a multi-phase initiative spread over several months that includes prayer, training, Community Action Projects, and many opportunities for evangelism.
The ministry culminates with a three-day festival from March 3 to 5, 2017 at the Rogers Arena. Intended to draw thousands of people to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, each evening will feature Christian musicians, testimonies, and the Gospel message from Franklin Graham. This is a non-ticketed event with free admission.
http://billygraham.ca/what-we-do/evangelism-outreach/celebrations-festivals/festivals/vancouver.aspx
Throughout this whole ordeal with Franklin’s visit opened my eyes to see how many churches in Vancouver are so culturalized with man-centred Christianity in the name of political correctness and tolerance. I have attended several churches that were against FG and ended up leaving eventually. And to be honest I’m not surprised to these churches on the list. I feel that most of these churches are more concerned over appeasing the attendees through carnal means than to preach the hard truth. That’s Vancouver for you . . .
In 1977 literally in the middle of the night ( about 3:30am. ) a very very evil presence manifested at the corner of my bedroom. Only way to describe this evil presence is 1000 x EVIL. I got so fearful. The devil or demon (?) slowly came across the room towards my bed.
Thought I could not see it nevertheless sensed where the evil was located. Had to do something & got the idea to pray using Jesus name. Spoke out ” In the Name of Jesus get outta here” …immediately the evil spirit exited to the west direction towards the window.
This really opened my eyes to the reality of demonic forces & how our faith in Christ has given us Christians power over satan & demons.
Please stay away from the occult folks ouija boards tarot cards astral body travel new age on & on…Deuteronomy Ch 18:10-12 Acts 16:16 story on & on….
So when I hear all the crap about this or that complaint about Franklin Graham by churches & some pastors I just think it is a real joke honestly. Personally I just wish these pastors mayors aldermen would have an encounter with a demon.
Afterwords they would shut their big mouths & run to Rogers Arena & they would roll out a. 200 yard red carpet for Franklin Graham to walk on & welcome him with wide open arms!!!
Sounds like there’s a lot of controversy over this event. This is supposed to be a celebration of hope. Not trying to point out the faults of the preacher. That sounds to me like non righteous anger. Which is stated biblically that is just as bad as murder. Let’s try to keep the focus on spreading the word of Jesus. Coming together under one all powerful all forgiving God.
Of course unity is a crucial and important goal within the Christian community, and I can appreciate that airing one’s dirty laundry can be very uncomfortable. Yet the Bible is full of characters who sinned, suffered humiliation and repented. It was in the airing of their error that repentance was made possible – e.g. King David, the Apostles Peter and Paul. It is to the credit of the Jewish scriptures that sin is not covered up but confronted and atoned for.
With regard to Franklin Graham, he was confronted privately first before the concerns that many Christians have regarding him, were made public. He had nearly a year to consider and respond, yet he, and the conference organizers, chose not commit to addressing these serious concerns with their Christian brothers and sisters. Since he has chosen to take controversial public stands as a spokesman for the Christian faith – even for Christ himself, it is quite just that his errors are made public.
Sin, as Graham agrees, needs to be addressed. If the conference speaker, for instance, advocated free market abortion, would it not be appropriate for this information to be known to his audience, even if he promised to avoid the subject in his address?
If you agree with me here, then you would agree that it is also important that the public is aware of Mr. Graham’s positions vis a vis weapons of mass destruction, refugee policy and his record of justifying Mr. Trump’s dubious behaviour. I am not angry, just grieved that we are in this sad situation.
I can see that earnest people both support and reject the idea that Franklin Graham speaks the truth. I do believe that we should never confuse the words of Christ with the words of a human being – for all are fallible, and I am afraid that the evidence shows that Graham has strayed from his father’s path and is seeking not so much the salvation of all but another agenda. He has strayed far into the world of partisan politics to the point of advocating violence upon innocent lives (advocating weapons of mass destruction and damning refugees to remain under threat in war torn places) and trivializing the lewd behaviour of Donald Trump (and otherwise endorsing this man who embodies few of the biblical traits of leadership – 1Tim:3). Given this, there seems good reason to be wary of this man’s message.
Let us simplify the issue. For this purpose Christ came into the world to destroy the works of the devil. God is not willing that any should perish. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life. The devil as a roaring lion is seeking who he may devour. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces (demons). Those that call on name of The Lord shall be saved.
Typed these verses from memory so they may be not exact, but the idea is there.
Why does Franklin Graham come to Vancouver? He does so for the unsaved to get saved. Saved from what? From deception, sin, devil, demons and an eternal hell. The good side is forgiveness and salvation is free for the asking. Ephesians 2:8-9
Those who are putting their nose in the air and rejecting the message will one day be in an eternal hell and in the company of satan and demons. They will be thinking . . . what a fool I am.
After all is said and done . . . Jesus is being lifted up as the hope for all of us . . . what could be better than that?
It is not my job or anyone else’s for that matter to judge Franklin G.
If we have something to discuss with him . . . write or call him personally . . . treat him as you want to be treated . . . with kindness and consideration.
I have met Franklin personally . . . he is not what some try to make him out to be. It is easy to misunderstand what someone is saying . . . let’s try to understand . . . cheers!!!
The silent majority is watching and praying. We appreciate all that Franklin does. We are dismayed at the “jump to conclusions” people in the press and observers are making with their comments. Lack of information and disagreement should not keep Christians from supporting and praying that God’s will might be done.
Jesus is the message and Christians are muddying the waters by pushing their own views. Confusion hopefully will not prevent people from attending and listening to the message that is the whole point of this Festival.
When I read about the opposition Franklin Graham experienced in Vancouver I was not only deeply disappointed but motivated to pray. We were promised to have opposition if we stood up for the right. Good for Rev. Graham in his determination to stand for the truth. Also my prayers go out to all the sleeping churches that signed that letter of opposition. Truly the church of Laodicea (Vancouver) is not hot or cold. We need an awakening and pray this might be the beginning.
Seems like a lot of people are hating on Franklin. Why, can anyone cite incidents of his hate?
There are numerous instances in which Franklin Graham has misled Americans for political purposes. The issue is not a partisan argument (Christians are, of course, diverse and found across political party lines – Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal, NDP . . .) but his dubious ethics in advocating for his views.
Often he has directly appealed to fear or demonization of the “other” in order to gain support for his (and his candidate’s) positions. In doing so, he has routinely – and stubbornly – downplayed concerns of fellow citizens, fellow Christians and even the American Intelligence Agency. At times, he has called for direct and dangerous violence.
Here are a few examples of Franklin Graham’s words and actions over the years, none of which (to my knowledge) he has ever recanted. Others are available through a quick internet search or a review of his Facebook page:
https://www.amnews.com/2017/01/19/franklin-graham-demonized-fellow-americans-with-election-comment/ – article by Eric Mount, professor emeritus of religion at Kentucky’s Centre College and member of a national Presbyterian Church U.S.A. advisory committee.
In February 2017, Graham claimed that ethical and evidence-based refugee policy is “not a Bible issue,” in contrast to several other Christian organizations which countered President Trump’s ban (a ban which was legally overturned) on grounds of both faith and justice (https://www.worldvision.org/about-us/media-center/letter-president-trump-executive-order-refugees). Graham’s claim also contradicts several Bible passages about welcoming the stranger (see Matthew 25: 31-46 for one example).
Despite official American intelligence reports which have already verified Russian intervention in the 2016 US election (https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf), Franklin Graham shares the president’s convenient habit of dismissing these concerns as unfounded. Indeed, Graham personally countered these allegations by claiming (of course, without evidence) that the president was directly placed in power by God: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article121729539.html
In October 2016, after Trump’s comments around sexual assault were publicized (first the tape in which Trump said he grabbed and kissed women without consent and also attempted to seduce a married woman, and, later, Trump’s characterization of such comments as ordinary “locker room talk”) Graham minimized citizens’ concerns. He called the issue “news for the moment, but who they appoint to the Supreme Court will remake the fabric of our society for our children and our grandchildren, for generations to come.” Although I share Graham’s concerns about unfettered abortion access, I counter his suggestion that the debasement and assault of women is a minimal issue without ramifications for future generations.
In 2010, Graham’s falsely asserted that President Obama was a Muslim, which directly appealed to common American racial and religious fears: “He was born a Muslim, his father was a Muslim. The seed of Islam is passed through the father like the seed of Judaism is passed through the mother. He was born a Muslim, his father gave him an Islamic name.” In addition to noting the highly dubious contention that one’s religion is genetically determined, it should also be noted that President Obama was raised almost solely by his mother (his father left the family when Obama was two years old and provided little further contact). Further, even if one shares Graham’s “theological genetics” theory, Obama’s father had actually renounced Islam before Obama’s birth (http://abcnews.go.com/WN/franklin-graham-president-obama-born-muslim-pew-poll/story?id=11446462). In addition, in 2011, Graham was involved in spreading Donald Trump’s false, and potentially race-based, claim that Obama was not an American citizen, despite all evidence to the contrary (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/aprilweb-only/qa-franklingraham.html and http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/04/25/birthers.obama.hawaii/)
On September 14, 2001, at the height of fears and grief over 9/11, Graham suggested the use of weapons of mass destruction (a position which, if followed, would have certainly caused the mass death of innocents as well as combatants). He told CNN “Let’s use the weapons we have, the weapons of mass destruction if need be and destroy the enemy.”
In defense of Syrian refugees and Palestinian kids, women who have been groped and grabbed, African-Americans who’ve withstood years of unfounded race-based allegations about the citizenship of the first Black president, Muslims still mourning the deaths of their loved ones in Quebec City, people struggling with issues of sexual identity, and every impoverished American concerned about basic healthcare coverage, I will forego this event.
Yes, God loves Franklin Graham and – like Graham – God also loves President Trump. God also loves each person who is choosing to go to this event. Equally, God loves each of the people I mentioned at the beginning of this letter.
I absolutely agree that Christian events ought to refer to Biblical teaching and accurately reflect Christ. There are a number of Biblical passages, including quotations directly attributed to Christ, that clearly and unambiguously teach love of neighbour, care of the stranger and the centrality of just action: Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 25: 31-46, Luke 6:35, Luke 10:25-37, Luke 11:42, Hebrews 13:2-3, Colossians 3:12, and Galatians 5:22-23 are a small sampling.
Many Christians are wary of church collusion with political power structures, as this “Call to Resist” document from the States (http://www.calledtoresist.org/) and this letter of concern regarding Vancouver’s FoH (https://vancouveropenletter.wixsite.com/to-franklin-graham) illustrate. Signatories to these documents include leaders from the Roman Catholic, Christian Reformed, Mennonite, Baptist, United, Anglican, Methodist, Armenian Apostolic, Vineyard, Foursquare and other traditions.
In addition, Christians from the Pope (https://www.ncronline.org/print/news/justice/pope-paints-picture-sweden-odds-trumps) to the evangelical humanitarian organization World Vision (https://www.worldvision.org/about-us/media-center/letter-president-trump-executive-order-refugees) have expressed faith-based views that differ greatly from Graham’s own.
We are in an age of broad strokes, and – as this Facebook post from early February indicates – Graham has characterized all opposition to President Trump’s policies as anti-American “leftist” attack: “The president is coming under increasing pressure from groups on all sides. Even CNN has a headline today asking “Will this leopard change his spots?” That’s what the left is hoping he will do — they don’t want him to fulfill his campaign promises. Let’s pray that God will give President Donald J. Trump wisdom and courage to stand strong for the American people. Let him know in the comments below that you are praying for him.”.
Still, does it not seem a very broad stroke indeed to dismiss all concerned citizens – including such a diversity of church leaders and fellow Christians – as anti-Jesus liberals just because Mr. Graham tells us this is so?
Sounds like Pharisee 101. When all is said and done, more is said than done!
Jesus died for people.
How are you glorifying God with these words? How are your words preaching the gospel?
Jesus’ last command is the Great Commission. Look up this GC. Are you going making disciples of all nations? Are you preaching the gospel?
Have you in all this PTL?
Looking forward to hearing For King & Country live! Their song “Shoulders” is a personal favorite. To all the people wanting to protest . . . so sad:( They should learn to protest for the right things. May God’s name be glorified and may more souls be saved and come to Christ.
Let us focus on Jesus and His love blood shed for us. He loved us so much. And this is what He wants to bring to Vancouver. He cries for souls and more souls . . . He desires that no one will perish. What an amazing love. He wants to share heaven to everyone. Our sin is great but His love is greater.
I thanked God for this opportunity – for the love/heart of Jesus to be shared and I pray that thousands will come to the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Love you all brothers and sisters.
God bless Franklin Graham, the Festival organizers, the line up and volunteers! We stand with you Franklin and others! May every curse turn into a blessing, in Jesus Mighty Name!
It’s amazing to see who came out of woodwork. What gospel do critics preach? Is it a gospel of nice tolerant liberal Jesus who approves your desires, and does not offend anybody, a kind of moral guru who meditates in yoga classes, or is it Jesus whose word like a sword?
Dear Liberal Christians read the message to the church of Laodicea. You care more about opposing Graham, rather than raising up the real Jesus’s name in the city. That’s your priority in the name of the god you made up. God bless you!
Thanks, Pavel, for that insightful comment. Indeed, we must be careful not to make God in our image instead of being aware that we are made in the image of God. That image of God has been marred and we must accept God’s plan for the re-creation of that image. That we are fallen and our old nature is corrupt. Ephesians 4:22: https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/eph/4/22/s_1101022,
and easily deceived is hard to accept. We long for something to complete us and we long to have the final authority over our lives and our destinies and to create our own belief systems and gods instead of submitting to the Word once handed down to the saints. Jude 1:3.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/jde/1/3/s_1167003
It’s free speech not hate speech; when is someone’s difference of opinion hate speech? The trendy left is pushing this agenda and I’m fed up with this. People have different opinions, and in this country free speech is in the Canadian Constitution. The left calls free speech hate speech, what a joke. I’ve been around many many gay, lesbian and trans people and believe me a lot of them are so prejudiced and heterophobic towards those who are not of their sexual orientation.
Our biased media will stop at nothing to destroy any positive views our society may have regarding Christ and Christianity. Christ’s love is for each and every person on the planet.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
Please attend the festival and form your “own” opinion.
I agree! Come and see! Many are willing to come and see!
May any barriers that have come up be broken down with hearts of love and humility! May fears be dissolved. May God bring harmony to His church through His Word, praise and prayer, and may her glory shine brightly in Vancouver!
Franklin Graham speaks the truth. A true Christian follows the teachings of Christ as they are led by the Holy Spirit of God. Christianity today is very washed down and compromised by the world and its demands. People today are so far from being convicted by Christ’s teachings that they are blown about like dust in the wind.
Islam clearly is anti-Christ in the sense in Islamic teachings Jesus Christ was only a good prophet subject to Mohammad. In reality Jesus Christ is the last blood sacrifice to mankind. Anyone who argues that point is lost to Satan.
Franklin Graham tells it like it is and he or I won’t be swayed in any other way. The HATE people are seeing is their own definition of Christ vs Satan. Franklin Graham better be allowed to speak as he is led by the Holy Spirit of God. If anyone objects to him speaking its because they don’t want to hear the TRUTH.
Islam will never protect Christians at any time in history. By allowing Islam to take a foot hold in Canada is suicide to all Christians and non-Muslims. No one will enter the kingdom of God who denies Jesus Christ and why he came to earth giving us all salvation. Each human on earth will account for his life and actions before God Almighty. And this is what Franklin Graham teaches in his sermons.
I hate the philosophy of Islam. However I have compassion for my fellow human Muslims. They need salvation also. Therefore Franklin should be allowed to speak freely during this three day festival. May the organizers and public community here think about what I have said and reconsider Franklin as one of the strongest preachers the world has today to make his point heard.
Hi there. Do you know if I have to get tickets for this event? Please let me know. Jesus is Lord. Thanks.
It’s a non-ticketed event! Welcome one and all: friends, family and strangers.
The music of the first night is more for youth, March 3; March 4 more for young adults; and the last night March 5 is more for adults although anyone is welcome to any of the nights, according to the music people like.
Here is a link: http://billygraham.ca/what-we-do/evangelism-outreach/celebrations-festivals/festivals/vancouver/the-festival.aspx
AMEN, AMEN TO EVERYTHING SAID HERE.
Unfortunately, loose lips sink ships, as the old saying goes.
Here is one of our young friend’s opinions about Franklin and having him speak there:
He’s a preacher that should not be promoting hate towards anyone. Christians believe in love and acceptance, and to have someone who has openly spread words of hate should not get a platform to preach.
Some of the words Franklin Graham has used aren’t suitable for a loving Christian, or for any upstanding citizen of either country, for that matter, and unfortunately they have been used to imply hate rather than love. I was shocked by the words he was quoted as saying that “if necessary, use nuclear force.” He has also sided with Putin on homosexuality. To side with Putin, no matter how seemly noble, seems unwise. I think he should retract these words and humble himself. My husband I and think he should to let someone else speak in his place. The Festival of Hope is not about him. He needs to have a humble heart.
If Franklin and the organization does not listen, my husband and I will still go and support the festival and hope it won’t put a black mark on the festival in the eyes of the public if he is still speaking. We hope no one does not come because of this choice of this speaker and this controversy, that people will come and hear him for themselves.
The truth shall set you free! Jesus is the truth bringer and the words of the Bible are what bring hope and truth. Jesus said, “The truth shall set you free and you shall be free indeed!”. Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through me, John 14:6 https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/jhn/14/6/s_1011006
We have to be careful that we are not being as bigoted as some say the speaker is and make judgments that are unfounded. I believe Graham and others supported Trump because of his stands on values like man woman marriage and the sacredness of life, not because of the man himself. It isn’t bad to be good. We love Muslims. I am sure that Graham loves Muslims. What many Muslims are running from is Islam or the results of Islam or they are trying to change it. Therefore, Muslims, in general, are not the problem. Agreed?
Let us all have forgiving hearts and look to God about what he wants to do in our city. No one is perfect and if someone does not stumble in his words, the same is a perfect person. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/jas/3/2/s_1149002
Blessings on all who stay true to Jesus and His Word and follow Him no matter the cost! If you’re not there yet, welcome to the family where we’re all learning and growing into the image of Jesus, where we won’t be perfect till we see His face. Let us not put any barriers in His way. Let us speak the truth in love. And may souls be set free to love Jesus and love others. Let us be ready for his sudden return!
I didn’t quote Franklin’s sayings exactly, so you can read it for yourself here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/leaders-launch-petition-against-franklin-graham-1.3991375.
Obviously the title, at the outset, is misleading. Only a tiny portion of Christian leaders have spoken out against Franklin Graham speaking here.
There is a possibility that he has been misrepresented, but in any case, there should be NO “weapons of mass destruction, if necessary” on his lips. That is promoting craziness. Something Iran is moving towards. What was he thinking or promoting? He was not thinking! He should have only gracious speech or we wouldn’t be where we are now making all these comments. He should explain retract that.
What about each of us? Is any one of us perfect in our speech? We’re all on a journey. None of us is perfect. Praise God that Franklin is willing to stand in a world that is opposed to righteousness and that he sees how destructive certain philosophies are. He is willing to speak up and be unpopular. Let us pray for Franklin. He’s in a difficult position, in the public eye. Probably he would be opposed even if he expressed this forthright positions more gently. I have asked his church relations staff to clarify what exactly he did say. I agree with Jim about Islam.
I keep switching back and forth in my mind about whether or not he should speak. Next time, he should speak the truth gracefully when a hard issue needs to be expressed. I think Jim makes great points.
Jesus is the source and direction of our lives. Feeding our thoughts by meditating on His words regularly is a way to align our lives to Him. Authentic Peace and Joy is the only the source.
Church, this is your time to take a stand against hatred and bigotry. What a divisive, bizarre choice to preach the gospel in Vancouver. Franklin Graham has shown time and time again what his true colours are – not of love, but of prejudice against Muslims, against refugees and blind support of Donald Trump. He even used racism against Japanese during WWII to justify banning Muslims. As an Asian, that offends and alarms me. How far the Evangelicals of today have wandered from the message of love and compassion of Jesus Christ. I ask that you stop promoting this event.
I SO agree with you Eric. I was horrified to see that Franklin Graham is to be the primary speaker at this event. Christians need to stand up for the new law that Jesus represents . . . loving God and loving our neighbours of every color, creed and composition!
I will be attending this event . . . as a protester!
The most hatred I’m hearing is coming from those who hate this son and representative of Billy Graham! If he isn’t welcome to preach the gospel in Canada – which includes the teachings of the entire Bible, not just a few select quotes by Jesus – then neither are hundreds of thousands of true believers here who want him to come!
Dear brother in Jesus Christ, I would suggest that you should focus on Jesus and not Franklin. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and not Franklin. Festival of Hope is organized to bring hope to the lost brothers and sisters in Vancouver and it is done in the name of the Lord. Please let the Lord Jesus Christ touch the hearts of the lost brothers and sisters who will come to this Festival of Hope.
Lord Jesus Christ, who is our only hope wants us to forgive one another and maintain unity in the body of Christ. I write this with love.
Thank you, Lorna.
Whoever it is that ends up sharing the Gospel, may the Holy Spirit dwell in them and speak truth in love.
Let us pray, and also share the Gospel ourselves! We don’t need a big name speaker to share the wonder of how Jesus has changed our lives. To Him be the glory!
Have you noticed what an ever polarized society we are living in? Have you noticed how many families are affected by evils of drugs, alcohol, immoralities? Do you honestly think we are heading towards a right direction in this country, down south, all over the world? What a hopeless situation when we are relying on humans, politicians, secular religious leaders to bring peace, hope and direction to us.
Do yourself a favour – go to the Festival of Hope, and listen to the word. It doesn’t matter who speaks it, know that God loves you and he is using Franklin Graham to bring hope to Vancouver.
Jonathan, don’t you think that this crusade was well prayed thru? Yes, we can share with our neighbours, but can you fill an 18,000 seat arena? But Jesus can. For all those that can’t handle the truth in the Bible, and Franklin preaches that truth, even if his style is stark and doesn’t just tickle our ears, probably not a good idea to criticize someone God is using in such a mighty way. What say ye?
Yes, I agree!
Franklin is the Pharisee of whom Jesus spoke with such withering contempt. Yesterday, Pope Francis stated openly that it is preferable to be an atheist than a hypocritical Christian. What part of the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Sermon from the Mount and indeed the entire life of Jesus did Franklin miss? Why is he filled with such hatred?
Yes. Our country is headed in the direction of love! Hatred of refugees, women, transgendered and homosexual people is the RADICAL love Jesus taught. I pity you and your poor hypocritical hatred of your neighbors. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Christians! STOP FIGHTING amidst the church! God is in control not how good or bad the facilitator is. As Jesus said “for whoever is not against us is for us” and Paul writes to the Philippians that even if one preached with contention, we ought to rejoice since the gospel is preached. If it takes an evil ruler, Pharaoh, to reveal God’s power of salvation, may it be done.
Who are we to judge a fellow servant as pass or fail? On the contrary, from a non-Christian perspective, the division in the church of leaders and traditions deters them from wanting to be part of such a fault-finding community. Imagine them reading this conversation right now!
So let’s just pray for God’s will to be done in Vancouver! AMEN
Tim, you are right to speak out firmly against Christians who are fighting in such mean-spirited ways. It is detrimental to those seeking the truth. We are to “study to show ourselves approved unto God; rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
There are so many Christians who are mixed up in what the Bible says. And to call Franklin a pharisee! I’m sure satan of course is behind this. But may God protect FG and bless him this weekend as he brings truth to the Vancouver area.
Amen! Well-put message, right to the point!
So true . . . well said.
You need to get over yourself and repent. If you don’t want to hear the truth, fine, BUT LEAVE YOUR BIGOTED AND HATEFUL THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF. I pray you come to your senses and see your nakedness and folly. Shame on you for trying to deny humanity the TRUTH!
Dear Nancy,
I am surprised you used the word “Truth” in your reply. Please read your bible and think about what you’ve read. What is your criteria for deciding what factually true?
Simply desiring something to be true doesn’t make it true. Isn’t there more to “truth?”
Recall a line in a movie that I think partially applies here, “. . . you want the truth, you can’t handle the truth.”
Nancy, interesting that you say, “. . . LEAVE YOUR BIGOTED AND HATEFUL THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF.” That’s exactly why people are asking the Church of Vancouver not to endorse Franklin’s appearance. He has said several things that are bigoted and hatred, notably that Islam is a “very evil religion.”
Consider this story:
‘I know they are going to die’:
The staggering bravery of a Muslim immigrant foster father who has
devoted the past two decades to caring for dozens of terminally ill children
– Mohamed Bzeek moved from Libya to the US in 1978 and began fostering in 1989
– He and his late wife, Dawn, decided to care exclusively for terminally ill kids
– Bzeek is currently caring for a six-year-old girl who is paralyzed, deaf and blind
– He has buried ten children in the past 20 years of fostering severely ill children
– Dawn died in 2013. Bzeek cares for the kids, and his disabled son, by himself
– Foster care workers say he is the only person they can turn to with an ill child
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4206590/Libyan-Muslim-immigrant-cares-LA-s-dying-foster-kids.html#ixzz4ZeQyaBIz
Can a faithful follower of such an “evil” religion produce such good fruit?
You may respond that there are examples of evil Muslim people. There are also many examples of evil Christian people.
You follow the Gospel and Jesus?
What do you do with the story where Jesus made the hero of his parable a person from the “wrong” religion – a hated Samaritan? Today, Jesus might use a Muslim, like Mohammed Bzeek as a good and actual example of a “good Samaritan” as the hero of such a story.
Franklin, and those supporting him as a preacher of the Gospel, would benefit from taking a second look at his hateful bigotry by contemplating this story and ask, does Franklin truly represent the spirit of Jesus in his ill-informed statements?
Is he the best person to be presenting Jesus to Vancouver?
Re: “Is this the best person . . .?” Not part of the organization of the Festival of Hope but support it from the get-go; I do not see how your question has anything to do with its purpose. When I read parts in the Bible I see mention of your position’s point of view and it saddens me to see it happening before my eyes. That is why I look forward and prefer to take the position of hope for Vancouver and beyond.
Can a faithful follower of such an “evil” religion produce such good fruit? The problem is a Muslim may be a Muslim by birth and he or she may not read or study Islam. They may be kind-hearted people who don’t do what they do because of the teachings of the Quran.
They may not know that their book teaches, at the beginning, that one should be friends with Christians and Jews: “There is no compulsion in religion.” But towards the end of the Koran there are verses that say infidels should be killed or made slaves. The people of the book became their enemies.
This is what is happening in Syria. This is what motivated the 9-11 terrorists to take down the towers with jets.
One needs to question how is one made right in God’s eyes and what was the meaning of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Why did he have to come to earth? He is the only perfect person who ever lived. We must all come through the cross of Christ, the one true God, no matter what our background. It is essential to understand why Jesus Christ is the only Savior, that He was God in flesh and through him we must be saved. Our good works are not enough.
Let us all be a part of proclaiming the gospel. We are either a mission field or a missionary. II Cor. 5:21 tells us what was happening to Jesus to make us righteous. It is through Jesus that what we do will count with the one and only true God and we will have nothing to boast about. https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=that+we+might+become+the+righteousness+of+God+in+him&t=NKJV#s=s_primary_0_1
The first warning of the last days is DO NOT BE DECEIVED.
There is so much deception in the “Love” belief. The “Do what Jesus would do” has been widely interpreted as “Just love, love, love” But Jesus was also just. There is no love without justice. Jesus actually spoke the truth. The “Love” folks would never do that. They are totally confused on this issue. Because Jesus SPOKE THE TRUTH. That is why He was hated. And He said that those who speak the truth will also be hated. So if you are loved by everyone – you should maybe wonder why. Jesus wasn’t.
Franklin Graham is speaking the truth. He loves the sinner but hates the sin and like Jesus, has spoken out against it.
May we not be deceived by satan. But ACTUALLY DO WHAT JESUS DID.
Yes he is, and you are missing the point. Franklin Graham condemns Islam not Muslims; there is a difference. Islam is an ideology of hate and intolerance. There are over a hundred verses in the Koran that command Muslims to kill and subjugate unbelievers. If you would do a study you would find this out.
That being said, that doesn’t mean all Muslims understand or know this. Jesus himself was hung on the cross for confronting the religious leaders of his day and he called them Sons of Satan. So I think Franklin Graham is in very good company
It is God’s Word that offends you, not FG; too bad for you.
Perhaps it is time to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 8:7
6 They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger. 7 When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” 8 And again He bent down and wrote on the ground. . .
Franklin Graham started Samaritan’s Purse, who is most often the first organization to be present helping in all kinds of catastrophes, in war zones, cholera crises (my daughter was caring for people as a nurse in Haiti), providing humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands. That doesn’t sound like an unloving person to me. He dares to say what the Bible actually says. He has courage!
From my research, Franklin Graham helps Muslim refugees all over the world, those running from Isis, even Isis fighters that end up in the hospital they built in Syria, helping Muslim refugees in Mosul, Iraq, Sudan all over the world.
From what his letter said to Vancouver churches, his heart is broken from the effects of Sharia law on women and children and the many terrible situations his work had uncovered. Yet even with disagreeing with the Muslim faith, he is still loving them, feeding, sheltering them. With respect to his disagreement of gay marriage he still loves. . . . His organization was there praying with gay activist Milo and and other gay victims and families at the Orlando shooting.
I’m still researching, but this stuff alone shows me he is loving, not hating, he is loving his neighbour even when he disagrees with them.
Come and be blessed and you will see the light and let you see again. It hurts because the truth Hurts.
As long as Franklin is preaching the gospel from God’s Word for “pre-believers” to be ushered into the kingdom of God, and if we call ourselves Christians we should support him.
If Franklin has no compassion for lost souls he won’t heading a world wide ministry to win souls for the Lord. It`s sad that so-called Christians who sit on the sidelines as spectators, in compromising to the culture of this age or to be politically correct choose to criticize him and boycott this event. Having compassion and love does not mean that we keep quiet about evil and sin. He was stating some facts. There are times we need to speak out in love; if not we will love the sinners to hell. Read the gospels, you will see Jesus doing that.
I voted for Trump; does that mean I am a racist or a bad Christian? I am an immigrant and I voted him for his pro-life, pro-family values, pro-Israel and pro-American policies. Every immigrant should come in through the lawful immigration system and every good leader should look after the interests of his own country first. So what s wrong with Franklin voting for Trump or being at his inauguration? You should not pass any judgements on Franklin or Trump’s supporters; neither should you persuade others to hate Trump or Franklin.
Boycott this event if you want to, but do not tell others to. One sister said it right, focus on Jesus not Franklin. It’s time to do the will of God, not focus on ourselves or majoring on the minors. “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity . . . the Lord will bestow His blessings and even life forevermore.” Psalms 133.
Trust me, you will be blessed if you attend this Festival of Hope rally because you will hear God’s Word, not man’s words. If you are there to protest, you are protesting God! May God bless you.
How do you figure hatred? Franklin Graham does Samaritan’s Purse, they are stationed in Iraq and other war torn countries and providing much needed medical assistance to those that can’t get it from their own country. These are Muslim countries; how is that hate towards Muslims? He also does Operation Christmas Child, giving gifts to thousands of under-privileged children. How is this hate?
As an Asian immigrant I am so thankful for Franklin Graham’s witness to the truth of the gospel.
Vancouver desperately needs a message of hope, love and truth. Our city is hurting because of drugs, HIV/AIDS, addictions – alcohol, drug, sexual – we need a message of hope which can only be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So happy to see so many coming to Christ – thank you Franklin Graham for your courage to speak Christ’s message with truth, love and compassion.
Canada needs Christ – let us set aside our differences and find true freedom of mind, body and soul in Christ.
Some posts here are most encouraging and positive and for that reason I will concur with those that give hope for those who are sincerely seeking for making a change to accept the hope that is available for the asking.
What if the Bible is true and you just love on everyone without warning them of the consequences of sin? Are you not “loving” them right into hell? To me that is real hatred. I have been guilty of that FAR too often. I am just so overwhelmingly grateful for men like Franklin Graham who are not afraid to tell the simple truth of God’s word.
I agree with you Eric. He is not at all like his father. I want to go to the event but will walk out when he wants to speak. Wish I had a protest flag or banner to bring.
To whoever said that they agree with Eric and will walk out when Franklin comes to speak, you should consider re-thinking your move. Perhaps you are judging him and only reacting to the clips taken out of context. Why don’t you stay and hear him for yourself? He was hard on sin, last night, but I saw a heart of love and humility. How does each of us view sin? Are we reading out of the Bible what is in there or coming up with our own ideas about what God is saying? Or making up our own rules? God is strict on sin. Just read many parts, for example, Romans 1-3, https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/rom/1/1/s_1047001
but He is big on love too! Anyone who tells the truth about sin is truly a loving person. Why is God so hard on sin? It’s for our safety and well-being. Our eternal destiny is at stake! Remember all people are special, made in his image, but the image is marred. We inherited the fall. We’re all on a deep path of sin. Who but Christ with his shed life-blood and resurrection can restore that image and our relationship to the living God and bring us to a path of love, hope, peace, light and life?
There’s more to the concert after Franklin’s speech and the invitation. The event ended at 10 p.m.
Who would you suggest as a replacement?