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Anne Graham Lotz
Has Lots of False Doctrine

Last edited 4-21-05

Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, is the president and executive director of AnGeL Ministries, a non-profit ministry that offers Christian outreach. She has spoken all over the world, proclaiming the word of God at seminaries, colleges, and conferences. (God's Story, by Anne Graham Lotz, copyright 1999, BGEA special edition, back cover)

Obviously, the claim is that Mrs. Lotz is "proclaiming the word of God." We hope you will see, this is a lie. She is a false teacher who follows in the footsteps of her broad way father, Billy Graham.

I. In Bed With The Pope (Revelation 17:2)

Pope John Paul II was the leader of one of the largest false religions of the world, Catholicism. While on earth He was leading approximately one Billion people to hell. Anne Graham Lotz has made it clear she respects this wicked man (unlike Psalm 40:4).

As of April 21, 2005 Mrs. Lotz had on her web site a pdf file documenting her April 8th 2005 interview with Kyra Phillips on CNN. Lotz had been asked by her father to represent the family at the Pope's funeral. She went to the Pope's funeral that 8th day of April and Phillips interviewed her that same day concerning her experience. In this interview, Phillips called the Pope a "man of God." Instead of disagreeing with Phillips, Lotz agreed and stated that the Pope "believed in Jesus," "believed in the Scriptures," was "a great leader," was "a man of character," and she respected him "as a person, a leader." She applauded his ecumenism "to bridge the gaps between Protestants and Catholics and Jews and Catholics," and called it "a wonderful thing." She said,

And I think the Pope was someone who found God's calling in his life, and he fulfilled what he believed was God's purpose for him. (www.annegrahamlotz.com/images/stories/cnn%20april%208.pdf, hard copy on file)

Lotz was granted a "good seat" "on the third row from the very front, right on the platform by the altar" and stated that the funeral was her first mass, "was very moving," and "was such a meaningful celebration of death." She also was not unclear regarding what she believed the Pope's destiny was.

And this Pope is someone who believed in heaven, and he believed that when he died he was going there. The wonderful thing, in Rome I've heard people say the Holy Father is in heaven and everybody is so confident that the Pope is in heaven. And I think its because he was such a good man.

Anne lied. The Pope was not a good man. He was a man who followed demons (1 Timothy 4:1-3) and is presently residing in hell, like the rich man in Luke 16. The Pope was an idolater (see our report on Catholicism). No idolater will enter the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Anne continued,

And when we're right with God, and I think that was exemplified today, if you're right with God, then you're going to be right with each other.

Anne thinks the Pope's funeral exemplified being right with God. This is a damning lie. What it actually exemplified was the deceit of those who have departed from the faith, follow deceiving spirits, and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

II. Lewdness (Jude 4)

In her book, God's Story, Anne wrote,

Alan Redpath said that one moment of weakness cost him seven years of his Christian life - because he didn't have just one beer. He had another one and another one until he was drunk. As a result of his compromise, he became so discouraged and defeated by failure that he went right back to living the way he had been living before he had put his faith in Christ. For seven years, no one could tell the difference between Alan and any of the other workers in his office.

At the end of those seven years, the "fanatic," who had led him to Christ and had since moved away, came back to visit. He spent about an hour with Alan, talking about how he was doing. Then as he left, he turned, looked Alan in the eye, and said, "Alan, did you know that it is possible to have a saved soul and yet live a wasted life?"

Then he left.

Alan played rugby, and he had a match out of town that night. As he rode the train to the match, he related later that every time the wheels clacked on the tracks, it was as though he could hear those words: Saved soul, wasted life. Saved soul, wasted life. When he got to the rugby match and the band came out on the field to play, every beat of the drum seemed to say, Saved soul, wasted life. Saved soul, wasted life.

It rang like a refrain in his mind. He knew he was a saved soul living a wasted life. (God's Story, p. 147-148)

There is no such thing as a "saved soul living a wasted life." Alan's friend lied to him, and he believed the lie. Scripture is very clear on this: "The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; see also Galatians 5:19-21; 6:7-8; Ephesians 5:5-6; Revelation 21:8; 22:14-15; etc.).

III. Unbelief In Creation

In writing about the Genesis account regarding the days of creation, Ann wrote,

My personal conclusion is that the days of Creation represent one of the mysteries of God! The God Whom we have considered so far, as revealed through what He says about Himself, certainly could have created the world in six twenty-four-hour days if He chose to do so. We just don't know if He did. (God's Story, p. 278 footnote 8 for chapter one)

Please see Genesis 1:1-2:3 and Exodus 20:8-11. Those who believe God's word know He created the world in six days.

A little later in this same chapter, speaking about the first day in which light was created (Genesis 1:3-5) Anne writes,

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was . . . ! (Gen. 1:3). What was that first light like? Was it soft, gradual illumination of the darkness? Was it a shaft of brilliant glory? And how was it possible since the sun, moon, and stars were not brought into existence until the fourth day of creation? (God's Story, p. 8, ellipsis in original)

Anne footnoted this with,

Perhaps the sun, moon, and stars were actually created on the first day but because of the vapor canopy were not visible on earth until the fourth day. (God's Story, p. 280, footnote 12)

In other words, according to Mrs. Lotz, "Perhaps God is lying to us. Even though He said He created the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day, He may have really created them on the first day." Lotz is a liar (1 John 2:4), not God.

With the above in mind, it is no wonder Lotz thinks it is no big deal to disbelieve the creation account. After all, she doesn't believe it herself. Thus, when she wrote about believing a lie, she found no problem with it.

For example, in this same chapter she wrote of two theories on creation. The "original chaos" theory in which Genesis 1:1-2 is taken literally for what it says, and the "gap theory," in which millions of years are placed between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Regarding these two "theories" she writes,

Regardless of which theory you adopt, both have meaningful application for life. (God's Story, p. 279, footnote 11)

In other words, Lotz believes a lie (i.e. the "gap theory") has a "meaningful application for life." The only meaningful application is how it means you will go to hell if you continue to believe it! Because those who reject God's word (as faith in such a "gap theory" reveals) spend their eternity in the lake of fire where all unbelievers go (Revelation 21:8). Lotz gives no such warning, because she herself is an unbeliever.

On page 23 of this book, God's Story, which is actually not God's Story, but Anne Graham Lotz' story, Anne speaks more lies about creation. Speaking in the context of Genesis 1:26-27, the creation of man, She writes,

Earth had been waiting for man! Man himself was the climactic jewel of Creation! Everything prior to his existence was created and made in preparation for him.

Scripture teaches none of this. It never teaches earth was waiting for man. It never teaches man was the climatic jewel. It never teaches everything was made in preparation for man. None of this is Biblical.

Moreover, "everything prior to [man's] existence was created and made" for Christ (Colossians 1:16), not mankind. Isaiah 45:18 indeed reveals God created the world to be inhabited, but this purpose of habitation obviously included more than just man (e.g. Genesis 1:20-25; Isaiah 35:7). Also, man was surely placed over this creation (Genesis 1:26-28), and crowned with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). But, he is not acclaimed as any "climactic jewel." This is simply adding to the word of God (Proverbs 30:5-6).

IV. False Gospel

Anne acknowledges that Christ is the light. She wrote,

Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, is the light of the world! (God's Story, p. 10)

But then, in her next paragraph she lied against the true gospel of God (e.g. Romans 3:11) and stated the wicked are seeking Christ.

Many people today are searching for the Light. I talked to the nephew of a dear friend who was looking for the Light in Buddhism. He shared with me that he felt he would find the Light when he could adequately describe the difference between the colors of black and red! I talked to another young man seated beside me on an airplane. He was going on a backpacking trip into the Adirondack Mountains because he believed the mountains he worshiped were the Light! On my trips to India, I have met various Westerners making the trek to a guru because they were seeking the Light through meditation and human homilies!

Where are you looking for the Light? Are you searching for the Light through a career? a family? a reputation? an education? money? travel? entertainment? pleasure? sports? sex? (God's Story, p. 10-11)

It is a lie to say these wicked people are looking for the Light. Scripture reveals just the opposite. God is light (1 John 1:5), and they are not looking for Him. They are renouncing Him (Psalm 10:3-4). They hate Him (Romans 1:18-32). They reject the Light, lest their deeds be exposed (John 3:19-20). That's the true gospel (John 3:16-21).

Anne's false gospel can also be found on page 245 in this same book. Speaking in the context of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11) Lotz wrote,

At that moment in human history, world religions were born. Karl Barth, one of the twentieth century's premier theologians, said that all religion is man reaching up to God in his own way, according to his own terms, on his own merit, in his own strength.

If Anne correctly represented Karl Barth's belief, he was one sad example of one of "twentieth century's premier theologians." He denied the very beginning of Paul's gospel found in Romans 1:18-23 in which Paul says the exact opposite of Mr. Barth. Paul declares false religions consequential to a rejection of God (Romans 1:18-23) and in no way man's attempt to reach God, but rather, his attempt to remove God from His mind (Romans 1:28).

Anne continues her lies about Babel and wrote,

In their pride, the builders of Babel assumed they could work their way into God's Presence and He would accept them on the basis of what they had done. (p. 245)

Besides the simple fact that Genesis 11 records nothing of any "world religions" being born at that time, it also is silent on any attempt to "work their way into God's Presence" thinking they would be accepted by Him. This is pure fantasy (Proverbs 30:5-6) and contrary to the gospel of God (Romans 1:18-23; see also Psalm 10:3-4; Romans 3:11).

V. Strange Food Doctrine

Hebrews 13:9 warns,

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Lotz teaches what is strange to the word of God when it comes to foods. In God's Story Anne wrote,

God gave one prohibition concerning Noah's diet when He instructed him, "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it" (Gen. 9:4). This principle was given partially for safety and sanitation in food preparation. (p. 218)

Scripture says no such thing anywhere about safety or sanitation in food preparation (Proverbs 30:5-6). The reason blood was not to be eaten is given in the law where it says,

For it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, "You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood." (Leviticus 17:14)

Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat. (Deuteronomy 12:23)

The reason is, because the blood is its life (literally, its soul, nephesh in the Hebrew), and God does not want the life (soul) eaten. But, Anne has her own ideas. She wrote,

While the prohibition against eating blood in the meat was lifted at the cross when the symbolism was fulfilled in the death of Christ, the principle of sanitation in food preparation is one we still need to adhere to today. (God's Story, p. 219)

Nowhere does Scripture teach "the prohibition against eating blood in the meat was lifted at the cross" or anything like it. The blood is still the life (the soul) and God still does not want it to be eaten, as Acts illustrates. The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, wrote to the brethren who were of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. (Acts 15:28-29)

The apostles, under the new covenant, still saw it fit to abstain "from blood." This prohibition against eating blood was given before the law (Genesis 9:4), during the law (Deuteronomy 12:23), and after the law (Acts 15:29). God does not want life, that is, blood, eaten!

So, Anne discards God's commandment, and then makes up her own. Immediately after the quote above Anne wrote,

Think about your eating habits. Do you eat too much? Too little? Is your diet heavy on fat? Sugar? Sodium? Chemicals? What adjustments do you need to make for your own benefit in order to heed God's Creation principles regarding nourishment? (God's Story, p. 219; see also p. 220 first paragraph)

Lotz makes this "nourishment" issue a matter of righteousness when she uses language such as "the principle of sanitation in food preparation is one we still need to adhere to today" and "to heed God's Creation principles regarding nourishment." There is no "need to adhere" and "heed" what God has not commanded. These are Anne's strange (Hebrews 13:9) additions to the word of God (Proverbs 30:5-6). They are not God's Story. They are Anne Graham Lotz' commandments of a woman (as in Matthew 15:8-9).

VI. False Doctrine on Divorce and Forgiveness

In God's Story Anne wrote,

If your spouse has committed adultery, the unity of your relationship has been broken in a unique way, and divorce is a biblical option. (p. 63)

This is a lie. Divorce in is not a Biblical option. Jesus said,

What God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matthew 19:6; see also Mark 10:9)

Immediately after this Anne wrote,

However, forgiveness is also an option. (p. 63)

This also is a lie. Forgiveness is not an option, it is a command, and if it is not heeded, you will go to hell!

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26; see also Matthew 6:14-15)

If you do not forgive, your sins will not be forgiven. Those whose sins are not forgiven will forever be tortured by God (Matthew 18:21-35). Anne gave no such warning, but instead gave her own ungodly counsel.

But I looked her in the eye and counseled, "Nancy, you have the biblical right to divorce your husband. He has not only broken his vows but also the mystical, spiritual, and physical bond of unity between the two of you." She looked a little astonished at my agreement with her. Her brow knit as she quietly waited to see if I had anything to add - which I did. "Nancy, you have the right to divorce Harold, or you have the option to forgive him." (God's Story, p. 65)

Anne lied to this lady. Scripture gives no such right nor "option." It is a destructive heresy (2 Peter 2:1) to tell someone they can destroy a marriage, when God gives them no such right. It is a destructive heresy to counsel they have an "option" to forgive, when God has not given them this "option," but instead He has given the serious mandate that: if they do not forgive, He will not forgive and will send them to hell forever! [For more on divorce, see our article entitled, Divorce and Remarriage.]

VII. According to Lotz, God Does Not Reject The Wicked

In God's Story Lotz writes,

One God Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, unchanging in His love for the masses in the world He sees one by one as individuals whom He created to know joy and love and peace and goodness and kindness and gentleness and mercy and strength and hope and fullness of life through knowing Himself in a personal, permanent, love relationship. While God rejects our religiousness, He does not reject us. (p. 258)

These words are clearly written in the context of the wicked (i.e. those who do not know Christ) both in the immediate prior context ("various religions of the world" p. 257) and latter context ("willfully turn their backs" p. 258). Anne claims God does not reject the ungodly. God clearly says He does.

You reject all those who stray from Your statutes. (Psalm 119:118; 2 Kings 17:20; Psalm 78:67; Jeremiah 6:28-30; 7:29; Hebrews 6:8)

You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. (Psalm 119:119)

Even believers are exhorted with these words:

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Timothy 2:12)

VIII. Oops!

Apparently, Anne thinks God says "Oops!" or something of that nature, because she claims "God never intended us to be broken" (God's Story, p. 34), speaking of broken lives, hearts, etc., and "Death was not part of His plan" (ibid, p. 91). This is absolute folly, because God declares "the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10). His counsel stands forever (Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 19:21) and people were saved from "before time began" (2 Timothy 1:9). If it wasn't part of His plan, why would Christ be "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8)? Death has definitely been part of His plan, death and life in Christ (Colossians 3:3).

IX. Conclusion

There is more false doctrine (2 Peter 3:16), but these examples have been given that you might see that Anne Graham Lotz is of the Devil (John 8:44) and does not have God (2 John 9).

In Anne's interview mentioned at the beginning of this article she said,

So I know when I die, I'm going to close my eyes to this life and open them to the face of Jesus, and it's a wonderful confidence I have that anyone can have it.

As in Matthew 7:21-23, Anne Graham Lotz is in for one horrifying eternal surprise!

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