I. The False Gospel of The Void

A. In The Name

Franklin Graham preaches the same kind of false gospel as his father. An example of this false gospel can be found in Franklin's book The Name. Franklin writes,

The Bible makes it very clear that God loves us. He cares for us and He wants us to live our lives to the fullest. But for most people, there is emptiness in their lives that they can't explain. Something is missing. They search for it, through various religions, through relationships, through the acquisition of things money can buy, but that emptiness is still in the pit of their soul. There is a vacuum inside all of us - it can only be filled by God when we come into a right relationship to Him. (p. 201, bold added)

It is true that God loves us (John 3:16), but the Bible never teaches that "for most people, there is emptiness in their lives," that "Something is missing," and that "There is a vacuum inside all of us" that can "only be filled by God." This is a doctrine of men (Matthew 15:9; e.g. Greg Laurie, Billy Graham). It is not the doctrine of God (2 John 9).

The doctrine of God says that people who do not know God are filled with all unrighteousness (Romans 1:29). Their hearts are full of evil (Ecclesiastes 9:3), and an evil spirit is working in them (Ephesians 2:2).

Franklin claims people are "searching for it, through various religions." This too is a lie. Besides the fact that "it" does not exist, religions exist because men reject the true God, and their foolish hearts become darkened (Romans 1:21); and they change the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and animals (Romans 1:23). Men do not search for anything but rebellion in various religions (Proverbs 17:11), because they are in rebellion against the one true God; and that's why the religions exist (Romans 1:18-23).

Franklin propagates a vacuum that does not exist, a searching that does not exist, and then an answer that does not exist when he writes, "it can only be filled by God when we come into a right relationship to Him." When Franklin leads people down such a fictitious road, it leads to nowhere but deceit, as the Scripture says, they are "wells without water" (2 Peter 2:17).

Graham continues,

Do you feel that something is missing deep down in your very soul?

Do you feel an emptiness that you cannot explain - sometimes a loneliness - even though you may be in the midst of a crowd?

Most people do. In moments when we are most thoughtful about the meaning of life, there is a craving for something more. At its core, this is a longing to know God intimately. Often people try to fill this emptiness with other things - like alcohol, drugs, food, sexual adventures. The list is long. (ibid., p. 201-202, bold added)

The list Franklin speaks of includes sin (e.g. sexual adventures). Thus, this "longing to know God," according to Franklin results in sin. This is an entirely different, man-made gospel (Galatians 1:8-9).

The Bible says the reason there is sin in the world, is because people do not long to know God (Romans 1:18-32). They hate Him (John 3:19-20; Romans 1:28-30). They do not seek Him (Romans 3:11). But, Franklin flatters the sinner (Proverbs 29:5), says just the opposite, and claims men long to know God. The Bible says, "God is in none of his thoughts" (Psalm 10:4), and they say in their hearts, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1-3).

A little later on the same page Graham writes,

What causes that emptiness in your life?

It is sin.

So, according to Franklin, on the same page, he declares that this emptiness is a "longing to know God," which results into sinful adventures (alcohol, drugs, etc.), yet the cause of this emptiness is sin. So, according to Franklin, sin causes a longing to know God which then causes sin. Longing to know God, seeking God, is a virtue (Isaiah 55:6). Franklin unwittingly makes it into a vice.

B. In the Inaugural Prayer Service Sermon

Franklin preached on January 21, 2001 in Washington, D.C. at President George W. Bush's inaugural prayer service,

We frequently hear stories of war, terrorism, crime and social injustice. We're asked, "Why?" These testify to the fact that something is wrong with the human heart. Countless religions have emerged all over the world because people are searching for answers to the void in their lives and their need to atone for their own sins and failures. They are seeking something to give them hope. Christianity teaches this is why Jesus Christ came on that first Christmas night, to bring the hope that the world was searching for, the peace between God and man and among mankind. (www.angelfire.com/in/HisName/inauguralsermon.html, bold added)

Again, Franklin denies the gospel of God in Romans 1:18-23. Franklin says, "countless religions have emerged all over the world because people are searching for answers to the void in their lives." God says,

Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:21-23)

The reason countless religions have emerged is because there are countless people not glorifying God nor being thankful, but becoming futile in their thoughts, as Romans 1 says.

Moreover, in Franklin's false gospel he turns the coming of Christ into something it is not. Besides Franklin's deceit regarding Christmas, Christ did not come to give men anything they were searching for. Mankind was seeking only rebellion (Proverbs 17:11; Romans 1:18-32). They were not searching for peace with God. But, Franklin says men were. This is a false gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). It is a lie, and it will save no one (2 Peter 2:17).

II. Another Damning Lie

In The Name Franklin writes,

. . . I think it is important to show how the Christian faith differs from other religions. In doing so, I do not write out of animosity toward those belief systems; I just want to show that there is a marked and drastic difference. (p. 68-69)

If Graham was a godly man, he would "write out of animosity toward those belief systems." As the Psalmists wrote,

I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:104, 128)

I hate and abhor lying. (Psalm 119:163)

I have hated those who regard useless idols. (Psalm 31:6)

And, if Franklin had Jesus in his heart, he would have the same kind of perspective Christ has towards false doctrine as exemplified in Revelation 2:15. Jesus said,

Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Jesus hates false doctrine, and He has serious animosity toward those who preach it (e.g. Jeremiah 23; Matthew 23). Franklin does not. By his own admission, he does "not write out of animosity toward those belief systems." This shows he does not love the truth (John 14:6; Psalm 119:127-128).

Also, Franklin does not fear the Lord, for if he did he would hate the evil way (the false religion) and such perverse mouths in the false religions, as it is written;

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. (Proverbs 8:13)

III. The Broad Way

Most people do not see nor understand the serious warning Scripture gives concerning the days in which we live. But the truth of the matter is, the Bible warns of a prevailing false Christianity in the last days (Luke 18:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-2). Franklin is one main preacher within this prevailing false Christianity. Actually, his father, Billy Graham, is probably the most well-spoken of in the heap (Luke 6:26; 2 Timothy 4:3).

In his book, The Name, Franklin writes of J. Vernon McGee as "one of the great Bible teachers of the twentieth century" (p. 102), of Greg Laurie that "He is a man who God is using" in a good way (p. 134), and of Raul Ries as one who serves "the Lord faithfully" (p. 131). All of these men are false teachers on the broad way. Please see our reports on them.

IV. Undiscerning, A Characteristic Of The Wicked (Romans 1:31)

In his book, The Name, Franklin reveals further that he does not know God nor believe the Scriptures when he manifests that he has no answer for the disasters of the day. Speaking in the context of the Columbine tragedy, Franklin writes,

I have often heard people ask, "Why?" We all have asked the same thing. I told the crowd that I had no answer to that question but I was sure of this: "There is a God. He loves you. He cares for you. One day He will judge all men. One day He will bring justice. One day, my friends, He will make all things right." (p. 17, bold added)

If Franklin believed the Bible, he would know God is judging men right now (Romans 1:18). He is bringing justice now (Jeremiah 9:24). And that is why these horrible disasters happen now, because,

the wrath of God is being revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:18)

In the context of the 9-11-01 terrorist attacks Franklin writes,

In answer to more of reporter Woodruff's questions, I also admitted that I did not have a full understanding of why God would allow such a massacre of innocent life. (p. 40)

If he knew and believed the Bible, he would have a full understanding of why, because he would know that God is angry every day with the wicked (Psalm 7:11), and that,

There is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10)

There is none who does good, no, not one. (Romans 3:12)

In other words, no innocent life was taken, not even infants, for the Bible declares that man is estranged from the womb speaking lies as soon as he is born (Psalm 58:3; see also Psalm 51:5).

A little later on the same page Franklin writes,

It was never God's plan and purpose on earth for man to live with sin and its consequences, but because of man's disobedience, sin came into the world. (bold added)

Indeed, it is because of man's disobedience that sin came into the world (Genesis 3), but this was God's plan all along. Franklin lies when he says it wasn't. For it is written,

The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. (Proverbs 16:4)

O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this. When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. (Psalm 92:5-7)

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:11)

His plan did not change. His plans stand forever. They do not fall or fail. This is why it says of the elect that they were saved "before time began" (2 Timothy 1:9). If it was not God's plan all along for man to live with sin and its consequences, then what is God doing saving His people "before time began?" He has indeed planned this all from the very beginning, as He says,

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." (Isaiah 46:9-10)

On the next page, speaking in the same context of 9-11-01 Franklin quotes his father saying,

Why does God allow evil like this to take place? First, we are reminded of the mystery and reality of evil . . . I have to confess that I do not know the answer. I have to accept, by faith, that God is sovereign, and that He is a God of love and mercy and compassion in the midst of suffering. The Bible says God is not the Author of evil . . . (p. 41, ellipsis in original, bold added)

Indeed, God is a God of love and mercy and compassion (Psalm 103; 1 John 4:16), but He is also a God of hate (Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; Romans 9:13) and wrath (Psalm 7:11-13; 90:7-11); and the Bible never says God is not the Author of evil. In fact, it says just the opposite.

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7, KJV)

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good? (Lamentation 3:37-38, KJV)

Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? (Amos 3:6, KJV)

O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways, and hardened our heart from Your fear? (Isaiah 63:17)

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works. (Psalm 141:3-4)

Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah." (2 Samuel 24:1; see also 1 Chronicles 21:1) And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done." (2 Samuel 24:10)

A man's steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:24; see also Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)

Who has made the heart? The Lord Jesus Christ has made every heart (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). "He fashions their hearts individually." (Psalm 33:15)

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

V. Conclusion

Franklin is a deceiver, as is his father. These are just a few things that we have documented. No doubt, there are more (2 Peter 3:16). But we have documented these that you might discern that Franklin Graham (and all who are like him) is bad news. He will lead you to nowhere but hell (Revelation 21:8).