Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
I noticed this past week, since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, how quickly and easily certain Christian leaders are to pronounce someone a “fine Christian.” Franklin Graham did so in regard to the Queen. Franklin’s son was interviewed and quite a thing was made about how the new King, Charles III, mentioned “Almighty God” in one of his first addresses as King.
Now, obviously I don’t mix it up familiarly with royalty. I never had a chat with Queen Elizabeth about the gospel. But I do know that Billy Graham and his association very quickly and easily labeled people as “Christians” who in no way held to the gospel of Christ. Martyn Lloyd-Jones confronted Graham on this point when Graham asked MLJ to support a series of evangelistic meetings in England. MLJ responded by telling Graham that if he would stop having leaders in false churches (Rome and some portions of the Church of England) on the platform with him, MLJ could support the meetings. Graham would not comply.
The Queen/King of England holds the position of being the head of the Church of England (a duality of office which the Bible does not endorse) and, ever since the days of wicked King Henry VIII, the English monarch has held the title “Defender of the Faith.”
Now, why should we be thrilled that King Charles III bears this “Defender of the Faith” title? Because there have been few, if any, English monarchs who have defended the faith! Just what faith is it that is to be defended? Biblically, it would be the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrines Christ declared, as recorded in Holy Scripture. But this certainly is not the “faith” England’s royalty are known to defend.
What would true “defending of the faith” look like? Well, something like this:
Gal 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— (7) not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (9) As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
But is it not fair to question that the English “Defenders of the Faith” ever spoke as the Apostle Paul did here? The Church of England is only a half-step away from the apostate “church” of Rome – and in the case of some of its theologians and clergy, not even a half-step. Where is the monarch? Have you ever heard of the King or Queen of England insisting that false teachers and ministers be expelled from the church? I haven’t.
Here is the point I am getting at. This business of pronouncing people to be Christians so readily and easily introduces evil into Christ’s church. The same spirit is what pronounces the abusers of so many of you to be fine saints and leaves them in the church to keep right on wearing their disguise. English Royalty does not enjoy a stellar reputation for Christian holiness. Scandals are no stranger to Buckingham Palace. And yet I have very little doubt that just because they were baptized as infants and are members of the Church of England, many people would be quite irate at any implication that such people are not true Christians.
One final point suggested here for your consideration. Think biblically. Think about how Moses, the OT prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles related to Kings and Queens of their day. Were they popular and well-respected by royalty? In a few cases, I think so (Isaiah and King Uzziah for instance. David and Samuel). But for the largest part, these godly ones, including and especially the Son of God, were hated by the rulers of the age. Why, then, was Billy Graham so popular with so many world rulers? It is a fair question and is asked as a result of comparing what we see with what the Word of God says. After all, the Scripture does say this:
1Co 2:7-8 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. (8) None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Noka
I’m so glad MLJ wasn’t a fan of Billy Graham. Not surprised though.
I didn’t make the connection that they were contemporaries. Just like Spurgeon and DL Moody knew each other.
Can’t wait to meet MLJ in heaven. Such a godly man and uncompromised preaching.
Jacob
Amen. Even Satan parades around as an Angel of light. Demons and people alike. People saying Lord Lord., Baby baptisms, Priests forgiving sins. The list goes on. It gives people a false sense of security when they really need Jesus. Worse is when people follow these imbeciles. Whether royalty or not we all answer to One God Jesus Christ.
Notlongnow
I’m really glad you wrote this. I was just thinking along these lines last night, as I caught a glimpse of one of the processions taking place in the UK. I’ve been largely avoiding it all as it’s on 24/7 in my part of the world and it’s hard to deny that it really is worship and idolatry of a human lady. 2 weeks of public mournings worth. Jesus is not preeminent or lifted up as King of Kings. Jesus is not in the traditions and rituals of a false church.
Rhonda
The name “Puritan” was devised as a term of derision & scorn. It was applied to a group of Anglican pastors in England in the 16th & 17th centuries who sought to purify the church of its remaining Roman Catholic influences and practices. These pastors repeatedly called for the churches of England to repent of their extensive heresy, carnality and priestly corruption. But the Anglican Church would not repent. They couldn’t deny the need for reformation, but they wanted a “middle way” rather than a thorough reformation.
Those who held the reins in the Anglican hierarchy remained impenitent – but not passive…For decades the Puritans faced hostility and persecution from church leaders AND POLITICAL RULERS alike. Many suffered & died for their faith, while many more endured imprisonment and torture for the sake of Christ. The persecution reached a crescendo in 1662, when the English Parliament issued the Act of Uniformity. The decree essentially outlawed anything other than strict Anglican doctrine & practice. That led to a monumental tragic day in England’s spiritual history: August 24, 1662, commonly known as the Great Ejection. On that day, 2,000 Puritan pastors were stripped of their ordination & permanently thrown out of their Anglican churches….
One of those ejected pastors was Matthew Meade…he wrote, “After the silencing of the 2,000, we enter an age of rationalism, of coldness in the pulpit; indifference in the pew, an age in which skepticism & worldliness went far to reducing the national religion to a mere parody of New Testament Christianity.
same
In the abuse survivor circles it’s common to cringe when you hear either of the Graham names… and as far as King Charles, it’s the same cringe.
Kate
Since God has woken me up, I’ve been “forced” to research these people. You are correct in saying they are “cringe” worthy….to put it MILDLY.
The horror show taking place in all aspects of the world today is simply fulfilling what the bible tells us. Once I stopped thinking well of famous people including preachers, God was allowed to show me the truth. Evil is abounding everywhere. And the majority of people LOVE it.
Jesus promised us we (His children) would be hated. He was not exaggerating. Would I change my mind and heart? Would I undo my Christianity? NOT EVEN FOR A SECOND!!!!!
We will ALL die. Not one of us will escape it. These foolish evil people like the Graham’s, the Osteen’s, the MacArthur’s, Joyce Meyer’s, and most all the famous preachers and teachers of today, will soon be dead. They won’t remember ONE SINGLE thing they owned or how famous they were when they were alive. They will only know that they sinned continually against God, and all his grace and love will be eternally removed.
Me? I am nothing. Never was, and through God’s grace, never will be. My only “claim to fame” is that I belong to Jesus. I too will soon be dead. And through no doing of my own, will spend eternity with the God of creation. Me! A nobody. But now and eternally I will be God’s somebody.
Knowing the truth about the current workings of evil can be overwhelming. But God continues to show me that He’s got it, and it truly is all good for those who he has chosen.