More Compromising: Billy Graham, God, & George Bush
Reading George Bush’s new book Decision Points, I was shocked to read Billy Graham’s answer to Bush Sr.’s question. He basically asked, “Is it essential to be born again?” You’ll have to read this for yourself…Its unbelievable!
In the summer of 1985, we took our annual trip to Maine. Mother and Dad had invited the great evangelical preacher Billy Graham. Dad had asked him to answer some questions from the family after dinner. That was typical of Dad, always willing to share.
It would have sent a signal of importance to have had Billy to himself, but that is not George H.W. Bush. He is a generous man, devoid of a big ego. So there we sat, about thirty of us—Laura, my grandmother, brothers and sister, first and second cousins —in the large room at the end of the house on Walker’s Point.
The first question was from Dad. He said, “Billy, some people say you have to have a born-again experience to go to heaven. Mother [my grandmother] here is the most religious, kind person I know, yet she has had no born-again experience. Will she go to heaven?”
Wow, pretty profound question from the old man.
We all looked at Billy. In his quiet, strong voice, he replied, “George, some of us require a born-again experience to understand God, and some of us are born Christians. It sounds as if your mom was just born a Christian.” (Pgs. 48-49 of the Ebook)
Hopefully, Bush misremembers Graham’s exact words. Otherwise, this is compromise of the nth degree!
Jesus said, “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) It’s imperative. It’s essential. There’s no getting around it. “…Ye MUST be born again.” (John 3:7)