I've been wrestling with this issue of submission to earthly authorities and the call of Jesus to go into all the world making disciples. I've been prayerful about it myself because I am, according to scripture, to be under the authority of my husband, even my unbelieving husband. But I also am under the command to diligently teach my children God's word. What happens when a woman who desires to obey God's word is in the situation of being under a husband who doesn't believe in the scriptures and does not want her to teach them to her children? What happens when the Bride of Christ desires to obey God's word is in the situation of being under a government who doesn't believe in the scriptures and doesn't want the Christian teaching them to would be disciples? I'm going to have to post a full post on what I see is God's answer to these questions but for now I think Acts 4:19-20 gives us the short answer. "But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
I think that's the key: Let the earthly authority judge- whatever the consequences of their judgement. Be respectful in speaking to the authorities. Give a meek and God-fearing answer for why you must disciple others. Don't protest or seek to get the "right" to freely speak. Just speak. Don't expect to be honored, just do what is honorable in the sight of God. Speak not out of rebellion, but out of the love of Christ compelling you. How can a soul hold back what the love of Christ compels them to share. Seeking to be freed to share it just proves that you're dependent upon man's laws to share God's word. Sharing it despite the consequences proves your true love for the soul of man and your willingness to submit to governments authority by enduring the consequences with respect.
I continue to wrestle with this and I guess it's because I know how easily I could become spiritually prideful as a wife and use the Bible as a reason to tear down my husband's authority. But I also know what comes out of my mouth in worship cannot be stopped. I must share Jesus with my children and diligently teach them God's word- to stop would be to hold back my breath!
Thanks for this post. It suprises and concerns me that this is Mr. Graham's stance.
Sheila
I think Graham is concerned that it would seem more like willful protests against the Chinese government than honest spreading of the Gospel, and in that regard I agree with him.
However, Sheila has a point that we must do what we are called to do. It's a tough decision.
I respect both Franklin Graham and the many great works of his ministry. However, in this I believe he is mistaken.
Those who evangelize are obeying the commandments of Christ. It is the Chinese government that is disobedient to the law [of God].
For many years ministries such as VOM have been "illegally" taking Bibles, Christian literature, food, clothing, blankets, etc. into lands where Christians have been persecuted and the Gospel prohibited. Should we wait until permission is given? Should people die without hearing the Gospel because a dictator does not give permission? The apostles were imprisoned for taking the Gospel to lands that obviously didn't give permission (why else would they be imprisoned?).
The Chinese government has not yet shown much initiative in changing their ways. Through "illegal" evangelism, the Gospel has been taken in, and many thousands of Chinese come to Christ each day. There is a large underground (illegal) church in China where saints can join together in faith and fellowship. Should the underground church disband and take the "legal" route of joining a Three-Self appointed church ruled by the state? I think not.
The Gospel is at war with this world. If we wait for the world's permission to evangelize, the church will die on the vine. We should continue to pray the Lord would change the hearts of the government leaders; yet at the same time we must press on taking the Gospel to every nation.
The Scripture's command to obey governments is not absolute! Where man's law is in violation if the Law of God, we have no need to obey; but rather to obey God's Law. Are there consequences? Of course!! But of such consequences the Lord will bring forth good -- that is a promise signed in blood!
Let us pray and petition that those having opportunity to engage in evangelism during the Olympics will plant seed, water, and see a great increase; that the Lord will send forth His Word and it would not return to Him void, but will accomplish everything that He desires. And if I might add, ask the Lord to commission His word to accomplish much!
I think we must always be careful not confuse the word "legal" with "right" and "illegal" with "wrong."
Abortion is legal, but not right.
Freedom of religion and expression is right, but not always legal.
To confuse the terms sets us on a faulty theological foundation, causing us to build arguments for theological positions that will not stand--such as not witnessing because it's illegal. That position doesn't stand up in light of Scripture--OT or NT.
It is better to obey God than man, said Peter, when charged with "illegal evanglism." (Acts 5)
So, when American Christians who go to China to use the Olympics to evangelize get thrown in a Chinese prison, is the U.S government supposed to get them out?
Franklin Graham has earned tremendous respect from many non-Christian governments through his relief work. The principle in play here is that by meeting physical needs, you earn the right to share Jesus Christ. Who do you think will still have an open door to Chinese leaders six months after the Olympics end, those who China sees as potential threats, or someone like Graham who works within the open doors currently available?
Graham is in China even now, and has pledged relief supplies to the millions impacted by the 7.9 earthquake that just struck Central China. I have no doubt that he will earn respect and more opportunites to advocate for China's persecuted Christians through this effort.
You may disagree with his opinion that Christians should not violate Chinese law by evangelizing during the Olympics, but you cannot rightly accuse him of selling out China's persecuted Christians.
In response to Glenn Cartwright:
When one goes on the mission field, be it for a day or many years, they are in God's hands. The Chinese Christians who are imprisoned for evangelizing have counted the cost, so should foreign missionaries.
I speak not against Franklin Graham, yet, his ministry isn't on the front lines with the Persecuted Church. I am not saying he is in opposition, but that his ministry isn't known for smuggling Bibles and other "contraband" into countries where persecution is rampant. Richard Wurmbrand ministered to the communists and yet also worked behind their back. The Gospel isn't preached to gain an evil government's respect! The evil govenment must repent and respect/honor the Gospel.
China isn't going to open their doors to evangelism because we play nice. The doors have been opened by God; we go through those doors. God never sent out a request to a nation for permission to do His work. They have chosen not to read/obey His word. This isn't a matter of "polite manners". While in China missionaries and visitors are to respect the laws of China as long as those laws do not violate the commandments/laws of God. China's human rights violations are an abomination; more so it's treatment of Christians.
Many companies have relocated their manufacturering plants to China, with some hoping this would open China to changing their policies. They opened their doors for commerce, but didn't change their policies.
Throughout church history there have been those commissioned to take the Gospel to hostile lands. They often attempted to share with the approval of the government, but they equally often met resistance and compelled by love, brought the Gospel through whatever door/window/crack that God opened.
So then if/when it officially becomes illegal to preach theGospel here in America, (sorry the US, its already illegal in Canada) -will he still feel the same way?
In response to Les Tepper:
I do not believe Franklin Graham was hinting that advocacy agencies like VOM should stop doing what they do. I think he is concerned that some may have an interest in sparking a confrontation with Chinese authorities during the Olympics and, thus, cause even greater persecution than they are already generating in the build up to the Games.
We have seen this type of agenda outweigh true evangelism before. Sometimes there are more opportunities available behind the scenes and through the underground church than the rest of us realize. I would hate to see those opportunities close because some see the Olympic Games as an opportunity to challenge the Chinese authorities on an international stage.
Franklin Graham just preached the Gospel to 12,000 in China. And, he was able to freely hand out Bibles. No doubt some of the crowd was staged by the Chinese government. But, he was allowed to openly preach Jesus and the cross.
By the way, it was Franklin Graham who took a lot of criticism in the U.S. when he prayed "in the name of the Father, and the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit ..." at President Bush's inauguration. If you think someone is selling out, turn your attention to Ravi Zacharias, who unquestionably bowed to political correctness at last week's National Day of Prayer.
Franklin Graham has never claimed to be a champion of the Persecuted Church. Though his ministry was one of the few to continue going to the "no go" zones in Sudan. He has stated many times that he was called to the gutters and ditches of the world. His humanitarian relief record has opened many doors to dialogue with governments and speak for better rights for Christians behind the scenes.
I also don't believe Mr. Graham is lobbying for everyone to place nice to gain the favor of governments. But, it is no question that his ministry's response to China's tragic blizzard played a role in his being allowed a very public forum to proclaim Christ.
Everyone is called to different ministries. We are all members of one Body. It just seems that in this new age were so many Christian leaders are selling out, we are too quick to criticize.
I am stunned by his comments but I have emailed his ministry for more clarification.
Just a thought, have you considered that the reporter for the Associated Press intentionally set up a question that would cause contoversy no matter how it was answered? It was the classic "When did you stop beating your wife?" set up. Either way Franklin Graham answered the question he would either get in trouble with the government or with the supporters of the non-registered church movement. On Bible smuggling, the Amity press has produced over 50 million Bibles in China and there are plenty available in the big city distribution points, but there is no distribution network as of yet in many of the provinces where local officials are persecuting the believers. Smuggling Bibles into areas is still the only option for getting the Word into many places. But, I would ask the responders to question the secular media before questioning Franklin Graham.
please don't judge.
The thing that we can't have is for our disagreements to divide us. If you feel that Mr. Graham is being too passive, pray for wisdom and discernment for him. Do not bring division amongst the body 'but work out your own salvation'...
If these reports are accurate, it seems like American evangelicals are again courting influence with worldly leaders rather than identifying with Christ and His Church.
Mr. Graham has implied that suffering for the Gospel is for the politically naive, that political savvy achieves spiritual ends, and that Christ is not so glorious as being worth our very lives.
"...we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen or heard" (Acts 4:20).
As usual we Christians are walking a tightrope as it relates to the China issue. Many American businesses deal with China despite their human rights restrictions. One day I saw a Bible cover with a cross on the outside with a tag on the inside saying "made in China." So we have to acknowledge God's sovereignty in working out His plan. But simultaneously we have to deal with the literal control that the communist government has over the lives of its citizens. China wants western style technology, dress, business acumen but it does not want religious freedom. Christians must understand all aspects of this modern dilemma and then determine how they, we are going to individually or collectively address this problem. Paul said to pray for him to have an open door. I pray that many Christians to have a open door to China, North Korea or any other place were the gospel may be dim and the light of Christ is not shining brightly.
Franklin Graham has a lot of good points but, like his father, he is an American first and a Christian second. He recently praised the late Jesse Falwell as being a great American Christian and patriot. Jesse Helms was a Southern Baptist racist who supported segregation in the US, apartheid in South Africa and lent his not inconsiderable weight to the evil American Tobacco Industry.
Today I read a very interesting article from The Associated Press entitled 
