Shouldn't churches be more liberal?

on Dec 23, 2025

Temptation concept with snake and apple. Dreamstime/TCA

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I go to a church that doesn’t mention sin. The pastor emphasizes positive things that speak to the better part of human beings. Our church has become a beacon in one of the largest cities in the country because we emphasize social compassion and accept those who love God but may not live traditional lifestyles. If churches did this instead of pounding away at sin, wouldn’t it be a more effective way to win converts? – C.A.

A: The Bible says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8, NKJV). Sin is unbelief in the truthfulness of God. Every pastor is responsible to proclaim God’s Word that says, “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). Ministers are to warn people of God’s judgment and also tell them of God’s love.

Sin manifests itself in people’s hearts. Self-interest lives in us, and it is at the very center of what prevents us from obeying God and keeps us distant from the God who loves us. Sin casts a searchlight on the sinner. Men, women, and children need to be told that they are sinners. This is not the preacher’s message, but God’s message. We can call sin a mistake, an error, or a psychological twist, but God calls it sin.

These sentiments are striking because they reveal the resentment people have to the message of the Bible that predicts the judgment for sin. Why do people accept violence from the world as entertainment, and pay good money to be scared to death by Hollywood, while at the same time curse the Christian message of truth, which warns of evil and offers refuge from the terrorist of the soul? The same people who say that preachers frighten them with such violence are not listening to the antidote. You see, there is hope for the hearts of mankind to be changed.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)