A member of my congregation asked me to go with him to the Billy Graham/Ralph Bell Crusade. I thought I might be enlightened, so I accepted the invitation. It was a good "experience" for me anyway.

We were greeted at the door alright and given a brochure. We didn't have a problem finding a seat. They were expecting between 2-4 thousand people each night. I would say that a little over 1,000 people where there for the Friday night "performance."

When we got there, they were singing "praise"music. All of the songs had to do with what we do and how good we feel instead of what God does and still does for us and our salvation. The songs were very"man" centered instead of "Christ" centered. Some words went like this: I lift; I love; I'm so glad; We've come to; I will celebrate; I have decided to; I will call upon, and so on and so on. Oh, the music performance was great. With all the speakers and control panels, it looked and sounded like a concert. The lights were bright. The sound was loud. People were lifting their hands and swaying. It really got the emotions moving. There was the stage, drums, musical instruments, microphones, lights, etc. But there was no symbol or sign of the cross anywhere.

After the opening "praise" music, they began their so called "service"not with an invocation to the Holy Trinity, but with a prayer. The prayer reminded me of the Pharisee in the temple. The prayer thanked God for this and that, but never really thanked him for the gift of salvation through His Son.

Then they had a testimonial from someone who basically said, "Look how bad I was and now look how good I am." Actually, this kind of message came out loud and clear from several speakers and singers. They basically said, "Look how good we are. We are happy. We are full of joy. This is how the Christian life is like--no worries, no pain, and no problems."

Then they had their appeal for money. Another person came out and gave his testimonial. In the process, he asked everyone to dig deep in the pockets and give. They needed a lot of money. After all, it cost them over $100,000 to put on this performance. As the money was being collected, the singers kept on singing.

Then came the high point of the day--the speaker. The lights went down and the spot light went up. There he stood in the center of the stage. The speaker had a clear voice, or was it because the sound system was superb? He had many stories. After all, he had to keep us awake for over 30 minutes somehow. The basic message was that sinners are those people who do bad things. Jesus loves you and loves everyone--unconditionally, he said. However, to receive this love was conditional. He talked about what Jesus did on the cross. But to benefit from it, you had to make a decision. You had to do your part first and then God will do his part. You have to call out to God and then He will save you. If you are saved, then you're alright. If you are saved, then you can live the happy life. Jesus was portrayed more like a vitamin pill. He will help you when things are bad. He will lift you up and make you happy. What you can't finish, He will do the rest. As was expected, there was no mention of Baptism or Holy Communion. There was no encouragement to attend a local church.

Then, there was the altar call. During this time, the musicians came out and sang softly. The lights gradually became brighter. The speaker keep talking. He encouraged those people who hear the Spirit knocking at their door to come forward. As the "decision makers" came forward, assigned people followed them. They put their hand around them and prayed with them. I got the impression that the "decision makers" were the only ones in need of repentance, as if all the rest were already healthy and in no need of a physician. Then, the speaker had a prayer for those who came forward. I really forget what the prayer said. After being there for almost two hours, I was tired anyway and I just wanted to get out of the place.

I doubt whether absolution was spoken upon the "decision makers" in the stead of God Himself. I doubt whether they were pointed to the comfort of what God gives in Holy Baptism.

Did the "decision makers" have anything solid to stand upon? If they have problems in the future will they have to make another decision? If they have problems in the future, does this mean that God doesn't love them anymore? Was their decision sincere enough? Did they pray hard enough? Will their certainty of God's grace and the gift of heaven be based on emotion?

The comfort of baptism is that God does the saving --100 percent! During times of failure and problems, I can look back at my baptism and honesty say, "God saved me. He loves me and forgives me." My drowning of the old man happens daily. My confession is followed by a pure and simple absolution from the voice of God's spokesman. God is present at His altar feeding me with His body and blood. The Divine Service is not like a pop-concert, but it is like heaven on earth. Preaching proclaims the forgiveness of sins upon all sinners for the sake of Jesus. Faith now has a place to stand. It doesn't stand on an emotion. It stands upon the solid rock of God's salvation in and through Jesus.

The crusade ended somewhat funny. After his prayer, he thanked everyone for coming, and we all left like we were walking out of a funeral. I was slightly disappointed because I was expecting some kind of finale. I was expecting some more "praise" music. But there was none. I still can't figure out why they had the funeral recession type of emotion. Anyway, with all of this false theology, I was very sad.

As we left, we could have bought one of their tapes or books. I felt like overturning the tables, but I didn't want to be crucified. All in all, the best part of the evening was eating out at McDonalds.

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