Why are Evangelicals more open to reading biblical commentary by Billy Graham then the Early Church Fathers?

Question

why are today's evangelicals more open to modern today Christian authors verse Christian authors who either knew Christ and the apostles directly or were second generation Christians taught from the feet of the first converts to the faith?

Answer 1

Because Billy Graham, although a good man, subscribed to as many faulty theology ideas as them. Billy Graham has changed his tune in many ways lately. The closer they get to REALLY seeing God the more they are able to see the truth.

Answer 2

Because the Evangelicals are from the Protestant line of thought. The Early Church Fathers were by definition the planters of the faith. Also if you ever tried reading people like Eusabis you would understand that it is a dry work that is hard to read. It also might be that the Founders had the task of assembling the Bible, and that was enough for them. Now since so much time has passed, commentaries are helpful when back then they might not have been as necessary. If you know the original language you have less need of a commentary.

Answer 3

This Christian isn't. I like the Word of God straight and pure, King James Version. Straight from the mouths who were inspired to speak it! In Bible study I find Strong's Concordance helpful, Matthew Henry's Commentaries Enlightening, The KJV and Holman's Bible Dictionaries useful, Lexicons are reliable helps, History studies by Alfred Eidersheim totally awesome to understand the symbolisms in the tabernacle, priesthood, and ceremonial laws, books on customs and traditions of the Jews are enlightening helps. I think books written by Corrie Ten Boom and others are inspirational testimonies to God's love and grace and do not cause doctrinal confusion. I think there are too many spiritual bar-flies who won't pray and read for themselves to discern the truth and rightly divide it and let the spirit lead them into all truth. The spirit of God doesn't lead people into thousands of different directions or else we would not ever have unity in one mind and one accord.
I think it's time to get back to the basics and quit letting satan scatter the power of the holy people. Don't follow after men or the spiritual "fads" of the day.

Answer 4

Well, Graham didn't write Bible commentaries and never attended seminary. That being said, most Americans and Evangelicals in particular have an anti-historical frame of mind. American foreign policy testifies to this. Few see the value of reading ancient works. It is sad. I wish more Protestants in general would dig deeper into their theological roots.

Answer 5

We are to test anything we are taught against Scripture. Whoever it is from. Only the Bible is from God. All the rest, from man.

I'll stick to reading the author who is the author of it all in the first place!

Answer 6

2 Timothy 4:3 should shed some light on this:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."

See also 2 Corinthians 4:4.

Answer 7

Anyone who honestly studies the authentic works of the early church fathers always ends up recognizing only one church ... the Catholic Church ... described therein.

It's very unsettling for Protestants.

That's why.

Answer 8

Probably because those documents are a fairly tough read. You have to engage your brain.

Answer 9

Because they are intent on maintaining their comfortable mental atmosphere of cult like devotion to one way of worship and thought.