Ep. 520: Franklin Graham Trashes The “Modesto Manifesto”

In October of 1948, Billy Graham and his ministry team — Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea and Grady Wilson — held evangelistic meetings in Modesto, Calif. These men gathered in their spare time to write what Barrows came to call the “Modesto Manifesto.” That document outlined the standards they would follow regarding “financial integrity, sexual morality, publicity, and partnership with the local church.” However, the organizations led by Billy Graham’s son Franklin recently withdrew from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) because they did not want the ECFA to act as “moral police” for the evangelical world. In today’s Extra episode, Warren Smith explains why this is a bad idea. To read a transcript of today’s episode, click here. The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. Until next time, may God bless you.