Luis Palau

General Teachings/Activities

-  Luis Palau (pronounced pahl-OW), is an Argentinean-born (1934, to Roman Catholic parents) international evangelistic preacher with immense popularity in South and Central America. He claims to have been born-again at age 12, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1960. Palau is the author of 44 books and booklets, and has written more than 100 articles published in Charisma, Christian Herald, Christian Parenting Today, Christian Reader, Christianity Today, Decision, Discipleship Journal, Focus on the Family, Moody, The Plain Truth, Pursuit, World, World Vision, Worldwide Challenge, and many other periodicals. He has been pegged by some to replace the ecumenical Billy Graham as the United States' pre-eminent evangelist; "the Billy Graham of everywhere" says The Wall Street Journal. (This, of course, was prior to the 11/95 appointment of Graham's son, Franklin, to replace the retiring Billy.) Palau models his ministry and organization after Graham, being influenced by Graham since 1962, when he served as a translator at a Graham crusade in California. Graham gave Palau money to start his own organization in 1978, the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association (LPEA). Palau raises money for his stadium crusades like Graham also -- the responsibility falls upon sponsoring local churches.

-  Palau is a graduate and member of the Trustee Board at the neo-evangelical/psychologically-oriented Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon (now Multnomah Biblical Seminary). He is commonly called "the Billy Graham of South America." The title is fitting, for he has followed Graham's new evangelical policies in his crusades and has been willing to join hands with liberals, charismatics, and Roman Catholics. His ministry has not been confined to South America, however. He has had crusades in such diverse places as Aberdeen, Scotland; New Zealand; Managua, Nicaragua; and Peoria, Illinois (New Neutralism II, p. 67).

-  Since Palau's first crusade in 1966, an estimated 14 million people in 69 nations have attended 414 of Palau's cross-denominational crusades and rallies (now termed "Festivals") -- he has preached on every continent except Antarctica, and was the first evangelist to hold stadium evangelistic meetings in the Soviet Union (1989). In addition, tens of millions more have been exposed to the Palau message through radio and TV broadcasts in 104 nations. His radio programs are broadcast each weekday on more than 500 stations in North, South, and Central America (200 in the U.S.). Palau often purchases television time in cities where he plans stadium crusades, airing a live call-in program called Night Talk with Luis Palau (carried by two national cable networks -- the National Empowerment Television Network and the Inspirational Network). Viewers call to discuss their spiritual, family, and other concerns. Palau claims to explain the basic Gospel and prays with those who want to trust Jesus Christ. The national program also features taped segments of live TV programs from Palau's U.S. crusades. [Palau now airs two distinct radio programs -- Luis Palau Responde and Cruzada , Spanish radio programs broadcast on more than 500 stations throughout Latin America and the United States; and Reaching Your World with Luis Palau, a two-minute daily radio program, which went on the air 1/31/00, broadcast on more than 530 stations in the English-speaking world.] (Source: LPEA Internet web site, 8/27/01.)

The Luis Palau Evangelistic Association (LPEA), his Portland, Oregon based non-profit organization, cites more than 757,000 "known public decisions for Jesus Christ" as a result of the crusades, while tens of thousands more have supposedly made life-changing decisions for Christ as a result of LPEA's broad range of ministries. The LPEA has an annual budget of more than $4 million and 80 full- and part-time employees. In 1995, the operation moved into a $1.3 million complex in Beaverton, Oregon, a Portland suburb. The new building includes a television studio in addition to radio rooms. Palau has dreams of becoming a "Christian-based alternative to 'Geraldo' and 'Oprah.' I want to go nose to nose with the talk shows" (Martha Irvine: 10/13/95, Associated Press story).

-  What kind of gospel is preached at a typical Palau' crusade? Palau conducted a "festival" in Waterbury, Connecticut on 4/29/01. In an interview with Ed Flynn of "Talk of the Town" on radio station 1320 AM, on April 24, promoters of the Palau festival said that the evangelist is "a uniter, not a divider," that he is nondenominational and sends his converts "right back to the churches they come from."

On 10/1/93, WGN-TV superstation out of Chicago aired a tape of Palau's message from his Phoenix Crusade held at the America West Arena the end of October of 1992. [Jerry Colangelo, the president and CEO of the Phoenix Suns professional basketball team, was the Crusade Chairman.] Palau's message was titled, "Hope for the Stressed-Out."

Palau's message was peppered with "the Bible says" this/"the Bible says" that, but Palau never quoted a Bible passage. For example: "The Bible says the Lord saves us from the pit -- the pit of despair, the pit of low self-esteem ... the Bible says He redeems your life from the pit." Palau, of course, didn't give the passage from the Bible to document that the Bible actually says God saves us from low self-esteem -- probably because there is no such passage. (Chuck Swindoll, Josh McDowell, R.C. Sproul, Clyde Narramore, and other "Christian" psychologizers say the Lord saves us from low self-esteem, but the Bible certainly doesn't say that. The salvation of sinners depends upon the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to show sinners that they are lost and guilty before God, so that they might repent and place their trust in Christ for salvation. What does this have to do with helping the sinner enjoy feelings of greater self-esteem?)

The serious error in Palau's so-called gospel message was further illustrated in the Phoenix crusade video. The Phoenix message was interrupted with cut-outs to a call-in television show Palau had done earlier in 1992. One caller, a homosexual with AIDS from San Antonio, was "led to the Lord" by Palau via the repetition of an easy-believism, decisional regeneration type of prayer so common in today's crusade evangelism. Nowhere in the prayer was there the acknowledgement that the man's homosexuality was sin (although Palau told the caller that he had "failed" the God who "loved and died for him").

-  Scholars have observed that although evangelists traditionally preached about hell-fire and brimstone, they began avoiding the topic entirely in the 1960s and '70s, concentrating instead on the love of God rather than risk of offending the populace. Adhering to this trend, Palau says he will emphasize God's forgiveness: "I think that's where I'm gearing my message," he said. "I think there's a great sense of guilt in America. People want to know if they're going to heaven, an implicit acknowledgment that there's a less desirable alternative than paradise. There is no need to call Americans sinners. They know it already." (Emphasis added.) (4/17/96, Chicago Tribune). [In a 6/6/01 interview with Religion Today, Palau confirms his position: "While he does not emphasize hell in his preaching 'to excess,' says Palau, 'I do bring it in as a warning -- not as a major but as a minor emphasis.'"]

So not to offend with the gospel, Palau is, in effect, saying that he preaches a watered-down gospel that is no gospel at all. For example, in 1995, Palau preached to an estimated 26,000 in four meetings in Kathmandu, Nepal. Since proselytization is illegal in Nepal, Palau encouraged Nepalis to "fall in love with Jesus," instead of urging them to renounce Hinduism. This, of course, is not the Gospel of Christ. And what about the other gods the Hindus worship? They would gladly add Jesus to their thousands of other gods. They might even make Him their chief god, but not the only God (10/95, O Timothy). [Responding to BDM's criticism of Palau’s "watered-down gospel," Palau responds in a 6/6/01 interview with Religion Today, "Almost 80 percent of my preaching comes from the Bible. The other 20 percent is cultural, historic and psychological. I try to position and think, 'Where is my audience coming from?'"]

-  Many times the best indicator of the "Biblical quality" of a ministry is the "quality" of those endorsing it. A Palau brochure received by BDM in 12/93 had a section entitled "What Others Are Saying." It included glowing endorsements from the ecumenical Billy Graham; charismatic demon-deliverer Evelyn Christenson; liberal charismatic preacher E.V. Hill; hyper-charismatic Jack Hayford; and Catholic sympathizer and New Age religionist Chuck Colson. [In a separate piece of literature, Joseph Stowell, president of Moody Bible Institute, endorsed Palau's 8-week Chicago Crusade scheduled for April-May, 1996 (see below).]

BDM also received a book from the LPEA titled Say Yes!: How To Renew Your Spiritual Passion (Multnomah Press, 1991, 168 ppgs.). In addition to Graham, Hayford, and Colson endorsing the book, other endorsers were modernist John Stott; Campus Crusade's ecumenical leader Bill Bright; Dallas Seminary's neo-evangelical psychologizer Howard Hendricks; ecumenical social activist D. James Kennedy; the then director of the neo-evangelical National Religious Broadcasters, E. Brandt Gustavson; and financial psychobabbler Ron Blue. [Additionally, on 12/2/93, TBN aired a tape of a Palau' message from his 10/16/93-10/24/93 Greater Ft. Worth Crusade held at the Tarrant County Convention Center. Giving testimonial endorsements prior to Palau's message were ex-Dallas Cowboy football coach, Tom Landry, and self-love psychologizer and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.]

Also, Palau's web site lists endorsers of his ministry: Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, Jack Hayford, Joni Eareckson Tada, Joseph Stowell, and the Archbishop of Canterbury (Angelican).

Of all the endorsers of Palau and his ministry, we could not find a single endorsement by anyone even remotely considered to be an evangelical, Biblical fundamentalist!

-  Palau says the fight against violence and hopelessness in America must be fought with more contemporary weapons. So he incorporates some modern devices into his crusades. Christian rap music replaces the traditional hymns at many events, and big-screen video shots of sporting events are used to attract younger audiences. Palau says, "I think we need to adapt rather than fight it. I'm sure somebody is called to fight it, but my attitude is rather than fight it, exploit it." Palau also quietly accepts the MTV cartoon characters, Beavis and Butt-head -- "Those two guys ... you can scream all you like, but they're here to stay, those two," showing a sort of respect for the cartoon delinquents on MTV (10/93 Associated Press report, printed in the Bloomington, Indiana, 10/23/93, The Herald-Times).

An example of Palau's contemporary techniques would be his 1992 Phoenix Crusade (which drew about 72,000 total over the five days of meetings). On the last day of the crusade, the "Christian" rap group DC Talk performed to about 16,000 of all ages amid roving colored lights and man-made fog. (See the 6/96, Christian Conscience for a review of a DC Talk concert -- article by John Beardsley, pp. 54-58.) Palau sandwiched himself in the middle of the afternoon's festivities with a short message and an invitation. About 700 came forward before the rapping resumed. In his messages throughout the week, Palau frequently used humor and made references to such popular figures as Madonna and Elizabeth Taylor. He said he wants to present the Christian message "positively" and to show people he's not a "ranting, raving preacher." In one message he talked of heaven, but noted that many preachers dwell too much on hell (11/2/92, The Arizona Republic).

-  Palau's 8-week "Say Yes, Chicago" Crusade was held over a 57-day period in April-May, 1996, and featured more than 70 events in a variety of metropolitan-area venues, including the Rosemont Horizon, the UIC Pavilion, and Soldier Field. Palau staffers and a 150-member executive committee of local clergy and laity raised $2.3 million and enlisted 1,700 churches from Kenosha to Kankakee and DeKalb, as well as from the city and suburbs. The official Palau Chicago campaign brochure lists churches of many denominations: Presbyterian, Lutheran, Assemblies of God, Evangelical Free, Nazarene, Episcopal, and Christian. Rock musicians performed. Individual Catholic priests were involved in leadership roles. One of the sponsoring churches was church growth guru Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church. Ecumenical speakers included Tony Evans, E.V. Hill, Raleigh Washington, Joseph Stowell, Erwin Lutzer, and Rabi Maharaj. The attendance goal was set at 500,000; 15,000 people were given a two-hour training course on how to share their faith with friends and neighbors. The schedule included a nightly call-in TV show, special breakfasts and luncheons, and women's, children's, and youth events.

Palau claims to have preached the gospel to 129,000 people at 75 events throughout greater Chicago, and to have bagged 9,460 new Christians during the two-month campaign (of which 44% were "first-time commitments"). Palau also presented his version of the gospel through 27 one-hour television programs on four Chicago stations, originating in the studios of WCFC-TV38, and as a result, claimed more than 650 callers "indicated they prayed with Luis or with counselors, committing their lives to Christ." (Source: LPEA Internet web site, 8/27/01.)

-  From 1/1/80-1/4/80, a "Methodist Congress on Evangelism" was held at Oral Roberts University. Palau appeared with Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Dr. Charles Allen of the First United Methodist Church of Houston, and several Methodist bishops. This is just an example to show that Palau is not adverse to cooperation with those still in the fellowship of apostate Methodism or those on the radical fringe of charismaticism. In addition, Palau's 5/92 Peoria Crusade included cooperation with over 150 churches, many of them liberal, charismatic, and even some from John Wimber's radical Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

Palau's evangelistic association is also affiliated with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). Along with (apostate) comedian Steve Allen, Palau was a speaker at the 1987 convention of the National Religious Broadcasters, an arm of the NAE at the time. Despite these dubious connections, he has also been a speaker at Moody Bible Institute, Dallas Seminary's "School of Evangelism," and the 25th anniversary celebration of Talbot Seminary (New Neutralism II, pp. 67-68).

-  Promise Keepers is the gigantic new (1991) "men's movement" among professing evangelical Christians. Its roots are Catholic and charismatic to the core. PK's contradictory stand on homosexuality; its promotion of secular psychology; its unscriptural feminizing of men; its depiction of Jesus as a "phallic messiah" tempted to perform homosexual acts; and its ecumenical and unbiblical teachings should dissuade any true Christian from participating. Promise Keepers is proving to be one of the most ungodly and misleading movements in the annals of Christian history. Nevertheless, Palau is a promoter of this ecumenical, charismatic, psychologized men's movement, as evidenced by his speaking at PK's 1992 National Men's Conference and at regional stadium rallies in 1995, 1996, and 2000, and by his authoring a chapter in two PK books (Go the Distance and Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper). [Palau's wife, Pat, also authored a chapter in two PK books (Promises! Promises! and The Joy of a Promise Kept) designed for the wives of Promise Keepers. Others authoring chapters in Promises! Promises! are the wives of Howard Hendricks, Gary Smalley, and John Trent.)]

-  Dr. Bill Jackson, president of the Association of Fundamentalists Evangelizing Catholics (AFEC), prepared a 6/18/99 statement on "The Gospel of Jesus Christ—An Evangelical Celebration" (EC) (see the 6/14/99 Christianity Today for the full text of the EC). This document has been endorsed by Charles Colson, Bill Bright, and J.I. Packer, all of whom also signed the controversial ECT documents of 1994 and 1997; as well as endorsed by R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur and D. James Kennedy, all of whom publicly [albeit weakly] challenged and criticized them for signing the ECT documents (see above). There are a number of helpful statements in this latest document which deal with areas which were not fully dealt with in the ECT documents (e.g., imputation is now dealt with favorably, but has been consistently opposed by Roman Catholic Councils and Catechisms). EC says, "We cannot embrace any form of doctrinal indifferentism by which God's truth is sacrificed for a false peace." But there is certainly no better example of "doctrinal indifferentism" than the ECT documents themselves (James 1:8)! Because ECT I stated that "Evangelicals and Catholics are brothers and sisters in Christ," in order to be relevant the new EC document should be submitted to the Roman Catholics who signed ECT I and II. It is difficult to see how a person could subscribe to both ECT and EC. The only logical conclusion is for all who signed EC to remove their names from ECT. It also appears that the so-called "evangelical" ECT endorsers have been "let off the hook" by former critics such as R.C. Sproul. We believe EC will be used to rehabilitate those who erred in 1994 and 1997, without their having to admit or ask forgiveness for their error. (Source: 7/15/99, Calvary Contender.) [Other "evangelical" endorsers of EC among the 15 members of the Drafting Committee and 114 members of the Endorsing Committee include John Ankerberg, Kay Arthur, Tony Evans, Jerry Falwell, Bill Hybels, David Jeremiah, D. James Kennedy, Max Lucado, Woodrow Kroll, Tim & Beverly LaHaye, Erwin Lutzer, Bill McCartney, Luis Palau, Pat Robertson, Ronald Sider, Charles Stanley, John Stott, Joseph Stowell, Chuck Swindoll, Bruce Wilkinson, and Ravi Zacharias; also endorsing EC were hyper-charismatics Jack Hayford and Steven Strang.]

However ignorant Palau and fellow endorsers may be of all this, his participation in EC makes him a party to its consequences. It is also important to note that the EC document (which is supposed to be a definitive and comprehensive statement of the true saving Gospel of Christ), never mentions repentance for salvation, and never mentions the total depravity of man (thereby leaning towards a decisional regeneration). Moreover, the EC promotes an ecumenical unity (via "trans-denominational cooperative enterprises") with all professing believers who attest to the EC's "essentials" of the faith. But this is not the unity of the faith taught in Ephesians. While we are instructed by Scripture to be of one mind, the evangelical today scoffs at the idea of true Biblical unity based on complete agreement with, and submission to, God's holy Word. The only use of the word "unity" in the New Testament is found in Ephesians chapter four. It is a "unity of the Spirit" (v. 3), not of men. It is a "unity of faith" (v. 13) based on sound doctrine for which believers are to contend, not water down nor reclassify into essentials and non-essentials (Jude 3). No real spiritual unity can exist apart from doctrinal unity, and we are to "mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Rom. 16:17).

-   Luis Palau was named as one of four Honorary Co-Chairmen of the A.D. 2000 Evangelism organization. (The other three were Billy Graham, Campus Crusade's Bill Bright, and Kyun Chik Han of Korea. Paul Cedar of the Evangelical Free Church chaired the A.D. 2000 International Coalition of Christian Leaders, which is composed of 200 key leaders from various denominations, national, and local churches.) A.D. 2000 Evangelism is ecumenical, compromising to the core, and even has some New Agers in its ranks (e.g., Jay Gary and Robert Muller), yet many undiscerning or uninformed believers are supporting, praising, and participating in it. This unscriptural evangelism movement includes Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Charismatics, Pentecostals, and Protestants of all kinds. It is evident that many have not yet realized the impossibility of evangelizing the world when millions of those participating in that effort preach a false gospel. This makes the A.D. 2000 Evangelism program a curse, not a blessing.

According to the July-August 1993, Mission Frontiers Bulletin, "These International Coalition leaders share the vision of the A.D. 2000 and Beyond Movement. ["A church for every people and the Gospel for every person by A.D. 2000," is their slogan.] They are 'front line' leaders, implementers, activists, equippers, and/or mobilizers in the ministry of world evangelization. Coalition members give leadership to the involvement of their own constituencies and share spiritual counsel with the various A.D. 2000 boards, committees and resource network leaders. They will seek to rally support and resources of all kinds to see the objectives of the movement fulfilled." (Emphasis added.) Seeking "all kinds" of support simply means that they will utilize whatever group claims to be in agreement with their "objectives" of global evangelization. The problem with such an inclusivist policy, however, is that some of the groups whose support they are trying to enlist embrace many unbiblical beliefs and strange gospels (September-October 1993, Foundation magazine).

-  The  "Alpha Course" was devised by Holy Trinity Brompton, London, a large charismatic Anglican church. Anglican priest Nicky Gumbel began teaching it in 1990. It is now the largest evangelistic effort in Britain and has been taken up by the main denominations and spread to the U.S. and elsewhere. Luis Palau has endorsed it. Its philosophy is New Age, leading to experiences rooted in the occult. The Alpha Course, originally intended for new Christians, is now aimed at the unchurched. But at its core is a "watered-down" gospel. It is geared less to conversion than to seeking the spurious Toronto Blessing experience. (Source: 12/15/98, Calvary Contender).

-  Palau is a member of COR (Coalition on Revival), a Reconstructionist/Dominionist organization dedicated to a social gospel/activism agenda that proposes to impose Biblical standards (e.g., Old Testament law) on unbelieving peoples and institutions. Since Palau has signed COR's Manifesto, it is interesting to read what the people affiliated with COR believe. The following is from a brochure announcing the 12th Annual Northwest Conference for Christian Reconstruction. Does this not sound like a different gospel? (emphases added):

    "The Christian Reconstruction movement believes that the Bible contains not only a message of personal salvation through the blood of Christ shed on the cross, but also a comprehensive law structure which is alone able to provide a just basis for society. It is committed to the view that sovereignty and thus government belong to God, and that all delegated government, whether to family, church or state (civil government), is to be exercised in obedience to the law of God's covenant. Furthermore, salvation involves every aspect of man's life and thus also the relationships he sustains to the world around him. The exercise of dominion in accordance with the terms of God's covenant is therefore basic and vital to the Christian faith. To neglect this is to deprecate the extent of Christ's victory at Calvary."

That Palau has no problem identifying with this movement is a bit disconcerting to say the least. (For details of COR's unbiblical strategy for "taking the world for Christ," see COR' documents titled A Manifesto for the Christian Church, Forty-two Articles of the Essentials of a Christian World View, and Twenty-five Articles of Affirmation and Denial on the Kingdom of God. These three documents, along with COR's 17 Sphere/World View Documents, make up what COR calls its "20 COR World View Documents.")

-  Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright fasted 40 days during the summer of 1994, during which he claims to have received a "prophecy from God" that a mighty revival is coming. He then issued a call for hundreds of liberals, charismatics, and new-evangelicals to gather in Orlando 12/5/94-12/7/94 to fast and pray for revival. An Invitation Committee made up of a hodgepodge of 72 liberals, new evangelicals, and charismatics was formed. Included were: Robert Schuller, Charles Colson, E.V. Hill, Jack Hayford, James Dobson, W.A. Criswell, Charles Stanley, Paul Crouch, Luis Palau, Bill Gothard, Pat Robertson, Kay Arthur, and Larry Burkett. CCC's Bill Bright cites "a great sense of urgency to link arms and unitedly call upon God for help in the spirit of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20)." This ecumenical "linking" is in the "spirit of Jehoshaphat" indeed, but the Jehoshaphat of 2 Chr. 18 (instead of 2 Chr. 20) where he "linked" with wicked King Ahab and incurred the wrath of God. (Reported in the 11/15/94, Calvary Contender.) [Another three-day "Fasting & Prayer" conference was held in 11/95 in Los Angeles; it attracted 3,500 "evangelicals" and charismatics. The Invitation/Host Committee for this event included most of those listed above, plus Dick Eastman, Chuck Smith, Bill McCartney (Promise Keepers), Tim and Beverly LaHaye, Shirley Dobson, Paul Cedar (E-Free), Ted Engstrom (World Vision), Joseph Stowell (Moody), and Joseph Aldrich (Multnomah). A third conference was held 11/14/96-11/16/96 in St. Louis. New additions to the Host Committee included Max Lucado, Henry Blackaby, Loren Cunningham (YWAM), Greg Laurie, Dennis Rainey, Randy Phillips (Promise Keepers), Josh McDowell, D. James Kennedy, Howard Hendricks, and Neil Anderson. (Conferences have been held every year now, but there is an uncertain future with Bill Bright's August  2001retirement from Campus Crusade, and his 2003 death.)]

-  While reporting on Amsterdam '86, Fundamental Evangelistic Association reporter Dennis Costella asked Palau if he would cooperate with Roman Catholics. Palau replied that he certainly would and admitted that it was being done. He went on to mention specific plans for more extensive Catholic involvement in his future crusades (Jul/Aug 1986, Foundation magazine). Some of the details of past Palau's involvement with Catholics follows:

    (a) In 1974, in a meeting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Catholic charismatics were among the counselors (8/16/92, Pastor James E. Singleton sermon, Tri-City Baptist Church, Tempe, Arizona).

    (b) In Managua, Nicaragua in 12/75, a conservative tabloid Novedodes carried this headline: "Archbishop sees no problem with the Palau campaign." The 12/19/75 Christianity Today reported: "It enjoyed the support of most of Managua's 125 Protestant churches and many Catholics. Catholic charismatic groups attended."

    (c) The Canadian Paper Faith Today (5/78) gave a glowing report of Palau's crusade in Montevideo, Uruguay. It said, "On the final night of the crusade, the secretary of the Catholic Bishop of Montevideo attended the meeting. He conveyed the Bishop's regrets that he could not attend personally, but he assured Palau that on some future occasion, he hoped to be present."

    (d) The 1987 Palau Crusade in New Zealand was reportedly "the first time the Catholic Church has ever backed a major evangelical Christian mission" in that area. Catholic Bishop Dennis Browne of Auckland accepted an invitation to join the mission's advisory board along with leaders of many other denominations (4/18/86, College Weekly).

    (e) The 1993 Palau Crusade in Jamaica featured this note in a 1/31 newspaper ad: "The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston gives wholehearted support in mobilizing its members to participate in the National Crusade 1993. This venture is seen by us as an important event in the spreading of the Gospel in an ecumenical manner" (3/15/93, Calvary Contender).

    (f) A Palau Londonderry (Ireland) crusade campaign organizing committee member (a Baptist pastor) was interviewed on BBC radio in company with a Roman Catholic priest -- he did not dispute claims that Palau sends Catholics back to Rome. At Palau's 5/16/95-5/21/95 crusade, Roman Catholics and Protestants worshipped together in a tent-pavilion on the bank of the Foyle River, which divides Protestant and Catholic communities (6/12/95, NIIR; and 9/15/95, Calvary Contender).

    (g) Palau admits that his 2001 Mission Connecticut audience has been, in some spots, 60 to 70 percent Roman Catholic: "The good thing about that," according to Palau, "is that they bring a high respect for God, a high sense of sinfulness, and a sense of the holiness and the awesomeness of God" (6/6/01, Religion Today). [What a perverted view of the true spiritual state of Roman Catholics!]

-  More evidence Palau has made a determined effort to appeal to Catholics: A 10/31/92 article in The Arizona Republic ("One In Christ: Luis Palau Emphasizes Similarities in Making Interdenominational Appeal," p. B8) detailed Palau's philosophy for reaching the lost in false religious systems:

    "... Palau's form of worship presents such a broad Christian message that it appeals to Protestants and Catholics alike. ... But unlike other evangelicals who have actively tried to lure ... Catholics away from their churches, Palau aims to keep people in their own Christian churches -- regardless of denomination. ... 'on the core of Christianity, we are one,' Palau said in a recent interview. ... Palau represents a growing trend among religious groups ... that do not want to alienate Catholics. ... [Palau] carefully avoids the controversial differences between Catholics and Protestants. ... Protestants of Palau's type have a message that does not require abandoning church membership ... Bible studies are deliberately held at times that would not conflict with Masses and controversial subjects like the Virgin Mary are avoided. Instead there's an attempt to find a common ground in the Bible."

In other words, Palau's plan is to give them (Catholics, in the above example) a watered-down, non-offensive gospel, and then leave them in the same blasphemous religious system they were in before being "saved." [LEPA and Palau have also taken part in the annual ecumenical/charismatic/Catholic-accommodating March For Jesus campaigns.]

-  Some think that the ecumenical evangelism techniques used by Palau are not that serious a matter, and that those opposing him are over-reacting. The following excerpts are from a letter from the pastor of the First Romanian Fundamentalist Baptist Church in Chicago:

    "Louis Palau has organized evangelistic meetings in some cities in Romania. The Baptist believers in Romania were not informed about who he is, and therefore helped in these meetings. The association of Mr. Palau spread word that 40,000 have been converted through these meetings. I had the occasion of talking with some Romanian pastors after the meetings, and this is their evaluation:

        (a) There were no additions to the churches with people "converted" in these evangelistic meetings;

        (b) One pastor mentioned that the only result he could point to in his church was the one drunk person came to him and said he wanted to be baptized, for he heard Mr. Palau saying people need to be baptized. This was the evidence of people responding after the meetings;

        (c) Some pastors observed that now they have a hard time organizing evangelistic meetings, because people have participated in those organized by Mr. Palau and their interest in these events is gone. By such actions, people are being immunized against the Word of God!

    If Mr. Palau has succeeded in anything in Romania, he has succeeded in conditioning people against the Gospel."