There are two kinds of knowledge of Christ--knowing Christ through the Scriptures and through the Church, and knowing Christ interiorly. It is possible for someone to know Christ interiorly, but never having been exposed to a missionary, to not really be able to put the Name to the Face so to speak. In any case, it is *always* Christ who saves. No other religion is salvific in and of itself, and all those from other religions who might be saved, will be saved solely because of Christ.
Here's the full quote from Graham:
SCHULLER: What, what I hear you saying that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into human hearts and souls and life, even if they've been born in darkness and have never had exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you're saying?That is 100% orthodox. He says that it's possible for "Jesus Christ to come into human hearts and souls and life" for those in darkness. This *has* to be the case logically. Else how could a nonbeliever come to Christ in the first place? He must be led on by some hidden operation of grace prior to his conversion.GRAHAM: Yes, it is, because I believe that I've met people in various parts of the world in tribal situations, that they have never seen a Bible or heard about a Bible, and never heard of Jesus, but they've believed in their hearts that there was a God, and they've tried to live a life that was quite apart from the surrounding community in which they lived.
As for his other quote as follows:
GRAHAM: Well, Christianity and being a true believer--you know, I think there's the Body of Christ. This comes from all the Christian groups around the world, outside the Christian groups. I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the Body of Christ. And I don't think that we're going to see a great sweeping revival that will turn the whole world to Christ at any time. I think James answered that, the Apostle James in the first council in Jerusalem, when he said God's purpose for this age is to call out a people for His name. And that's what God is doing today, He's calling people out of the world for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ because they've been called by GOD. They may not even know the name of Jesus but they know in their hearts they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in heaven.Graham is not saying that these folks will be saved apart from Christ. He is saying that they may be saved, yes, but I'm sure if you pressed him on it, he would say that they are being saved by Christ, with Christ, and through Christ--whether they know it or not.
>>It is possible for someone to know Christ interiorly, but never having been exposed to a missionary, to not really be able to put the Name to the Face so to speak.<<
No, it is not. All reprobate are at a natural enmity with God. There are none who seek. We don't know anything of true salvation until the moment we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, which finally opens our eyes to our sin.
His word will accomplish what He means it to accomplish, and if he means to save someone in a remote location, he will vouchsafe the method of which His word will be delivered.
Graham states that some can be saved having never heard of a Bible or Jesus, but through some belief in "a" god, and living a different life. That's works-based, and not rooted in scripture. If that were indeed the case, Jesus would not have left us with the Great Commission.
Graham also states "I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the Body of Christ."
That is a completely un-biblical position. Ps 10:4, Rom 3:9-18, Mt 25:32-33 state the opposite.
>>but I'm sure if you pressed him on it, he would say that they are being saved by Christ, with Christ, and through Christ--whether they know it or not.<<
Given his growing trend towards ecumenalism, I would say not.