The legacy of Norman Vincent Peale

This is just one aspect of many cultic teachings that he has taught… unfortunately, he was even endorsed by Billy Graham, and the evangelical churches in the U.S. has continued to uncritically accept his heretical teachings throughout 20th century. Below is a quote from TrueDiscipleship website (accessed on 2022-09-28):

In 1984 Norman Vincent Peale was interviewed on the Phil Donahue program and said, “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God; I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine …I’ve been to Shinto shrines, and God is everywhere:” Shocked by this, Phil Donahue responded, “But you’re a Christian minister; you’re supposed to tell me that Christ is the way and the truth and the life, aren’t you?” Peale replied, “Christ is one of the ways. God is everywhere.” (Christian News, May 12, 1997, 11.) Would anyone who holds to Christ being there Lord deny him in such a blatant manner? This is beyond question a horrible statement that rejects Christ’s Lordship.  Donahue was shocked and rightly so, but the church was not. He received no backlash or correction for this. Peale was a universalist, believing that everyone is going to heaven as long as they believe in god, any god. That is not a Christian position.