My previous blog was a warning against mixing pulpits and politics. I
feel even more strongly so this week. A few days ago an aged Billy
Graham allegedly came out in support of (Mormon) presidential hopeful
Mitt Romney, calling all Christians (read evangelicals) to vote for him
in the upcoming election. There are so many things wrong about this.
Frankly, it just doesn’t sound like something the Billy Graham we have
come to know and admire would do or say, especially in this final season
of his very long life. I’m guessing that the 93-year old evangelist
and his reputation are being exploited by right-wing politicos and
certain key family members. Whatever is really going on in the
backrooms, it is further proof of the Republican captivity of the
contemporary evangelical church.
For decades Billy Graham has been the quintessential hero of a
trans-partisan evangelicalism. He has stood on an ecumenical platform to
proclaim a biblically-faithful and Christ-centered Gospel worldwide,
and backed up his message with a life of exemplary morality and gracious
statesmanship. In recognition of his achievements and personal
charisma, he has been catapulted up into the role of spiritual
confidante to numerous United States presidents since the 1940s.
For the most part he has conducted himself as a religious statesman
through these years, lending a spiritual tone to many American
administrations. His one horrible stumble was to be discovered on tape
affirming some of the anti-Semitic prejudices of then-president Richard
Nixon. Duly chastened by this egregious gaffe and the lack of moral
courage it seemed to display, Graham distanced himself thereafter from
alignment with politicians and their agendas. This is the image of a
chastened Graham that emerges in his official biography, Just as I Am
(1997). In his latest and possibly last book, Nearing Home (2011), which
won the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association 2012 Book of the
Year award, we discover an irenic spiritual giant at peace with his own
soul and looking forward to eternity. Continue at Glen G. Scorgie
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