J. Lee Grady in an article lauded Billy Graham for his example of honesty, integrity, purity and humility. Lee commented, “So much of what we call ministry today has been compromised by ego…Billy Graham raised the bar for all ministers. I pray we will never forget his legacy.”
While he was not perfect, there was only one who was, I wholeheartedly agree with Lee. But as you might suspect, not everyone shares our perspective.
George Will is not a theologian or prophet either…
Conservative intellectual George Will wrote, “Graham was no theologian. Neither was he a prophet.” Intellectuals tend to think they know everything, but Will’s reasoning shows he is neither a theologian nor a prophet himself.
Will cites as a reference, that Graham was no theologian, an answer he gave when he was asked if he believed in miracles. Graham said television and cars are examples of miracles. I have read a number of Graham’s books and to say he is no theologian based on a shallow comment, uttered possibly in the infancy of his ministry and Christian walk, is no cause to say he is no theologian.
The sorts of miracles recorded in Scripture confound human reasoning, and cannot be explained by it. They are a mystery one either believes or doesn’t believe, and are beyond human ability to prove or disprove. But if one believes in an omniscient, omnipotent God then His supernatural intervention in human history is not inconceivable.
The sorts of miracles recorded in Scripture confound human reasoning, and cannot be explained by it. They are a mystery one either believes or doesn’t believe, and are beyond human ability to prove or disprove. But if one believes in an omniscient, omnipotent God then His supernatural intervention in human history is not inconceivable.
Quoting Jesus, something hypocritical for an atheist like Will to do, who believes there is no God, Jesus isn’t His Son, nor are the Scriptures inspired by the nonexistent one, Will comments that Graham who was honored by being called “America’s Pastor” disqualifies him as a prophet because Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country.”
This is where Will fails as an exegete. Jesus was not issuing a prophetic requirement, a qualification to be a prophet; he was simply making the observation that familiarity with someone often blinds us to who they actually are. In His hometown of Nazareth Jesus was known as “Joseph’s son,” and because of that familiarity they did not recognize Him as God’s Son.
The New York Post was equally unkind…
The New York Post was no kinder; it claimed Graham was a “pernicious influence” on presidents and politics. Of course, it could not cite a specific instance of this deadly advice Graham supposedly was dispensing or how it had adversely affected the political course of the United States. The NYP was probably jealous that Graham had more influence than the paper had.
Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” Matthew 5:11-12.
I think Billy Graham is in better company and enjoying a greater reward than George Will or the New York Post will ever know.
Leave a Reply