Posted on 05/06/2010 11:45:58 AM PDT by SLB
Evangelical Christians in the United States had better see a big challenge staring us in the face. Franklin Graham was disinvited by the Pentagon for making statements that are required by faithfulness to the gospel of Christ.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Marking the National Day of Prayer, evangelist Franklin Graham led in prayer this morning at the Pentagon. Not inside the Pentagon, mind you, but outside, where he led a handful of other Christians in silent prayer.
The recent controversy about Franklin Graham is a sign of things to come. The prominent evangelist, son of Billy Graham, is known for his plain-spoken Christian testimony. He is also an internationally known figure as founder and head of Samaritan’s Purse, a highly respected Christian relief agency. He had been scheduled to speak at the Pentagon today for an official National Day of Prayer event. But, just two weeks ago, he was disinvited by Pentagon officials after complaints were made about his statements concerning Islam.
In the words of the official Pentagon spokesperson, Franklin Graham’s statements about Islam were “not appropriate.” Oddly enough, most in the media seem to have forgotten that the Pentagon faced a similar controversy over Franklin Graham and the very same comments in 2003, when he was invited to speak at an official Pentagon Good Friday service. At that time, the Pentagon stalwartly refused to disinvite Graham. Indeed, the official Pentagon spokesperson said at that time: “While I, personally, would not agree with some of Rev. Graham’s comments and observations, I would defend his right to have his religious views as part of the freedom we have as Americans.”
Related Posts How Should We Speak of Islam? (Audio) On The O’Reilly Factor Tonight This Prayer Approved by the White House? R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Should Christians “Respect” Other Religions? (Audio) Politically Correct Prayer–The Secular Left Goes Berserk Someone’s mind clearly changed between 2003 and 2010 — and that someone wasn’t Franklin Graham. News reports about the disinvitation this year indicate that the Army acted after criticism came from activist Mikey Weinstein, who opposes virtually all Christian influence in the armed forces.
Graham, who also serves as this year’s honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, complained that his disinvitation represents intolerance toward biblical Christianity and a violation of his religious liberty.
What did Franklin Graham say that caused such a controversy? In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Graham said that Islam is “wicked, violent and not of the same God.” In his book, The Name, Graham said that Christianity and Islam are locked in “a classic struggle that will end with the second coming of Christ.”
In interview after interview, Franklin Graham has repeated his message that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone, that the gospel of Christ is the only message that offers salvation, and that any belief system that leads persons away from that gospel is false and empty. He has also pressed his case when asked about Islam, arguing that Islam is prone to violence and mistreats women — arguments he says are validated by his experience with relief efforts led by Samaritan’s Purse.
In a recent conversation with Jon Meacham and Lisa Miller of Newsweek, Franklin Graham made these points clearly. In the most important statement of that interview, Graham said this: “I am who I am. I don’t believe that you can get to heaven through being a Buddhist or Hindu. I think Muhammad only leads to the grave. Now, that’s what I believe, and I don’t apologize for my faith. And if it’s divisive, I’m sorry.”
Clearly, for Christians the most important issue here is the exclusivity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faced with mounting criticism from secularist and Islamic organizations, the Department of the Army and the Pentagon faced a hard public test — and they failed that test miserably. They caved into activist pressure and withdrew the invitation.
Even on its face, this was not a smart move. An estimated 80 percent of those enlisted in the U.S. armed forces identify as Christians. Put bluntly, citizens with conservative Christian commitments are far more likely to support and enlist in the armed forces than liberal secularists — and recruiters know that fact very well.
Where would you rather serve as an Army recruiter — Cambridge, Massachusetts or College Station, Texas? The Army sent a clear message by disinviting Franklin Graham, and that message will be both heard and remembered.
Adding insult to injury, the spokesman for the Pentagon made a direct reference to Franklin Graham’s statements about Islam, calling them “not appropriate.” What is clearly “not appropriate” is for a Pentagon spokesperson to render a theological judgment about the statements of Franklin Graham.
When the controversy about Franklin Graham’s statements hit the first round of public controversy, I was asked to appear on Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor to discuss the controversy. I did, pointing out that what Franklin Graham said about the exclusivity of the gospel is nothing other than classic Christianity.
Evangelical Christians in the United States had better see a big challenge staring us in the face. Franklin Graham was disinvited by the Pentagon for making statements that are required by faithfulness to the gospel of Christ. As reports make clear, it is not just his statements about Islam being prone to violence that cause offense, it is his statements that Islam is wicked because it does not lead to salvation in Christ that cause the greatest offense.
The Pentagon failed its test, but many more tests will follow. Faithful witness to Christ requires an honest statement about what any false system of belief represents — a form of idolatry and false teaching that leads to eternal damnation. There may be more and less offensive ways of saying that, but there is no way to remove the basic offense to the current cultural mind.
In reality, every evangelical preacher and every individual Christian will face this question — and probably sooner rather than later.
Franklin Graham will not be the last to be tested. Who will be tested next?
There are only two sides in the Cosmic Battle.
0bama and the libs, long ago, have chosen their side.
IMHO, this is a big story that is receiving little coverage...
The Pentagon didn’t want Graham because he criticized Islam. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is killing them.
Makes sense I guess
I’m liking Franklin more and more. He’s standing, not sniveling and apologizing. Well done good and faithful servant. Mrs. Graham did a great job!
Thank you for posting this.
Indeed. I support Reverend Franklin Graham. The perfumed princes in the Pentagon have chosen their places in eternity. I hope they enjoy them.
In that I support truth I can only support Franklin Graham. The regime that now occupies Washington has neither truth nor reason on its side. Falsity, deception, cunning, duplicity; all are evidence of this odious pox which now infects and defiles our Capitol. It seems that the disease has now advanced to incurability and many will begin to wonder at what point the people whose labors fund this house of cards will begin to assert their rightful authority. Or has the assertion of that authority already begun. One can only hope and pray.
How does one know when they are being instruments of darkness? Absent Christ, I doubt it is possible.
In His own words...”Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”
Meanwhile, the pres__ent’s 20 year pastor not only had the nerve to repeatedly shout “G**D**n America”, but then arrogantly suggested “it was in the Bible”...
One of the names of this disease is “multiculturalism”, another is “tolerance”. Chrisitianity is getting crowded out by Islam, Hinduism, Budhism and Atheism. There is no room for true Christianity which requires that it be bold and truthful. Military chaplains can’t even pray in the name of Jesus. We all have to play nice and not make any professions that we believe in a one true God. The only Christianity that will be tolerated is the totally wussified type.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.