Billy Graham and politics: Woe to us (Alas, this is not the Billy Graham my Grandma Knew)

Associated Baptist Press ^ | 10/20/2012 | Mark Wingfield

[SeekAndFind]

Why, three weeks prior to one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in modern history, does America’s Evangelist need to suddenly declare Mormonism no longer a cult? Has there been an unreported change in theology or practice?

My maternal grandmother thought Billy Graham was a saint above all others. You simply could not say anything negative about the evangelist in her presence. She held the same regard for Jimmy Carter, because she considered him a godly man and a faithful Sunday school teacher -- even if not an effective president. She also was convinced Henry Kissinger was the anti-Christ, but that’s another story.

I’m glad she didn’t live long enough to see Billy Graham and his family descend into the arena of secular politics. It would have broken her heart. And it should be sad for the rest of the Christian world as well.

The latest news came last week, when the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association made a slight change to the content of its website right after a visit from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Prior to Romney’s visit, the evangelist had defined Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritualists and Scientologists as “cults” and therefore not Christian. Several news outlets reported that after Romney’s visit to Graham, the page with that content was removed from the Graham website; then later, a Graham spokesman confirmed it.

Now before some of you, dear readers, start heating your branding irons to label me a partisan heretic, please keep reading. I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t vote for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama. What I do want to say is that you shouldn’t vote for either candidate just because you have been cleared to do so (or been encouraged to do so) by a preacher, pastor or evangelist. You should vote for one or the other because you are convinced in your own mind that person is the best for the job. God gave you a brain for a reason; use it.

Nor should you require Romney to be a Christian before you vote for him, just as you shouldn’t spread the lie that Obama is a closeted Muslim in order not to vote for him. There is no religious test for office in the United States.

So why, three weeks prior to one of the most hotly contested presidential elections in modern history, does America’s Evangelist need to suddenly declare Mormonism no longer a cult? Has there been an unreported change in theology or practice? What purpose could there be other than removing a barrier that might keep some evangelical Christians from voting for a Mormon? Especially when the evangelist, to the best of my knowledge, never has repudiated his own son’s statements from February, implying that Obama may not be a Christian but is likely a secret Muslim. Why is Billy Graham taking sides in a presidential election?

Some will say he has every right to take sides and should make his views known. Here’s why I think he shouldn’t and why his son, Franklin, is single-handedly undoing his father’s legacy: The gospel of Jesus Christ transcends political parties and labels. Jesus is neither Republican nor Democrat. And the moment we put God in a political box is when we alienate half the population from hearing the good news of redemption through Christ.

No person in our lifetime has done more to proclaim this message of salvation for all than Billy Graham. And he was heard because he appeared to care about all people without regard to race, creed or color. To make any other agenda -- abortion, gay marriage, economic policy or whatever -- more important than the universal call to redemptive faith is to lose sight of the cross of Christ. Ironically, it is Billy Graham who most clearly and consistently has called America to fix our eyes only upon Jesus. And now his own vision seems to be fading. Woe to us.

[MichaelCorleone]

Actually, it is not human logic, it is Scripture.

But to the point. We certainly do have a role to play in the advancement of the Gospel. God gave us free will, after all. So no, my logic and common sense does not tell me to stand idle while evil marches on, either as an individual or as a citizen of my country.

In addition, I know several devout Baptists of varying educational levels and they all are solidly in the Romney camp, knowing full well he is a Mormon. They have access to information and a mind of their own. Dr. Graham’s website has no bearing on which lever they will pull.

[RaisingCain]

“No, but it is entirely possible for one or the other party to become anti-Christian.”

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The Democrats did it by removing God from their platform. The Republicans did it by nominating an enemy to God and encouraging Christians to pray with cultists, acts specifically prohibited in the Bible. The party that censors the truth about a religious cult for political purposes can not claim to be the party of principles and of God.

Let’s just point out what this is. This is a battle between men, nothing more.

[eyedigress]

I wish I could have heard their talk, but I can guarantee Mr Graham NEVER gave up Jesus as his Saviour.

[teppe]

The main problem is ... Who gave YOU, or Billy Graham for that matter, the job of deciding who is ... and who is not acceptable to Jesus Christ?

In my opinion, a man assuming that responsiblity for Jesus Christ mercy, especially when Christ taught “judge not that ye be not judged” is playing God, and is setting himself up for potentially the same condmenation that he assumes.

In thier hearts Mormons worship and have faith in Jesus Christ and God the Eternal Father.

True, Mormons are not Trinitarians; however, Nicene Christianity only triumphed after the Edict of Thessalonica which specified capital punishment for anyone not believing in Trinitarianism (...doesn’t seem like a very Heavenly inspired doctrine if it took Emperors and capital punishment to make it triumph)

Could it be that as he nears the end of his life, Billy Graham has realized that God has reserves to himself the judgement of who is deserving of his mercy and atonement.

I sincerely believe that God is fully capable of deciding who indeed is a Christian and deserving of his mercy without You or ... Billy Graham trying to userp the decision from him.

[ansel12]

Associated baptist and Cooperative baptist are the ‘moderates’ who find the squishy Southern baptist convention ‘to extreme’.

My point was how squishy can they be if they are producing 80% republican voters?

[eyedigress]

Billy Graham is not trying to usurp anything from GOD. He believes in GOD and is trying to get others to do as he has seen. If you reject him then push it back to you.

[Hardraade]

And talking about Nixon: he was one extremely good Republican. And he, personally, saved Israel - and personally saved the world from an all-out nuclear war somewhat later.

[MichaelCorleone]

I believe you. He will never lose his salvation, and Dr. Graham's rewards in Heaven will be many.

And my respect for him and Franklin has not diminished at all.

[roamer_1]

[...] I recall shaking my head that another person dumped his beliefs to endorse Romney.

So many have denied their beliefs to vote for someone who isn't Hussein. The same will happen in the Republican Party from now on - the candidate will always be a liberal because they know the conservatives will always abandon their beliefs and vote for whomever the GOPe wants.

The downfall of this country is coming and soon.

Exactly right. Well and truly said.

And it won't be those who stand upon timeless principles that bear the blame. Nor the jackals that beset us all (they are what they are)... It is those who appease and bow down, who quail before adversity rather than standing firm and drawing a hard line... There is where the blame shall lie. It is the lack of opposition that allows it. Evil prevails when good men do nothing.

[bboop]

Do you think it has to do with the fact that a good, moral man of character trumps a Socialist, and Billy Graham understands that he can influence others by his endorsement? That it is a binary system?

[MNDude]

Jesus is neither Republican nor Democrat.
But Satan is a democrat.

[Tamzee]

I believe he did so because of THIS...

Our Baptist pastor has never sent out a political email campaigning for a candidate before, and he just sent us all this one. He is taking a huge, risky stand and this video explains WHY. I’m sure Billy Graham’s reasons are the same.

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FIVE REASONS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKOem7wiVIQ&feature=player_embedded

.

[OneVike]

I foound this about the author, Mark Wingfield, at the web site that carries this article, BaptistStandard.com

Mark Wingfield to join staff of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas

DALLAS--Baptist Standard Managing Editor Mark Wingfield is leaving denominational journalism after 21 years to join the staff of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas.

At a called church conference Nov. 19, the North Dallas congregation overwhelmingly voted to call Wingfield as associate pastor with specific responsibilities in communications, outreach and stewardship education. He will assume the post on Jan. 1...read more at baptiststandard.com

I found this about Wilshire baptists Church in Dallas from an article at religion-online.org

About 90 moderate Baptist congregations have seceded from the conservative national body, including the 2,000-member Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. "We got tired of explaining to people that we were not like those other Baptists," said its pastor George Mason, a member of the Fellowship’s governing board.

At first I thought it was strange the way this idiot could not see the Muslim in Obama, but then I checked him out. It seems that Mr Wingfiled and the church that hired him as an associate Pastor cannot see God in the Scriptures neither, becuae they hold to a liberal theology that does not accept the Bible as the inerrant word of God.

Is it any wonder they have a problem with Billy Graham and his son? Makes total sense they would taske out of context the reason Mormonism was removed from his site. Why did they noty wait for a reply from theose in charge of running the website? I am guessing they refused to contact them because thay already do not like Franklin graham moving the ministries even farther right when they are all moving left.

I have a long history of supporting the Graham ministries, and I will not be fooled into thinking he has left the fols of God over some articvle written by a guy who does not believe the Bible is the infallible word of God.

[Tamzee]

Thank you very much... that certainly explains the tone of the article!!!

[Nifster]

“The removal came after a gay rights group reported that the “cult” reference remained online even after Graham all but endorsed Romney, a Mormon, last week.

Ken Barun, the BGEA’s chief of staff, confirmed the removal on Tuesday.

“Our primary focus at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has always been promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Barun said in a statement. “We removed the information from the website because we do not wish to participate in a theological debate about something that has become politicized during this campaign.””

I take them at their word. Pundits that disguise the truth by twisting words and coming very close to outright lying I find offensive.

[Nifster]

He did not. Do not twist what happened. The explanation is a simple one. It is not about what you try and make it to be. There is no comment made by the organization as to whether they still think Mormonism is a cult. You obviously are reading some one else’s interpretation of what was said NOT the actual information. Shame one you

[Catsrus]

Yep, I’m getting skewered by so-called friends who think I shouldn’t support Romney because he belongs to a “cult.” They make jokes about the magic underwear that Mormons wear. I wonder if they had a choice - would they choose magic underwear or a Burka?

We aren’t electing a pastor of a church, but a national administrator. I don’t agree with the Mormon teachings, but that doesn’t mean Mitt isn’t a good man, husband and father.

Some of my friends are Mormons and let me tell you - they have treated me more Christ-like than some who call themselves Christians. They put some of these people to shame with their humility, honesty and unconditional love for others.

[Tamzee]

Well, he professes faith in Jesus Christ (see below where he had a meeting with leading Evangelical Christians). I really don’t agree with anything else Mormons have added that isn’t strictly from the Bible itself, but then again the Catholics have added Sacraments and Saints that I don’t necessarily find to be directly from the Bible.

It just appears to me that Mormon is greatly closer to my Christian values than Islam :-(

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“What did Romney really believe about Jesus Christ? Romney didn’t hesitate. “When I say JESUS CHRIST IS MY LORD AND SAVIOR, I realize that means something different to you than it does to me,” he admitted.

But he urged them to remember their shared beliefs: the faith that Christ was born of a virgin, was crucified and rose after three days. The ministers were pleased. “So you’re really a Baptist?” Lee cracked.”

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/12/24/mitt-romney.html

[ApplegateRanch]

Thanks for the information. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." And "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

Never accuse a Liberal of either wisdom or understanding. A fallible man is dangerous enough, but they want a fallible God, at least in as far as He is unable even to transmit and protect His Word as He intends it be heard: FOLLY!