The Media's Benediction for Graham

I've thought for several days what I want to say about Newsweek's feature last week on Billy Graham.  Much could be said positively and negatively about the article.  But here's what I will say.  It's a mistake to equate uncertainty with humility.  They are not identical or necessarily compatible qualities.

There have been several interviews with Billy Graham in the last few years that seem to have a common theme:  He's mellowing his religious views in his waning years.  The old man has gained wisdom over the course of his long public life.  And the wisdom he seems to have gained, as the reporters portray it at least, is summed up in the final words of the Newsweek article:  "It is an appropriate text for the end of the day, and a fitting benediction for Billy Graham - a man who has, at journey's end, found refuge in hope and humility."

The overriding theme of the story is how Graham's views have softened over the years.  He's less dogmatic than he used to be.  He's not as willing to make definitive statements as once was.  As the writer made this point over and over, I was a bit confused at times because Graham's specific statements didn't always bear witness to this.  But some of the quotations do seem to indicate moderation in some of his views.  And the author sums this up as gaining "hope and humility."

Now why are his more moderate views described as "humble" and his former views, his more certain views, presumably would be the opposite, "proud," "arrogant."  Those are the words we often hear these days for people who are sure of their beliefs.  Now, Graham has never struck me in all the years I've been aware of his ministry as proud or arrogant.  He seems no more humble to me now than he seemed before.  He's always seemed rather humble to me, especially considering the public attention he's lived in for decades. 

The contemporary world frequently associates confidence, especially when it comes to religious belief, with arrogance.  And less certitude, openness to other religious perspectives, is characterized as humility.  These are not necessary bedfellows.  Humility and arrogance are character traits that have to be cultivated apart from what one believes about religion.  Someone can easily be unsure of their religious beliefs but be an arrogant jerk.  And I've known many, many confident Christians who are humble, sweet people.  I think Graham has been one of those from his public persona.

It's a mistake to identify humility with insecurity in one's religious beliefs.  It's an intellectual virtue to investigate one's beliefs that a certain amount of confidence can be gained.  And it's a compatible character virtue to cultivate humility about oneself.

Comments

[Patrick, Holland MA]

I wonder of the day will ever come when media folk recover from thier arrogant view that unless you ascribe to pluralism, you are arrogant! Indeed, they are the epitome of intolerant and bigoted.

[Marie]

I have always wondered about Billy Graham's real beliefs because it seems that he has sometimes agreed with pluralism. At least it seems that Franklin is more obviously as we would expect a Christian minister would be - not apologiziing for his faith, not apologizing for the Bible 's restrited view of salvation (ony through Jesus), etc... But as a public figure, maybe he has the same limits as George Bush's - (Islam religion of peace statements for example) which is kind of sad.

[alesia]

I was glad to view this blog about Billy Graham's most recent interview. My first initial response to it was frustration. I then over a couple of days decided to look at this interview in a different light. I thought about the whole context. This interview was being done by a person looking to find the ONE TRUE GOD in every religion and holding on to anything in Mr. Graham's words that would convey such a message to the reader. To be honest I wish for everyone to get to HEAVEN, but there is only one way and that is through our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that we look past this interview to Mr. Graham the man used by God himself to bring more to HIM then anyone else in the 21st century. The actions in this man's life seems volumes more then a few words in an interview...Let us not forget that Mr. Graham is also very frail with a degenerative brain disease called Parkinsons.

[janice stellino]

Several years ago, I wrote to The Billy Graham Association about an interview Mr. Graham had with Robert Schuller. It seems that in this interview Mr. Graham had agreed with Robert Schuller that if someone is "good enough" in another religion, he may go to heaven (Pope John had also said this). Someone from The Association sent me a nice letter (which is buried at this time in storage, due to a recent move after living in our home for 42 years) But the letter assured me that Billy Graham continued to believe that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation and that the remarks in that interview could very well be the result of medications he was taking for Parkinsons. I pray that is true!
Janice Stellino, Torrance, Ca.

[alesia]

thanks Janice for your input. We all need to understand and be sympathetic to medical illness and how they may bring havoc on our bodies. Think of the poor Alzeimers' folks....Autistic folks....NEED I say more....GOD is so much bigger then these illnesses and sees beyond them in my book!!! JESUS IS LORD. God bless you...

[Harvey Simpson]

I did not read the interview of Mr. Graham, however I was a counselor in his last Crusade in Pasadena (a little over a year ago). I can tell you that I attended every talk that Mr. Graham gave, and unabashedly according to Mr. Graham (and the Bible) the only way to get to heaven is through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and our repentance and acceptance of His work. Mr. Graham, as far as I know has never compromised this message and just like Paul, has always preached "Christ crucified". Let us hope and pray that future ministers in the limelight have the courage to do the same.

[jim]

The interview with Robert Schuller was not the only time he made statements like that. I'm sure he said something similar to that on the Larry King show. I have a hard time believing that parkinsons medicine could make him make statements like that especially since when he gave those interviews he seemed completely in control of his senses. I don't like to criticize Billy Graham anymore than anyone else especially considering all the good he's done in his life but when he makes statements like that he's going to be challenged on those statements. That's just the way it is and that's the way it should be.

[alesia]

Dear Jim,

Let me give you the side effects of one of the leading meds for Parkinsons: Confusion, anxiety, fatigue, psychosis, and hallucinations to name a few...I agree that we should call anyone on the carpet who sways from the truth, but you should know these things.

[Winston]

Secular humanists (media) will not be content with religion until global religion is so watered down into a sludge of ecumenism that it would be unidentifiable with the non-believing world.

Clearly when this happens...and it is today...true believers will be and are being driven underground into home church groups.

[Terry Oxner]

It is obvious to me that many find it almost sacreligeous to speak in opposition to Mr. Graham or his doctrinal stance. I do oppose those beliefs that deal with the new birth experience which I refer to as easy believism! I have always had great respect at the same time for his sincerity and honesty which are so evident. But sincerity will not pass muster at the judgement. Only obedience according to scripture will suffice on that day! John 7:37-38

[Darrell Hall]

It is good to read the material re. Billy Graham and Jesus being the only way to heaven. Jesus claimed that he was the way to heaven, quite clearly. However, we often forget the marvelous writing of St. Paul in Romans Chapter 2, where he speaks so well to answer what to me, millions have querried. To condense some of the material, I give what seems to me to be the meaning of verses 13 to 15. Rom. 2:13, says The doers, that do by nature, will be justified. It speaks of doers of the law, via nature, that they can do (obey) or not do (disobey). God has given conscience to men and women, and says that it ministers for Him. Does that disqualify Jesus as being the only way? No, I do not believe so. He still is the way. Then the love of God, however is so great, because He made a route for one to come to God, even if he/she has not heard about Jesus. That should make us Christians happy, and certainly shows the love of God being far superior, to the unrealistic condemnation of one who is obedient to the law written in his/her heart. There is no discrepancy between Jesus being the sacrifice as a substitution, to make salvation effective, and one obeying the intervention that God has provided for man to know God, even if he knows or knew not of Jesus. Any Christian who wants people to be saved, should only be delighted, that God is not as selfish, as sometimes we can be by us wanting to place restrict-ions and limitations on Him. He has given Romans 2:13-15, to comfort us that God's plan had an eternal venue. Jesus makes God's plan effective, whether people know it or not. When God says that all know of Him (See Rom 1:20,) and all can respond to Him, only arrogant and selfish persons, who may wish to put God into a box, would frown against God's love and compassion reaching out to ALL mankind. If our Christian desire is to see man saved, and that it is a genuine desire in us, then our response to God, being out of the box, and opening the door to all of mankind, including, just that ALL, then all praise be to Him. Jesus has made effective the forgiveness of God to all who RESPOND TO HIM, regardless of the venue. Note, if they "RESPOND TO HIM," "HIM," is the key word, here. He,is the criteria. Do note, not doing the law, saves them. Only Jesus could appease God. Man, via the Romans information, can respond to God, for Jesus' redemption package to be theirs. For this I say, "Thank you, God," and I look to meet persons from all walks of life, and all locations of this, present, past and future, locations populated in our world. The thought to me, speaks of God's immeasurable love for the people that He created.

[jason taylor]

I have always wondered about Billy Graham's real beliefs because it seems that he has sometimes agreed with pluralism. At least it seems that Franklin is more obviously as we would expect a Christian minister would be - not apologiziing for his faith, not apologizing for the Bible 's restrited view of salvation (ony through Jesus), etc... But as a public figure, maybe he has the same limits as George Bush's - (Islam religion of peace statements for example) which is kind of sad.
________________________________

Not necessarily pluralism-maybe just hope. It is only necessary after all to say that Christ saves everyone who is saved and that other worldviews cannot OF THEMSELVES save(though they might lead someone closer-like the Centurion who learned by Roman military discipline). If Christ wills he can appear to a dying man in the last milisecond of death. Which doesn't mean He will, but it doesn't mean He won't.
Billy shouldn't be held to task for being bothered by something that bothers every Christian.