Christianity,  Politics

Speaking of Franklin Graham

Albert Mohler sees the bigger picture in Franklin Graham’s disinvitation from praying at the Pentagon. Mohler asks the salient question: “Who Will Be Tested Next? — The Dilemma of Franklin Graham.” Mohler writes,

“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?”

Mohler also discussed the issue on his radio program today. You can download it here or listen to it below.

[audio:http://www.sbts.edu/media/audio/totl/2010/AMP_05_06_2010.mp3]

16 Comments

  • David Vinzant

    Some conservative evangelicals are becoming real masters at playing the victim card. Give me a break! What business does the Pentagon even have hosting a prayer event? Could there be a more blatant example of the federal government promoting religion than an event organized by the US military where they choose certain religious leaders to lead prayers?

    When you find an example of someone in a church or their home or any other non-government setting being told what they can or cannot pray and who can or cannot lead the prayer, let me know.

    By the way, has anyone involved in the National Day of Prayer actually read Jesus’ instructions on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount?

    “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

  • john underdown

    well,the issue here isn’t so much about Graham praying at the Pentagon, it’s about the outcry that has sprung from his remarks. the point is that blatant,public opposition is rising to Christianity and more can be expected.

  • Donald Johnson

    The USA military, rightly I think, wants to counteract “the narrative” of the Islamic radicals, that the West is engaging in religious was with Islam. FG did not fit with that strategy.

    Such things happens when people discuss which religion is true versus why is the USA fighting wars.

  • David Vinzant

    Mark,

    The federal government also promoted slavery and then institutionalized racism for much of its history. That doesn’t make it right.

  • Donald Johnson

    The USA is a nation of religious liberty. Yes, many were Christians, but it was never a Christian nation, whatever that means. A person can be a Christian, but not a country.

  • Nate

    To deny that this (A Day of Prayer for the Nation) is not part of the history of this country is simply revisionist. They better take a sandblaster to most of the capital buildings for having Scripture chiseled into them as well. Wouldn’t want to offend anyone.

    David: Poor comparison… One can always find issues to make a point with. Stick to the subject matter.

  • David Vinzant

    Why is it a bad comparison? The point is that because something existed in our history and was condoned by the government does not make it right.

  • David Vinzant

    No, Nate, it means that the government condoning something is not in and of itself a sufficient means of determining what is right. The government has condoned good things and bad things. We must use our brains to distinguish between what is right and wrong, not just historical precedent.

  • Nate

    “The government has condoned good things and bad things.”

    And whether or not something is good or bad is opinion. In the case of slavery, we have laws that support its removal, therefore it is no longer opinion, at least from the Federal level. To then attempt to use a legislative matter against something that has no law attached to it is comparing apples and oranges. It is your personal opinion that it is wrong. The comparison to slavery is not valid.

  • Nate

    So, if you want to argue that there should be a Constitutional ammendment banning a National Day of Prayer, then you might have a valid comparison. However, that is not what you argued.

  • MzEllen

    The Pentagon’s job is not to spread the Gospel, its job is to run the military and defend our citizens (all of them), our country and our borders.

    The job of the bride of Christ (including Franklin Graham) is to spread the Gospel.

    Graham may have been tested, but we should not fault the Pentagon for not doing a job that is not its job to do.

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