Billy Graham: Quite An Example
By David R. Currie,
Coordinator

Billy and Ruth Graham recently received the Congressional Gold Medal for “outstanding and lasting contributions to morality, racial equality, family, philanthropy and religion.” No one could be more deserving.

I have always respected Billy Graham, both for what he did and for what he did not do. No preacher of the Gospel is better known, but Billy Graham did not start a PTL Club or a 700 Club. He did not build an empire, a television network, or a political organization. He preached the Gospel.

Dan Rather interviewed Billy Graham and asked him about the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition. Graham replied that when you saw the leaders of such organizations listed, his name never appeared. And yet he also spoke of America in “moral decline.”

This raises a question in my mind. If America is in moral decline, as both Graham and leaders of the Christian Coalition say—and I agree with them—then why is Billy Graham not a part of the Christian Coalition?

My guess is because he does not believe the approach of the Christian Coalition will be successful in bringing about a moral renewal. Graham said the solution lies in “individuals repenting, committing their lives to God and turning that commitment into action in homes, neighborhoods and the society.” The approach of the Christian Coalition seems to be in forcing moral renewal by making it against the law to not follow Christian morality. That will never work.

The fact is, the Christian Coalition is contributing to moral decline with its emphasis that the public school system be abandoned in this country. We need Christians teaching in our public schools, loving children, teaching them, demonstrating the love of Christ to them. We should not to be isolated from the world, but should be salt and light in the world.

Billy Graham has set quite an example for Christian living. His walk and his talk have been consistent. He has remained focused on Jesus and His Kingdom, not his own kingdom. He is an example for us all because he has pointed us to Jesus, not Billy Graham.

August 1996