I asked a young Christian man of NC if he agreed or disagreed with Dr Graham’s statement. This was his reply? (See below) Would love to hear how you feel about Dr Graham’s statement. When we pause in 2022 and remind ourselves Graham’s statement was 1981.
In principle, I agree. All extremist/hard right or left should be avoided. From the extremes are where you see conflict. Forgetting politics for a moment, look within denominations…… The Southern Baptists, UMC, Lutherans, etc. are currently tearing themselves apart over the divide of progressives versus fundamentalists. Which side is correct…..
Faith groups should not wed any political part of the spectrum. Whether fundamentalists or progressives, evangelical or mainline, catholic or protestant, you see politics using the denomination(s) that are tied to it as a shield to advance causes. Some of these causes are roughly aligned with the interest of the particular groups of faith, but usually have bits attached that ultimately bite the faithful in the posterior.
Who was the last politician not wave their Christian credentials like a cop with a badge at a crime scene? How much of this is manipulation versus actual faith is far above my pay grade. Politics is always about manipulation.
Given that Christians are also citizens, modern social conservativism has built its foundations on Christian thought, so where else is a fundamentalist to go but the right? On the left you have groups that superficially are putting forward programs that align with social action, but in practice just drive the population toward dependence on government. But politics are not one dimensional. If you wed to the folks that claim to share (some) of the same values, you get the whole of their beliefs. With big tent politics on both sides, you get some scary beliefs on both sides. Today on the right, you get extremists that are indefensible, even loony. Today on the left, you the cult-of-government (anti-Christian) and anarchists pushing for ever greater extremes. Which is scarier…..both.
Billy Graham was able to navigate politics by staying out, being the voice of faith not reason and compromise. The rest of us are less successful at achieving this. The best Christians can do is not to wed politics, but make clear where each denomination stands and make politics come to them. Unfortunately, this goes back to the first point regarding denominations tearing themselves apart. Where does the modern church stand?
Regards, Sean
thedailylily.com 
It seems to me that Dr. Graham’s quote is as current and relevant today as it was in 1981…and maybe even more relevant to what is going on today.
Sean’s commentary/thoughts was a real pleasure to read as he so giftedly expounded on what Dr. Graham said and gave us inciteful perspectives to consider that ring with Biblical Truth in my opinion.
I agree that “Faith groups should not wed any political part of the spectrum.” And what he said regarding the left and right… “Which is scarier…..both.”
Sean asked, “Where does the modern church stand?” Seems from my window of view the modern church is as divided today as it has ever been. I would like to see research to see if there is a common denominator of the meaning of church.
There are truths…
The Bible instructs us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. For there is one body, and one Spirit even as we are called in one hope of our calling. One Lord, one Faith and one Baptism. One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in us all, “(Ephesians 4:3-6)
Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul highlights five of these qualities that are necessary to maintain the church’s unity.
Humility. Humility has to do with not thinking of yourself as better than others. …
Gentleness. Gentleness has to do with considering others, forfeiting your rights. …
Patience. …
Love. …
Zeal.“
Dr Graham and Sean has me digging just a little deeper in truth to see how I can count myself in the unity column as Jesus see unity. Not because it’s the new thing and everybody is doing it.
Another thought…”I pray and hope that with the help of God and our own efforts, we will continue to remain united, because “In unity there is strength”. In the words of the psalmist, let us say to one another, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
We need one another. Love to hear more thoughts. Maybe we could ask those that live around us, in our homes and churches and work their thoughts for unity so we can stand strong together and not be in the column of disunity.
Just this week at a Bible study we were discussing here in Alabama the extremes in the churches today. Sean I loved you’re written comment spoken well about the churches. Our group got off task a little as we were studying James. We were discussing the extremes in today’s churches. Two of us had heard how think tanks on how to get large groups to attend church sit in cluster during the day and decide what people want to hear when deciding on a church a and not hear. They throw out what they people don’t want to hear in the church and give out to church leaders. One side of the divide which people think: We all are sinful. Sin should be confessed and we should,ask for forgiveness, Christ died for our sins,, forgiveness, sanctification should occur, if Christ suffered we to will suffer, believe and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you will enter Heaven and live with him forever. The other side thinks this is too extreme. The other side of the divide in considered extreme as well by some people.They say heaven is open to all, no qualifications needed and you will become blessed with riches The divide and which side of the divide we choose is critical to our life and is found in the Word which is Life. We left with wanting to learn more and grow more so we can share this Living Word of Truth with others. Also we decided to pray more for others which surmise as too far left. We knew in part the too far right.. Also as Sara mentioned we wanted to live in unity and operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I have pondered this blog since the day it was posted, spoke with other, to get some input. I believe Sara may have hit the nail on the head with “Paul’s highlights “, in Ephesians, especially humility and gentleness. In fact, that was one comment someone said to me….”I sure need to work on my gentleness”.
I understand totally the working on gentleness. In pondering Dr Graham and Apostle Paul and Sean I see a shade of safety when we become doers of the word.
Being a doer of the word brings humility and then fruit springs forth. Example we share God’s Word and it’s just so simple and not hard on our part at all. We go our way and another goes their way. A month later we greet the person again and they say remember the story of Jesus you shared? I thought about that and it really helped me. Bingo our prideful thoughts go off in our heads. Jesus got the credit and we got a remembrance.
But, God we wanted to tell the White House employees how to live not some little unknown that stumbled on out path. We want to tell our family and friends about how great we are. Look at the definition of gentleness above again if you didn’t understand my little example.
If I understand your example, Sara, and your definitions, gentleness and humility are products of a life lived that is not self-focused, self-serving or self-absorbed. They are good fruits produced on a good tree that enable others to ‘eat’ and glorify God. Reminds me of: “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matt 5:16.
You stated, “Gentleness has to do with considering others, forfeiting your rights. …” One thing that this says to me to work on is that I may have things to do, work, tasks and agendas to accomplish (all maybe ‘rights’), but I need to be mindful that if God has something else for me to do (or not to do) that involves helping/considering another person, than it is my responsibility to forfeit those rights and plans and follow God’s agenda and schedule; and that what may seem like a ‘small’ thing in my limited understanding and sight is big and important to Him, His plan and purposes.
“Let No One Deceive You,” a sermon by Pastor Allister Begg speaking a portion on, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). And, then he speaks on walk in love as Christ did. These two characteristics stayed with me and followed me to this blog as the duty of the Church. 1) self sacrifice to always be present in our lives and 2) self indulgence-be banished!”
When we recall to to our minds at all times we are the church and we are to be imitators of Christ at all times we will banish a few things that some church leaders pound in our ears. Begg also quoted Lewis’s as a warning to the church…”we cannot be heirs to the Kingdom of God while living in sin.” It’s a great sermon for the church and its title is Bible. “Let no one deceive you.” This says watch by ears, eyes and mouth and guard my hands and footsteps. Therefore, I believe in Billy Graham’s point!
If We awake day by day and not look to the right or left but look in the direction we are directed by scripture to look imagine the outcome in our churches, community and yes nations! Read with me this scripture and see if you see directives for looking? Do you see the name Biden or Trump? Do you see R or D? If yes, read again? If not, why are they and others the church’s headlines?
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”
—Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)
Sara you directed and then asked, “Read with me this scripture and see if you see directives for looking? Do you see the name Biden or Trump? Do you see R or D? If yes, read again? If not, why are they and others the church’s headlines?”
I read the scripture and did not see the name Biden or Trump, but saw the name Jesus.
“…why are they and others the church’s headlines?”
I think it goes back to a couple of things that both Sara and Sean said.
Sara said, “The Bible instructs us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”…then she connected this to humility and gentleness; and then to the ‘two characteristics’ in Pastor Begg’s sermon, 1) self sacrifice to always be present in our lives and 2) self indulgence-be banished!”
Sean said above that “All extremist/hard right or left should be avoided. From the extremes are where you see conflict.…”
and, “Unfortunately, this goes back to the first point regarding denominations tearing themselves apart. ..
…politics using the denomination(s) that are tied to it as a shield to advance causes.”
also, “…Politics is always about manipulation.”
So, perhaps the church headlines reflect a desire for conflict (as opposed to unity) as a means to manipulate and get what you want (self-indulgence vs. self-sacrifice).
I think this scripture addresses this also.
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:1-3
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/24/us/white-christian-nationalism-blake-cec/index.html
Good article to read and think on, Sara. I think it further reinforces what you said above, “When we recall to to our minds at all times we are the church and we are to be imitators of Christ at all times we will banish a few things that some church leaders pound in our ears.”