Billy Graham In Newsweek

Thanks to Matt at Eclectic Itchings for the link to a compelling piece on Billy Graham in Newsweek.

“Much of my life has been a pilgrimage‚Äîconstantly learning, changing, growing and maturing. I have come to see in deeper ways some of the implications of my faith and message, not the least of which is in the area of human rights and racial and ethnic understanding.”

Cleary in old age Billy has entered a reflective, even contemplative phase and his thinking is now as refreshing and cutting as his preaching was all those years ago. In terms of ministry-style he was a man of his era; an era that is now past. However, in terms of what he still has to say to us about the place and nature of Scripture in th elife of the believer, he is still very, very contemporary.

Asked about his son’s use of the phrase “evil and wicked” in reference to Islam, Graham says: “I would not say Islam is wicked and evil … I have a lot of friends who are Islamic. There are many wonderful people among them. I have a great love for them. I have spoken at Islamic meetings, in Nigeria and in different parts of the world.” The father’s view, then, is different from the son’s. “I’m sure there are many things that he and I are not in total agreement about,” Graham says. “I’m an old man, he’s a young man in the prime of life.” Anne Graham Lotz, after expressing her deep respect for her brother’s life and work, said: “When Daddy was my brother’s age, he was saying some pretty strong things, too, so you have to remember that experience and the living of a life can soften your perspective.”

[tags] Billy Graham [/tags]