DENZIL MCDANIEL: A challenge for Christians

A journalist asked him why he travelled in luxury on an ocean liner when Jesus choose a more humble method of a donkey. If you can find me a donkey that can swim the Atlantic, I’ll use it next time, replied Graham good-humouredly.

When he died at the age of 99 earlier this year, it was clear that Mr. Graham was much-loved across the world for his straightforward Bible teaching and spirit of Christian unity, and his theme of “find peace with God” was delivered in a way that made him a welcome figure in many countries.

It would seem that his son, Franklin Graham doesn’t quite have the same effect; indeed, his critics are calling for him to be banned from even entering the UK and are accusing him of preaching hate. Franklin Graham has offended Muslims by describing their faith as “an evil and very wicked religion.” And he has been outspoken about LGBT rights, saying Satan is behind same-sex marriage.

Rival petitions are on the go; one wants him banned as a hate preacher, the other is demanding that he should come to preach a similar message as his father.

Personally, I’m always uncomfortable about the notion of banning people from saying something which many find offensive as I’d rather that people would fight it with argument and reason of their own. Or often just let offensive words condemn themselves.

And anyway, I’m not sure if Graham’s views on Muslims is any more or less insulting than things we might hear at a Britain First rally, or whether his views on LGBT issues are as offensive as some of the homophobic utterings we hear day and daily up and down the land. And other lands, there’s a so-called Christian church in the deep south of America which has held protests holding placards proclaiming “God hates fags.”

There’s a real debate going on in many Christian communities about homosexuality, but most attention is on those who proclaim it “a sin”. And yet, in Britain many of the groups opposed to Mr. Graham’s visit are those who would purport to be from the same faith.

Nina Parker, the pastor of a church in Blackpool, said: “As a Christian and as a leader of a church that particularly welcomes LGBT people, I’m horrified that other local church are inviting someone with this record of hate speech”.

But aside from the free speech argument, one wonders what sort of message Franklin Graham is sending out.

There are times when I think that Christianity has got itself a bad name, and often it’s Christians themselves who are doing the damage with a self-righteous attitude and a list of things that they’re opposed to rather than saying what they actually stand for.

I read an article recently where an American Christian Pastor said this: “I hate it when I hear someone say, ‘I am a Christian’ Immediately, I recoil, because most times when people say that phrase, it is said with a sense of arrogance and superiority. When I hear those four words, I think not of kindness and love, but of bullying, judgmentalism, exclusivity, unforgiveness, cruelty and hypocrisy.”

And that from a Christian Minister.

Christians shouldn’t feel superior. They should feel humbled by the sense that they’ve received grace that they don’t deserve.

We live in very uncertain times, with evil all around. One would have thought that it would be the time that many people would find comfort in a loving God, and succour in the thought that God is in control. Yet in Britain and Ireland in particular, church attendances are dwindling.

The numbers attending the events when Pope Francis came to Ireland, compared to Pope John Paul II nearly 40 years ago, focused minds on the fact that “strong faith is much less common than it was in 1979.”

Of course, the clerical abuse scandals afflicting the Catholic Church were and are but one factor.

But dwindling attendances are a wider phenomenon; there are lots of surveys about the reducing numbers attending all churches. Many of them give differing figures, but the clear direction of travel is a steep downward spiral, and the once powerful Church of England is no exception. I saw one commentator opine that the church was just a liberal club and didn’t believe in God any more. How sad.

Yet let us also remember that, for example, large crowds did attend the Papal visit and were inspired by a penitent Pope. That many do attend Protestant churches and receive a message of hope every time; and that many evangelical churches are increasing exponentially.

There is a heavy onus on those people who still practice their Christian faith. There are 168 hours in the week; it is not enough to spend just one hour in church on a Sunday morning and then go out and forget about it the other 167. Once the Sunday ritual becomes just a ritual, it is worthless.

Christians should remember they are followers of Christ. Their guide book, the Bible, is a wonderful book with many key messages. The core message is one of salvation, grace and forgiveness, but there is also instruction for Christian living.

Showing the love shown to us. Forgiving others because we received forgiveness. Helping those less fortunate, in these days of food banks particularly. Being honest and believing in justice with mercy.

Nobody said it would be easy, but often, people of other faiths or no faith put Christians to shame by living their life by following many of the principles that Christianity would claim.

Interestingly, at the funeral of Billy Graham, at his own request before he died his own name wasn’t particularly used by those giving various tributes. Instead, the name of Jesus Christ was mentioned over 90 times. That’s the real testimony of a man who lived a true Christian life.

I think his son, Franklin, when he comes to England, would do well to remember that positive message of love and compassion of the Christ that his father lived his life by. It would be sad if a Christian Minister became labelled as a preacher of hate, the very antithesis of his God of love.

But if you’re a Christian, are you really living out a life that shows you’re a follower of Christ?