Bill Clinton - Evangelist?
Recently there was an article in the newspapers on the honoring of Billy Graham, in New York City, by ex-president Bill Clinton. Eighty thousand people attended the event. Clinton called the evangelist "a man I love," and made the statement, "God Bless you friend." Graham called the Clintons "wonderful friends" and then said that the former president "should become an evangelist! And allow his wife to run the country."
Yes, you heard it right, that's what the world's greatest evangelist, and known as "America's pastor" said to the man who led the country for eight years and supported abortion. The killing of millions of innocent lives. Lives of millions of babies created by God as a gift to the parents, and were snuffed out on demand in abortion clinics.
How could the leader of the United States, and most likely the man with the most influence in the world - come to such a low estimation of human life? How could Clinton, or any person make the decision that the unborn is a non-person? That's all bad enough - but far worse - how can "America's Pastor" - a man looked up to by tens of millions of Christians across the world, call this ex-leader a friend - and suggest that he become an evangelist?
Put all the extramarital affairs to the side. Put all of his lying about those affairs to the side. Put aside the fact he had sex in his workplace, which is a federal offense, and served no time for it. Put aside everything else Mr. Clinton was called up on - either justly or unjustly over the years. They can all be pardoned by Christ. All sins can be pardoned by Christ, including abortion. But I have never heard Mr. Clinton make any kind of statement that he was truly sorry for his support for abortion.
Now maybe Billy Graham knows something we don't know. Maybe Mr. Clinton did repent for all the deaths of the innocents, that he supported for eight years, and is now a born-again Christian. I hope so. I, without knowing where Mr. Clinton's heart is now, could not even shake hands with him - much less tell him to be an evangelist.
During the first century of this era, more than 1900 years ago, there was a man named Paul, who was one of the biggest sinners in history. He persecuted Christians, rounding them up and taking them to prison, after which some were executed. But he repented for his sins. He became a Christian and later became the most famous evangelist of all time. I don't know what Mr. Clinton went through, or whether he is going through what Paul went through, but let's look at the harm Billy Graham's statement on evangelism can cause.
Millions of people were told about Christ by Billy Graham. Most of them, I'm sure, feel they have an eternity in heaven waiting for them. They look up to this man, Graham, his world travels, his hard work, and his fantastic sermons. It would be easy for them to think that whatever is good enough for Billy Graham is good enough for them.
Now here he is a good friend of Bill Clinton, the man who scandalized the presidency with sexual escapades, with lying, and with his support of abortion. Doesn't that put a thought in the minds of these millions - especially the younger ones - that if Billy Graham is O.K. with Bill Clinton's escapades and beliefs - that they too can do and support the same things as Mr. Clinton?
But as a Christian who believes in the Bible, you know it doesn't work that way. There are many Bible passages against lying. There are many Bible passages against adultery. And there are many Bible passages against abortion, the killing of innocents.
The message of those Bible passages are clear and easy to understand. But, the message that Billy Graham gave to the world by endorsing Bill Clinton as someone who should become an evangelist - that is a message I don't understand.
By George Konig
July 3, 2005
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