The Preacher & The President – Interview With Franklin Graham

Interview by: Nico Bougas
Article source: JOY! Magazine

It can’t be easy following in the footsteps of a famous father. Especially when that father is Dr Billy Graham, who has preached to more people than anybody else in the history of the Christian church. Billy was known as “America’s Pastor,” and served as confidant and counsellor to 11 successive American presidents.

At age 22, after a period of rebellion and travelling the world, Franklin committed his life to Jesus Christ while alone in a hotel room in Jerusalem. In his autobiography, Rebel with a Cause, Franklin explained that “just being the son of Billy Graham won’t get me into heaven.” He knew that he was being called to do more with his life and to make a real commitment to God.

Political endorsement
In an exclusive interview with Franklin Graham for JOY! Magazine, I asked him about the perception that he endorsed certain political leaders. He said, “It is not accurate to say that I endorse political candidates. I did not endorse a candidate in 2016. But since Donald Trump has become President, I have tried to support him whenever possible as I would any duly elected leader. I try to support him whenever I can so I am not supporting a political party but the elected President of the US.”

As one of the most prominent evangelical leaders in America today, Franklin has managed to meet privately with five US Presidents as well as world leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. “But, of course, I don’t share what I say to any president or national leader.”

“My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump.”

Opposition from Christianity Today
When Mark Galli, former Editor of the influential American magazine, Christianity Today, came out with a call to evangelical Christians to reject President Donald Trump and support his removal from office, Franklin issued an immediate response with a strong statement:

“Christianity Today released an editorial stating that President Trump should be removed from office—and they invoked my father’s name (I suppose to try to bring legitimacy to their statements), so I feel it is important for me to respond. Yes, my father Billy Graham founded Christianity Today; but no, he would not agree with their opinion piece. In fact, he would be very disappointed. I have not previously shared who my father voted for in the past election, but because of this article, I feel it is necessary to share it now. My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump. He believed that Donald J. Trump was the man for this hour in history for our nation.”

A screenshot of Christianity Today’s op-ed column by former editor Mark Galli in December 2019.

Christians and politics
Franklin seemed a little surprised at my question about Christians being involved in politics, “Of course Christians should be involved in politics. As a citizen it is my right and duty to speak out on issues. Otherwise we leave it to the anti-God and secular forces to dominate the political landscape. The lesbian, gay, and transsexual communities, as well as pro-abortion forces are very involved in politics. If evangelical Christians don’t get involved in politics then we have abdicated our responsibility and the country will slide towards a leftist, socialist, and anti-God society.”

Relationship with President Trump
I asked Graham about the qualities he admires in Trump. He responded by saying, “He is our president whether a person voted for him or not, and we need to support the president regardless of who he is, where we can,” But he said that “doesn’t mean we agree all the time.”

Trump stood at the United Nations and challenged the nations of the world to respect religious freedom, not just for Christians, but for Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. No American president, no Republican or Democrat, has ever done that in the past,” according to Graham.

Graham went on to say that, “I have found President Trump to be very candid and genuine. It is very refreshing that he does what he says he is going to do. He will do what he thinks is the right thing to do and not that which is politically expedient.”

“Is President Trump guilty of sin? Of course he is, as were all past presidents and as each one of us are, including myself. Therefore, let’s pray for the President as he continues to lead the affairs of America.”

Donald Trump & Billy Graham

Trump and moral failures
I noted that President Trump had come in for a lot of criticism for his lifestyle and past moral failings. Franklin responded, “His moral failures took place 15-20 years ago in his past life. Whereas past Presidents such as Kennedy, Johnson, Clinton all had moral failures whilst they were in the White House. President Trump also has a very good relationship with his wife Melania.”

Franklin added, “Is President Trump guilty of sin? Of course he is, as were all past presidents and as each one of us are, including myself. Therefore, let’s pray for the President as he continues to lead the affairs of America.”

Trump’s accomplishments
I then asked what President Trump has done that would make him and other evangelical Christians supportive of him? Franklin replied “Look at all the President has accomplished in a very short time. The economy of our nation is the strongest it has been in 50 years. ISIS and the caliphate have been defeated, and the President has renegotiated trade deals to benefit all Americans. The list of accomplishments is long, but for me as a Christian, the fact that he is the most pro-life president in modern history is extremely important. The President has been a staunch defender of religious freedom at home and around the world. Also the President has appointed conservative judges in record number.”

He continued, “President Trump has been very supportive of Christian issues. Trump spoke at the United Nations and took a strong stand for religious freedom. We have never had a US President that has taken up the issue of religious freedom at the United Nations.

“He has taken a strong stand against abortion and has been active in withdrawing government support for groups such as Planned Parenthood. And most Christians in America appreciate that.”

“The President has been a staunch defender of religious freedom at
home and around the world.”

Current political situation
Asked about the current political situation in the USA he replied, “It’s just shameful what the Democratic Congress is putting this country through. They’ve been trying to destroy the President since the day he took office. I’ve never seen such hatred as they have for President Donald J. Trump —all while he has been able to accomplish more for the people of this nation in such a short time than perhaps any president in modern history.

“The sad thing is that the Democratic party has largely been taken over by socialists in the last 20 years and they have a socialistic agenda for the United States. And it does not appear that any of the current Democratic candidates for the presidency would have a relationship with God. The party, for the most part, has become anti-God. In their recent party conventions they have removed any references to God and the nations’ dependence on Him.”

Franklin Graham & Donald Trump praying

Evangelistic focus
Like his father, Franklin demonstrates a keen evangelistic zeal and does not shy away from presenting the Gospel at every opportunity. He conducted his first evangelistic event in 1989 and now conducts crusades – called Festivals – around the world for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He has proclaimed the Gospel at 190 evangelistic events in 50 states and US territories, and 49 countries since 1989. He launched the Decision America Tour which called people to pray and to engage in local civic opportunities in each of the 50 US capitals, resulting in numerous regionally focused tours.

A call to prayer
Franklin stressed the need for people to pray for the President and the nation. “As leader of the country, he continues to face an onslaught of lies, slander, innuendos, and media bias. The Bible tells us that the devil is “a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44

Despite his outspoken political views, he has maintained his emphasis on the centrality of the Gospel. Graham told a small group of reporters prior to a recent evangelistic meeting “This isn’t a political event. People think I’m a Republican; I’m an independent. I got fed up with the Democratic Party as well as the Republican Party some time ago. The problems that we face in this country are not going to be solved by politicians. Only God can solve the problems of this country.”

“If evangelical Christians don’t get involved in politics then we have abdicated our responsibility and the country will slide towards a leftist, socialist, and anti-God society.”

The future
So, what changes does Franklin envisage now that his father has passed? “Absolutely nothing. We will not change a thing. We will keep doing what we have always done for the past 70 years and reach out to the world with the truth of God’s love. We use radio, TV, the internet, and print media. We still preach the Gospel and give an invitation. We will continue to do what we do with Samaritan’s Purse – responding to wars, famines, and natural disasters. We meet people who have lost everything to help people and we do it in Jesus’ Name. We present Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.” 

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Date published: 04/04/2020
Feature image: Franklin Graham
Nico Bougas is the International Director of Development of Hellenic Ministries. Email him on Nico@bougas.info, visit hellenicministries.com

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