The Weak-Knees of Billy Graham

Pop quiz:

What major evangelical leader recently said this: “I’m not a literalist in the sense that every single jot and tittle is from the Lord. This is a little difference in my thinking through the years.”

A) Father Guido Sarducci

B) Bullwinkle the Moose

C) Billy Graham

Give up? The answer is “C.” Billy Graham, indeed, and no small difference it is. For those of you who have been paying attention over the years, this statement, sadly, comes as no surprise.

In the aftermath of 9/11 as his own son, Franklin Graham, condemned Islam as a false religion, Billy said precious, deliberately little.

Recently I saw Mr. Graham on Larry King Live.  Sometimes I think Larry likes to get these limp-wristed evangelicals on and ask them direct questions so he can watch them sputter and sell out their convictions in front of him. Larry asked Billy if Muslims could go to heaven. Billy said that that wasn’t for him to decide and that God would sort it out.

How does a man who has devoted so much time and energy to evangelism come to a point at which he undermines the exclusivity of the message he has preached? It’s a long, sad, story paved with you-know-what: good intentions.