Some of you may know the story where Sister Helen Prejean was casually discussing the death penalty. Her opponent quoted a verse from the Bible to support his pro-death penalty stance. Building on his logic, she responded with a number of verses that countered his argument and demonstrated a fuller understanding of the relevant texts. This southern gentleman, knowing he outmatched, conceded by saying, “I ain’t gonna get into no Bible quotin’ with no nun.”
I’m not a fan of proof-texting (the quoting of individual scripture verses/passages as a sole method of winning arguments) but I am a fan of people building on each other’s points from a mutual adoration of the scriptural texts, as they wrestle over the meaning of the relevant passages.
Recently, Franklin Graham was invited to lead a festival in Winnipeg. The Mennonites in Winnipeg were among his greatest fans and his most vocal opponents. All the furor arose from comments he made in the wake of the September 11 attacks in New York City.
The tragic events took place on a Tuesday, and soon after, President George W. Bush called for a day of prayer for the following Friday. A special prayer service took place in Washingtong DC, which was attended by a number of political and Christian dignitaries. CNN reported from outside the chapel, and as the service was going on, they interviewed Franklin Graham, whose father Billy was participating in the service inside the church.
During that interview, Graham Jr. made a number of noteworthy comments. The more politically noteworthy ones include him saying that Islam was a “very evil and wicked religion” and his stating that America should “go after these guys with everything we’ve got”, “every hellish weapon in our inventory.” Those statements, while saddening, aren’t all that surprising, especially given the post-9/11 emotion that pervaded the national sentiment. The fact that he hasn’t apologized doesn’t surprise me either; given the sense of infallibility the broader church often gives to its leaders. What was the most surprising and intriguing part of the interview happened immediately after those statements.
In a role reversal from the Prejean story, the secular reporter for the secular TV news channel quoted scripture, and the Biblically trained scholar inadequately engaged her. It may have been pre-scripted by someone else, it may have been a way of goading him into saying more controversial things, or it may have been a genuine attempt to clarify something that didn’t jive, but the reporter quoted the sermon on the mount. “In the Bible, Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies. How do you think that applies to this situation?” It was probably the best question I had ever heard asked on CNN. I was on the edge of my seat. Was he going to redeem himself? Could he possibly justify his previous comments with that particular verse? It was as though a chess match had unfolded before my eyes, and this young woman with no street cred had just declared checkmate on Big Blue (sorry for mixing metaphors).
But rather than engage her, rather than use the opportunity to grapple with the text, he brushed her off. “That passage speaks to us as individuals, not to us as a nation.” Obvious questions spring to mind: isn’t a nation made up of individuals? Can a nation, which is made up of individuals who love their enemies, not love their enemies? What exactly does Jesus say to nations? etc. It isn’t frustrating that his opinion is different than mine, but that instead of responding constructively with complimentary texts, he acted as though she didn’t deserve to engage him in theological discourse.
I’m a supporter of Mennonite churches participating with other groups, including evangelical groups, on ecumenical efforts. Churches working together to spread the good news of Jesus is a good thing. I love Billy Graham. I think he is an engaging and powerful speaker, and a compassionate and respectable voice for Christianity. However, I cannot respect Franklin Graham, and I refuse to endorse the charities, including Samaritan’s purse, which bear his name.
My hat goes off to those who attended the Festival, wanting to hear and share the good news. However, a greater salute goes to those who stood outside the services and held an ‘information picket’. You can try to spread the good news with gospel festivals and Christmas goodies, but not with the hellish weapons in the inventory of the US military.