NEW YORK – Targeting Muslims and Jews for conversion is not the approach Billy Graham would take to Christian evangelism, he said in a nationally televised interview Jan. 2.
Graham, appearing on Fox News Sunday, was interviewed by Tony Snow about a variety of topics, ranging from his view of the new millennium to how he has fended off temptation as a highly public figure. Snow referenced the recent controversy between Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leaders and religious leaders in Chicago over a plan to send thousands of Southern Baptists into Chicago, some of whom will seek to convert adherents of other religions.
“Is that the sort of thing the Baptist convention should be doing?” Snow asked.
Graham responded: “I’m a Southern Baptist, and I normally defend my denomination. I’m loyal to it. I believe in them. They have some of the finest people in the world in our denomination. But I have never targeted Muslims. I have never targeted Jews. I believe that we should declare the fact that God loves you, God’s willing to forgive you, God can change you, and Christ and His kingdom is open to anybody who repents and by faith receives Him as Lord and Savior.”
The issue of Southern Baptists seeking to convert Muslims, Jews and Hindus has made headlines around the world in recent months, sparked first by release of an SBC prayer guide for Jewish conversions during that religion’s High Holy Days. A similar controversy erupted later when the SBC issued a prayer guide for the conversion of Hindus.
Share with others: