In the same vein as the previous post on the relationship between evangelism and social justice, apparently Billy Graham made a pretty strong symbolic statement at one of his meetings in 1952. We know Billy Graham the evangelist, but Billy Graham the fiery prophet? Apparently:
Holding segregated events had always struck [Billy Graham] as
wrong, but he’d never chosen to take decisive action—until now. Walking
toward the ropes that separated blacks and whites, Graham tore them
down.Mystified and uncomfortable ushers tried to put the ropes back up. Graham personally stopped them.
This symbolically powerful gesture marked a major ministry watershed. He never again led a segregated campaign.
"There
is no scriptural basis for segregation. It may be there are places
where such is desirable to both races, but certainly not in the
church," Graham told his Mississippi audience. "The ground at the foot
of the Cross is level, and it touches my heart when I see whites
standing shoulder to shoulder with blacks at the Cross."
From "Jesus and Justice" in Christianity Today.
(ht: Matt)
One of the reasons I’ve chosen to be involved with Samaritan’s Purse (run by Billy’s son, Franklin) is because they are not JUST a relief organization. They unapologetically preach the gospel and minister in the Love of and Name of Jesus.