What Billy Graham could teach the Trump evangelicals

Even in death, Billy Graham succeeded in uniting all sides. There were tributes from past presidents, both Republican and Democrat, and Christian leaders of all denominations. Those who rarely agree were united in their admiration for Graham and their sadness at his passing. It is impossible to imagine any of today’s current crop of divisive evangelical leaders receiving a similar reception in their obituaries. The ascent of Trump has exposed just how far they have wandered from Graham’s path.

Indeed contemporary evangelicals – some of whom have been avid cheerleaders for Trump – could learn much from Graham’s commitment to ensuring his ministry remained scandal-free; he never strayed from his wife Ruth, paid himself a modest salary and was scrupulously transparent with donations. He also remained largely unpolitical. In his preaching and public interventions, Graham steered clear of the hot-button issues that today make up the bulk of evangelical leaders’ pronouncements: abortion, homosexuality, even gun rights.