Graham weighs in on culture, BWA, chaplains

MADISON (FBW)-Characterizing his two years in office as a "battle for the life of the souls of humanity," Southern Baptist Convention president Jack Graham said the opportunity for Southern Baptists to impact the world has never been greater.

"You might say of my presidency, I’ve been a war president," Graham told Florida Baptist Witness in an exclusive interview. "We’ve been in this war on terrorism, and the challenges in America are great."

In the Feb. 9 interview, Graham weighed in about what it has been like to lead the 16-million member denomination in a day of perplexing cultural change and shifting values—some of which have been pushed into the limelight by the 9/11 terror attacks on America. Graham also spoke about a number of issues current in Southern Baptist life—to include recent decisions regarding the Baptist World Alliance and women in military chaplaincy.

"I don’t mind being in the hot seat, because the Gospel is controversial," Graham said, speaking about what he called a "historic" opportunity for Southern Baptists to rise above the din in delivering a clear message about life. "We, of course, have the Truth, the Way, the Life in Christ. So now’s the time."

Even the movie, "The Passion for The Christ," released in theaters Feb. 25, is a new twist to the same old story. "The cross is offensive. The controversy surrounding the movie is the same argument interjected in the first century and the cross is still offensive to some," Graham said. "Yet, it is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe."

The clash of ideas, which has brought about a discussion of the movie’s appropriateness, is, in and of itself, an indication of the culture war raging in America, Graham said.

"The 2004 presidential campaign is going to be about the culture war," said Graham. "Two different worldviews and the way of governing America and everything that we’re seeing now—it’s all lining up towards this convergence of ideas."

And so it has been refreshing during his administration, to be able to voice the strong convictions of Southern Baptists for the Word of God and the testimony of Christ, Graham said.

"I count it a tremendous privilege to speak on behalf of Southern Baptists in these days in which there is a lot of religious confusion—and even within Christian denominations there is a lack of focus and clarity and integrity of doctrine and truth," Graham said. "Southern Baptists have a clear message and a focused intention in the world, and that is to fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime."

Noting what may be a changing role for SBC presidents, Graham said he has been called upon often to relate to the secular media and others about how Southern Baptists might think about particular issues. This role deviates from the past where the primary focus was inside the denomination, he said.

"Now the phone rings to the office of the president of the convention and opinions are requested," Graham said.

All this activity has not prevented Graham from getting involved in churches, however. He said he has had scores of opportunities to preach and lead in churches and ministries throughout the country.

Ultimately, another shift resulting in change is the relationship of the Baptist World Alliance to Southern Baptists, said Graham.

Commenting before the SBC Executive Committee voted to defund BWA, Graham said the "bottom line is the Baptist World Alliance has chosen a direction, a path that Southern Baptists ... have chosen not to go," Graham said. "It is my view that the leadership of the BWA has failed to maintain its relationship with Southern Baptists."

Cautious about not overstating the issues involved, Graham said there are theological issues at stake in the argument of whether to continue to be a member of the organization.

"It’s like finding weapons of mass destruction, finding liberalism in certain organizations," said Graham. "You know it’s there, but you sometimes have a hard time proving it.

"We know that there are elements within the BWA which do not share the historical faith and testimony of Southern Baptists. In a world full of terrorism and a great need—we don’t need to be debating and battling with other Baptists," Graham said. "It’s time for Southern Baptists to move on. We will continue to work with other Baptists and believers around the world. We are not closing ranks."

Though he said he is not aware of some details of the North American Mission Board’s decision to curtail the endorsement of women to the military chaplaincy, Graham said Southern Baptists made the decision, in supporting the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, to affirm the role and work of women in ministry. At the same time, the documents makes clear that the senior pastor of a church is to be male.

"I affirm that. I endorse that. NAMB is working to simply enact the doctrinal position of Southern Baptists regarding women in ministry," Graham said. "All new appointments will reflect this new policy and I believe it’s the right policy and will strengthen the work of the chaplaincy."

As extensions of the church and local ministry of the church, chaplains are often tasked with reflecting the work of the local church—performing weddings, funerals, communions and baptisms. As such, they are functioning as pastors of military units and groups, said Graham. "This has primarily been the work of the pastor in New Testament terms, and so, it makes sense" to limit it to men.

Graham said the work of the local church "still is the essential dynamic of Southern Baptist work and life."

This timing in history, again, calls for a more proactive movement on the part of the churches. "In a day which we are honoring our heroes who are serving our country, it would be a very powerful thing for churches in the military community to really step up and stand in the gap and minister to both men and women in our Armed Forces," Graham said.

Looking towards the annual meeting in Indianapolis in June, Graham said the focus will continue to be on the Kingdom of God, with this year’s theme, "Kingdom Forever," expanding on last year’s theme, "Kingdom First."

"We want to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal, and the spiritual rather than the material," Graham said. "And [we must] understand that what we do today has eternal significance and we are to make daily decisions which have eternal significance."