There is No New Billy Graham

The media is very confused about evangelical Christian leadership.  They so badly want to appoint an authority for us... a pope, if you will. Albeit, a pope in a Hawaiian shirt. Seems like there's new TIME cover every 6 months trying to coronate the next Billy Graham from the ranks of Warren, Osteen, and Jakes. But their perception of influence is based on book sales, congregational size, or social hob-nobbing which leaves most pastors scratching their heads. What the hoo-ha? Christianity is far too decentralized to have one Graham-like leader anymore. There are too many tribes in the nation. And influence only goes as far as relevance.

Comments

[Steve"The Czar" Patton]

The reason they compare RW to BG is because of his influence as a spiritual advisor to political figures in the White House. Its not because of his book sales or church size.

Even Time does back off of that claim in the beginning of their article. I think Time is smart enough to know that evangelicalism is too fragmented to have a "leader." But I don't think there are too many arguements (except for the people who say he's the anti-Christ) that his opinions don't represent the broad views of evangelicalism.

[Greg Allen]

Could not agree with you more.
Great observation.

[Marcus Hackler]

Preach it. One thing that I've learned is that God doesn't formulate things based on human hierarchy. In order for us to understand the world, we rank and order things because we simply do not have the capacity to understand nature outside of that, but God, who is unlimited in every way, doesn't act as man does. And the result is perfect diversity... perfect spiritual chaos.

[Marcus Hackler]

Preach it. One thing that I've learned is that God doesn't formulate things based on human hierarchy. In order for us to understand the world, we rank and order things because we simply do not have the capacity to understand nature outside of that, but God, who is unlimited in every way, doesn't act as man does. And the result is perfect diversity... perfect spiritual chaos.

[Abby]

Amen!
I don't know about you, but I always feel a little uneasy when I am told that Warren, Osteen, or fill-in-the-blank-here is my voice. I respect them, but can speak for myself.

[Paige]

So right on! Billy Graham absolutely was an amazin leader and did do amazing things for the Church but, Christianity has too many tribes. And exactly, how wil this person be "chosen" by book sales? Isn't it about relevance and Christ not some dude in a hawaiian shirt?

[Milan Ford]

Good stuff Ben. Loving this post.

[Terrace Crawford]

This is so true! Same headline every time.