Zoltan,
Here is the answer that I received back from the Billy Graham people. Step back the chain for my questions. Seems like the part about Hillary bearing false witness was overlooked, so maybe we only have 9 commandments? I have just returned from a trip to the Holy Land, hence the slow response in posting their answer.
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From the Billy Graham camp:
From: paulw@omega.bgea.org
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 1998 11:43:06 -0600
To: CARLMEHR@adnc.com
Subject: Carl, Your message of 3/6
X-VMS-To: carlmehr@adnc.com
9-MAR-98 08:59:45
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your comments on Mr. Graham's responses during his interview on
the "The Today Show." We can understand your concern. You can be sure that
your comments are taken seriously.
Mr. Graham certainly does not want to justify Mr. Clinton's alleged offenses.
On the other hand, he does not wish to pronounce judgment before a guilty
verdict is pronounced. The forgiveness he extends to Mr. Clinton is a
personal forgiveness, assuming the charges are true in whole or in part. It
is not a statement on what the response of our judicial system should be.
Neither, as Mr. Graham indicated, does it relieve public leaders, especially
the President, of the responsibility for a higher standard of ethics and
morality than the ordinary citizen.
Christian forgiveness can be extended to someone who is unrepentant in the
sense that the offended person decides to release the offender to God's
justice, turns from all personal animosity, hatred, and desire for revenge,
and is willing to reconcile upon the other party's repentance. It is true, of
course, that the goal of forgiveness is reconciliation. This aspect of
forgiveness can only be realized when the offender repents and seeks or
accepts forgiveness. However, the only person who is harmed when we refuse to
exercise forgiveness in the first sense is ourselves, as bitterness, anger,
and resentment eat away at our heart and separate us from God.
While you may not agree with Mr. Graham in the way he framed his comments, we
would request that you pray for him. His desire, as it has been for decades,
is simply to proclaim the gospel and "speak the truth in love." It requires
great love and great wisdom to balance truth and love in every situation.
Such truth and love are only available from God Himself.
May the Lord enrich your life, filling you with all joy and peace in
believing.
Sincerely,
Paul Wiese
Christian Guidance Department
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
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Tell them/me what you think of their comment.
Regards,
humble carl |
