Fighting The Good Fight: Apologist Says Christians Must Influence Public Policy

Recently I came across an interview in Billy Graham’s Decision magazine about the importance of Christians being involved citizens… Having contacted the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, they have granted permission for me to reprint and share it with you. We have made more of the interview available for you at the Welcome Center. I hope you’ll pick up a copy. The following is an excerpt from that interview—enjoy.

"Frank Turek was standing just a few feet away when his friend and brother in Christ Charlie Kirk was assassinated one year ago while speaking at an outdoor event on a college campus in Utah. Turek told Decision during a recent interview at the Billy Graham Library that, for him, "evil and the importance of the Gospel and eternity are things that have become more front and center since that awful day."

Q In one of your books, you challenge a popular opinion that the church should stay out of politics. Please explain.

A You always hear that you can't legislate morality. But the truth is that's all you can legislate. All laws legislate some form of morality. The only question is "whose morality?" Because every law declares one behavior right and the opposite behavior wrong. So, whose morality will we legislate? And when people say, "Well, don't impose your morality on me," I normally give two responses. The first is, why not? Would that be immoral? Because you're legislating your morality on me right now. You're saying I ought not impose "ought nots" when you're imposing that "ought not" on me right now. Why can you impose, but I can't? [Second], in every area of life, Christians ought to apply Biblical principles. And when people say, "Oh, I don't get involved politically. I just preach the Gospel," I normally say to them, "l guess you don't think the Gospel's very important then." And they go, "What do you mean?" Because politics affects your ability to preach and live the Gospel.

Q How can churches be more intentional about equipping Christians to contend for the faith?

A You're always reasoning from effect to cause. So, we have to start very young with kids and cause that intuition to blossom in the right direction. Young kids, if they see a butterfly or they see a hummingbird or they see something about nature, they'll look at you and go, "Hey, who made this?" They immediately know that design requires a designer. If you see this amazing effect, you know there's got to be a cause. We need to use that intuitive sense people have and point them to the ultimate cause, God. When people say, "Frank, how do you know that God exists?" I say, "l know God by His effects. If there's a creation, that's the effect. There has to be a cause, a creator. If there's design, that's the effect. There has to be a cause, a designer. If there's a moral law written on my heart, that's the effect. There has to be a moral lawgiver. If there's evidence a man predicted and accomplished His own resurrection from the dead, that's the effect. I have to ask myself who could have caused a man to predict and accomplish His own resurrection? God." So, you're always reasoning from effect to cause."

Reach the World… Our annual mission offering to aid the work of our mission partners has begun. I want to ask you to prayerfully consider your gift above and beyond your regular tithes and offerings. Our goal this year is $200,000. Last year’s goal was $150,000 and you gave over $230,000… let’s do it again for the sake of our partners and the sake of Reaching the World with the gospel.

Fall Family Day @ CornDodgers… Is today from 4-7 PM. There is no charge. Just food, fellowship, and great fun. I look forward to seeing your there. And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,

Pastor Ray

Image credit: Unsplash