By Chad Groening and Allie Martin
April 25, 2003
(AgapePress) - A Christian attorney and public speaker is defending evangelist Franklin Graham in his desire to spread the gospel in Iraq.
Franklin Graham is getting a lot of headlines these days over his plans to use his disaster relief ministry Samaritan's Purse as a way to spread the gospel in Iraq. Ivy Scarborough is a Christian attorney who has worked with Samaritan's Purse. He says Graham is only doing what Jesus would do.
"Some aspects of the media, of course, are hostile to the whole notion of Christians proselytizing in the Islamic world -- but I point out to them two things," Scarborough says.
"First, Christians are commanded by Jesus himself to do this; this is not something we do [at our own] discretion, but it's a duty. And secondly, and more importantly, Jesus never compelled anybody to follow Him."
Scarborough says throughout the gospel, Jesus first tried to address the needs of the people, whether it involved healing or food and water. He says Samaritan's Purse is planning to do it the same way -- and that he is not surprised that the mainstream media has a problem with that and is critical of Graham.
On the Air
Meanwhile, an international Christian broadcaster is airing programs in Iraq as the war in that country shifts from combat to restoring order. Trans World Radio has been airing a series of special Arabic and Farsi language programs to listeners in Iraq and the surrounding region.
TWR's Lee DeYoung says the broadcasts, which are intended to bring people in Iraq and the rest of the area a message of hope, clarify that the Bible does not identify the Christian message with any earthly kingdom, national government, or political system -- but that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for "all peoples."
The daily 15-minute series includes testimonials, Bible reading, and exhortations for listeners to put their hope and trust in Christ.
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