A MID-MAY PROBING OF MY THOUGHTS:

I've been reading, "Revelation” at the end of my Montgomery Bible. And I’ve been reading the Koran… I don't want to read the Koran like Billy Graham does the Bible...(I admit the Koran is a lot like the book of Morman to me... yet some compassionate passages are there too...)

At the beginning of my ministry, in Washington State, I heard both Charles Templeton and Billy speak at a 'Youth for Christ "Saturday night rally in the 30's. The seminary's they chose were very different & also changed the pattern of their life investment for Jesus.

My pattern, too, was moulded by BBDS.

Now, in all measurements, Billy has had the immeasurable World Influence. Christianity is viewed by the world as the "Gospel" he has proclaimed. Compared to we other servants, he has had "greatness" by any measurement.

As I watched him here in San Diego... I prayed for him...thinking of his physical frailty now. Yet “The Bible Says" strength in his voice...but the more full-orbed teaching of Jesus, our Savior; asks for so much more than personal acceptance for Salvation. In this day I stand with Roger Williams and Walter Rauschenbusch as I respond to the Gospel.... I fear the "Christian right" agenda.... flowering, I think, out of Billy's approach to the Gospels. I believe this one dimensional portrayal of Christianity would , like the extreme Muslim interpretation of Mohammed, wreck the world!

Am I wrong in thinking that Israel could not exist for 6 months without the United States help? Tom Friedman(New York Times) says that the Moslem world considers Israel our "Colony.' Is not this the time to make the United Nations capable of policing the whole world?

Surrendering some of our sovereignty is not just a dream, but intelligent selfishness to me.

For world Peace -- A Department of Peace --to me is not too idealistic. We can, as a nation, exert "tough Love" in our role of Good Samaritanship in the Arab world. By a preemptive strike & (winning the War?) we are already committed.

Caleb Elroy 5/20/03