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The author of Rebel with a Cause is now a rebel with a clause: "In the name of Jesus." Franklin Graham, who embraced the rebel identity in his 1997 autobiography, is stirring fresh controversy with his latest book, The Name (Nelson). Graham says Christians have a duty to pray publicly in Jesus' name. He says churches are avoiding ministry to people with HIV/AIDS. On his summer book tour, Graham reiterated his view that Islam teaches violence.

Graham, president of the relief and development agency Samaritan's Purse and chief executive officer of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), recently sat with Christianity Today editor David Neff and deputy managing editor Timothy Morgan.

Your book The Name defends your use of Jesus' name in public prayers. How surprised were you by the reactions to your prayers at Columbine High School and the 2001 presidential inauguration?

I can't say I was surprised, because I've seen this before. We as Christians should not be afraid of mentioning the name of Jesus Christ. The freedoms other religions enjoy in this country are because of Christians, who came to this nation searching for freedom. Jews have had more freedom in this country than in any nation on the face of this Earth outside of Israel. A Muslim has more freedom in this country than he has in a Muslim country. Christians gave them this freedom.

Why do you think some people say they're offended, then?

Because they are. Listen, if I mention the name Muhammad, people go: Okay. You mention the name Buddha: Oh, that's nice. You mention the name of Jesus Christ, and it divides a room. People scowl. People breathe a sigh of relief. This is more evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that Satan wants to do everything he can do to discredit that name.

Do you think that Christians should be offended when in public gatherings a Hindu or a Muslim leader speaks in the name of their prophet or god?

I'm not offended. I don't expect a Buddhist to pray like a Southern Baptist. I don't expect an Islamic cleric to get up and say, "I pray in the name of Jesus Christ." If he did, I'd say, "Wow, that's pretty cool."

Local pastors often get asked to give prayers or to say a few words at community events. Should they follow the pattern that you set forth and always speak in the name of Jesus?

All I can do is speak for myself. I didn't ask to be at Columbine. It just happened. When I get invitations like that, I just have to believe that God opens those doors because he expects the name of his Son to be interjected into that situation. I would be showing dishonor to my Father in heaven not to mention the name of his Son in those settings.

At the inauguration, Houston pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell and you took mutual strength and encouragement.

We were in a room at the hotel. The program committee was meeting. Kirbyjon saw me and said, "Franklin, are you going to use the Name?" I looked at him. He said, "In the prayer, are you going to use the Name?"

"Ah. Yes, I'm going to pray in the Name."

"Good. So am I. We'll both get in trouble together."

Kirbyjon gave a great prayer, and it came from his heart.

How do you feel about Christians commemorating events separately compared to what happened in New York City last year, where everybody got together under Oprah's umbrella?

[After the memorial service at] Yankee Stadium, I talked to a lot of pastors who said, "We were left out." It was people offering generic messages and prayers. They tried to make it a Hollywood event. Hollywood has nothing to offer to anybody. Who offers more hope—Oprah or Almighty God?

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November 18 2002, Vol. 46, No. 12