Russell Moore: Graham Realized How Political, Religious Lines Could Blur

The late Rev. Billy Graham held an influential role in politics as the spiritual adviser to several presidents, but he came to recognize how the lines could become blurred during the Watergate years, Dr. Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said Thursday.

"His close association with President Richard Nixon was more personal than it was political," Moore told "CBS This Morning."

"I think later he looked back and saw how those lines could become blurred and people could easily confuse a partisan political agenda."

Graham's primary goal, Moore continued, was to spread the "message of God, redemption, and the freedom that comes from forgiveness. He, I think, more than made up for whatever errors he might have made in his past."

The evangelist's influence was huge partly because of his effectiveness as a communicator, and partly through the advent of technology.

"Part of it was because of how the same he was ... he never cut corners on the gospel, he was never embarrassed about the message that people could find forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ," Moore said. "That was the message that he gave over and over, so that the person that's drug addicted in the homeless shelter, or the U.S. senator, or the billionaire, could find the same message from Billy Graham, about the grace of God and the good news of Jesus Christ."

Graham was also adept at using evolving technologies, said Moore, including at first, radio, and then television and in later years, the internet.

Modern technology, though, didn't keep Graham from getting back to his "old-time" message and the good news about Jesus Christ, said Moore.

He also said he believes a similar figure is needed today, given the political dissention in Washington.

"We need people in politics of course that have consciences that are guided by morality and by the spirit of God," said Moore, "but I think we also need people standing outside of religion speaking the words of grace and redemption."

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