It's no musica...
... and I'm very relieved about that. I don't agree with Billy Graham on every spiritual issue, but I am glad that LifeWay decided to keep his likeness (above) clothed in the new statue unveiled yesterday downtown. I have to say that it does look very much like Graham, at the very least.
I honestly think this sculpture is pretty gaudy, though I am sure it is well-intentioned. Christianity places so much significance on humility and compassion--as does Graham--so it seems odd to me to create a colossal version of the beloved evangelist to tower over passersby for years to come. It seems a bit ironic, and almost intimidating, to me, and that really isn't Graham's nature, in my opinion. As I said above, there are plenty of things I don't agree with Graham on, but I do think he is a dedicated, sincere and kindhearted man. I'm not sure this attempt at tribute lives up to that legacy.
(For the record, I love that Musica is on Music Row, if for nothing else that it offends some local folks with sensibilities that may be a bit too conservative. I just don't want to see Billy Graham naked, and I think I'm in the majority on that issue.)
7 comments:
You know that if the Titans make the playoffs, Graham will be wearing one of those foam fingers.
Great idea, Sam! He is begging for a Pred Head, too! Remember those?
funny that so many "Christians" seek to preserve the likeness of their "heroes" whom have simply been shaped into what they were solely by the realized Love of Christ within them. Yet they remain oblivious to the fact that they themselves, together with all other humans on the planet, make a much better living monument to the Love of Christ contained within us all. Oh if we could only come to the awareness of it.
lmao at sam's comment, btw.
I agree, it's over the top extreme and I think it will make Nashville look bad
It's no different than the Chet Atkins statue or Owen Bradley statue or statue that honors any other individual. What is so wrong about a preacher being honored? Billy Graham deserves any honor he gets.
Sista, you raise a good point that I think Jeffrey is also speaking toward.
Billy Graham is a good, honest and deserving man, if you ask me. I think Christianity (and religion in general) can become a lightning rod for criticism, and that's probably true in this case.
At the same time, I think a big reason why Christianity takes so much heat is that it is a religion where humility is championed (appropriately so, IMO). There's no question that Graham is a humble man from what I know of him, but I think any public display representing Christianity can come off as self-serving or over the top, even when Graham isn't the "self" who chose to display the statue.
It may also speak to a fear of being proselytized and a fear of having another's beliefs imposed upon you.
hey sista, I hear what you're saying and I was a little too cynical in my last comment. I just feel that glory and honor to any person may not necessarily be a good thing. The good, talent, love, freedom, and wisdom that comes out of every person, as I see it, comes from the life and Love of Christ within them. Preachers, should understand this...but then again maybe I'm holding them to an unjust standard.
thanks for calling me to the carpet.
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