Franklin Graham: Trump sharing gospel letter appropriate

Preacher Franklin Graham sent President Donald Trump a letter explaining the Christian understanding of salvation, according to a photo Trump shared on Palm Sunday. Graham is the son of the late, well-known evangelist Billy Graham, serves as head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and is a member of the White House Religious Liberty Commission.

The letter dated back to October, when Trump’s comments suggesting he might not get to heaven went viral. He also told reporters several times that he hoped his global peacemaking efforts would help him get to heaven. Graham’s letter responded to those comments, telling Trump that the only way to heaven was to believe that Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again to save him. Graham cited Romans 10:9 and wrote that he was praying for Trump. The president shared the letter on Sunday without any additional comments indicating his response to it. 

The Rev. Franklin Graham told WORLD on Monday: 

“This letter was written in October after President Trump had made a comment to the media—maybe in jest—about not knowing if he would make it to heaven. I wanted him to know what the Bible says and that he could be sure. It’s not by works, it is through repenting of your sins and putting your faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ. I think it was appropriate that President Trump shared this truth with everyone on Palm Sunday.”

Has Trump said anything clarifying his view on heaven since the time the letter was written? Trump in February at the National Prayer Breakfast said his earlier comments were made in jest. He probably should get into heaven, but was not a perfect candidate, he said.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report on Trump’s speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Editor’s note: This story has been edited to include a response from Franklin Graham.