Amid the blare of voices demanding space on air, online and across the globe, Frank Wright works in Washington to ensure that the Christian Gospel does not become drowned out. As president and chief executive officer of the National Religious Broadcasters as well as the NRB Network, Wright, 58, serves Christian media outlets reaching millions of listeners, viewers and readers worldwide. He shared with The Washington Examiner by e-mail thoughts on the faith that guides his work, and the expanding mediums to spread Christ's message. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
Yes, I am a Christian -- a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I suppose the thing I find most striking is the uniqueness of Christianity. Every world religion is about one of three things: thinking, feeling or doing. Christianity by contrast is about a state of being. The essence of the Christian life is about being in Christ, being in relationship with the Father, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Being "in Christ" is a place of rest, rather than a place of striving for what we can never attain on our own.
Did anyone or any event especially influence your faith, or your path in life?
One man had a significant impact on both: Dr. D. James Kennedy. He led me to faith in Christ 30 years ago and challenged me to make my life count for Christ. Two expressions of his have stayed with me over the years. The first was his personal ministry motto, which I have made my own: "Excellence in all things and all things to God's glory." The second was a favorite couplet I often heard him quote: "Only one life, it will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." I loved him like a father and miss him almost every day.
You were quoted in March as saying, "Christians need to know that it is the Gospel that is in the cross hairs on Capitol Hill today." What elements of the Gospel are most threatened, and how?
That comment is based upon a troubling change in attitude toward Christianity, more and more evidenced in our political discourse. Historically, the principal objection to Christianity has been that it is not true. Christianity's opponents have argued that the Bible is not true, Jesus was not born of a virgin, He did not rise from the dead, etc. Today the objection is more sinister. It's not that Christianity is not true -- but that it is evil. Google the phrase "the Bible is hate speech," or "Christianity is evil," and welcome to a sad new world.
The media landscape has expanded tremendously over our lifetimes -- radio and television compete with countless messages via the Internet and cell phones. Has the expansion helped or hindered the success in spreading a Christian message and encouraging Christian morals?
Today's electronic media landscape is almost unrecognizable to media veterans. Ten years ago this week, iTunes was born, followed in due course by Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the App Store. Each of these offerings was heartily embraced and are collectively part of a transformational shift in the way people consume media and communicate with each other. At the same time, media delivery systems have expanded from broadcast radio and television to cable, satellite, Internet, and wireless mobile technology. This expansion of electronic media platforms has opened so many doors of opportunity that today 2.5 billion people listen to or watch some form of Christian broadcasting at least once a month.
At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?
Every Christian's core beliefs ultimately rest upon the same foundation: the Bible. Every substantive objection to the Christian faith eventually comes down to this: "I don't believe the Bible." And any careful reader recognizes that the Bible makes claims on the life of a believer. If the Scriptures are the inspired word of the Living God, then those claims are authoritative and trustworthy. If the Bible is merely the word of clever men, then it is little more than fallible human wisdom. My faith rests upon the Scriptures.
- Leah Fabel