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Paul B.
UPDATE...
Because of the interest I'm going to post two books on Billy Graham that have been recommended in the comment section as a good read. Enjoy.
"The Preacher And The Presidents"
[Billy Graham in the White House]
Authors..Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy
"A Prophet With Honor"
Author..William Martin
19 comments:
Watching his crusades on television. Alot. My dad became a born again Christian when I was in grade school watching a Billy Graham Crusdade. My dad is in his seventies now. I am in my...well that's not important. :)
Debbie,
I was interested in how many would be able to say they came to Christ as a result of hearing the gospel from his ministry. Your Dad is the first one mentioned. That's great.
By the way, I've been around you enough to know that it is obvious that your Dad had his daughter [you] late in life. :)
Hi PAUL,
We Catholics love this man and love his devotion to Our Lord. I remember watching his Crusades as a child (I'm very old now) and knowing he was leading people to Christ. My first memory of his speaking on television was his intensity and strength of purpose in the service of Lord Christ. We love him.
Also, Paul, please share my thanks to Wade for all the wonderful posts he has given us, and for the time he took to help us with our comments. I understand how busy he is, but I hope someday, he will feel the leading of the Spirit to be 'with us' again who were members of his blogging family. We love him very much. L's
May I share this:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=a3e68756adb17cfa9d73
Christiane,
Consider it passed along. He reads this blog. Thanks for stopping by.
As to the link..chilling.
Paul, I am very astonished at the effect of 'fundamentalism' on people of faith. I can't believe that it is something that is 'of Christ'. Evangelism is a beautiful expression of sharing the 'Good News' of Christ with the world. But fundamentalism seems so dark, so judgmental, and so very mean-spirited. I hate what it does to good people.
Christiane,
You got that right.
I guess in light of the fact it was a "Fundamentalism" of sorts that wound up crucifying our Lord we ought not be too surprised it's still in operation today. But it still is a shame what it does to people. I agree.
My first memory actually OF him (and not of people talking about him) was my freshman year of college. He did one of his last crusades in Kansas City. My youth group went on youth night. It was different, certainly not what I expected. The sermon wasn't really all that good. It was actually really brief because he had only recently recovered from a broken hip. Rambly, too. And still people poured down the isles (I'm pretty sure they weren't all counselors, too). There was something about him that just demanded you listen. And something about the Holy Spirit that It couldn't stay away from the stadium. Amazing experience.
Chris,
You've made an interesting distinction which I think is legitimate. Knowing of him and then experiencing his ministry first hand.
I remember, as do so many others, his preaching over the radio. But I REALLY remember a brief time with him personally in Ft. Worth of which I'll speak a little at a later time.
One thing I know. I don't put anyone on a pedestal anymore. Even Billy Graham. He has his faults and shortcomings as do we all. I also disagree with some of his theological positions.
Add to that no one can REALLY know the genuiness of anyone else's heart or ministry other than the Lord and that means we just must not try to define the "most godly" among us. We all will see reality one day.
This means that a country preacher in Oklahoma could be more real ultimately than BG. As I said, we'll see one day.
But there is something about him that is simply impossible to explain except in terms of the annointing of God so far as I can determine right now knowing all I've just said.
Besides that..he's a nice guy.
Paul,
My first recollection of him was a recording of his message on The Home.
I remember that he was commenting on women using make-up, and being done up like Jezebel, but, in an aside, said, "Let's face it though, some DO need a little".
Not very "spiritual", I know!
As to your remarks. Yep! We do have something in common.
Paul,
My first recollection, like so many, is watching one of his crusades on television when I was a child. I never actually attended a crusade.
However, I was present in April 2006 when former President George H. W. Bush presented his annual Award for Excellence in Public Service to BG. Even as frail as BG had become (he used a walker) he was still a remarkable presence that day. Honoring him were an interesting group. Besides President Bush, Stephen Case, the founder of AOL, spoke. Also, Michael W. Smith sang and spoke. Present were people such as James Earl Jones and Chuck Norris. What an eclectic group of people. It struck me as I listened to these people describe their relationship with BG that perhaps his greatest impact was with individuals and not his crusades. Which seems a lot like Jesus.
You can see a picture of that day here. http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/image.php?id=2651
While I have not always agreed with some of this theology and other positions, there are two areas that impress me about BG. First, his integrity. With all of the recent examples of prominent evangelists who have had their various integrity issues, BG set up his organization and lived his life so that even the closest scrutiny of his life would not bring dishonor to God.
The other aspect I admire is that he had a holistic compassion for people. He not only looked to their spiritual needs but also addressed physical and social justice issues as well, particularly in his later years.
Never got to attend a crusade, but I remember my parents sitting us all down when I was a child to watch his (complete) crusades on television. I'm so grateful for a godly man with no scuttlebutt surrounding him. He has definitely finished well. And his children like him. Praise God!
March 25, 2010
I believe the ‘magic/success’ of Billy Graham is described in:
What is Preaching?
Preaching is the art of making a sermon and delivering it. Why no, that is not preaching.
Preaching is the art of making a preacher, and delivering that.
Preaching is the out rush of soul in speech. Therefore, the elemental business in preaching is not with the preaching but with the preacher.
It is no trouble to preach, but a vast trouble to construct a preacher.
What then, in the light of this is the task of a preacher? (or of anyone sharing his or her faith).
Mainly this, the amassing of a great soul so as to have something worthwhile to give. The sermon is the preacher up to date.
Bishop Alfred Quayle American Methodist Bishop (1860-1925)
If I remember right, I believe that came from Wade Burleson’s blog.
Many years ago, before I’d ever seen TV, I attended his crusade in Fort Worth. His message was simple but touched the heart. His conviction was passed to the listeners.
My sisters followed in his footsteps as far as being removed from Bob Jones University for the same reason of not ‘wilting’ to fundamentalists.
Christiane, I thought of your advice of “don’t react” when a fundamentalist challenged me to ask the church for his removal and if it failed, he’d ask for my removal. I’d never heard of that kind of ‘duel’ before. :)
Christiane, I’m with you on missing the fellowship on Wade’s blog.
PS
I believe the comment of rtfgvbh80 has been deleted before from Wade’s blog for being some bad stuff.
Aussie J,
I remember one Evangelist saying the same thing this way.."A little paint never hurt ANY old barn."
My wife never saw the humor in all those kinds of sayings.[Course she never needed any paint...and she isn't an old ba...I'll just stop now.} :)
Traveller,
This.. "It struck me as I listened to these people describe their relationship with BG that perhaps his greatest impact was with individuals and not his crusades."..is insightful.
Becky,
This.. "I'm so grateful for a godly man with no scuttlebutt surrounding him."..is also paramount to his person and ministry.
By the way, I think this may be your first time to comment. Welcome and stay around. Tell Andy "hi" for me.
Rex,
Great quote from Alfred Quayle.
I think a lot of us are going to miss the fellowship on Wade's blog but at least the insights from his writing will continue.
Hi REX RAY,
Yes. I will miss everyone at Wade's, oh yes, even our Lydia, (although she would probably not believe me 'cause we disagreed so much :)
I want you to know that you and Belle remain a part of my morning vigil prayers. As do so many others whom I have come to care for. But we must respect Wade's decision as he is under the guidance of the Holy One and responds in faith to that guidance.
About BILLY GRAHAM: a memory of one of his sermons. He spoke of a city where there was a large stone Cross, very prominent in the center of the city. A man became 'lost' and someone offered to help him find his way. The 'lost' man replied this:
'Take me to the Cross. I can find my way home from there.'
This is my all-time favorite memory from Billy Graham's sermons. I think Our Lord gave him many gifts, so that he could help the 'lost' find their way home.
And, with those gifts and talents, he has served His Lord so very well, thanks be to God.
Love you dearly,
L's
A great deal can be said about a man by the way he raised and refers to his children, especially his daughters. Dr. Grahams daughter, Anne Graham-Lotz truly reflected her father in her love of God and the Scriptures. And bless his heart for the way he released his daughter into God, so that he can say today that she is a better preacher than him. And bless his humility for saying it.
Good man, indeed. We can learn a lot from his life. Has anyone done a biography on his life, yet?
There is one excellent biography that is quite balanced but out of print. It is entitled: "A Prophet with Honor" by William Martin. The author is a professor at Rice University and had access to BG and his papers.
Also, "The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House" by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy is a more political book but balanced as well. I have heard the authors speak about the book and they are quite balanced in their thinking.
Believer 333,
Your question and Traveller's answer is a help to all of us.
Just so we won't miss them..I'm going to post the biographies on the blog itself.
Thanks Traveller.
Paul,
My Grandmother listened to "Hour of Decision" religiously each week as did I when we were visiting. We also watched Crusades on TV and I tried to read all that I could about him.
I saw him in person just once while singing at a SWBTS event in Fort Worth and he spoke. Southwestern Singers were the invited musical group and I stood about 12 feet from him. He seemed to be a towering figure yet so humble in appearance.
During the crusade when he spoke to the TV audience, I always felt that he was speaking directly to me. Wow.
What a wonderful man who was and still is so full of God's love and willing to share it.
Ken Colson
Ken,
That event at which you sang is the subject of my next picture of Billy Graham. I'll post it soon.
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