Just 8 1/2 months shy of his 100th birthday, Evangelist Billy Graham (November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) died peacefully at his home in Montreal, North Carolina. His longevity, influence, and role modelling have been epic. In a 60 year plus evangelistic career, it is estimated that he evangelised 210 million people in 185 nations, with 3.2 million recorded decisions for Christ. His most famous phrase in preaching: The Bible Says.
Graham met many world leaders and was confidant to 12 US Presidents. He didn’t limit his ministry to personal appearances: Billy harnessed the media and written material to get the gospel message out. So well-known and respected was Billy Graham that he was called ‘America’s Pastor’ and the ‘Protestant Pope.’ He was given a Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan. Hollywood even gave him his own ‘Billy Graham Star’ on the city’s footpath.
Photo the front of page of the Słowo Prawdy, Poland, 1966. Public domain.
The Bible says: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes — Matthew 7:29
A story is told that Graham, as a young man, wrestled with the issues of the authority and inerrancy of the Bible. Somehow, despite the doubts which tried to eclipse his convictions, the gift of faith descended on him and he rose up, clutching the Bible, and declared that he believed this book – every word of it – is the every word ofGod. From that point, he went forth to preach the gospel with authority, and ‘not as the scribes.’
Billy’s big break happened early in his ministry. His ‘canvas cathedral’ in the Los Angeles revival of 1949 gave him a national profile. In his 12 week London crusade in 1954, Graham ministered to 2 million people. Madison Square Gardens crusades in New York 1957 was a home-run, too. People in Melbourne still remember Graham’s visit in 1959. From these events, and more to come, Graham’s ministry went from strength-to-strength.
Though a dedicated evangelical, Graham was willing to raise the ire of narrow fundamentalists by working with a variety of churches. He also insisted that his meetings be interracial, a real ground-breaker for a Southerner over 50 to 60 years ago. His attitude: ‘I intend to go anywhere, sponsored by anyone, to preach the gospel of Christ.’
The Bible Says: Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men — Proverbs 22:29
Billy Graham was the ‘Pastor to the Presidents,’ starting with Harry S. Truman and finishing with Barack H. Obama. Graham was particularly close to Lyndon B. Johnson, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, where he was their chief spiritual advisor. In fact, Bill Clinton became a Christian as a child while attending a Billy Graham crusade. Ironically, the Presidents he was least close to were his fellow Baptists Truman and Jimmy Carter. At the age of 98, he was unable to visit the White House with current President Donald J. Trump, though son Franklin prayed at his 2017 inauguration.
Describing Billy Graham
When thinking about the life of Billy Graham, certain adjectives come to mind:
Consistency: Graham did not gyrate from one fad to another; he was focused on one thing and one thing only: do the work of an evangelist. This consistency over a 60 year plus period is remarkable and inspiring.
The Bible Says: But you be watchful in all things endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry — II Timothy 4:5
Integrity: Unlike some televangelist and high profile ministers, Billy Graham was never tainted with a whiff of scandal, personally, professionally, or financially. He kept himself above reproach in public and public dealings. Graham showed great propriety in his conduct with the opposite sex, thus scandal-proofing his ministry. People of integrity are supremely trustworthy and Graham would fit that description to a ’T.’
Loyalty: Billy Graham exhibited a rare loyalty to his friends that is most remarkable, almost to a fault. He stuck with US President Nixon during the heat of the Watergate scandal almost until the very end. He forgave Bill Clinton at the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The Grahams remained loyal to televangelist Jimmy Bakker, who they considered a friend; Franklin Graham even visited him in prison, even though there was the risk of ‘guilt by association.’
The Bible Says:Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy — Matthew 5:7
Mercy: Billy’s loyalty may have been based on his merciful side. If its a choice between being too judgmental versus being too merciful, best err on the side of mercy. Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount that the merciful will receive mercy. The message is simple yet profound: be merciful to others and when you need mercy, you will get it.
Billy’s inclination to mercy would help him in his latter years. Back in 1972, Graham had a meeting with President Nixon in the Oval Office. He may or may not have known that every word uttered in that office was recorded. In that conversation, Nixon uttered comments about Jewish people that were negative, perhaps even anti-Semitic (though, the very next year he sent a massive military airlift to help Israel during the October 1973 Yom Kippur War). Billy Graham may have uttered some words of agreement, or stayed silent during the most vehement or extreme statements of Nixon. This could have been construed or misconstrued as acquiescence. At one point, he told President Nixon that Jews ‘don’t know how I really feel about what they’re doing to this country.’
Thirty years later in 2002, with Nixon long gone, the tapes were released and Jewish people would know how Billy Graham felt … back in 1972. Graham, age 83, was deeply embarrassed over the incident and offered to go on his hands and knees to apologise to any rabbi who came on his path. From all accounts, the Jewish community’s response was mild, perhaps moot. After all, it’s Billy Graham … let’s give him a pass. The whole thing blew over very quickly. Yes, blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
In his long life, Graham will be remembered for many things. Yet, perhaps the most important, is the simple three-word phrase he used again and again while preaching: The Bible Says. This is tantamount to: God says. For Billy Graham, along with all classic evangelicals, the Bible and God’s Word are one and the same. When we equate the words of the Bible with the Words of God, salvation and a myriad of other blessings flow. In combating today’s scourge of Biblical illiteracy, Billy Graham’s three words give wisdom for today and hope for to