In my last post, I endeavored to give what I viewed, a balanced approach to the life of Billy Graham. With the very public ministry that Dr. Graham had, he was open to, again in my view, very caustic criticism and at the other end some very naive glowing tributes. Both extremes are neither honoring to the Lord or helpful to the church at large. They also only convince an already hostile world to further and deepened unbelief and criticism of Christianity as a whole.
Over the last several days I have been given to reading a number of article and blogs on the life and ministry of Billy Graham. The vast majority falling into either of the two extreme camps I have already mentioned. What I found the most interesting was the effect those polar views had on me personally. The negative views left me angry at the poison and vitriol that reeked of a self-righteous judgmentalism. The other overly positive views seemed to elevate Billy Graham to near godhood and were, for the most part, devoid of any doctrinal discernment.
There can be no question, that Billy Graham left a large footprint on American evangelical evangelism. He was called; “America’s Pastor.” He counseled and prayed with a number of past American presidents and numerous Congressional leaders sought him out as well. I’m not sure the title that was given him was one Dr. Graham was comfortable with though. He never saw himself as anything other than a preacher of the Gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ as the pastor of the Body of Christ. But his impact on American evangelicalism is undeniable.
As I was reading through the many newspaper articles and blogs online, I came across two blogs I want to leave with to read. For me at least they stilled my thoughts well on Billy Graham’s ministry. The first is written by Steve Lawson, who worked for the Graham Ministry for ten years. It’s entitled “Three lessons from the extraordinary life of Billy Graham.” His insights are right on the spot and are a real help in understanding the “man,” Billy Graham. The other is, “A Tale of Two Williams,” by Jordan Stanridge. The tales are about opposites in ministry and lessons to be learned. I found this one particularly instructive and devotionally practical.
– Michael Holtzinger