Evangelist Billy Graham - one of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century - has died aged 99

Perhaps now a balanced book will be written about Graham’s ministry, acknowledging the commendable aspects of his ministry (i.e., no personal scandal, no offerings) yet also evaluating the compromise with unbelief whose results we live with today. I suspect we would be living in a different country if Graham had not blurred the theological lines between Bible-believers and Catholic/liberal theology.

I wondered how long it would be on this thread before people started taking shots at a not-buried-yet Graham for his lack of “separation.” Now I know…

Billy Graham’s theological problems went well beyond lack of separation. Like this quote from 1997:

“I think that everybody that loves or knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it or not, they are members of the body of Christ… [God] is calling people out of the world for his name, whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ because they have been called by God. They may not know the name of Jesus but they know in their hearts that they need something they do not have, and they turn to the only light they have, and I think that they are saved and they are going to be with us in heaven.”

Wally, Wally, Wally……………….

Billy Graham, the one man who’s actions made separation from disobedient brethren an essential of fundamentalism.

I wondered how long it would take for someone to misunderstand my brief comments. Not taking “potshots”, just stating that the time for an honest evaluation of his total ministry, beliefs, and practices may now be possible. Additionally: Anyone who is aware of Graham’s history and practices should know how his actions affected modern Evangelicalism and American religious thinking. In his later years, Graham himself had second thoughts about some of his work with “non-Evangelical” groups and churches. Once again: Perhaps in the future, maybe someone will write an honest evaluation of his ministry practices.

Go ahead and write the book. But it seems to me that a pastor should know that there are times and seasons for things. The time to start attacking a man is not a few hours after he dies, especially a man like Graham. That seems obvious to the rest of the world but I guess in fundamentalism where the zeal to separate reigns supreme, there is never not a good time to attack someone you think is more liberal than you.

I think some pretty good critiques of his ministry have already been written by people who are not fundamentalists. For instance, the recent book The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald. However, the day of his death is NOT the time to evaluate his life. He knows his faults to perfection now, yet, by the grace of God he is with Jesus. We should rejoice in that fact today. Can you wait a week?

“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, LORD, who could stand?”

My comments are not an “attack” - you are reading that into my comments. You guys are experts at doing that. Just saying that the time for an honest evaluation of his ministry is due. Never said that today is that time. Quit being so self-righteous and judgmental. Seems you are the ones so focused on separation.

Praying for his family today.

My father attended Northwestern College in the mid 50’s. I looked at the college website and see Graham had already resigned as president in the early 50’s. There was a good section of historical info regarding Grahams time at Northwestern, so if anyone is interested in that, here is the link - https://unwsp.edu/about/a-reluctant-leader-leaves-a-legacy

I thought Wally’s comment was completely appropriate. I understand the principle of showing respect for the dead. I would also point out there are all kinds of ways death unfolds. There is the sudden unexpected death of someone in their prime who leaves behind a shocked and grieving family. Then there is someone who lives to 99, whose body and mind have been diseased and failing for years. The family has been prepared for the moment of passing for a long time now and in truth are probably sad today, but joyful the suffering with the physical body is over. But given the person in this 99 year old situation was Billy Graham, a very public figure, no personal friend of anyone who posts here, but someone who left behind a large legacy, one that directly impacted the very background against which sharper iron exists, I felt what Wally said against this background was completely appropriate.

Cal Thomas on Graham.

Let’s give him credit where credit is deserved. First of all, Graham ended segregation at his rallies and in his office—no small feat for a Southerner from the Jim Crow era! Second, Graham reminded the church by his own example of the need for accountability, eschewing meeting privately with women and even having the televisions removed from his hotel rooms to avoid temptation, in a world where nobody yet thought there was a need. Third, he reminds the church of their need to get out there and do something to make disciples—I have my differences with his methods, but I suspect that if I were to discuss it with him, he’d simply smile and say “get out there and show me how to do it right, son.” Finally, he saw, even prior to Solzhenitsyn, the evils of Communism.

I agree completely with Wally, Darrell, and Bert (at least on this)!