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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Reflection Essay: The Life and Ministry of Billy Graham
Submitted to
Dr. Malcolm Hester
THEO 650
Public Theology
by
Harold C Hanson
July 9, 2021
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The Life and Ministry of Billy Graham
Billy Graham is considered one of the most influential religious figures in US history and
one of the most famous evangelicals in the world. During his lifetime, Graham preached the
gospel to hundreds of millions of people around the world and earned his love, respect, and
appreciation from thousands through his charisma, sincerity, and righteousness. However, the
main lesson that one can take from the life of Billy Graham is the need to adapt to the demands
of modernity while maintaining the fundamental principles of his faith.
Billy Graham has become one of the most famous and beloved preachers of the gospel
for his charisma, simplicity, sincerity, and education. A farmer's son, Graham, discovered the
path of evangelism after hearing Mordechai Ham's preach as a child, which prompted him to go
to college. Graham graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois, which helped him gain a wide
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range of knowledge and develop his unique style of preaching. The peculiarity of his speeches
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was that he always sincerely and simply conveyed messages to the audience. Graham believed
that sincerity helps pave the way for the souls and hearts of people, converting them to God. The
central idea of all his speeches was that Jesus loves all people, so all who choose the path of
serving the Lord will be saved. This message helped Gramm attract more and more people by
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preaching the gospel to them, listening to their problems, and treating all people as equals.
