LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Reflection Essay Assignment 2
Submitted to Dr. Malcolm Hester,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650 – B03
Public Theology
by
Jason Love Albano
March 11, 2021
In 2003, I saw Billy Graham face to face. To be specific, I was seated at the top bleacher
seats in a football stadium filled with thousands of people while Billy Graham spoke at the center
of the stadium. I was in third grade and I remember my parents packing up our family to head
over to the stadium. My father said that a pastor was going to share a message. I was shocked to
find myself in such a large venue for a sermon. I remember there being motocross professionals
doing flips off giant ramps at the beginning of the show and lots of loud cheering and singing.
Then Billy Graham took the stage, preached a message, and many flooded to the front of the
stadium. Admittedly, I fail to remember a single topic of the message, but I would like to blame
that on the fact that I was in third grade. Now, it is 2021 and I am writing a paper on that man.
In summary, Billy Graham was a pastor. He was a pastor that had reached such status that
the world named him, “America’s pastor.” Grant Wacker, author of America’s Pastor: Billy
Graham, describes Graham’s rise to popularity as follows, “In slightly more than two decades--
roughly from 1949 to 1971--Graham moved from leader to celebrity to icon, and he retained that
iconic status into the new millennium.”1 Graham became an icon by transcending lines
politically, personally, racially, and religiously. He would travel the world and preach to millions
each year. His name was discussed regularly by media, politicians, professors, pastors, and more.
He gained great fame, but he also gained great criticism. Studying the life of Billy Graham
provides valuable lessons of positive and negative approaches to ministry.
Billy Graham reportedly had a simple upbringing. After graduating and beginning his
pastoral career, he began his ministry by preaching. Although the beginning of his ministry was
as described, the social climate of America surrounding Graham was anything but simple. World
War II, the Watergate scandal, national civil rights movements, and much more played their roles
1 Wacker, Grant. 2009. “Billy Graham’s America.” Church History 78 (3): 489–511.
in the growth of Graham’s popularity. He possessed a unique gift to integrate these events into
his presentation of the gospel during his messages. Grant described this gift when he said, “A
producer as well as a product of his age, Graham displayed a remarkable ability to adapt broad
cultural trends for his evangelistic purposes.”2 It was not only political events that he integrated
into his delivery. Graham also represented his personal life and events openly. Growing up in
Charlotte, North Carolina, he possessed a southern accent and approach. His speech was quick,
varied in tone and pitch, and was easily understood. Representing culture from his upbringing
only aided his following as he presented himself as a simple country boy.
As Billy Graham transcended into political circles, his ideals were heavily criticized.
Many topics he stood for, such as being against communism, were readily accepted by most
Americans; but one major setback for Graham was his negative comments about Jews and the
media. Following a private conversation with President Richard Nixon secretly recorded in 1972,
where he spoke very negatively about Jewish leaders, Graham had to publicly apologize to the
Jewish community. Further discourse occurred as he was understood to be in support of the
Vietnam War and even defend Nixon during the Watergate scandal. Grant describes the backlash
Graham received as follows, “Besides a steady flow of hate mail and occasional death threats, he
received censure from all directions: the left, the right, the academy, the media, and the church.”3
The struggles he faced provide lessons to glean from for Christian leaders as they continue
ministry and reveal further historical context of America during this time.
Two years after I sat in that stadium to listen to Billy Graham preach, he officially retired
in 2005. Toward the end of his long career as an evangelist, Graham continued preaching and
thousands continued to gather and listen. They gathered because he preached the gospel while
2 Ibid., 489–511.
3 Ibid.
also speaking out about social reform. Grant outlines this when he said, “Three sets of events
defined Graham's posture toward social engagement. The first was the Vietnam War, the second
civil rights, and the third a cluster of issues broadly concerning global justice.”4 All three
positions granted him censorship and support at the same time. His posture on civil rights was
admired by many as he preached peace and equality. This same posture was also scorned by
many and they felt he was being to passive or even that his positions were simply tools he was
using to gain support for his crusades. The same reaction seems to occur regarding Graham’s
position on global justice. He spoke often about the issues regarding poverty and starvation. He
touched upon global religious topics such as Islam vs Christianity, but many critics feels his
approach to this topic was too passive.
In conclusion, Billy Graham passed away on February 21, 2018. Although most young
adults barely know his name, his influence can be found throughout modern Christianity. Many
pastors continue to glean from his recorded sermons and approach to preaching. His style and
integration of social issues is a common tool used in sermons today. Additionally, the life and
ministry of Billy Graham reveals much about the historical climate of America from 1940 to the
early 2000’s. The political climate following World War II and during the Vietnam War was
extremely tense even influenced by many Christian leaders. Billy Graham had many
achievements and short comings so the perception of how successful he was is open to everyone.
Whether you admire his ministry or criticize it, there is much to learn from the life and ministry
of Billy Graham.
4 Ibid.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wacker, Grant. 2009. “Billy Graham’s America.” Church History 78 (3).
