LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Reflection Essay: Billy Graham’s America
Submitted to Professor Joe Easterling
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650 – D03
Public Theology
by
Joshua Arlaus
Aug 8thth, 2022.
After reading Grant Wacker’s Billy Graham’s America, I understand that the author was
seeking to speak about the life and work of Billy Graham. Through out the writing we can learn
about how Billy Graham rose to fame along with the many obstacles and challenges he faced
during his life. The writing starts off with the author speaking about when he first was able to
experience Billy Graham’s speaking. Wacker tells us, “As a kid, I never could figure out what the
big whoop over Graham was all about. I soon realized, however, that Graham's core constituents
—the millions of preponderantly white, middle-class, moderately conservative Protestants we
might call "Heartland Americans"—did not share my puzzlement. They knew exactly what the
big whoop was all about.”1 It wasn’t long before Wacker understood for himself when it was
concerning Billy Graham.
Wacker states how he watched Graham go from a spiritual leader to a celebrity within 20
years. Graham was known to set attendance records at the time. One record was in Seoul in 1973
where the individuals in attendance were recorded at 1,120,000.2 It’s even noted that Billy
Graham was so well known around the world that he didn’t even need his address listed on his
mail. People were able to just write Billy graham on the letter.3 It’s very interesting to think about
how Billy Graham ended up so popular during his life on earth. Billy Graham was born in 1918
and was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.4 Then during his middle years of life, was accused
of being racist because of a statement he made towards Jewish individuals that were in President
Nixon’s office. At this time Graham was faced with a large amount of backlash and criticism.
People felt that Graham was only interested in fame and others felt as if he was a fraud.
1 Wacker, Grant. "Billy Graham's America." Church History 78, no. 3 (2009): 489-511.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
The amazing thing about Graham’s character is that even when he was faced with his
opposition, he still never chose to stop sharing the news of the gospel. He continued to preach
and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Graham ended up changing many lives and received
awards from the United States government. Graham was awarded with the Presidential Medal of
Freedom in 1983 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996.5 One of the most popular passages
that Graham was known for speaking about came from John 3:16. Graham sometimes dealt with
backlash because of it but he stated that he wanted to provide simplicity, purpose, and clarity.
Graham ended up starting a ministry network during the 1960’s and he put in a large
amount of effort to make it work. The author explains how Graham invested his considerable
organizational skills and financial resources in the founding or supporting of a host of parachurch
institutions.6 While Graham was active in in his ministry he would state that he wanted to work
with believers no matter where they were from. Graham worked with individuals in Britain,
Poland, Africa, and even with many Jews.7 Wacker then ends his writing by summarizing the last
years of Graham’s work before he decided to finally stop. There were multiple crusades that
were influenced by Graham that impacted so many people around the globe.
In conclusion, Wacker did a great job speaking about Graham’s life and ministry. There
was an abundance of information about both his background and his evangelical life that helped
us understand his goal to spread Christ as far as God would allow him to no matter the backlash
or obstacle. Graham changed millions of lives and worked beyond the bounds of what one would
expect. God used him to bless many!
Bibliography
5 Wacker, Grant. "Billy Graham's America." Church History 78, no. 3 (2009): 489-511.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
Wacker, Grant. "Billy Graham's America." Church History 78, no. 3 (2009)
