Liberty University
Rawlings School of Divinity
.
Reflection Essay: Billy Graham's America Assignment
Submitted to Professor Dr. Malcolm Hester
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
Public Theology
THEO 650 – D02
by
Kion Bolden
May 5, 2023
In "Billy Graham's America," Grant Wacker tries to understand what made Billy Graham
such a wonderful and significant person. The author claims that Graham's ascent, persistence,
and distinctiveness are not immediately apparent.1 Graham is considered one of history's
greatest evangelists and an unforgettable person who transformed the world via his oratory and
preaching. He was a devout preacher who was raised close to Charlotte, North Carolina, and
went on to rise to prominence as a national figure, celebrity, and icon.2 Graham's evangelistic
work on radio and television made him instantly famous not only in the United States but also in
other countries and among people all over the world.
Graham was known as a loving, kind, and compassionate person. He had a burning desire
to spread the gospel and see lost people come to know Christ as their Savior. As his popularity
increased, he remained committed to bringing about change in people, societies, civilizations,
and countries. This was the outcome of God's labor of salvation. Over the course of his lengthy
ministry, Jesus delivered the gospel in person to an estimated 215 million individuals in 185
different nations and territories, as well as to hundreds of millions via electronic media.3 He
urged everyone to accept Jesus as their Savior by calling them to salvation through the Scriptures
and his perceptive oration.
As Graham's fame increased, world leaders and heads of state knew him beyond his
modest beginnings. Nevertheless, he never lost sight of the main goal of his ministry, which was
to spread the good news. The first campaign Graham organized in Los Angeles in 1949 would
not only set the foundation for his long career but also serve as the inspiration for many of his
best-known pieces. The first crusade was supposed to last three weeks, but it actually went on for
1 Grant Wacker, “Billy Graham’s America,” Church History 78, no. 3 (Sep 2009): 493.
2 Ibid, 490.
3 Ibid, 490-491
eight. Thousands came to publicly confess their faith in Jesus after each session, filling and
overflowing the arena. As a result of that incident, Graham was thrust into the public eye and
established himself as a voice for both the United States and the rest of the globe.4 The motif
would appear in numerous of his crusades during the following years. Twelve weeks were spent
on the London crusade, while sixteen weeks were spent on the nightly New York campaign.5 As
his evangelistic efforts spread around the globe, Graham continued to preach in Africa, the
Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union in addition to other places.6
The relationship Graham has had with politicians is a contentious feature of his life.
Despite Graham's aim to spread the gospel to everyone, his critics saw him as more of a
politician than a preacher or evangelist. Graham's detractors had a chance to attack him because
of his support for the Vietnam War and for President Nixon during the Watergate crisis. The
Christian statesman lost the esteem of many individuals who had earlier held him in the highest
regard.7 Graham, like many other famous people, had to face the fact that very few persons in
history have ever had universal acclaim for an extended period of time. The pastor was now
being closely watched for each word he spoke and each deed he did. People in America and other
countries are making judgments about the individual based on his simplest remarks or deeds.
Billy Graham, despite being an exceptional individual, struggled with the same problems
that everyone else suffers in our world. Graham appeared impenetrable beyond this world for a
while, but like everyone else, he endured and experienced adversity. He had to cope with
rebellious children. He was criticized and opposed. Graham was not only kind, but he had
4 “Profile: William (Billy) F. Graham, Jr.,” Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, accessed April 28,
2022, https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/billy-graham/#biography.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Grant Wacker, “Billy Graham’s America,” Church History 78, no. 3 (Sep 2009): 493.
Southern manners. He was known to be considerate and kind when interacting with others. This
affection and friendliness may have been one of his best qualities, but it may also have been one
of his greatest weaknesses. Many people think that, as Graham got closer to death, his message
changed. He seemed to have a softer touch as he called men sinners and said that God's wrath
was real and certain.
There are positive as well as negative lessons to be learned from Billy Graham's life. His
narrative serves as a reminder that God never ceases to proclaim the good news of salvation and
call individuals from all lifestyles to Himself. Whether he was preaching in a coliseum, a small
country church, a dairy farm, or a sporting arena, Graham personified the Christian desire for the
gospel to be heard across the world. He embodied God's promise to Abram that "I will make
your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2 NIV). He showed sympathy and love
for the brokenhearted and sinners, both of which are admirable and worthy of imitation. Our
lesson is that believers should exercise caution and awareness when speaking. Opinions,
concepts, and worries are all too prevalent. It can sometimes be dangerous to express all
opinions.
According to the Wisdom of Solomon, "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps
himself out of trouble" (Proverbs 21:23 ESV) is a warning for Christians. As a result, while
Christians should not avoid speaking, they should be careful about what and when they speak. As
we endeavor to be that light Jesus referred to the disciples in Matthew 5:16, we must make sure
that our words are carefully and fervently pondered. Never letting anything take our focus away
from our duty to share the gospel. Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).
