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Billy Graham: The Great Evangelist
Presents the life and times of the evangelist whose message of hope and love has brought him world-wide following and fame.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
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About the author
Sam Wellman
90 books17 followersSam Wellman, PhD, is a writer of numerous biographies. He has traveled to Germany many times and twice stayed for several months (in Berlin and Wittenberg). He blogs and tweets on Martin Luther and Frederick the Wise. He lives near Wichita, Kansas.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 11, 2019
Since I became a Christian in 1999, I've learned that Billy Graham was arguably the most influential Christian of the 20th century. I heard nothing but GREAT things about him. God used him to preach ALL across the world and allowed his ministry to be VERY fruitful. Not only did he consistently preach to sold out stadiums, there was OFTEN a LOT of people who gave their lives to Christ during altar calls. However, I've recently heard some push-back from some of my friends who are black who have said that there was more to him than is often portrayed. I've been a bit confused since I've heard that. What did he do wrong?
When I read this biography, and there are SEVERAL out there, I think I found out why. His ministry emerged during a time in history where segregation was how things were in the U.S. At first, according to this biography, he had ropes that designated white seating and black [colored] seating. He supposedly spoke out about the evils of racism and in 1953 he personally tore those ropes down. In Chattanooga, it caused fewer blacks to attend his crusades, but in other cities, more came.
I also read he rejected South Africa's invitation because he would ONLY come when EVERYONE could come to his crusades--not just whites. Unfortunately, that didn't happen until 1973. He met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957 and asked him to open up one of his crusades with prayer. However, MLK Jr. eventually went to jail as a result of his stances on civil rights while Graham kept preaching primarily to people to make peace with God.
It makes me think his stances maybe WERE too late and too soft. MAYBE he should have sided and aligned himself with MLK Jr in order to bring about more change [It's MUCH easier to say in hindsight]. That could have prevented him from preaching the gospel as widely as he did, but sometimes stances should be made to bring about certain changes in society.
That being said, I DO remember reading several times how Graham mentioned, "the base/foot of the cross is level," which implied that we're ALL equal [or at least SHOULD be]. Was this Graham's way of subverting the empire [This phrase comes from a book I read a while back called "Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire"]?
It sounds like he was often used as a pawn in politics as well [at least at times], as he spent time with most US Presidents of his lifetime. I would have liked to read more about Graham's thoughts on the race issue and his thoughts on time with presidents.
Anyone care to share any insights?
Here are 3 things I also noted from the book:
1) He preached on four maladies: emptiness, loneliness, guilt and fear of death (166)
2) Blacks lambasted him for not taking stronger action in America [compared with South Africa] (176)
3) Isaiah 49:6 was expressed by Jesus himself in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 (207)
When I read this biography, and there are SEVERAL out there, I think I found out why. His ministry emerged during a time in history where segregation was how things were in the U.S. At first, according to this biography, he had ropes that designated white seating and black [colored] seating. He supposedly spoke out about the evils of racism and in 1953 he personally tore those ropes down. In Chattanooga, it caused fewer blacks to attend his crusades, but in other cities, more came.
I also read he rejected South Africa's invitation because he would ONLY come when EVERYONE could come to his crusades--not just whites. Unfortunately, that didn't happen until 1973. He met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957 and asked him to open up one of his crusades with prayer. However, MLK Jr. eventually went to jail as a result of his stances on civil rights while Graham kept preaching primarily to people to make peace with God.
It makes me think his stances maybe WERE too late and too soft. MAYBE he should have sided and aligned himself with MLK Jr in order to bring about more change [It's MUCH easier to say in hindsight]. That could have prevented him from preaching the gospel as widely as he did, but sometimes stances should be made to bring about certain changes in society.
That being said, I DO remember reading several times how Graham mentioned, "the base/foot of the cross is level," which implied that we're ALL equal [or at least SHOULD be]. Was this Graham's way of subverting the empire [This phrase comes from a book I read a while back called "Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire"]?
It sounds like he was often used as a pawn in politics as well [at least at times], as he spent time with most US Presidents of his lifetime. I would have liked to read more about Graham's thoughts on the race issue and his thoughts on time with presidents.
Anyone care to share any insights?
Here are 3 things I also noted from the book:
1) He preached on four maladies: emptiness, loneliness, guilt and fear of death (166)
2) Blacks lambasted him for not taking stronger action in America [compared with South Africa] (176)
3) Isaiah 49:6 was expressed by Jesus himself in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 (207)
July 8, 2017
Biographies are all fairly similar. Certain individual exists, certain individual may have been born, certain individual lives for a while and does stuff, certain individual might live no more. In this particular instance, life left not certain individual, which was different, but the underlying principal was the same.
As for review, it was as good as might be expected, as most biographies are, save, naturally, for the ones that aren't.
As for review, it was as good as might be expected, as most biographies are, save, naturally, for the ones that aren't.
March 19, 2018
Billy Graham was great Evangelist. His life was an example for many Christians. His life and his personality is so inspired for me!
October 8, 2018
Wow!!!!
Learned so much about Evangelist Graham that I never knew and was pleasantly surprised. What a surprise--- a good one.
Learned so much about Evangelist Graham that I never knew and was pleasantly surprised. What a surprise--- a good one.
September 13, 2023
Good book
I would recommend this book to any young Pastor who has the conviction, that our mission is to respond to the GREAT COMMISSION.
I would recommend this book to any young Pastor who has the conviction, that our mission is to respond to the GREAT COMMISSION.
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April 10, 2018Incredible walk through American history...
January 18, 2014
Billy Graham is one of the greatest evangelists of this generation. Through the years he has delivered sermons to hundreds of thousands of people, doing God's will and spreading one word: salvation. He began his early life as a 'trouble-maker', but after a marking moment in his life he found true salvation and let Christ mold him into a new person. Billy then grew the want to preach; he wanted to preach like Mordecai Ham, he wanted to bring people to Christ. Billy Graham then proceeded to Christian colleges and began his journey in becoming the great evangelist he is known to be. Billy Graham made a difference in the US; he spoke to many of our presidents, participated in movements that change the US into what it is today, and most importantly he spread the Word of Christ to hundreds of thousands of people living in this country. Billy also preached in organizations such as Youth for Christ and Mission World, spreading the Gospel throughout the world. Although Billy's life was hectic he still believed in building a family on the stone which is Christ; following God's plan for not only his life but of those he loves. Billy Graham is more than than a well-known evangelist, he is a follower of Jesus and an example for all those who believe.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a good book. When reading this book I felt intrigued in reading ore about Billy Graham because it was like a fiction book; it was unreal what God has done through this man. I do have to say though that the book was lacking more of a biography sense to it. It spoke about Billy Graham and his work as an evangelist but it didn't give a lot of information. It was more of a story, full of quotes and detailed conversations than a biography; it did not have many important dates, and it skimmed through his life sometimes giving too much detail in things that necessarily did not need to be emphasized. Overall it had a good idea and story. I was happy when I read this book. I was excited to learn more about this wise man.
I would recommend this book to anybody. It is really intriguing and easy to read. The story it tells, about Billy Graham and his journey as an evangelist is very intriguing and its make people wonder, as it did with myself, "How much are we doing for God? Is it enough?" It is also a short story and not much of a challenge; therefor anybody willing to read it can and should, to learn something new and to hopefully become someone new.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a good book. When reading this book I felt intrigued in reading ore about Billy Graham because it was like a fiction book; it was unreal what God has done through this man. I do have to say though that the book was lacking more of a biography sense to it. It spoke about Billy Graham and his work as an evangelist but it didn't give a lot of information. It was more of a story, full of quotes and detailed conversations than a biography; it did not have many important dates, and it skimmed through his life sometimes giving too much detail in things that necessarily did not need to be emphasized. Overall it had a good idea and story. I was happy when I read this book. I was excited to learn more about this wise man.
I would recommend this book to anybody. It is really intriguing and easy to read. The story it tells, about Billy Graham and his journey as an evangelist is very intriguing and its make people wonder, as it did with myself, "How much are we doing for God? Is it enough?" It is also a short story and not much of a challenge; therefor anybody willing to read it can and should, to learn something new and to hopefully become someone new.
April 1, 2016
What I like about Billy Graham is that he is proof that even in these days and Times we can still make a impact for Christ. Other church figures lived long enough ago that I can dismiss there impact on modern evangelism. God of course is what makes it happen and he was clearly with Billy Graham.
August 8, 2016
Just an amazing man of God , he truly sought after God's will and all the glory was given to God. I'm really glad I read this book :) an encouraging book!!
July 31, 2011
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to feel inspired to live for God
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews