Billy Sunday: Major League Evangelist

Heroes of the Faith

by Rachael M. Phillips

People need inspiration like never before-stories of legendary, faith- filled heroes who met amazing obstacles with courage, perseverance, and even joy. . .stories of godly men and women who changed the world. Barbour's retooled Heroes of the Faith series is back with additional titles-compelling, easy-to-read biographies of missionaries, evangelists, and others who made their mark for Christ beyond the walls of the church. Adults and adolescents alike will be inspired by the commitment, sacrifice, and wisdom of these great Christian leaders. Heroes of the Faith-the name says it all!

Genres: Biography

Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bully Sunday is a crucial link between the revivalism of Finney and that of Billy Graham.

This book tells the story of his life—though in brief outline. It is full of hypothetical conversation and comments in order to help it read more like a novel, but despite that, I finished the book feeling as though I don’t know much more about Sunday than I did before I picked it up.

The author seemed determined to simply focus on how Billy wanted to see people saved. So the side comments made about other details of his life—the sad lives of his children, health issue, or methods of attracting crowds including backflips, hiring circus giants, and on one occasion, even showgirls—sound perhaps even worse than if they were given more explanation and context. This is book, in intending to only celebrate him as a hero, doesn’t manage to avoid raising some more pressing questions and issues in his life and ministry—it only succeeds in avoiding to address them.

Why did Billy embrace revivalistic practices? Why were people drawn to his revivals, rather than those of other bible believing revival preachers? What were the effects of his championing prohibition and patriotism along with the gospel? How should we think about his decisions to not invite blacks to his revivals, simply because that meant less white People would probably come? How should we consider the obvious cost to his family life that came from such an itinerant ministry? If so many thousands came to Christ during his revivals, if his revivals had such a significant economic impact on cities ‘vice industries’, then why did the country appear to be less interested in religion at the end of his life than at the beginning?

I’m left with all these questions at the end of this book. Interested now to read a more careful consideration of his life and philosophy in ministry. But at the moment, it seems a sad example of how a focus on ‘decisions’ for Christ often leads to ministry choices that at best fail to disciple young believers; at worst, was handing out cheap assurance to those who were not interested in genuine repentance, only some Saturday night entertainment.

[Steve Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book about an evangelist I have admired from my youth. I rated this a four and not a five because of the overuse of adverbs, and a minor error in the identification of another well-known evangelist. I loved the surprise at the end related to Billy Graham. One fact I had never heard.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard of Billy Sunday but had no idea he played professional baseball! I really enjoyed hearing about his playing days and how he got his preaching start in YMCA and local missions with the poor and destitute.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about a baseball player who had the type of showy big tent revivals pictured in so many movies. I read it many years ago, but I remember enjoying what a character Billy Sunday seems to have been.

[Meredith]

Interesting to see how these evangelical movements were so closely tied to political issues of the day and how sermons/preaching had influence over the way people voted (ie prohibition). A tragic end to his story of profound ministry, as his children struggled and suffered. My favorite part was learning about Sunday's early years and the struggle his mother went through repeatedly. Wonder if he has any descendants still in the LA area/California.