Billy Graham, RIP

39 Replies to “Billy Graham, RIP”

1. The reason why Billy Graham’s life was well-lived is because, as much as was possible for him, he put his trust in God, not himself.
   I could learn a lot from the faith and trust he put in God.

2. He was a uniter of Christians although he was criticized by theological liberals as well as fundamentalists. You can’t please everyone. He was criticized for preaching in Hungary and the Soviet Union prior to the fall of communism there but his visits may have helped encourage the opponents of communism there.

3. He commanded the respect of all people from all walks of life, across all religious lines. He truly was a man of God.

4. Billy Graham was once asked; “What reward would you like in heaven?” His reply was to be greeted by Christ and told “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
   I have no doubt he has received his reward

5. “…his visits may have helped encourage the opponents of communism there.” Sorry, no, and most emphatically no! While in the Soviet Union, Graham waxed passionate and eloquent about the religious freedom guaranteed to all Soviet citizens. Meanwhile his coreligionists in the Gulags wasted away because they would not compromise their beliefs with Soviet power. But then again, we all have to compromise; don’t we?

6. “Sorry, no, and most emphatically no! While in the Soviet Union, Graham waxed passionate and eloquent about the religious freedom guaranteed to all Soviet citizens. Meanwhile his coreligionists in the Gulags wasted away because they would not compromise their beliefs with Soviet power. But then again, we all have to compromise; don’t we?”
   Care to supply a reference for those statements, or you are just projecting?

7. I went to copps coliseum back in the 90s to hear him.
   the place was jammed >100% capacity so I sat it out in the auxiliary video feed room.
   packed. absolutely packed. he sure could draw them.

8. I second that.
   RIP Billy Graham, for a job well done.

9. “While in the Soviet Union, Graham waxed passionate and eloquent about the religious freedom guaranteed to all Soviet citizens.”
   Can you provide a quote from Graham to support this claim? He was opposed to communism but he took the opportunity to preach the gospel in Moscow when it came. His style was to be polite even to communists but he wasn’t naive.

10. I’m not sure what Dr. Graham did to you to make you say that, schroder.
    “If the world hates you [Billy], understand that it hated Me [Jesus] before it hated you” (John 15:18).

11. billy greydick, anti-Semitic religious crook!!!
    butt he did apologize for his anti-Semitic remarks a few years ago

12. This is from the NY Times – no friend of evangelical Christians.
    Mr. Graham said that the controversy over religious rights had been caused by a misunderstanding of his original comments. He traced the problem to his response to a reporter who asked if he had personally witnessed any religious persecution. Mr. Graham said he had replied that he had not. Elaborating yesterday, he said he had not meant to imply that the Soviet Union was free of such oppression.
    Mr. Graham said he believed that there was persecution of believers but that he had not personally observed any. He contrasted ”freedom of worship,” which he said was widely honored by the Communist Government with the severe restrictions placed on ”freedom of religion.”
    ”It is well known,” Mr. Graham said in a prepared statement, ”that the Soviet Union closely regulates all organizations and movements, including religion. There are certainly many who by the standards of our society do not have full freedom to express their criticisms of Soviet policy, and are considered lawbreakers if they do. ‘Prisoners of Conscience’
    ”I am well aware,” he continued, ”that there are prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Union, including some who have said they have chosen to resist the law because of religious reasons.”
    http://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/20/world/billy-graham-back-home-defends-remarks.html

13. When Dr. Graham stands before his Creator, the words, “Well done good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord,” will be resounding.
    Wonder what He will say about you.

14. Personally I do think well of Billy Graham, imperfect man though he was. Curious to know if there is anyone you admire, NME, apart from yourself of course.

15. thunderous praise. ALL the Heavenly Hosts attending, *at this very moment* whilst the Lord and Creator, rests His loving arm around Billy, PROUDLY showing off this loyal servant. boasting, BOASTING to all there in the gentle way that He does, about the immeasurable impact this follower accomplished.
    this is not some naive grey haired spinster talking. I am deep down to the core steeped in science and logic (30 yrs in info tech). here’s the catch, *it’s that very analytical approach my autism causes me to use that led to this conclusion*.

16. I grew up having to listen to BG. My mother would have him on the radio while we dutifully listened to George Beverley Shea sing and BG proselytize. Sunday was for church and Wednesday was bible study.
    One day when I was 12 maybe 13 I saw a title in a book store that changed my life, ‘Why I am not a Christian’ by Bertrand Russell. I got home and asked my mother if this was possible as it had not occurred to me that everyone was not a Christian except darkest Africa where our missionaries went.
    I guess she did her best to stem my insipient heresy but the seed had been sown. By the time I had finished high school I had started reading philosophy and left the faith.
    Over the years I have met many fine people who follow religion. I had Jewish girlfriends who took me to synagogue and I married in a catholic church but I never reconnected with the faith. I personally find the concept of an all knowing benevolent sky god who is concerned about the fall of every bird or how many hair I have on my body preposterous. It doesn’t in my opinion square with the unspeakable suffering that goes on around us. It’s just my opinion.
    I suppose I should heed the advice of the French mathematician Pascal and buy into his wager but I’m willing to take my chances and if at the end of it all I’m proven wrong I’ll have to see what happens at the pearly gates. I might end up fishing the river Styx…if I can get past that damned dog.
    Live and let live.

17. Hey abtrapper,
    “I’m willing to take my chances and if at the end of it all I’m proven wrong I’ll have to see what happens….”
    We can agree on this.
    Bertrand Russell already knows the follow-up response to your willingness “to take my chances”.
    What do you think he would say to you, if he could let you know?

18. Billy Graham initially came into my life through the television sets of my parents and grandparents. I wasn’t even a toddler when he spoke in Winnipeg. His message was simple, practical and powerful: there is always hope, you have the power to make a better choice, we are all children under the same god and all you need to do is come just as you are. Even as a wet behind the ears hyper kid who got into more than his share of mischief Billy Graham’s words sank in and changed me for the better. He’s a man who truly walked the walk and let God use him to speak a powerful message of faith, hope and love to the World. Only self absorbed losers like Joy-less Be-harried would characterize such devotion to others as crazy. Rest in peace Mr. Graham.

19. I attended a Billy Graham crusade … once … in the 1970’s … after I had already become a Christian (at the Oakland coliseum). So I didn’t feel the need to answer the altar-call to come forward and receive Christ or to renew my faith. I had no quarrel with anything Graham preached, but the “Crusade” I attended was an evangelical event … and I had no particular need for evangelicazation. I believe my tickets were comped by my church. I may have made a cash donation while at the event, but it certainly didn’t jeopardize my personal wealth (nonexistent at the time). Meh.
    I came to Christ the old fashioned way … through people. People, both Christian and non-Christian who impacted my life in the deepest and most meaningful ways. People, that I am convinced, God/The Holy Spirit used to quite literally SAVE my life. I could probably point to 6 completely unrelated people at different times of my life who were most instrumental … but when I look back at the movie of my life … there were dozens of people who Christ brought beside me who changed everything. My family were ‘cultural Christians’ at best (loved that Christmas time!) so I had no hostility toward Christ (as some acronyms in here do) but had no particular affinity either. I rarely attended church as a kid (and like most kids, didn’t much like it when I did).
    Every person is different … yeah, that’s a real revelation isn’t it … and God interacts with each person on a deeply individual basis. As a competitive sport coach, I learned up close and personal just how different kids are. Some respond well to pressure and challenge, and others are repelled by it and need a gentle “encouraging” touch. So too, God meets us where each of us live. Graham touched countless (millions?) of lives with his ministry. Many responded to his brand of preaching and encouragement. I wasn’t one of those people. Primarily because I came to my faith as a skeptic (which is why I actually LIKE a certain NME within). I would dare say that I came to my faith as an … “intellectual”. Trust me, NONE of the Christians I know are the “slack-jawed” yokels down at the revival tent. That is just another silly meme perpetrated by Satan. Talk about your fake news.
    No, Graham wasn’t “my” Preacher or Pastor. But let me share who WAS “my” Preacher, Teacher, and Christian mentor … Earl Palmer … http://www.earlpalmer.org/ Rev. Palmer was the Pastor at First Presbyterian in Berkeley (just a few blocks from campus). I drove 30 miles each way to hear Earl preach every Sunday morning for quite a few years. Why? Because Earl was a Teacher. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Earl’s style of preaching was … well … intellectual. Historical. Cultural. He was a teacher who often received standing ovations at the completion of his lessons from the pulpit. God used Earl to teach me so much that has formed the cornerstones of my belief. And at the core of his every lesson was God. Christ. The Holy Spirit. Earl was humble despite his incredibly powerful intellect and gift for teaching. Yeah, I know … that ISN’T the “Berkeley” you all know so well. You’d be surprised how many SANE people lived in Berkeley back in the day (not quite so much today), I want to say that Earl Palmer is NOT an “evangelical” preacher like Graham … but then again … he was. He just taught Christ in a different way than a Rev. Graham … with no less “evangelical” impact.
    I’ve chosen to bore you all with another personal (off topic?) story to make a simple point … to each his own. Graham wasn’t for me … but that doesn’t mean that I reject his style or his message. He no doubt has “saved” many souls for Christ. Not mine. But God came to me in other forms, and in other ways that touched me. And my faith was actually strengthened by … a preacher … but a very, very, different kind of preacher than Graham. One that NONE of you have ever heard of. He’s only “semi-famous”. Sadly, it appears as though the only “famous” preachers are the ones so easily mocked by a Godless culture as being Bible-belted, backwater, FRAUDS. I feel sad that even a single nasty, negative (cheering and jeering) comment will be posted about Graham.

20. Russell found religion at the end of his life. He lived an atheists life so I hesitate to speculate what might have happened if he met god. A Christian god would be duty bound to forgive and accept him in much like Pascal proposed.
    That doesn’t really address your question but I’ve asked some of my dear departed friends to send me a signal from the other side but maybe where they went there is no cell coverage?
    It’s complex Frank. I’m not some fevered atheist going around trying to disprove anything. I know the rules of life. Sure I poke fun at organized religion from time to time and if at the end I come face to face with a judgemental god who deems my life worthless because I didn’t believe in him… well… I hope I have a dog treat in my pocket I can offer Cerberus as a bribe to get fishing in the Styx.
    Best
    abt

21. You should read CS Lewis’ The Great Divorce. Lewis suggests that God has made it somewhat clear that salvation is YOUR choice. YOU choose to “divorce” God … not the other way around. As for deathbed confessions of “belief” … yep … Christ made it abundantly clear through the parable of the prodigal son … that you’re IN. Yep, your Heavenly Father (mother, whatever … ) will kill the fatted calf and welcome you with a giant party in heaven. And should all us longtime faithful be “jealous” of such last minute conversions? Why? We welcome all brothers (sisters, and xes) into the spiritual realm. Why wouldn’t we?
    Lewis suggests that non-believers have so hardened their hearts against man’s spiritual existence (heaven). That they won’t even RECOGNIZE heaven when they’re in it … and REJECT it … even when welcomed by God AFTER death. I consider it to be a much higher (intellectual) plane to acknowledge man’s “consciousness” and “sentience” means something. That our own self awareness, personality, identity is not of this world, and not of our understanding. To mock all faiths (primarily Christianity) as believing in a “sky daddy” is sophomoric at best. It’s downright childish … which is why it probably resonates and repeats on the internets.

22. Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
    2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
    satan is the only one who has been sentenced to perish, hence called the son who will perish.

23. smithy, people like you are a JOKE, from an intellectual perspective. Billy boy apologized for his anti Semitic nonsense because he got caught. He also became very wealthy because of his “ministry”. In 1968-1970 he was interviewed and asked about his wealth, his verbal stumbling BS was hilarious, he could not give a clear answer. In the 1980T’s the Graham org was suede 3 times that I am aware of. They would send people in to live with old folks, and then CONvince the people to change their wills to Greyham org as benefactors. This was one of the major driving forces behind the power of attorney law. You should inform yourself before opening pie-hole.
    Just like your indignity at my mentioning that HLO was Jewish. Why do you A$$holes always get butthurt about the truth?????
    No smithy, your god only resides in your head, no were else, EVEN IF THERE IS A GOD, it ain’t the one you have created!!!
    It is easier to fool a fool, than convice a fool he/she has been fooled:-)))

24. Are you sure Russell “found religion?” I’ve never read or heard of that anywhere. One world-famous atheist who did change his mind about God was Anthony Flew. He wrote a book called ‘There is a God’ in 2007. Maybe that’s who you’re thinking of.
    Flew was about 80 when he announced in 2004 that there probably is a God. The discovery of DNA and the information it contains had something to do with his change of mind. It seems he followed the evidence where it led him and he appears to have been a honest and thoughtful man. So even if you are 80 there is hope for you while you still live.
    Like you I became an atheist at a young age – probably 15 or 16. In my early twenties however it began to occur to me that it was arrogant of me to insist that God does not exist, considering how limited we are in our knowledge of the vast universe and its origin. Eventually I became an agnostic. I felt that I never could or would know the truth about the existence of God, but I stopped claiming that He did not exist.
    In my mid-twenties I had an experience that showed me that I was wrong, both as an atheist and as an agnostic. God can and does reveal Himself. Sometimes it is to those who sincerely seek the truth, and sometimes even those like me who was not directly seeking Him. Why not put a little time and honest effort into it? You may be amazed at what you find. But be earnest about it; it isn’t a game.
    I suggest reading the Book of Acts paying particular attention to the story of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (chapter 9). Try to decide if this man genuinely encountered God at this point in his life. I am convinced he did. If he met God even after being dead wrong about Him for years, why not you or me? God does not show partiality.

25. Nice, Greg W … and yet I don’t believe your story is all that unique (the anti-Religionists would have you believe it is). There are many thoughtful, legitimate skeptics (we all should be) who have come to believe. For intellectual, interpersonal, and spiritual reasons. I am happy for you Greg W. Thanks for sharing.

26. Thanks, Kenji. I’m happy for you as well!
    Billy Graham wasn’t my favorite preacher although I know he helped a lot of people. I did like the fact that he tried to foster unity among Christians without watering down the gospel message too much, as some in the ecumenical movement have done. That fits with Jesus’ prayer that we might be one. What it will take to achieve this unity in today’s splintered and divided Church is a big question – maybe worldwide persecution of Christians. Not looking forward to that although I’ll probably be gone by then but I feel for the next generations.

27. What it will take to achieve this unity in today’s splintered and divided Church is a big question –
    Luk 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 
    Mat 25:32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 
    Mat 25:33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left
    Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 
    Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

28. 1Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 
    1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 
    1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 

29. Kenji: I accept that you have god in your life and your actions are guided. Perhaps referring to god in terms of a ‘sky god’ is sophomoric, but I’ve read Lewis and have him in my library. I remain unconvinced. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Forgive me if I’ve misquoted this – I’m going back to my Sunday school days.
    Greg: Many years ago I met a gal who had Russell as an advisor when she was a student. She spent a considerable amount of time with him and he influenced her greatly. I don’t recall if she told me he became religious at the end of his life or if I read that someplace. It certainly doesn’t appear in anything of his that I’ve read.
    All cultures have god. It’s part of the human condition. We are awed by our insignificance in the universe and seek answers to questions which we can barely comprehend. We invent gods to help us understand. The Greeks had many, Christians/Jews are monolithic. I’m ok with either.
    I live by my own inflexible rules. Throughout my life I’ve had people say to me, “What religion are you, Your so catholic, Are you Jewish?” I don’t know what makes people think that of me but I do know this. You can live a virtuous ethical life without being religious. If at the end I’m rejected by a god who deems me unworthy but yet lets Mr Hitler into heaven because he recanted on his death bed well….I’ll just go fishing.

30. Jesus first coming obviously didn’t bring peace on earth, stradivarious. However that’s not what I said. I said He prayed that we might be one and that doesn’t seem to be happening just yet.
    “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” John 17:20-22

31. . . . yet lets Mr Hitler into heaven because he recanted on his death bed. . .
    Well, that’s not likely since he shot himself – not usually the act of a man turning to God. Let’s not worry about Hitler. He’s dead. However, you and I are alive so why not seek the truth? It might help if you read the Book of Acts as I suggested. You can even ask God to show you if it is true. What have you got to lose?

32. “smithy, people like you are a JOKE…”
    There are people who believe in a Creator whose Son died on the cross for the sin of mankind (if I’m allowed to use that word here) in order to have a relationship with him.
    There are others that don’t believe. Many of those, like abtrapper, articulate where they are at with respect. There are others that are more aggressive and argumentative.
    Then there is you. You have a hatred on for anyone of faith. You comment on topics on this site with no clear thought regarding the topic, just another opportunity to say some disparaging thing about Christians.
    I sincerely feel sorry for you. I don’t know how one can make it through the day with zero joy. Perhaps one day you may find the Lord.
    2Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

33. My understanding is that Graham, son of a dairy farmer, became a preacher soon after turning 20. He then supposedly ‘dedicated his entire life to God’, somehow managing to die with a personal net worth well over $25,000,000.00 that he apparently also became ‘dedicated to’, along the way. BTW, for perspective, what was Jesus’s net worth when he died and how many old-timers’ pension cheques did he cash? I certainly don’t remember any parables in bible class about Jesus making obscene profits from the word of God, but, admittedly, it has been awhile.
    Mat 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
    I believe Graham is a hero to many Christians simply because he added more teammates than almost any other Christian recruiter on the planet.

34. Mat 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
    That particular verse points out the hazards of putting more importance on your possessions than in God. Nothing to do with being rich, rather the value placed on riches. A large difference. As the preceding verses show. Anything valued more important than God is an idol.
    Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 
    Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

35. Rich people have no needs. Have no struggles, lest those they construct for themselves. Yeah, yeah, lots of exceptions … but most rich people (think Bill Gates, et.al.) perceive themselves to BE gods -IMHO- with no need whatsoever for a creator-God who reigns SUPERIOR to themselves. That is why rich people will have difficulty entering heaven. It isn’t God’s bias against wealth … it is wealth itself which taints the human perspective. And you can add “power” to that equation as well. You know what is said about the corrupting effect of power. It too would require the eye of a needle for salvation … again … as Clive Staples allegorically said … by reason of personal choice. Personal Perspective.
    God is ALWAYS on the other side of the door, knocking, gently. Life is tumultuous, and tends to drown out the sound … but the door is NEVER latched.
    And something tells me that Hitler didn’t quite make it through the pearly gates before the American and Russian Armies pushed him into his bunker and wrong end of his Luger … (or Argentine flight to safety … if you so believe). But the disposition of Adolph’s salvation is no business or interest of mine. THAT is what is meant NOT to Judge others … to not surmise others faith based on your own personal/religious bias. Do I want to meet Adolph in heaven? Hell NO. But I can be forgiven for that sin. Ha.

36. I thank the Lord for the blessing Billy Graham was in my life and many others. Also I’m thankful for his son, Franklin’s, life and ministry. Love of life (big bikes, for example) and God.

37. I made a blunder when I said Christians are monolithic I should have said monotheist. Thankyou for not pointing that out.

38. Well said.

39. Perhaps you would better understand the shortcomings of Billy Graham if you realized that he wasn’t what he appeared. On the surface, he was a protestant evangelical. Beneath it, he was a luciferian Freemason.