Billy Graham had a very strong deist/Theistic/Universal streak.
He is on record saying things that simply do not align themselves with conservative Christian theology.
I am not judging Billy Graham… but to deny that he has said things that are totally wrong according to Scripture is simply wanting to looked the other way.
There easy to find online...but here is one for anyone that wants to take a look.
“He is on record saying things that simply do not align themselves with conservative Christian theology.”
That bit with Schuller was bizarre. Definitely some problematic statements from Graham there.
While there are grounds to criticize Billy Graham's methods or theology, there is one thing about the man that is unassailable - his character. How many men have spent 70 years in the public eye with a message that is not conducive to worldly thinking and not had a hint of scandal in their lives? There was a Pulitzer Prize waiting for the journalist who could prove Billy Graham a hypocrite and yet, they couldn't.
I really believe that God blessed the evangelical Christian community by giving us Billy Graham to act as the face of our community for the better part of two generations. Can you name one conservative theologian who had any where near the impact of Billy Graham? I think that our community would be well-served to pray that God raise up another like Billy Graham.
Along these lines, I would like to point out to George Will that Billy Graham had far, far, far more positive societal impact than his snobbish, elitist, effete, back-biting, bow-tied critic.