How Billy Graham became an American icon

CNN ^ | November 9, 2013 | Molly Worthen, special to CNN

[2ndDivisionVet]

Under ordinary circumstances, Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch are probably not in the habit of attending the birthday parties of elderly Christian preachers in the North Carolina mountains.

But they were both among the hundreds of well-wishers at the party on Thursday marking Billy Graham’s 95th birthday.

Graham spent his career leading revivals around the globe, following a long tradition of evangelists who have traveled far and wide to urge sinners to accept Christ. But his birthday guest list shows that he is no ordinary preacher. He is a cultural icon, the most famous face of traditional Protestant Christianity.

“We need Billy Graham's message to be heard, I think, today more than ever," former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin told the crowd.

What, exactly, is that message—and what accounts for its mass appeal? Now that Billy is 95, I wonder: is there anyone who can fill his shoes?

Graham rose to success in the God-fearing years of the early Cold War. In 1949, the year of Graham’s first big revival in Los Angeles, President Harry Truman told Americans that “the basic source of our strength as a nation is spiritual. ... Religious faith and religious work must be our reliance as we strive to fulfill our destiny in the world.”(continued)

[2ndDivisionVet]

Comments?

[Bryanw92]

I watched his video, “The Cross” a couple weeks ago (it was on TV this week). If you are a Christian, he recharges your desire to go out and make disciples of all nations. If you aren’t, and can watch him without feeling the Holy Spirit, then you are hopelessly dead spiritually.

There is simply no replacement for him on Earth and, like John, I’m sure that he wouldn’t consider himself worthy of untying the sandals of the One who is to return.

Even when I was an atheist, I would flip through the channels and if there was a Billy Graham Crusade on TV, I’d stop and see what “those silly Christians were up to”. I’d almost always wind up sitting there to the end, wondering why I couldn’t turn away and feeling embarrassed. At the time, I thought it was because I’d hate for one of my friends to see me watching something like that. But today I know that I was embarrassed because I wanted to know Christ so bad and my stubbornness was keeping me away.

[bonfire]

Wonderful testimony, Bryan!

[VRW Conspirator]

Now that Billy is 95, I wonder: is there anyone who can fill his shoes?

Yes, but you Liberals are aborting his replacements as fast as you can.

[PastorBooks]

Good post!

[gitmo]

Seems like the church was asking the same questions when Billy Sunday died.

[Gumdrop]

Several years ago I pondered the Bible story which told of God saying that he would not destroy the world as long as there were 100 faithful people on earth; then the number was reduced to 50, 20, 10, 5, 1; and God stated that for the sake of one righteous person, he would not destroy the world.

I always thought that as long as Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Billy Graham were alive, we ought to be safe from God’s wrath. But Billy is now 95 years old. I do hope someone steps forward as a witness to God’s mercy and love. The secular world seems to wants to destroy Christianity altogether.

Oh, I know there are other very holy people as well, but Billy has always been right up there at the top, IMHO.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

I am of an age where, when I hear of a preacher coming to town for a ‘crusade’, I think, ‘It can’t be a REAL crusade, because it’s not Billy Graham’.

I have friends who know Benny Hinn and swear by him and his preaching. I have other friends who know him and are more likely to swear ‘at’, rather than ‘by’ Benny Hinn. The first group are Pentecostals and the second are Evangelicals.

[Lake Living]

Very nice Bryan - thanks for sharing and may God bless you! “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation…”

[JamesA]

In my many years of flying around the world as security I’ve met many well known people. However, the one person I would be in awe to meet would be Billy Graham.

[wizr]

Amen.

[RegulatorCountry]

Montreat isbeautiful any time of year, but especially now. That far south, fall color is not long past peak, plus the view of Asheville. The only other season to come close would be catching the native rhododenderon and mountain laurel in bloom in June.

[texgal]

I will always be thankful and owe a deep debt of gratitude to Billy Graham. I came to Christ at his crusade in my hometown of Houston. God Bless this man for all that he and his family have done for Christ. The difference between him and the fakers on TV screaming for people to send them money is like night and day. One has but to watch their deeds.

God Bless Billy Graham.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I have nothing but the best thoughts for Billy Graham. He appears to be a fine man.

So I went slumming in the cesspool over at DU and found they are venting their spleen on him with the most vile comments I’ve ever seen, no, not since Jerry Falwell died.

Must now decontaminate and deprogram myself.

[stilloftyhenight]

God bless you, faithful brother!

The thing about Graham is that he unapologetically preached the gospel.
The good Lord honors that and people respond to truth.

Republicans would do well to emulate him by unapologetically stating and standing on Conservative principles. As the Bible says, “but if you are lukewarm, I will spit you out.”