Billy Graham will loom large for years to come

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on February 23, 2018.

The death of Billy Graham closes a significant chapter in world history.

Hundreds of thousands of people made their way to gigantic stadiums around the world, not to watch a game or hear a rock star perform, but to hear Graham preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There have been people who have tried to analyze Graham’s style and whether it was his charisma that attracted the crowds. It did not seem as though it was about him at all though and that was how he wanted it. He made it clear many times that he was simply responding to what he believed God wanted him to do. There was no hidden agenda of him seeking fame or trying to make money from it. In fact if that had been the case he would probably not have lasted.

It sometimes seems as though “Billy Graham’s Crusades” has been replaced with Christian television shows where the message appears to often be more about raking in the money than preaching the gospel. There are also the television show gimmicks to persuade people to “buy” something and send a donation or submit a request for prayer and include a donation.

There has also been a fair share of television “pastors” slipping up quite badly on the moral front.

Considering how extensively Graham travelled and the duration of his ministry, it is significant that there have been no scandals of impropriety. Perhaps that can be attributed to his commitment to preach the gospel without seeking any trappings. He has also said that from day one he made a point of never being left alone with a woman unless it was his wife.

His wife Ruth has written about media trying to dig up any dirt they could find and would even go through their trash on garbage pickup day. If there was anything they found it appears to have been insignificant.

The family lived simply and Graham is reported to have drawn a “modest” salary. He did not stray from what he believed God had called him to do.

This is different era and methods of communicating a message have changed but Billy Graham will loom large in world history for a long time to come.

(Gillian Slade is a News reporter. To comment on this and other editorials, go to https://www.medicinehatnews.com/opinions, email her gslade@medicinehatnews.com or call her at 403-528-8635.)

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