1978 Texas Monthly Feature on Billy Graham

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks on January 9, 2009

Digging into the Internet archives usually produces some interesting fodder, like this 1978 feature on Billy Graham from Texas Monthly (registration required). The headline on the magazine’s colorful cover reads, “Billy Graham: The Most Powerful Evangelist Since Jesus?” The article doesn’t spend much time comparing Billy Graham to 2,000 years worth of preachers but it does give a detailed biography and includes a number of interesting tidbits.

What is the Appeal of Billy Graham?
One section seeks to explain the broad appeal of Billy Graham and bluntly admits how pedestrian Billy Graham can be:

“What does Graham have that makes him so appealing to so many? He is attractive, forceful, and confident, to be sure, but one would hardly describe him as colorful; in fact, he seems almost dynamically bland. He seldom turns a memorable phrase, his mind seems innocent of complexity, and his observations are thoroughly predictable. All of us know several people who are intrinsically more interesting. And yet he is undeniably one of the authentic All-American Heroes.”

The article concludes that it is Billy’s style and character. He is humble and sincere, but also charming and confident. He also has a certain, intellectual simplicity shall we say, that makes him more approachable:

“He has openly admitted that when he suffered a period of doubt in 1949, he resolved it not by working through the problems that troubled him but by making a conscious decision not to think about them any more. ‘If that be intellectual suicide,’ he says, ’so be it.’”

For all that Billy Graham also possesses three advantages that “appear essential to evangelistic stardom: a simple non-denominational theology; a rational and efficient organization; and a distinctive personality and public style.”

A Day in the Life of Billy Graham
The article also gives an overview of Billy’s daily life:

“He works so hard that he has high blood pressure, can perform no heavy lifting, has thrombophlebitis and a recurring intestinal ailment, and from time to time has had to slow down because of an eye problem related to exhaustion. He leads a life of considerable personal discipline, rising early, reading five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs, watching the Today show during breakfast, spending an hour in Bible study after breakfast, then working, jogging, writing, and closing the day with another round of devotions—the very sort of existence most evangelical Christians feel they should lead but seldom manage.”

Billy Graham and Richard Nixon
The article also details Billy’s involvement with former president Richard Nixon, at least what was known at the time (much more would come out later). While Billy felt abused by Nixon, he stood by his friend, saying “When a friend is down you don’t go and kick him—you try to help him up.”

Financial Scandal
The article details a sort of financial scandal that embarrassed Billy Graham in the 1970s, but it was more the appearance of scandal and not any actual wrongdoing. However, the incident prompted the establishment of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) in 1979, a financial watchdog group for Christian organizations.

Behind the Curtain of a Crusade
The article gives a detailed account of what happens after someone comes forward at a crusade and fills out a response card:

“This means that for virtually every person who responds to Graham’s invitation in an evening service, some pastor in a sixty-mile radius will have received a letter by noon the following day, urging him to contact the inquirer, take appropriate action, and report back to a follow-up committee.”

Such a feat would require quite an organizational system to make that happen in 1978. It’s not clear if that effort continues in current or even recent events.

Prophet with Honor
The author of this story, William Martin, would go on to write an authorized biography of Graham, Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham Story.