“The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again,” writes Billy Graham, “And I don’t see any other hope, because we’re heading toward a catastrophe in our world.”

Even Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, is getting in on the act. She recently spoke at the National Religious Broadcasters convention: “I believe we’re living in the last generation before he comes back.”

No theological qualms with the BGEA’s focus (though perhaps with Lotz’ emphasis—how many preachers throughout history have said what she did?), but is it really news? Billy Graham has talked about the end times his entire career, including at least three books on the subject (World Aflame, 1965; Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1983; Storm Warning, 1992). The second coming of Christ is hardly new ground for Billy Graham.

“Surely somebody on Graham’s team saw the unintentional hilarity and/or ridiculousness and/or cheapening of the gospel that comes from putting this phrase on the television screen:

For a relationship with Jesus Christ: 1-800-631-7141″

He pokes fun at the wording and then finishes with the admission that Billy Graham and evangelical Christians have done good things, “but TV graphics like this one help explain why people think we’re weird.”

I think Boyett is taking it a bit far, but he does have a point.

I like Billy Graham because of the basic work he does—telling people about Jesus. That’s important, hugely important, but often some of the goofiness of Christianese slips in and it’s like they’re speaking a foreign language.

By the very nature of what the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association does there’s a tendency to focus on that single decision (Decision magazine, Hour of Decision, Decision Today, etc.), but they do talk about the rest of the Christian walk. Making that phone call is a first step. You talk with trained spiritual counselors who explain what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and how to do it. They explain the basic Christian doctrine of salvation and give you a chance to pray. They’ll offer to send you some resources to help you get started on the Christian journey.

Boyett’s criticism does have merit. It’s not like you’re suddenly going to have a relationship with Jesus from a single phone call. You might be introduced to Jesus if you’re ready for that, but you’re not long lost college buds. But that single phone call can start a relationship with Jesus, and that’s something.

Boyett also wonders about Franklin Graham’s suspicious hair, but we’ll save that for another day.