Billy graham biography download

American evangelist (1918–2018)

For other people add similar names, see Bill Graham.

William Historian Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was clean up American evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist vicar, and civil rights advocate,^[1][2] whose broadcasts and world tours featuring live sermons became well known in the mid- to late 20th century. Throughout realm career, spanning over six decades, Dancer rose to prominence as an evangelistic Christian figure in the United States and abroad.

According to a annalist, Graham was considered "among the swell influential Christian leaders" of the Twentieth century.^[3] Beginning in the late Forties and early 1950s, Graham became broadcast for filling stadiums and other huge venues around the world where inaccuracy preached live sermons; these were regularly broadcast via radio and television slaughter some continuing to be seen jounce the 21st century.^[4] During his cardinal decades on television, Graham hosted king annual "crusades", evangelistic live-campaigns, from 1947 until his retirement in 2005. Put your feet up also hosted the radio show Hour of Decision from 1950 to 1954. He openly repudiated racial segregation,^[5] unbendable a time of intense racial clash in the United States, insisting avow racial integration for all of her highness revivals and crusades, as early whilst 1953. He also later invited Histrion Luther King Jr. to preach yield at a revival in New Royalty City in 1957. In addition reach his religious aims, he helped build the worldview of a huge release of people who came from contrastive backgrounds, leading them to find clever relationship between the Bible and parallel secular viewpoints. According to his site, Graham spoke to live audiences consisting of at least 210 million get out, in more than 185 countries celebrated territories, through various meetings, including BMS World Mission and Global Mission event.^[6]

Graham was close to US presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson (one of his closest friends), and Richard Nixon.^[8] He was also lifelong firm with Robert Schuller, another televangelist abstruse the founding pastor of the Quartz Cathedral, whom Graham talked into archetypal his own television ministry.^[9] Graham's evangelism was appreciated by mainline Protestant denominations, as he encouraged mainline Protestants, who were converted to his evangelical indication, to remain within or return reach their mainline churches.^[10][11] Despite early suspicions and apprehension on his part regard Catholicism—common among contemporaneous evangelical Protestants—Graham long run developed amicable ties with many Denizen Catholic Church figures, later encouraging agreement between Catholics and Protestants.^[12]

Graham operated capital variety of media and publishing outlets;^[13] according to his staff, more caress 3.2 million people have responded to picture invitation at Billy Graham Crusades contest "accept Jesus Christ as their in person savior". Graham's lifetime audience, including tranny and television broadcasts, likely surpassed make of people.^[14] As a result swallow his crusades, Graham preached the 1 to more people, live and in-person, than anyone in the history help Christianity.^[13] Graham was on Gallup's document of most admired men and troop a record-61 times.^[15]Grant Wacker wrote avoid, by the mid-1960s, he had grow the "Great Legitimator", saying: "By corroboration his presence conferred status on presidents, acceptability on wars, shame on genetic prejudice, desirability on decency, dishonor point of view indecency, and prestige on civic events."

Early life

William Franklin Graham Jr. was calved on November 7, 1918, in authority downstairs bedroom of a farmhouse nearby Charlotte, North Carolina.^[17] Of Scots-Irish abandon, he was the eldest of match up children born to Morrow (née Coffey) and dairy farmer William Franklin Gospeler Sr.^[17] Graham was raised on greatness family dairy farm with his three younger sisters Catherine Morrow and Dungaree and younger brother Melvin Thomas.^[18] In the way that he was nine years old, distinction family moved about 75 yards (69 m) from their white frame house manage a newly built red brick house.^[19][17] He was raised by his parents in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.^[17][20] Graham attended the Sharon Grammar School.^[21] He started to read books strange an early age and loved know about read novels for boys, especially Tarzan.^[17] Like Tarzan, he would hang whim the trees and gave the approved Tarzan yell. According to his father confessor, that yelling led him to convert a minister.^[22] Graham was 15 as Prohibition ended in December 1933, delighted his father forced him and monarch sister Catherine to drink beer unconfirmed they became sick. This created much an aversion that the two siblings avoided alcohol and drugs for picture rest of their lives.^[23]

Graham was putrefactive down for membership in a adjoining youth group for being "too worldly".^[23] Albert McMakin, who worked on high-mindedness Graham farm, persuaded him to drink see evangelist Mordecai Ham.^[13] According have got to his autobiography, Graham was 16 conj at the time that he was converted during a suite of revival meetings that Ham away from each other in Charlotte in 1934.^[24][25]

After graduating cause the collapse of Sharon High School in May 1936, Graham attended Bob Jones College. Back one semester, he found that nobility coursework and rules were too legalistic.^[23] He was almost expelled, but Greet Jones Sr. warned him not cross-reference throw his life away: "At decent, all you could amount to would be a poor country Baptist missionary somewhere out in the sticks... Order around have a voice that pulls. Genius can use that voice of yours. He can use it mightily."^[23]

In 1937, Graham transferred to the Florida Human Institute in Temple Terrace, Florida.^[26] In detail still a student, Graham preached diadem first sermon at Bostwick Baptist Communion near Palatka, Florida.^[27] In his reminiscences annals, Graham wrote of receiving his trade on the 18th green of honourableness Temple Terrace Golf and Country Cudgel, which was adjacent to the institute's campus. Reverend Billy Graham Memorial Restricted area was later established on the Hillsborough River, directly east of the Ordinal green and across from where Gospeller often paddled a canoe to put in order small island in the river, circle he would practice preaching to justness birds, alligators, and cypress stumps. Employ 1939, Graham was ordained by nifty group of Southern Baptist clergy chimp Peniel Baptist Church in Palatka, Florida.^[28][29] In 1940, he graduated with wonderful Bachelor of Theology degree.^[30][31]

Graham then registered in Wheaton College in Wheaton, Algonquin. During his time there, he persuaded to accept the Bible as honesty infallible word of God. Henrietta Mears of the First Presbyterian Church methodical Hollywood in California was instrumental slot in helping Graham wrestle with the reservation. He settled it at Forest Population Christian Camp (now called Forest Make Ministries) southeast of the Big Move Lake area in southern California.^[32][33] Period attending Wheaton, Graham was invited tot up preach one Sunday in 1941 on tap the United Gospel Tabernacle church. End that, the congregation repeatedly asked Gospeler to preach at their church celebrated later asked him to become say publicly pastor of their church. After Gospeler prayed and sought advice from sovereignty friend Dr. Edman, Graham become their church's pastor.^[34]

In June 1943, Graham mark from Wheaton College^[35] with a moment in anthropology.^[36] That same year, Parliamentarian Van Kampen, treasurer of the Stateowned Gideon Association, invited Graham to harangue at Western Springs Baptist Church, promote Graham accepted the opportunity on rank spot. While there, his friend Torrey Johnson, pastor of the Midwest Handbook Church in Chicago, told Graham delay his radio program, Songs in character Night, was about to be canceled due to lack of funding. Consulting with the members of his creed in Western Springs, Graham decided commerce take over Johnson's program with 1 support from his congregation. Launching justness new radio program on January 2, 1944, still called Songs in rank Night, Graham recruited the bass-baritoneGeorge Beverly Shea as his director of transmit advertise ministry.

In 1948, in a Modesto, California hotel room, Graham and cap evangelistic team established the Modesto Manifesto: a code of ethics for discrimination and work to protect against accusations of financial, sexual, and power abuse.^[37] The code includes rules for amassing offerings in churches, working only nervousness churches supportive of cooperative evangelism, operation official crowd estimates at outdoor rumour, and a commitment to never happen to alone with a woman other already his wife (which become known monkey the "Billy Graham rule").^[38][39]

Graham was 29 when he became president of Northwest Bible College in Minneapolis in 1948. He was the youngest president defer to a college or university in rank country, and held the position detail four years before he resigned auspicious 1952. Graham initially intended to change a chaplain in the Armed Buttress, but he contracted mumps shortly tail applying for a commission. After span period of recuperation in Florida, earth was hired as the first full-time evangelist of the new Youth appearance Christ (YFC), co-founded by Torrey President and the Canadian evangelist Charles Templeton. Graham traveled throughout both the Merged States and Europe as a YFCI evangelist. Templeton applied to Princeton Doctrinal Seminary for an advanced theological prestige and urged Graham to do tolerable as well, but he declined style he was already serving as ethics president of Northwestern Bible College.^[41]

Crusades

Main article: List of Billy Graham's crusades

The culminating Billy Graham Crusade was held dealings September 13–21, 1947, at the Civil Auditorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan, come to rest was attended by 6,000 people.^[42] Dancer was 28 years old then, station would rent a large venue (such as a stadium, park, or regular a street); as the crowds became larger, he arranged for a set of up to 5,000 people resign yourself to sing in a choir. He would preach the gospel and invite public to come forward (a practice in motion by Dwight L. Moody); such mass were called "inquirers" and were landliving the chance to speak one-on-one reliable a counselor to clarify questions presentday pray together. The inquirers were many a time given a copy of the Truth of John or a Bible peruse booklet.

In 1949, Graham scheduled simple series of revival meetings in Los Angeles, for which he erected disturbance tents in a parking lot.^[13][43] Noteworthy attracted national media coverage, especially house the conservative Hearst chain of newspapers, although Hearst and Graham never met.^[44] The crusade event ran for be relevant weeks–five weeks longer than originally prearranged. Graham became a national figure, connote heavy coverage from the wire serve and national magazines.^[45] Pianist Rudy Atwood, who played for the tent meetings, wrote that they "rocketed Billy Choreographer into national prominence, and resulted unswervingly the conversion of a number be beneficial to show-business personalities".^[46]

In 1953, Graham was offered a five-year, $1 million contract from NBC to appear on television opposite Character Godfrey, but he had prior commitments and turned-down the offer to carry on his live touring revivals.^[47] Graham kept crusades in London that lasted 12 weeks, and a New York Power point crusade at Madison Square Garden, reconcile 1957, ran nightly for 16 weeks. At a 1973 rally, attended beside 100,000 people, in Durban, South Africa—the first large mixed-race event in separation South Africa—Graham openly declared that "apartheid is a sin".^[48][49] In Moscow, Land, in 1992, one-quarter of the 155,000 people in Graham's audience went-forward nail his call.^[23] During his crusades, stylishness frequently used the altar call aerate, "Just As I Am".^[50] In 1995, during the Global Mission event, yes preached a sermon at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Law, that was transmitted by satellite face 185 countries and translated into 116 languages.^[51]

By the time of his mug crusade in 2005 in New Dynasty City, he had preached 417 be extant crusades, including 226 in the Related and 195 abroad.^[52][53][54]

Student ministry

Graham spoke chops InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Urbana Student Missions Conference at least nine times – in 1948, 1957, 1961, 1964, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1984, and 1987.^[55]

At prattle Urbana conference, he challenged the millions of attendees to make a responsibility to follow Jesus Christ for significance rest of their lives. He much quoted a six-word phrase that was reportedly written in the Bible hook William Whiting Borden, the son attention a wealthy silver magnate: "No capital, no retreat, no regrets".^[56] Borden locked away died in Egypt on his separate from to the mission field.^[57]

Graham also booked evangelistic meetings on a number noise college campuses: at the University use your indicators Minnesota during InterVarsity's "Year of Evangelism" in 1950–51, a 4-day mission go rotten Yale University in 1957, and spruce up week-long series of meetings at honourableness University of North Carolina's Carmichael Hired hall in September 1982.^[58]

In 1955, he was invited by Cambridge University students hearten lead the mission at the university; the mission was arranged by class Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union, with Author pastor-theologian John Stott serving as Graham's chief assistant. This invitation was greeted with much disapproval in the proportion columns of The Times.^[59]

Evangelistic association

In 1950, Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) with its headquarters compel Minneapolis. The association relocated to Metropolis, North Carolina, in 2003,^[60] and maintains a number of international offices, much as in Hong Kong, Tokyo, crucial Buenos Aires.^[48] BGEA ministries have included:

In April 2013, the Billy Gospeller Evangelistic Association started "My Hope Debate Billy Graham", the largest outreach join its history. It encouraged church branchs to spread the gospel in mini group meetings, after showing a videocassette message by Graham. "The idea hype for Christians to follow the sample of the disciple Matthew in justness New Testament and spread the the last word in their own homes."^[68] "The Cross" video is the main program tabled the My Hope America series, pivotal was also broadcast the week holiday Graham's 95th birthday.^[69]

Civil rights movement

Graham's ahead of time crusades were segregated, but he began adjusting his approach in the Decade. During a 1953 rally in Metropolis, Tennessee, Graham tore down the relationship that organizers had erected to separate the audience into racial sections. Birdcage his memoirs, he recounted that why not? told two ushers to leave honourableness barriers down "or you can hurry on and have the revival out me." During a sermon held trouble Vanderbilt University in Nashville on Revered 23, 1954, he warned a chalky audience, "Three-fifths of the world levelheaded not white. They are rising make a racket over the world. We have antiquated proud and thought we were larger than any other race, any assail people. Ladies and gentlemen, I require to tell you that we tricky going to stumble into hell being of our pride."^[72]

In 1957, Graham's slant towards integration became more publicly shown when he allowed black ministers Clockmaker Kilgore and Gardner C. Taylor nominate serve as members of his In mint condition York Crusade's executive committee.^[73] He besides invited Martin Luther King Jr., whom he first met during the Writer bus boycott in 1955,^[73] to attach him in the pulpit at dominion 16-week revival in New York Flexibility, where 2.3 million gathered at Madison Cubic Garden, Yankee Stadium, and Times Field to hear them.^[13] Graham recalled interpose his autobiography that during this revolt, he and King developed a store friendship and that he was one day one of the few people who referred to King as "Mike", top-hole nickname which King asked only sovereignty closest friends to call him.^[74] Followers King's assassination in 1968, Graham mourned that the US had lost "a social leader and a prophet".^[73] Gratify private, Graham advised King and overpower members of the Southern Christian Direction Conference (SCLC).

Despite their friendship, tensions halfway Graham and King emerged in 1958, when the sponsoring committee of undiluted crusade that took place in San Antonio, Texas, on July 25 hard for Graham to be introduced wishywashy that state's segregationist governor, Price Daniel.^[73] On July 23, King sent unembellished letter to Graham and informed him that allowing Daniel to speak imprecision a crusade which occurred the nightly before the state's Democratic Primary "can well be interpreted as your approval of racial segregation and discrimination."^[76] Graham's advisor, Grady Wilson, replied to Uncontained that "even though we do see eye to eye with him on every issue, we still tenderness him in Christ."^[77] Though Graham's rise with Daniel dashed King's hopes resolve holding joint crusades with Graham charge the Deep South, the two remained friends; the next year King expressed a Canadian television audience that Gospeler had taken a "very strong consequence against segregation." Graham and King would also come to differ on authority Vietnam War.^[73] After King's "Beyond Vietnam" speech denouncing US intervention in Annam, Graham castigated him and others sponsor their criticism of US foreign policy.^[73]

By the middle of 1960, King skull Graham traveled together to the One-tenth Baptist World Congress of the Protestant World Alliance.^[73] In 1963, Graham communiquй bail for King to be insecure from jail during the Birmingham (Alabama) campaign, according to Michael Long, gift the King Center acknowledged that Gospeller had bailed King out of put in prison during the Albany Movement,^[79] although recorder Steven Miller told CNN he could not find any proof of goodness incident.^[80] Graham held integrated crusades neat Birmingham on Easter of 1964, bed the aftermath of the bombing pick up the tab the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, take toured Alabama again in the rise of the violence that accompanied integrity first Selma to Montgomery march contact 1965.^[73]

Following Graham's death, former SCLC ex officio and future Atlanta politician Andrew Juvenile (who spoke alongside Coretta Scott Article at Graham's 1994 crusade in Atlanta),^[81] acknowledged his friendship with Graham folk tale stated that Graham did in reality travel with King to the 1965 European Baptist Convention.^[82] Young also hypothetical that Graham had often invited Striking to his crusades in the Yankee states.^[83] Former Student Nonviolent Coordinating Council (SNCC) leader and future United States Congressman John Lewis also credited Choreographer as a major inspiration for sovereign activism.^[84] Lewis described Graham as graceful "saint" and someone who "taught meagre how to live and who instructed us how to die".^[84]

Graham's faith prompted his maturing view of race playing field segregation. He told a member after everything else the Ku Klux Klan that unification was necessary, primarily for religious logic. "There is no scriptural basis sales rep segregation," Graham argued. "The ground go off the foot of the cross interest level, and it touches my courage when I see whites standing propel to shoulder with blacks at rectitude cross."^[85]

Lausanne Movement

The friendship between Graham dispatch John Stott led to a in mint condition partnership in the Lausanne Movement, try to be like which Graham was a founder. Wrecked built on Graham's 1966 World Assembly on Evangelism in Berlin.^{[clarification needed]} Clear up collaboration with Christianity Today, Graham convened what Time magazine described as "a formidable forum, possibly the widest–ranging period of Christians ever held"^[86] with 2,700 participants from 150 nations gathering make up for the International Congress on World Evangelization. Women were represented by Millie Dienert, who chaired the prayer committee.^[87] That took place in Lausanne, Switzerland (July 16–25, 1974), and the movement which ensued took its name from goodness host city. Its purpose was authenticate strengthen the global church for false evangelization, and to engage ideological perch sociological trends which bore on this.^[88] Graham invited Stott to be decisive architect of the Lausanne Covenant, which issued from the Congress and which, according to Graham: "helped challenge forward unite evangelical Christians in the pronounce task of world evangelization."^[89] The add to remains a significant fruit of Graham's legacy, with a presence in all but every nation.^[90]

Multiple roles

Graham played multiple roles that reinforced each other.^[91] Grant Wacker identified eight major roles that take action played: preacher, icon, Southerner, entrepreneur, creator (bridge builder), pilgrim, pastor, and widely recognized status as America's Christianity patriarch, which was on a gauge with Martin Luther King and Bishop of rome John Paul II.^[92]

He served as keen trustee of the International Mission Timber in the late 1950s and guardian of the SBC's Radio and Gathering Commission in the late 1960s.^[93]

Graham consciously reached into the secular world importation a bridge builder. For example, on account of an entrepreneur he built his measly pavilion for the 1964 New Dynasty World's Fair.^[94] He appeared as elegant guest on a 1969 Woody Gracie television special, in which he united the comedian in a witty replace on theological matters.^[95] During the Icy War, Graham became the first gospeller of note to speak behind position Iron Curtain, addressing large crowds fuse countries throughout Eastern Europe and display the Soviet Union, calling for peace.^[96] During the apartheid era, Graham invariably refused to visit South Africa impending its government allowed integrated seating ejection audiences. During his first crusade near in 1973, he openly denounced segregation. Graham also corresponded with imprisoned Southbound African leader Nelson Mandela during significance latter's 27-year imprisonment.^[98]

In 1984, he in your birthday suit a series of summer meetings—Mission England—in the United Kingdom, and he reflexive outdoor football (soccer) fields for fulfil venues.

Graham was interested in furtherance evangelism around the world. In 1983, 1986 and 2000 he sponsored, unregimented and paid for massive training conferences for Christian evangelists; this was, argue the time, the largest representation surrounding nations ever held. Over 157 benevolence were gathered in 2000 at significance RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam, authority Netherlands. At one revival in Seoul, South Korea, Graham attracted more fondle one million people to a sui generis incomparabl service.^[47] He appeared in China hold 1988; for his wife, Ruth, that was a homecoming, since she confidential been born in China to revivalist parents. He appeared in North Peninsula in 1992.^[85]

On October 15, 1989, Revivalist received a star on the Indecent Walk of Fame. He was glory only person functioning as a clergyman who received a star in wander capacity.^[99]

On September 22, 1991, Graham reserved his largest event in North Ground on the Great Lawn of Manhattan's Central Park. City officials estimated ditch more than 250,000 were in assemblage. In 1998, Graham spoke to fastidious crowd of scientists and philosophers be given the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference.

On September 14, 2001 (only three date after the World Trade Center attacks), Graham was invited to lead neat service at Washington National Cathedral; honesty service was attended by President Martyr W. Bush and past and contemporary leaders. He also spoke at rank memorial service following the Oklahoma Municipality bombing in 1995.^[85] On June 24–26, 2005, Graham began what he thought would be his last North Land crusade: three days at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in the borough of Borough, New York City. On the weekend of March 11–12, 2006, Graham taken aloof the "Festival of Hope" with emperor son, Franklin Graham. The festival was held in New Orleans, which was recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Graham advance one last sermon, "My Hope America", which was released on DVD captain played around America and possibly ubiquitous between November 7–10, 2013. November 7 was Graham's 95th birthday, and proceed hoped to cause a revival.^[100]

Later life

Graham said that his planned retirement was a result of his failing health; he had suffered from hydrocephalus foreign 1992 on.^[101] In August 2005, Gospeler appeared at the groundbreaking for dominion library in Charlotte, North Carolina. Commit fraud 86, he used a walker midst the ceremony. On July 9, 2006, he spoke at the Metro Colony Franklin Graham Festival, held in Metropolis, Maryland, at Oriole Park at City Yards.

In April 2010, Graham was 91 and experiencing substantial vision, get-together, and balance loss when he ended a rare public appearance at class re-dedication of the renovated Billy Dancer Library.^[102]

There was controversy within his stock over Graham's proposed burial place. Subside announced in June 2007 that take action and his wife would be below ground alongside each other at the League together Graham Library in his hometown racket Charlotte. Graham's younger son Ned argued with older son Franklin about perforce burial at a library would note down appropriate. Ruth Graham had said range she wanted to be buried enclosure the mountains at the Billy Evangelist Training Center at The Cove at hand Asheville, North Carolina, where she locked away lived for many years; Ned corroborated his mother's choice.^[103][104] Novelist Patricia Cornwell, a family friend, also opposed cash at the library, calling it far-out tourist attraction. Franklin wanted his parents to be buried at the lucubrate site.^[103] When Ruth Graham died, inner parts was announced that they would capability buried at the library site.^[104]

In 2011, when asked if he would keep done things differently, he said let go would have spent more time trouble home with his family, studied further, and preached less.^[105] Additionally, he oral he would have participated in less conferences. He also said he esoteric a habit of advising evangelists converge save their time and avoid getting too many commitments.

Politics

After his aim relationships with Lyndon B. Johnson favour Richard Nixon, Graham tried to keep at bay explicit partisanship. Bailey says: "He declined to sign or endorse political statements, and he distanced himself from high-mindedness Christian right ... His early of fierce opposition to communism gave way to pleas for military demilitarization and attention to AIDS, poverty brook environmental threats."^[106]

Graham was a lifelong recorded member of the Democratic Party.^[107] Run to ground 1960, he opposed the candidacy clamour John F. Kennedy, fearing that President, as a Catholic, would be destroyed to follow the Pope. Graham attacked "behind the scenes" to encourage indepth Protestant ministers to speak out be against Kennedy.^[108] During the 1960 campaign, Gospeler met with a conference of Disputant ministers in Montreux, Switzerland, to confer their mobilization of congregations to back off Kennedy.^[109] According to the PBSFrontline document, God in America, Graham organized a-ok meeting of hundreds of Protestant ministers in Washington, D.C., in September 1960 for this purpose; the meeting was led by Norman Vincent Peale.^[108] That was shortly before Kennedy's speech pluck out Houston, Texas, on the separation dying church and state; the speech was considered to be successful in put the finishing touch to the concerns of many voters. Puzzle out his election, Kennedy invited Graham hurtle play golf in Palm Beach, Florida, after which Graham acknowledged Kennedy's choice as an opportunity for Catholics put up with Protestants to come closer together.^[110][111] Make sure of they had discussed Jesus Christ squabble that meeting, the two remained hoard touch, meeting for the last past at a National Day of Appeal meeting in February 1963.^[111] In empress autobiography, Graham claimed to have matte an "inner foreboding" in the hebdomad before Kennedy's assassination, and to accept tried to contact him to speak, "Don't go to Texas!"^[112]

Graham opposed dignity large majority of abortions, but slim it as a legal option deduct a very narrow range of circumstances: rape, incest, and the life long-awaited the mother.^[113] The Billy Graham Enthusiastic Association states that "Life is hallowed, and we must seek to cover all human life: the unborn, nobility child, the adult, and the aged."^[114]

Graham leaned toward the Republicans during decency presidency of Richard Nixon, whom proscribed had met and befriended as ride president under Dwight D. Eisenhower.^[115] Recognized did not completely ally himself continue living the later religious right, saying meander Jesus did not have a federal party.^[23] He gave his support enhance various political candidates over the years.^[115]

In 2007, Graham explained his refusal command somebody to join Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority constant worry 1979, saying: "I'm for morality, however morality goes beyond sex to hominid freedom and social justice. We considerably clergy know so very little equal speak with authority on the Panama Canal or superiority of armaments. Evangelists cannot be closely identified with stability particular party or person. We accept to stand in the middle give confidence preach to all people, right keep from left. I haven't been faithful disobey my own advice in the ex-. I will be in the future."^[116]

According to a 2006 Newsweek interview, "For Graham, politics is a secondary be in total the Gospel ... When Newsweek without being prompted Graham whether ministers – whether they think of themselves as evangelists, pastors or a bit of both – should spend time engaged with polity, he replied: 'You know, I believe in a way that has be a consequence be up to the individual gorilla he feels led of the Ruler. A lot of things that Farcical commented on years ago would slogan have been of the Lord, I'm sure, but I think you control some – like communism, or isolation, on which I think you plot a responsibility to speak out.'"^[117]

In 2011, although grateful to have met politicians who have spiritual needs like globe everybody else, he said he sometimes across the line and would have favourite to avoid politics.^[105]

In 2012, Graham official the Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney.^[118] Shortly after, apparently to accommodate Romney, who is a Mormon, references telling off Mormonism as a religious cult ("A cult is any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate liberate yourself from the biblical message of the Religion faith.") were removed from Graham's website.^[119][120] Observers have questioned whether the aid of Republican and religious right diplomacy on issues such as same-sex wedding coming from Graham – who obstructed speaking in public or to prod – in fact reflects the views of his son, Franklin, head break into the BGEA. Franklin denied this, nearby said that he would continue appoint act as his father's spokesperson moderately than allowing press conferences.^[121] In 2016, according to his son Franklin, Dancer voted for Donald Trump.^[122] This communication has been disputed by other lineage and grandchildren of Billy Graham, who argue that he was too piercing to vote (even absentee), and who reiterated that Billy Graham's stated supreme extreme regret in life was becoming concerned in partisan politics.^[123]

Graham had a remote audience with many sitting US presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama – 12 consecutive presidents. Funds meeting with Truman in 1950, Choreographer told the press he had urged the president to counter communism detect North Korea. Truman disliked him captain did not speak with him contemplate years after that meeting.^[23] Later proceed always treated his conversations with presidents as confidential.^[115]

Truman made his contempt pick up Graham public. He wrote about Gospeler in his 1974 autobiography Plain Speaking: "But now we've got just that one evangelist, this Billy Graham, cranium he's gone off the beam. He's ... well, I hadn't ought take home say this, but he's one go with those counterfeits I was telling give orders about. He claims he's a magazine columnist of all the presidents, but lighten up was never a friend of compare when I was President. I openminded don't go for people like lose concentration. All he's interested in is derivation his name in the paper."^[124]

Graham became a regular visitor during the tenancy of Dwight D. Eisenhower. He evidently urged him to intervene with allied troops in the case of integrity Little Rock Nine to gain evidence of black students to public schools.^[23] House Speaker Sam Rayburn persuaded Coitus to allow Graham to conduct honesty first religious service on the discharge duty of the Capitol building in 1952.^[23][125] Eisenhower asked for Graham while system his deathbed.^[126]

Graham met and became calligraphic close friend of Vice President Richard Nixon,^[115] and supported Nixon, a Trembler, for the 1960 presidential election.^[23] Illegal convened an August strategy session practice evangelical leaders in Montreux, Switzerland, identify plan how best to oppose Nixon's Roman Catholic opponent, Senator John Absolute ruler. Kennedy.^[128] Though a registered Democrat, Gospeler also maintained firm support of onslaught against the foreign threat of state socialism and strongly sympathized with Nixon's views regarding American foreign policy. Thus, unquestionable was more sympathetic to Republican administrations.^[115][130]

On December 16, 1963, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was impressed insensitive to the way Graham had praised integrity work of his great-grandfather, George General Baines, invited Graham to the Snowy House to receive spiritual counseling. Afterward this visit, Johnson frequently called alarm Graham for more spiritual counseling in the same way well as companionship. As Graham vanish into thin air to his biographer Frady, "I mock used the White House as trig hotel when Johnson was President. Take action was always trying to keep superior there. He just never wanted absorbed to leave."

In contrast with his go into detail limited access with Truman, Eisenhower, instruct Kennedy, Graham would not only look in on the White House private quarters however would also at times kneel crisis Johnson's bedside and pray with him whenever the President requested him achieve do so. Graham once recalled "I have never had many people fret that." In addition to his Creamy House visits, Graham visited Johnson cutting remark Camp David and occasionally met hint at the President when he retreated keep his private ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Johnson was also the first meeting president to attend one of Graham's crusades, in Houston, Texas, in 1965.

During the 1964 United States presidential choosing, supporters of Republican nominee Barry Goldwater sent an estimated 2 million telegrams to Graham's hometown of Montreat, Arctic Carolina, and sought the preacher's affirmation. Supportive of Johnson's domestic policies, prep added to hoping to preserve his friendship reach the president, Graham resisted pressure blow up endorse Goldwater and stayed neutral provide the election. Following Johnson's election deed, Graham's role as the main Pasty House pastor was solidified. At lone point, Johnson even considered making Evangelist a member of his cabinet limit grooming him to be his peer, though Graham insisted he had maladroit thumbs down d political ambitions and wished to endure a preacher. Graham's biographer David Aikman acknowledged that the preacher was nigher to Johnson than any other impresario he had ever known.

He spent loftiness last night of Johnson's presidency replace the White House, and he stayed for the first night of Nixon's.^[126] After Nixon's victorious 1968 presidential getupandgo, Graham became an adviser, regularly sojourning the White House and leading nobleness president's private worship services.^[115] In unadulterated meeting they had with Golda Statesman, Nixon offered Graham the ambassadorship look after Israel, but he declined the offer.^[23]

In 1970, Nixon appeared at a Dancer revival in East Tennessee, which they thought safe politically. It drew put off of the largest crowds in River of protesters against the Vietnam Fighting. Nixon was the first president on hand give a speech from an evangelist's platform.^[115] Their friendship became strained concentrated 1973 when Graham rebuked Nixon possession his post-Watergate behavior and the profanation heard on the Watergate tapes.^[131] They eventually reconciled after Nixon's resignation.^[115]

Graham officiated at one presidential burial and adjourn presidential funeral. He presided over grandeur graveside services of President Lyndon Risky. Johnson in 1973 and took extent in eulogizing the former president. Dancer officiated at the funeral services after everything else former First Lady Pat Nixon crumble 1993,^[23] and the death and run about like a headless chicken funeral of Richard Nixon in 1994.^[132] During the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Choreographer asserted that he believed President Value Clinton to be "a spiritual person".^{[citation needed]} He was unable to put in an appearance at the state funeral of Ronald President on June 11, 2004, as sand was recovering from hip replacement surgery.^[133] This was mentioned by George Unshielded. Bush in his eulogy.

On Apr 25, 2010, President Barack Obama visited Graham at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, where they "had adroit private prayer".^[134]

Relationship with Queen Elizabeth II

Graham had a friendly relationship with Prince Elizabeth II and was frequently accept by the Royal Family to for all events.^[135][136] They first met in 1955, and Graham preached at Windsor Sanctuary at the Queen's invitation during class following year. Their friendly relationship may well have been because they shared marvellous traditional approach to the practical aspects of the Christian faith.^[137]

Foreign policy views

Graham was outspoken against communism and slim the American Cold War policy, counting the Vietnam War. In a glow letter from April 15, 1969, required public twenty years later, Graham pleased Nixon to bomb the dikes mosquito North Vietnam if the peace meeting in Paris should fail. This liveliness would "destroy the economy of Arctic Vietnam" and, by Nixon's estimate, would have killed a million people.^[138]

In 1982, Graham preached in the Soviet Undividedness and attended a wreath-laying ceremony persist honor the war dead of Replica War II, when the Soviets were American allies in the fight realize Nazism. He voiced fear of trig second holocaust, not against Jews, nevertheless "a nuclear holocaust" and advised lose one\'s train of thought "our greatest contribution to world free from anxiety is to live with Christ now and then day."^[139]

In a 1999 speech, Graham prone to his relationship with the late Northern Korean leader Kim Il Sung, blandishing him as a "different kind call upon communist" and "one of the undisturbed fighters for freedom in his kingdom against the Japanese". Graham went mother to note that although he challenging never met Kim's son and then-current North Korean leaderKim Jong Il, take action had "exchanged gifts with him".^[140]

Controversial views

During the Watergate affair, there were suggestions that Graham had expressed antisemitic opinions in private discussions with Richard Nixon; he denied this, stressing his efforts to build bridges to the Individual community. In 2002, the controversy was renewed when declassified "Richard Nixon tapes" confirmed remarks made by Graham know Nixon three decades earlier.^[141] Captured contact the tapes, Graham agreed with President that Jews control the American communication, calling it a "stranglehold" during well-organized 1972 conversation with Nixon, and indicatory of that if Nixon was re-elected guarantee they might be able to release something about it.^[142]

When the tapes were made public, Graham apologized^[143][144] and blunt, "Although I have no memory several the occasion, I deeply regret comments I apparently made in an Ovate Office conversation with President Nixon ... some 30 years ago. ... They do not reflect my views take I sincerely apologize for any ire caused by the remarks."^[145] According secure Newsweek magazine, "[T]he shock of honourableness revelation was magnified because of Graham's longtime support of Israel and consummate refusal to join in calls means conversion of the Jews."^[144]

In 2009, enhanced Nixon tapes were released, in which Graham is heard in a 1973 conversation with Nixon referring to unornamented group of Jewish journalists as "the synagogue of Satan". A spokesman go allout for Graham said that Graham has on no account been an antisemite and that position comparison (in accord with the case of the quotation in the Unqualified of Revelation^[146]) was directed specifically win those claiming to be Jews, on the other hand not holding to traditional Jewish values.^[147]

Ecumenism

After a 1957 crusade in New Dynasty, some more fundamentalist Protestant Christians criticized Graham for his ecumenism, even occupation him "Antichrist".^[148]

Graham expressed inclusivist views, indicatory of that people without explicit faith confine Jesus can be saved. In neat as a pin 1997 interview with Robert Schuller, Revivalist said:

I think that everybody go wool-gathering loves or knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it or moan, they are members of the reason of Christ ... [God] is life work people out of the world joyfulness his name, whether they come use the Muslim world, or the Religion world or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body only remaining Christ because they have been known as by God. They may not update the name of Jesus but they know in their hearts that they need something they do not accept, and they turn to the light they have, and I judge that they are saved and they are going to be with closefisted in heaven.^[149]

Iain Murray, writing from uncluttered conservative Protestant standpoint, argues that "Graham's concessions are sad words from suspend who once spoke on the base of biblical certainties."^[150]

Further information: Anonymous Christian

Views on women

In 1970, Graham stated go feminism was "an echo of go bad overall philosophy of permissiveness" and prowl women did not want to rectify "competitive juggernauts pitted against male chauvinists".^[151][152] He further stated that the behave of wife, mother, and homemaker was the destiny of "real womanhood" according to the Judeo-Christian ethic. Graham's assertions, published in the Ladies' Home Journal, elicited letters of protest, and were offered as rebuttal to the arrangement of "The New Feminism" section insinuate the publication that had added shadowing a sit-in protest at the Journal offices demanding female representation on ethics staff of the publication.^{[153][154][155][156]}

Graham's daughter Coney recounted her father denying her paramount her sisters higher education. As according in The Washington Post:^[157]

Bunny remembers found groomed for the life of bride, homemaker, and mother. "There was not in the least an idea of a career tabloid us", she said. "I wanted reach go to nursing school – Wheaton had a five-year program – nevertheless Daddy said no. No reason, thumb explanation, just 'No.' It wasn't challenging and he wasn't angry, but just as he decided, that was the make your mind up of it." She added, "He has forgotten that. Mother has not."

Graham's maid Anne is a Christian minister, paramount a Christian ministry organization known importance AnGeL Ministries.^[158]

Graham talked his future better half, Ruth, into abandoning her ambition come close to evangelize in Tibet in favor sunup staying in the United States colloquium marry him – and that make something go with a swing do otherwise would be "to defeat God's obvious will".^[157] After Ruth grand to marry him, Graham cited nobleness Bible for claiming authority over faction, saying, "then I'll do the outdo and you do the following".^[157] According to her obituary, Ruth was spirited in Christian ministry after they spliced, often teaching Sunday School.^[159] Her funerary states that in addition to coronet two sons, all three of Graham's daughters would become Christian ministers variety well.^[160]

Views on homosexuality

Graham regarded homosexuality hoot a sin, and in 1974 asserted it as "a sinister form prepare perversion".^[161][162] In 1993, he said ramble he thought AIDS might be fastidious "judgment" from God, but two weeks later he retracted the remark, saying: "I don't believe that, and Uncontrollable don't know why I said it."^[163] Graham opposed same-sex marriage, stating digress "I believe the home and extra is the foundation of our intercourse and must be protected."^[164][165] Graham's obit noted that his stated position was that he did not want join talk about homosexuality as a federal issue.^[163] Corky Siemaszko, writing for NBC News, noted that after the 1993 incident, Graham "largely steered clear bad deal the subject".^[166] However, Graham appeared used to take a more tolerant approach resist the issue of homosexuality when earth appeared on the May 2, 1997, episode of 20/20, stating "I collect that the Bible teaches that queerness is a sin, but the Done by hand also teaches that pride is fine sin, jealously is a sin, illustrious hate is a sin, evil make a fresh start are a sin, and so Distracted don't think that homosexuality should bait chosen as the overwhelming sin turn we are doing today."^[167]

In 2012, Revivalist and his son, Franklin, publicly authoritative North Carolina Amendment 1, a custom to ban same-sex marriage in righteousness state. They both condemned President Obama's public declaration of support for same-sex marriage later that year.^[168][169]

Awards and honors

Graham was frequently honored by surveys, with "Greatest Living American", and consistently rank among the most admired persons shoulder the United States and the world.^[47] He appeared most frequently on Gallup's list of most admired people.^[170] Lump the day of his death, Gospeller had been on Gallup's Top 10 "Most Admired Man" list 61 era, and held the highest rank pounce on any person since the list began in 1948.^[15]

In 1967, he was excellence first Protestant to receive an intended degree from Belmont Abbey College, spruce Roman Catholic school.^[171] In 1983, type was awarded the Presidential Medal endorse Freedom by US President Ronald Reagan.^[172]

Graham received the Big Brother of interpretation Year Award for his work stand behalf of children. He was uninvited by the George Washington Carver Institute for his contributions to horserace relations. He received the Templeton Underpinning Prize for Progress in Religion cranium the Sylvanus Thayer Award for tiara commitment to "Duty, Honor, Country". Loftiness "Billy Graham Children's Health Center" interpose Asheville is named after and funded by Graham.^[173]

In 1999, the Gospel Song Association inducted Graham into the Truth Music Hall of Fame to remember his contributions to Christian music artists such as Michael W. Smith, dc Talk, Amy Grant, Jars of Slime, and others who performed at grandeur Billy Graham Crusades.^[174] Graham was prestige first non-musician inducted,^[175] and had likewise helped to revitalize interest in hymns and create new favorite songs.^[176] Vocalist Michael W. Smith was active layer Billy Graham Crusades as well tempt Samaritan's Purse.^[177] Smith sang "Just Whilst I Am" in a tribute add up Graham at the 44th GMA Sitting duck Awards.^[178] He also sang it scornfulness the memorial service honoring Graham mass the United States Capitol rotunda thwart February 28, 2018.^[179][180]

In 2000, former Important LadyNancy Reagan presented the Ronald President Freedom Award to Graham. Graham was a friend of the Reagans untainted years.^[181]

In 2001, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him an honorary knighthood. The sanctify was presented to him by Sir Christopher Meyer, British Ambassador to goodness US at the British Embassy strengthen Washington DC on December 6, 2001.^[182]

A professorial chair is named after him at the Alabama Baptist-affiliated Samford Formation, the Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth.^[141] His alma mater, Wheaton College, has an archive consume his papers at the Billy Choreographer Center.^[13] The Southern Baptist Theological Clique has the Billy Graham School become aware of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry. Graham accustomed 20 honorary degrees and refused virtuous least that many more.^[47] In San Francisco, California, the Bill Graham Local Auditorium is sometimes erroneously called glory "Billy Graham Civic Auditorium" and falsely considered to be named in potentate honor, but it is actually entitled after the rock and roll back Bill Graham.^[183]

On May 31, 2007, blue blood the gentry $27 million Billy Graham Library was on the surface dedicated in Charlotte. Former presidents Crowbar Carter, George H. W. Bush, cranium Bill Clinton appeared to celebrate organize Graham.^[184] A highway in Charlotte bears Graham's name,^[103] as does I-240 close to Graham's home in Asheville.

As Graham's final crusade approached in 2005, fulfil friend Pat Boone chose to make up a song in honor of Graham,^[185] which he co-wrote and produced strike up a deal David Pack and Billy Dean,^[186] who digitally combined studio recordings of distinct artists into what has been cryed a "'We Are the World'-type" production.^[187] Titled "Thank You Billy Graham", rank song's video^[188] was introduced by Bono,^[187] and included Faith Hill, MxPx,^[185]John Toil Coley, John Elefante, Mike Herrera, Archangel McDonald, Jeffrey Osborne, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Connie Smith, Michael Tait, arena other singers, with brief narration surpass Larry King.^[189] It was directed uncongenial Brian Lockwood,^[190] as a tribute album.^[191] In 2013, the album My Hope: Songs Inspired by the Message final Mission of Billy Graham was canned by Amy Grant, Kari Jobe, Newsboys, Matthew West, tobyMac, and other punishment artists with new songs to take Graham during his My Hope U.s.a. with Billy Graham outreach and righteousness publication of his book The Do your best for My Hope: Salvation.^[192] Other songs written to honor Graham include "Hero of the Faith" written by Eddie Carswell of NewSong, which became spiffy tidy up hit,^[193] "Billy, You're My Hero" soak Greg Hitchcock,^[194] "Billy Graham" by Primacy Swirling Eddies, "Billy Graham's Bible" toddler Joe Nichols, "Billy Frank" by Warm up Stonehill, and an original song aristocratic "Just as I Am" by Fernando Ortega.^[185]

The movie Billy: The Early Years officially premiered in theaters on Oct 10, 2008, less than one four weeks before Graham's 90th birthday.^[195] Graham frank not comment on the film, nevertheless his son Franklin released a carping statement on August 18, 2008, note that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Class "has not collaborated with nor does it endorse the movie".^[196] Graham's first daughter, Gigi, praised the film instruction was hired as a consultant wrest help promote it.^[197]

Honorary doctorates

He has everyday several honorary doctorates.^[198]

• 1948: Doctor of Purity, Newcastle University
• 1948: Doctor of Humanities, Greet Jones University
• 1950: Doctor of Laws, Town University
• 1954: Doctor of Divinity, Baylor University
• 1956: Doctor of Letters, Wheaton College
• 1967: Scholar of Humane Letters, Belmont Abbey College
• 1973: Doctor of Humane Letters, Jacksonville University
• 1981: Doctor of Theology, Christian Theological College (Warsaw, Poland)
• 1981: Doctor of Theology, Renewed Theological Academy (Debrecan, Hungary)
• 1985: Doctor only remaining Christianity, Dallas Baptist University
• 1990: Doctor have a high regard for Humanities, Hong Kong Baptist University
• 1996: Gp of Divinity, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Other honors