Billy Graham said that he wanted "Preacher" on his gravestone. He will be well remembered as a Bible preacher and evangelist. He probably preached to more people than anyone in history. I heard him preach at Earl's Court in 1966 and 1967, and later when he had mellowed in the 1980s at Upton Park, then the West Ham United stadium, in east London. Billy Graham had authority and sincerity, which some have doubted for no good reason.
The papers are full of tributes to his ministry. I know many who were touched and helped, even brought to salvation through hearing the Gospel at one of his rallies. He was admired and respected by religious leaders, politicians and monarchs. Those who said he was a fraud and a lying salesman out to make money did not know him or look at his life and work, his message and writings, the fruit of his Christian service. There is ample evidence of his trustworthiness, integrity, honesty and good works. He was not out to make money. He could have lived in luxury, drawn a large salary, but he chose not to do so. He lived modestly, like his good friend Rev. John Stott.
Comments about him on YouTube by Chris Hitchens are lies. Templeton, in fact, contrary to what Hitchens believed, was a friend who greatly respected Billy Graham (although he came to disagree with what was preached), and trusted him implicitly and never doubted his sincerity. Hitchen's comments wishing for Billy Graham's death are shameful. Billy Graham lived a long and successful life. (Hitchens, who died at 62, is now regretting what he said.) Billy Graham is now enjoying the delights of heaven.
The papers are full of tributes to his ministry. I know many who were touched and helped, even brought to salvation through hearing the Gospel at one of his rallies. He was admired and respected by religious leaders, politicians and monarchs. Those who said he was a fraud and a lying salesman out to make money did not know him or look at his life and work, his message and writings, the fruit of his Christian service. There is ample evidence of his trustworthiness, integrity, honesty and good works. He was not out to make money. He could have lived in luxury, drawn a large salary, but he chose not to do so. He lived modestly, like his good friend Rev. John Stott.
Comments about him on YouTube by Chris Hitchens are lies. Templeton, in fact, contrary to what Hitchens believed, was a friend who greatly respected Billy Graham (although he came to disagree with what was preached), and trusted him implicitly and never doubted his sincerity. Hitchen's comments wishing for Billy Graham's death are shameful. Billy Graham lived a long and successful life. (Hitchens, who died at 62, is now regretting what he said.) Billy Graham is now enjoying the delights of heaven.
2 comments:
Billy Graham 1918-2018, died at 99, and now promoted to higher service.
Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011, died at 62. Without God and without hope?
I've been surprised that Billy Graham's death and funeral have not been mentioned in the TV news in Britain, as far as I am aware. So many peoples' lives in the UK were influenced by his preaching.
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