Leadership Journal

Any assessment of twentieth-century American Christianity will have to include an evaluation of Billy Graham's life and ministry. While other biographies tell the story of Graham's rise to fame, Lewis Drummond's The Evangelist (Word, 2001) assesses whether Graham's ministry is "a genuine historical phenomenon that finds itself in the mainstream of evangelicalism."

In effect, Drummond answers this question by testing Graham against 12 essential doctrines and beliefs of evangelicalism. I found nary a fault or deficiency in the book's evaluation of Graham's beliefs, methods, or impact. Graham clearly passes the test.

Drummond favorably quotes Reverend Maurice Wood, member of Britain's House of Lords, who puts Billy "in line with the Wesleys and Saint Augustine" and extols him as "the most spiritually productive servant of God in our time."

We must admit that it simply might not be possible for those of us who admire Billy Graham to evaluate him objectively. It would have been interesting for Drummond to assess Graham's uncanny ability to preach the gospel without offending those who hear him. Indeed, an intriguing question might be: is it possible for a man to be absolutely true to the gospel in a post-Christian culture, and yet be among the most admired men in America, year after year?

Nor does Drummond analyze questions such as whether Graham's overtures to and cooperation with Roman Catholics and liberal Protestants will have the unintended long-term effect of obliterating important doctrinal distinctions.

We do not know how future historians will view Graham. Will his legacy be his leadership of unifying evangelicals and challenging them to engage the culture? Will it be the worldwide impact of his Evangelism Congresses that have inspired tens of thousands of evangelists? Or might he simply be remembered as a man who was unusually blessed in the preaching of the gospel?

If Augustine is remembered for his theology, Spurgeon for his sermons, and the Wesleys for their revivalism and the founding of the Methodist Church, perhaps Graham will be primarily remembered for giving the world a model of Christianity lived out with integrity, for being a man who showed us that fame does not have to corrupt and that genuine humility can exist in the life of one admired by millions.

Drummond's book reminds us that ultimately, one of Billy Grahams' greatest contributions is that he has a heart as big as the world and has stayed focused on the gospel rather than national and political goals. He has given Christianity needed credibility at a time when many ministers have besmirched the name of Christ through greed, pride, and sexual infidelity. Graham has remained true to his calling; he has taken steps to make sure that he will finish well.

Graham's skill as a preacher and evangelist is highlighted in a CD-ROM that comes with the book—a compilation of audio and video highlights including newsreel footage from the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, his invitation at the 1996 Charlotte ...