A Man for His Time

The news of Billy Graham dying saddened me.

Known among his admirers as “America’s pastor” Billy Graham was a once-in-a-lifetime phenom. I remember the day when young pastors, like myself, aspired to be the next Billy Graham.

Of course I never became the next Billy Graham but it sure was fun dreaming big dreams for both myself and my ministry.

Billy Graham allowed God to use him in ways that inspired countless millions of people throughout the world. Even folks who do not practice the Christian faith admire this man. He was indeed a global personality worth noting.

Will there ever be another Billy Graham in our lifetime?

That’s a question I saw posted in a recent online article. Of course we cannot say with certainty, but we can only hope another man of God such as Dr. Graham will appear on the American landscape before we tear ourselves apart with rancorous division and strife.

In the New Testament epistle to the Ephesians the following words stand out as an excellent description of Dr. Graham’s life and ministry on this earth:

“For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us."

Of course the “he” in this verse refers to Jesus Christ. The two groups refer to the Jews and the Gentiles. Two groups that couldn’t be any different from one another; two groups that were separated by both religious and cultural differences. This situation was the Hatfields and the McCoys on steroids.

Yet these two groups once separated by hostility from one another became one body known as the ecclesia (Church).

Well Jesus broke down that wall of hostility. That is to say, he removed the embittered barriers that often lead to walls that divide people of differences.

Yes, Billy Graham did more to break down these kinds of walls than anyone I can recall in recent memory. He was Christ’s ambassador to the whole world.

Yet the one thing I have come to admire about Billy Graham was his non-partisan stance in the world of politics. I don’t ever recall hearing him publicly supporting one political party over against another. I don’t recall hearing him endorse any one political candidate. I am sure he had his personal preferences but he never revealed, as far as I know, who they were.

Billy Graham was a bridge builder. He was not a divider nor did he erect walls of hostility. He was often criticized by more conservative Christians for being too open to all people, but isn’t that what any good evangelist is supposed to be?

I remember one Christian complaining to me that Dr. Graham had a Catholic priest on stage with him during one of his crusades, as if the priest's presence some how made Dr. Graham less of a Christian.

We need more Billy Grahams today. We need more bridge builders whose faith in Christ animates their relationships with people of all stripes. We need that Christian voice in Washington that helps build effective bridges rather than erect partisan walls that divide us further.

Billy Graham evolved so I am told. His views on certain doctrinal issues changed over time. Of course this happens to anyone who is sensitive to the Spirit within—and Billy Graham was indeed sensitive to the Spirit of God in his life.

But he never lost his capacity for building bridges as an ambassador for Christ. He comfortably met with presidents, popes, and other world leaders. He had that gift of extending God’s grace to anyone within his presence.

My condolences go out to Billy Graham’s family. He will be missed by them for sure. America will miss this wonderful man of God. I know I will.

My prayer is that in his death his life will become motivation for us all to become bridge builders like Billy Graham. May we all attempt to tear down the walls of hostility by loving others as Christ loved us—no exceptions.

May we also pray that God will raise up another Billy Graham, to inspire us all to build walls of generosity and hospitality rather than dividing walls of hostility and exclusion.