A Prophet with Honor

by William C. Martin

  615.Franklin: “I’m not an evangelist . . . I’m looking low.” Quoted in “Young Graham’s Path Is All His Own,” Houston Chronicle, March 5, 1988.

  615.Franklin seen as plausible successor. Willmar Thorkelson, “Billy Graham to Ordain Son and Possible Protege,” Minneapolis Star, December 25, 1981. Widely reprinted.

  616.“I am not my father . . .” Franklin Graham, quoted in White.

  616.“Franklin says . . . right now.” BG, interview, March 5, 1989.

  616.Carloss Morris on Franklin. Interview, May 5, 1987.

  616.T. W. Wilson on Franklin. Interview, February 27, 1987.

  616.John Lenning on problems of succession. Interview, February 24, 1987.

  616.Rowlandson on the future of BGEA. Interview, July 10, 1986.

  617.Barrows: “I don’t have the foggiest idea.” Interview, February 24, 1987.

  617.Corts on the future. Interview, August 5, 1987.

  617.Nilson Fanini: “You would need a thousand Billy Grahams.” Interview, July 18, 1986.

  618.Graham considers purchase of the Queen Elizabeth. Press conference, WFGW Radio, Black Mountain, North Carolina, March 12, 1968, CN 313, Box 2 Folder 20, BGCA. Apparently, Graham was only mildly serious about purchasing the liner, but he did note that, with its two thousand air-conditioned rooms, recreational facilities, and abundant meeting rooms, it would make “a tremendous conference center.”

  618.“It’s the only piece . . . won’t even have a sign.” BG, 1987 Team and Staff Conference, and interview, March 26, 1987; also, “Bible College Receives Gift of 1,440 Acres,” Columbia, South Carolina, State, April 21, 1981. Eight hundred pastors attend School of Evangelism. BG monthly letter, September 1990. The school in question was held in August 1990. The total number of pastors who had attended a Billy Graham School of Evangelism stood at more than sixty-one thousand at the end of 1990.

  618.Barrows: “I see the latter part . . . impact on the world.” February 24, 1987.

  619.BG slowing down. BG, quoted by Bob Williams. Similar statement at Washington press conference, April 24, 1986. Others have made similar statements.

  619.Grahams discuss China trip. Interviews, February 26, 27, 1987, and March 5, 1989.

  620.BG received by Li Peng. Richard N. Ostling, “And Then There Was Billy,” Time, November 14, 1988, p. 41; Edward Plowman, Billy Graham in China (Minneapolis: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1988), pp. 10, 26.

  621.BG as tourist. BGEA TV program, “Billy Graham in China;” Plowman, Billy Graham in China, pp. 14–15; Ruth and Billy Graham, interview, March 5, 1989.

  621.BG at Nanjing Seminary. Plowman, Billy Graham in China, p. 46.

  622.Rittenburg assesses BG visit. Ibid., p. 47.

  622.Return to Russia. BG, interview, March 5, 1989.

  622.Political conventions and campaign. Ibid.; Jim Castelli, Springfield, Missouri, News and Leader, July 23, 1988; BGEA reprint of prayer, January 20, 1989.

  623.George Bush is BG’s best friend. The Washington Post, January 25, 1991, citing Doug Wead, George Bush, Man of Integrity (Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House Publishers, 1988).

  623.BG’s relationship with Bush. BG, interview, March 5, 1989.

  624.BG on Nixon. Ibid. The visit mentioned occurred in December 1988.

  624.“It is, humanly speaking, impossible” AH, oral history, June 16, 1982, CN 141, Box 45, Folder 3-4, BGCA.

  624.Hungary stadium service. Ed Plowman and John Akers, Billy Graham in Budapest (World Wide Publications, 1989), p. 18, quoting “Angyal Szallat a Stadionra,” Mai Map, July 30, 1989; Billy Graham in Hungary, BG syndicated television program, January 1990.

  625.Berlin rally. Quotations from BGEA press release 90-4.

  625.Dan Rather and Richard Nixon on BG’s Eastern Europe visits. The Bible and the Wall, BG syndicated television program, fall 1990.

  626.Mission World. Bob Williams, interviews, February 28, 1990, June 12, 1987, June 9, 1986; “Soft Sell and Satellites Deliver Biggest Audience,” Christianity Today, August 18, 1989, pp. 48–49.

  Chapter 38: The Work of an Evangelist

  631.Mission World Asia. BGEA press release 90-16. Richard S. Greene, “Gospel Message Goes to Millions in Asia,” Decision, February 1991, p. 11; Richard S. Greene, “Mission World Asia Continues—Thirty Countries, Bringing the Gospel,” Decision, April 1991, pp. 28–29.

  631.Mission World, Latin America. Richard S. Greene, “In Buenos Aires: A Cause for Celebration,” Decision, February 1992, pp. 7–10.

  631.ProChrist 93. BGEA press releases 93-2, 93-6, and 93-7; David Neff, “Personal Evangelism on a Mass Scale,” Christianity Today, March 8, 1993, pp. 64, 66.

  633.World Television Series. BGEA publicity materials.

  633.Russian school of evangelism. BGEA press release 91-15.

  634.“beyond all expectations.” “Something Beyond All Expectation,” Decision (January 1993), pp. 7–13.

  634.Korean visit. BGEA press release, March 27, 1992.

  635.BG and Kim Il Sung. “Kim Il Sung, Up Close and Personal,” New Yorker, March 1994, p. 33.

  636.Graham and Jiang Zemin meet in Los Angeles. BGEA press release 97-17.

  636.Grahams receive Congressional medal. BGEA press release 96-3, May 3, 1996.

  637.“Surely their draw in the Northeast.” David Briggs, Associated Press, “Graham seeks record crowds for New York City crusades,” Houston Chronicle, May 18, 1991, Section Religion, page 3, 2 Star Edition.

  637.Central Park rally. Roger C. Palms, “Central Park Rally: An Afternoon of Good News,” Decision, December 1991, pp. 7–10. Also, Ari L. Goldman, “Billy Graham is Back to Save New York,” New York Times, September 16, 1991, pp. B1, B7; Robert D. McFadden, “New York Hears Words of Hope From Billy Graham,” New York Times, September 23, 1991, pp. B1, B6; Peter Steinfels, “Blunt Style of Preaching and a Message as Direct,” New York Times, September 23, 1991, p. B6.

  638.Charitable contributions at crusades. BGEA press release 92-9.

  639.FG and Larry Ross on Youth Night. Interviews.

  640.Youth Night. Larry Ross, interview, December 15, 2000; Rick Marshall, interview, June 24, 2001, Louisville, Kentucky; Franklin Graham quotes from comments in BGEA team devotional service, June 24, 2001, Louisville; Tedd Smith quotes from personal conversation, Louisville, Kentucky, June 23, 2001, and from Loydean Thomas, “Rock of Ages,” San Antonio Express-News, March 30, 1997, p. 12G. Also, personal observation of Youth Night at the San Antonio Alamodome, March 29, 1997, and Louisville, Kentucky, June 23, 2001 (including Kidz Gig on the morning of the same day), and uncut video footage from Jacksonville, Florida, Youth Night, November 4, 2000, provided by BGEA.

  641.Billy Graham at Harvard. BGEA press release 99-08.

  642.Amsterdam 2000. Larry Ross, interview; conversation, Cathy Wood, BGEA, June 24, 2001; BGEA press release materials; Decision, October 2000; http://www.amsterdam2000.org. The description of the Task Groups is from “So That All May Hear . . . ,” Decision, October 2000, pp. 20–21.

  Chapter 39: “Guard What Has Been Entrusted to You”

  644.“Obscure but wise philosopher.” I first heard this from my brother-in-law, Philip Summerlin.

  645.Franklin’s first crusade experiences. Interview, Franklin Graham, May 8, 2001; Wendy Murray Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” Christianity Today, April 5, 1999, pp. 53–54. Agajanian gives gun and “The Lord . . . called me.” Ken Garfield, “Father’s Gift to Son: Evangelism,” Charlotte Observer, September 28, 1994, p. 6A.

  645.FG comparisons to BG. “I don’t know if I can avoid comparisons.” FG, quoted in Mark Pinsky (Orlando Sentinel), “Not Quite in Father’s Footsteps,” Washington Post, January 6, 1996, p. B8; “I love my father.” FG, quoted in Andrew Barron, “Billy Graham’s Son Has Own Style,” Greensboro News & Record, September 29, 1994; “Because I am the son. . . .” FG, quoted in Gustav Niebuhr, “On a Wing and a Prayer,” New York Times, October 12, 1994, pp. C1, C10; “Over 40 Years with Billy Graham,” Christianity Today, April
29, 1996, p. 55.

  646.“Festivals” instead of “Crusades.” FG, interview, May 8, 2001.

  646.FG criticisms of BG Youth Nights. Interview.

  647.“For years a big hole.” FG, in Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 56.

  647.“I dress this way.” FG, in Pinsky, “Not Quite in Father’s Footsteps.”

  647.FG’s rugged image. The title of Franklin’s first autobiographical work is Rebel with A Cause: Finally Comfortable with Being Graham (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995).

  647.Ruth “became increasingly vocal.” “In the Name of the Father,” Time, May 13, 1996; “My father didn’t say it to me.” Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 54.

  648.Toronto conflict. Interviews with FG, Anne Graham Lotz, Russ Busby, Tex Reardon, and others who preferred not to be identified. Also, Anne Saker, “Crusade Staff Turns Away Graham’s Son,” Raleigh News & Observer, June 9, 1995, p. A1; and Terrence Noland, “About My Father’s Business,” Business/North Carolina, November 1995, pp. 22–35. “People will shoot you” is from Noland, p. 24.

  650.ECFA questions FG and Samaritan’s Purse. “ECFA cannot hold up” and “bump in the road” are from Noland, “Father’s Business,” p. 32. “Crummy little evangelical busybodies” appears in Jeffery L. Sheler, “After the Legend,” U. S. News & World Report, May 3, 1993, p. 73. Other quotations are from FG interview, May 8, 2001.

  650.Franklin appointed vice-chair and successor. BGEA press release 95-32.

  651.“Keep one thing in mind.” Russ Busby, interview, June 22, 2001.

  651.“Slowly trying to fit in.” FG, interview.

  651.Mel Graham quote. Noland, “About My Father’s Business,” p. 25.

  651.“We have a relay race.” Interview.

  652.Russ Busby on Franklin’s performance as successor. Interview.

  653.Greg Laurie quote. Noland, “About My Father’s Business,” p. 28.

  653.“Prescription for Hope” HIV/AIDS conference. “AIDS Victims Need Churches’ Help,” USA Today, Tuesday, February 26, 2002; “Franklin Graham Issues Challenge to Christians Worldwide: Join the Fight against HIV/AIDS,” Samaritan’s Purse Press Release, February 22, 2002; Tom Layton, “Christians Challenged to Confront AIDS,” Decision, April 2002, pp. 26–27; Caryle Murphy, “‘Army’ of Christians Needed in AIDS Fight, Evangelist Says,” Washington Post, Tuesday, February 19, 2002, p. B1.

  653.The 2016 figures come from the organization’s 2016 annual report. http://bit.ly/2vG72Q5.

  653.More than 42 countries. http://www.samirtanspurse.org/donation-items/hivaids -ministries/.

  654.Samaritan’s Purse activities and finances. The 2012 figures come from http://s3.amazonams. com/static.samaritanspurse.org/pdfs/2012-SP-Form-990-Public-Disclosure.pdf. Unless otherwise noted, other information about Samaritan’s Purse ministries is taken from the organization’s website, http://www.samaritanspurse.org. Income figures are from the organization’s annual report, available in print and on the website. Figures for BGEA are from that organization’s annual report, available at http://www.graham-assn.org. Quotes from FG are from interviews.

  655.FG similar to Billy Sunday. Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 55.

  655.“Billy Graham Forgives Clinton,” Maranatha Christian Journal, March 15, 1998. Quoting Today Show. http://www.mcjonline.com/news/98/news2404.htm.

  655.FG on Bill Clinton. “A lie is a sin.” Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 52; “I will never be alone. . . .” Bill Leslie interview with FG, November 1, 1996, WRAL-TV, Raleigh-Durham-Fayettville, NC, http://www.wral.com/features/specialreports/archive.html; “For the sake of the country. . . .” Quoted by Ken Garfield, “Franklin Graham: Step Down Quietly,” Charlotte Observer, September 10, 1998, http://www.charlotte.com/special/clinton/ pub/0911religion.htm.

  656.FG, The Apostle, and Jim Bakker. Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 55; FG invites Bakker to lunch. Ken Garfield, “Father’s Gift to Son: Evangelism,” Charlotte Observer, September 28, 1994, pp. 1A, 6A.

  656.FG on drinking as a sin. Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 55.

  656.FG favors tough drug policies. Interview. As noted on p. 589, Billy Graham shared his son’s preference for an ordered society, but later in life expressed reservations about the efficacy and fairness of capital punishment. FG’s reference to Singapore pertains to the city’s stringent antidrug enforcement policies, which resulted in a Dutch businessman being executed on drug-trafficking charges in 1994 and also a narrow escape from the death penalty for a Canadian man in 1996.

  657.FG on Gulf War. Quotes from Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” pp. 53, 55. Samaritan’s Purse sends single men to Iraq: Noland, “About My Father’s Business,” p. 28. Smuggles Bibles into Saudi Arabia: Pinsky, “Not Quite in Father’s Footsteps.”

  657.FG would have had Serbian soldiers executed. Pinsky, “Not Quite in Father’s Footsteps.” 657. “Jesse Jackson is silent.” Zoba, “Not Your Father’s Evangelist,” p. 55.

  657.“The Arabs will not be happy.” This statement, apparently made during a television broadcast of a Franklin Graham festival, was originally reported by the Associated Press on October 14, 2000. It was then circulated by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in a press release, “Pattern of Hateful Anti-Arab Remarks Must be Condemned,” October 16, 2000, and later included in the 1998–2000 Report on Hate Crimes and Discrimination Against Arab Americans (Washington: ADC Research Institute, 2001), p. 71, edited by Hussein Ibish. According to ADC’s Laila Al-Qatami, repeated attempts to contact Graham regarding his comments were unsuccessful. A Religions and Ethics Newsweekly program aired on WNET-NY on October 20, 2000, reported Franklin Graham subsequently amended his remarks by saying he had not meant to imply that all Arabs hated Jews. The same program reported Billy Graham’s more moderate statement. http://www.thirteen.org/ religionandethics/transcripts/408.html.

  657.FG on world religions. “It’s not the same God.” Quoted by Ken Walker, “Franklin Graham Following in Famous Father’s Footsteps,” press release, Associated Baptist Press, October 18, 2000, vol. 00–94. “It wasn’t Mohammed”: Quoted in Anne Saker, “Graham Crusade Begins,” Raleigh News & Observer, September 26, 1994. “Darkness of Hinduism”: Pinsky, “Not Quite in Father’s Footsteps.”

  658.Response to the terrorist attacks: “Christian leader condemns Islam,” Jim Avila, NBC News, November 16, 2001. http://www.msnbc.com/news/659057/asp?cp1=1#body; “Muslim group wants Graham meeting,” Associated Press, November 20, 2001; Richard N. Ostling, “Billy Graham hasn’t retired, but son’s era begins,” Associated Press, November 24, 2001; “Rev. Franklin Graham says he doesn’t believe Muslims to be ‘evil people,’” Associated Press, December 4, 2001.

  658.FG: Muslims should be included in aid to faith-based organizations. Interview.

  658.FG remarks at Columbine Memorial Service. Full text at http://www.propheticroundtable. org/franklin-graham_Columbine_memorialservice.htm.

  659.Criticism of FG’s Columbine remarks. All quotes are from Virginia Culver, “Sunday Event Offended Some,” Denver Post, April 29, 1999. http://sobek.colorado.edu/~glenn/media/dp/ shot0429h.htm.

  659.FG felt “awesome responsibility.” Virginia Culver, “Voices of Columbine: Franklin Graham,” Denver Post, April 16, 2000. http://63.147.65.175/news/chs0416p.htm.

  659.FG’s inaugural prayer and sermon. The texts of both of these were posted on the Samaritan’s Purse website. Prayer: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index. asp?section=News+Room&page=2001/jan/012001.txt; sermon: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.asp?section=News+Room&page=2001/jan/012101FGSpeech.txt.

  660.FG defends inaugural prayer and sermon. Interview.

  660.FG not seeking to be Chaplain to the Nation. Interview.

  660.FG prayer at 2000 Republican National Convention. The complete text of the prayer, with the closing line and mention of its omission on the RNC site, was posted at http://www. myrightstart.com/Graham-prayer.php3
.

  661.Busby assessment of FG. Interview.

  661.Will’s Celebration. Jerri Menges, “Alive in Gastonia,” Decision (December 2006), pp. 25–28.

  Chapter 40: “Having Faithful Children”

  662.“I was immersed . . . fingerprints.” Anne Graham Lotz, Just Give Me Jesus (Nashville: W Publishing, 2000); “I felt trapped. . . . My whole life was small.” Wendy Murray Zoba, “Angel in the Pulpit,” Christianity Today, April 5, 1999, p. 57.

  662.AGL: “My mother raised five of us.” “The Preacher’s Daughter,” 60 Minutes, June 3, 2001. Interviewed by Morley Safer.

  662.AGL: “They didn’t know I couldn’t teach.” In Laurie Beyer, “Taking the Word Around the World,” Just Between Us—The Magazine of Encouragement for Women, February 2000. http://www.justbetweenus.org/2_00/facetoface.html.

  663.Anne’s parents attend her class. Interview, July 11, 2001.

  663.Anne is asked to move her class. Interview.

  664.“Angels in the Bible.” AGL on Larry King Live, May 18, 2000.

  664.AGL on the need for revival. Interview.

  665.Revival “wasn’t on the program.” Ken Camp, Baptist Standard, April 24, 2000. http://www. baptiststandard.com/2000/4_24/pages/lotz.html .

  665.AGL expects revival. Camp, Baptist Standard, April 24, 2000.

  665.Significance of “Just Give Me Jesus.” AGL on Larry King Live, May 18, 2000.

  665.AGL books and honors. http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/. Also, Zoba, “Angel in the Pulpit,” p. 58.

  666.AGL criticizes “prosperity gospel.” Just Give Me Jesus, audiotape, Bridgeport, Ill.: Christian Audio Tapes, 2000, tape 2.

  667.“In a day of superficiality.” Randy Bishop, “Just Give Me Jesus,” Christian Reader, September/October 2000; “She has a tremendous gift.” “Billy Graham Ministries: A Family Affair,” Capitol Broadcasting Company, Raleigh, N.C., November 2, 1996. www.wral.com/ features/specialreports/archive.html.

  667.AGL “inherited the greatest share.” Zoba, “Angel,” p. 57; “Best in the country,” FG, interview.

  667.AGL compared with BG and FG. “We’re on the same team.” “‘Just Give Me Jesus’ Revival to Feature Anne Graham Lotz,” Christian Times, retrieved from Internet and no longer available. FG and BG “like the obstetrician.” Quoted in Bishop, “Just Give Me Jesus.”