Thursday, January 30, 2014

Franklin Graham writing book about lessons from father


Franklin Graham is writing a book about the lessons, most of them spiritual, that he learned from his famous father, Charlotte-born evangelist Billy Graham.

The younger Graham said Thursday that he started “Through My Father's Eyes” just after his mother, Ruth Bell Graham, died in 2007 and hopes to finish the book in time to have it published in late 2014 or early 2015.

Billy Graham, now 95 and in fragile health, has written many books himself over the years, including an autobiography (“Just As I Am”) and a 2011 meditation on growing old in faith (”Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well”).

With the elder Graham’s public career over – his last crusade was in 2005 – and now part of American history, several books about his life and legacy are expected soon from scholars and biographers.

Franklin Graham said he saw the value of a more personal book, one by a son about his father.

“I think it’s important that there be a book from the son who worked closely with his father, day in and day out, for the last 30 years,” said Graham, who heads both the Charlotte-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse, an international charity headquartered in Boone. “It’ll be about a life of things that I have learned watching my father.”

For starters, he said, his time sitting on the BGEA board while Billy Graham was still active gave him a road map of how to organize Samaritan’s Purse. “When God gave me Samaritan’s Purse, I didn’t have a lot to go on,” he said. “But sitting on the (BGEA) board and watching my father, I learned lessons from the boardroom.”

But most of the lessons in the book will be spiritual ones that he hopes will help pastors and churches.

“I showed what I have written to one gentleman (to check for accuracy), and he gave a very large check, telling me, ‘I want this to go to every seminary student in America,'” Graham said.

Graham said he has also discussed “Through My Father’s Eyes” with his dad. Billy Graham’s reaction: “Aw shucks.”

The book will be published by the W Publishing Group, which is part of Thomas Nelson Inc., a leading publisher of evangelical Christian books.

Franklin Graham has written several books, including one about his life called “Rebel With a Cause.”

-- Tim Funk

14 comments:

NO said...
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NO said...
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Anonymous said...

Franklin needs to make it while he can I guess.

AnyOtherChurchorReligion? said...

Apparently, the Charlotte religion scene is the Graham mafia and the Elevation Church cult.

Anonymous said...

There's no business like the religion business.

Anonymous said...

Just Go Away! Please!

Anonymous said...

Keep milking it while you can Frankie baby. In God We Trust, get as many copies of the green that has that printed on it as possible.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if he will have Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin write the preface. Franklin has already done damage to Billy's legacy. I'm sure this book will only do more harm.

Unknown said...

I am thankful that a book is coming out by Franklin about Mr. Billy Graham. I was a vol. telephone counselor for the Billy Graham Assoc. when I lived in the Wheaton IL area in 1991-92. I enjoyed it. I do not agree with the precious comments by readers about today's article. Robert Durham,Philadelphia, PA

Anonymous said...


Franklin is making sure he gets all the "green stuff" while he can. I wonder if he has taken out additional insurance policies on Reverend Billy Graham. Beelzebub made him do it, I bet!!! Franklin and the rest of the family are doing nothing but trying to destroy the imagine of our beloved and trusted and honored Reverend Billy Graham. Something down the road will surely take Franklin and the rest of the family to their final place of destruction.

Anonymous said...

Franklin- just keep riding your Dad's legacy as long as you can- before much longer you will have totally undermined all he built and the trust he engendered in people.

Anonymous said...

I don't get all the hate for Franklin Graham or the demonstrative comments.
Sure Franklin may have a few views people are opposed to but he has led Samaritan's Purse for decades and helped bring them to a place where they are a tremendous first responder with real aid a medical supplies when natural disasters strike all over the world.
They also run Operation Christmas child providing gifts to impoverished children all over the world who's family does not have the means to get them one on their own.
Disagree with him here and there but I don't think he has "ruined" Billy's legacy.

Anonymous said...

Outside the south BG is regarded as sugar daddy Graham who's picking up the tab.
Has this dawned on him?

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