Billy Graham: Candid Conversations with a Public Man
Review
Billy Graham: Candid Conversations with a Public Man
For over 30 years, Billy Graham and David Frost chatted together over a variety of topics, including God, the Bible and Graham’s ministry. Frost somehow questioned Graham in a way that intrigued viewers worldwide. The two men became good friends over these many years, and throughout this fascinating compilation of interviews that ranges over decades, readers will appreciate both the candor and the mutual respect they had for each other.
The book includes a chronology of Graham’s life and highlights various important events along the way. Written in a Q&A format, with Frost asking the questions, readers will be treated to a mini-history lesson as well as learning more about America’s most famous evangelical preacher. Frost poses such questions as: Did your faith ever waver? What’s the nearest thing to proof that God exists? Which is stronger: your love for God, or your love for Ruth and your children? What might you have done if God hadn’t chosen you to be an evangelist? Were there any times when you felt used by the presidents or other powerful men of the world? What is the greatest moral issue we face in the 21st century?
"[T]hroughout this fascinating compilation of interviews that ranges over decades, readers will appreciate both the candor and the mutual respect [Graham and Frost] had for each other."
Interestingly, Graham answers all of Frost’s questions with his characteristic style of humility and genteel kindness. If he truly didn’t know the answer to one of the questions about the Bible or life, he said so. His compelling replies to some of life’s toughest questions will help today’s man and woman think more clearly about troubling world events of our time. Graham makes it clear that one can have a formidable faith in God without needing to fully understand why pain and suffering run rampant through the world. His thoughtful, conversational answers to Frost’s queries not only will make sense and stay in line with what the Bible teaches, readers will find themselves smiling, nodding their heads, and even releasing a pent-up sigh as they realize that Graham is just like them.
Some of the specific ground that Frost covers with Graham include: faith in God; family and marriage; politics; preaching, evangelism and the Bible; pain and suffering; presidents; sin and temptation; moral and social issues; end times and heaven. In each chapter, Frost poses a number of questions on the topics cited above and Graham answers each. Frost sometimes interjects with a sideline query, and laughter occassionally ensues. Though the questions can be hard-hitting, there is nothing but a warm, intimate tone that reads through each and every page. And Graham never fails to express his personal hope that Frost will make the same commitment to Jesus Christ that he himself made all those years ago. Frost is respectful, even rather wistfully hopeful, in his words.
Readers will be delighted by this compilation of conversations between these two very public figures who have both left their mark on society.
Reviewed by Michele Howe on September 19, 2014
Billy Graham: Candid Conversations with a Public Man
- Publication Date: August 1, 2014
- Genres: Christian, Nonfiction
- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: David C. Cook
- ISBN-10: 0781411351
- ISBN-13: 9780781411356