Billy Graham’s theological views were rooted in mainstream evangelical Protestantism. Over the years, he was consistent in his beliefs, even as he navigated a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Here’s an overview of some of his primary theological stances:
- Biblical Inerrancy: Graham held to the view that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God. While he acknowledged that humans, with their limitations, wrote the Bible, he believed that they were divinely inspired, making Scripture trustworthy in its teachings about faith and life.
- Salvation through Christ: Central to Graham’s preaching was the belief that salvation is possible only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He consistently called his listeners to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
- The Nature of God: Graham believed in the Trinitarian nature of God, recognizing God as Father, Jesus Christ as Son, and the Holy Spirit. He emphasized God’s love and mercy but also spoke of God’s righteousness and judgment.
- Second Coming: Graham believed in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, a foundational teaching in evangelical eschatology. He often urged people to turn to Christ, emphasizing the urgency of the present moment in light of eternity.
- Sin and Human Nature: Graham believed in the fallen nature of humanity. He preached that all humans are sinners in need of redemption, which can only be found in Jesus Christ.
- Evangelism and Mission: Graham was deeply committed to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), where Jesus commands his followers to spread the Gospel to all nations. This commitment was evident not only in his own evangelistic crusades but also in his efforts to train others in evangelism.
- Ecumenism: Graham believed in working across denominational lines for the sake of spreading the Gospel. While he held firm to his evangelical beliefs, he collaborated with churches of various denominations during his crusades and emphasized the unity of the body of Christ.
- Social Issues: While Graham’s primary focus was always evangelism, he also believed that the Gospel had implications for societal issues. As discussed previously, his views on social issues evolved over time, and he sometimes expressed regret for not speaking out more forcefully on certain matters, such as civil rights.
- Interfaith Dialogue: Graham believed in the exclusivity of the Christian message for salvation, but he also recognized the value of dialogue and mutual respect with adherents of other religions, as discussed in the previous answer.
It’s worth noting that while Graham held firmly to his theological views, he was also known for his humility and openness. He often emphasized the mystery of God and the limitations of human understanding. In his later years, Graham was known to express caution about being overly dogmatic on issues where Scripture might be seen as ambiguous.
Overall, Billy Graham’s theological views were characterized by a deep commitment to the core tenets of evangelical Christianity, combined with a pastoral concern for the spiritual and emotional well-being of his listeners.