Before he became America's pastor, he was simply known as "Billy." Hear the story of Billy Graham's beginnings at Wheaton, how he met Ruth Bell, and the unexpected challenge that almost changed the course of his life. Billy's good friend Charles Templeton was already a successful preacher, and the two young men strategized to evangelize the world. But their plans took a drastic turn when Templeton had a crisis of faith and became an atheist. Discover the stunning impact of that decision in this story of betrayal, hope and redemption!
The remarkable true story of a young Billy Graham and his best friend who walked away from the faith.
We all know how the story ends but how did it begin? Before he became a household name, and
America’s Pastor, he was simply known as Billy. When he wasn’t playing baseball, he was discovering his love for Christian ministry. His best friend, Charles Templeton, was already on track to be a highly successful evangelist and the two young men began strategizing on how to win the world for Christ. That plan takes a drastic turn, however, when Templeton deserts the faith and becomes an atheist. The impact of this decision on a young Billy Graham is immeasurable and agonizing. Charles would later become the great intellectual architect for agnosticism and atheism. Billy would become the single greatest messenger for the Christian Gospel. It is one of the great untold dramas between friends - Atheism vs Christianity, betrayal and hope.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lisa Blaine (Scottsdale, Az), October 22, 2009
Definitely one of the best books I have read in a very long time. An incredible story of faith and love and of the struggles we face both within and without. I recommend this book to everyone and will be buying this for all my friends this Christmas!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Karma Sweet (Red Oak, TX), October 08, 2009
I so want to buy the movie! I've read the book and it's even more interesting than the movie. But having seen the movie first I believe the book came to life even more. This truly showed the human side of Mr. Graham and the struggle of faith that he had and how he gave it all to God and walked his faith out. And it revealed a friendship and test of loyalty I hadn't heard about. I'd certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good book.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Den Slattery (Speaker/ Author) (Ionia, MI), June 22, 2009
I loved this book. It was well written, insightful, and thought provoking. It's the story of Billy Graham and Charles Templeton and their struggle with faith, evangelism and the Bible. My book club read it and everyone spoke highly of it. I have recommended it to many people.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Phyllis Mckenzie (Ashland, KY), March 16, 2009
I purchased this book in error thinking I was buying the DVD. All I can say is "Wow!" There is no way the movie can be as captivating as the book. I found it to be so inspirational and so many facts incorporated as part of the story line show how enduring faith can change so many lives. This book opened my eyes on so many different levels. A wonderful read!
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rhonda Clark (Tennessee), February 23, 2009
Billy is the story of a young Billy Graham. Told from the point of view of Charles Templeton, it covers Mr. Graham’s humble beginnings on a dairy farm in North Carolina to the launch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
I found this book insightful. Watching the greatest evangelist of the 20th century develop was heartwarming and endearing. Seeing the path his friendship with Charles Templeton took was heartbreaking. My eyes were opened to how easily anyone can lose sight of God’s will. Hearing Charles Templeton tell this story made me wonder about Billy Graham’s side of the story.
Although I did enjoy this book, I still have some misgivings. The book is wonderfully written. I had no trouble keeping the recollections and present day dialogue separated. Settings are easy to see with the mind’s eye, and secondary characters never outshine the true purpose of the book. On the other hand, I think this would have been more aptly named Charles, or Charles & Billy. So much of the story focused on Charles Templeton’s jealousy and rivalry with Billy Graham. Mr. Templeton’s personal story was more compelling, and more heart wrenching. Having him tell the story of a young Billy Graham before they met, made me question mental accuracies and personal interpretations. I am encouraged to seek out auto-biographies of both men for a more clear picture and understanding of their lives.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David Cedervall (Garnerville, NY), January 29, 2009
An accounting that reminds us that God uses earthen vessels and even the ones we think most holy have had their battles with doubt and Satan's efforts to keep them from God's best will. The book is written in a manner that keeps the reader's attention and moves the story along without confusion or formula-like style. It was a blessing to read and gave great insight to one of God's humble servants, his family and friends, and his ministry.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sandra (Darlington, PA), December 31, 2008
Billy, does a good job of retelling the story of Billy Graham’s early days in ministry. He travels and speaks with Charles Templeton who is a popular evangelist; they both ministers with Youth for Christ. Charles begins to struggle with his faith after learning about the horrors of the Holocaust and he eventually walks away from his faith. Billy must then work through what his own faith issues as well as the loss of his friend. He found God’s truth to be true and was able to preach about these truths for the rest of his life, bringing thousands to a saving belief in God.
I enjoyed reading the biography of this Godly man named Billy Graham. I learned many things I did not know; Billy was an evangelist for Youth for Christ, a pastor of a small church, a radio personality, a Fuller Brush Salesman and the President of Northwestern College in Minnesota. It is always fascinating to read how God has worked so faithfully in the lives of His people.
The story is told by Charles Templeton, who is an Alzheimer patient nearing the end of his life. This part of the story bothered me, as I know that a Alzheimer patient is not capable of remembering in the manner the book betrays (I spent a lot of time with an Alzheimer patient this past year). As long as I did not dwell on this facet of Billy - I found the book to reveal God at work in both Billy and Charles Templeton.
My Dad read it while he was visiting us during Christmas and enjoyed it very much. He said that it was interesting as he could relate to Billy’s life as he has known of Billy Graham for most of his life.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carol Joan Bigden (Fredericksburg, TX), December 24, 2008
This book was so well written that I couldn't put it down. In addition, it held profound truths of how God offers us a plan for our lives...but the choice is ours. The everyday choices wee make become a path that deterines the outcome of our lives both now and for eternity. I believe this book should be required reading for seminary students and pastors alike.
Joan Bigden
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