Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Billy


Billy is a wonderful book about two men, two friends, two crises of faith and the choices that were made which led to the sad dissolution of that friendship. Billy Graham and Charles Templeton were best friends and partners, working together as Evangelists for Youth for Christ. In the aftermath of the horror of World War II, each man faced and wrestled with his own crisis of faith. Each man made his choice, giving us the greatest Evangelist of our time, and perhaps all time, and giving us one of the greatest intellectual atheists to debate the existence of God.

This amazing book is based on the true story, yet reads like a novel. Especially poignant to me, is the scene which shows the turning point for Billy and his choice to believe that the just shall live by faith. I am so glad that I read this book and highly recommend it to anyone.

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Billy: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham and the Test of Faith that Almost Changed Everything


By William Paul McKay and Ken Abraham


A remarkable friendship.
An agonizing betrayal.
The true story of a crisis of faith.


Charles Templeton was one of the greatest preachers of the mid-twentieth century, and a friend and mentor to a young Billy Graham. He was also in the early stages of becoming an atheist.

Based on the remarkable true story, Billy is the untold account of the early years of Billy Graham and the relationship between these two extraordinary men told from the perspective of a dying Charles Templeton.

Reminiscing to a reporter from his hospital bed in 2001, the haunted Templeton recounts Billy’s simple beginnings, the moving love story of Ruth Bell, the moves of “chance” and the divine blessing that brought him success, and the grown of their friendship.

Together, they had envisioned plans to win the world for Christ. But life brought them both to a crisis of faith.

You already know how the Billy Graham story turns out. Billy tells of a moment in history when things might have turned out very differently.

4 comments:

  1. Oh my. This sounds very good. Thanks for sharing this review. He is an amazing man.

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  2. Wow, that sounds really neat!

    You don't often think about the events that led public figures to where they are today.

    Thanks for the review!

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  3. I am definetely going to get this book and read it! I am on my way to the library website to see if they have it, if not I am going to request it be purchased! Thanks Tracy for sharing this awesome book with us! Blessings! Thank you for commenting on my blog as well.

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  4. Hi Tracy, great review. I just finished reading "Billy" over a week ago. From the time I picked it up I couldn't stop reading. Very interesting.

    I have to write a review over at Thomas Nelson publisher's website, but wasn't able to since my laptop wasn't working.

    It's a book I highly recommend as well.

    Vickie

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