Book Review: The Reason for My Hope

The Reason for My Hope: Salvation
By Billy Graham
Thomas Nelson, 2013
English, 224 pgs

Description:
America’s Evangelist presents his masterwork.

Who would refuse rescue? This is the question Billy Graham asks throughout this book. The answer is sometimes surprising because there are actually people who refuse to be saved, even if they are in a hopeless situation. Why? Each chapter draws the reader in by posing questions for contemplation using relevant illustrations about what the world thinks in contrast to what the Bible says.

As Mr. Graham has expressed for decades, his purpose is to engage the reader in considering his or her life in light of the here and now and the hereafter. Who would refuse rescue from a plane crash, a sinking boat, an automobile fire, or an assassin’s bullet? True accounts are given that cause readers to ask what they think and how they would respond to similar experiences and to ultimately bring them to life’s most important question.

In what could be his final book, Billy Graham presents the core message that has guided his life and calling for more than 70 years. Filled with new stories and timeless truth, Graham once again calls the world back to its spiritual priority as only he can. The book coincides with a massive campaign of the same name by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that will mobilize millions of people in the United States to invite friends and neighbors into their homes to hear the message of Jesus Christ through customized video and a new message from Mr. Graham.

Review:

Very few Americans are as readily recognized as respected as Billy Graham. An evangelist and author known around the world for decades of consistent ministry, the evangelism crusades he has hosted have seen the world’s largest sports stadiums and venues packed to capacity to hear Graham speak of his hope in salvation in Jesus Christ.

 

Any review of his writing at this point is almost obvious – it’s Billy Graham. His beliefs and consistency in them are well known by this time. This writing for this volume has a certain urgency that one might ascribe to his advanced age. But if one were to compare writings from decades past, the same urgency has always been present. Much of that is what has caused his ministry to be so effective. Graham confronts the central idea of the Christian faith-that salvation from the penalty and effect of sin is found in faith in the risen Jesus Christ alone. Graham reasonably attacks the underlying logic of the most common objections to the gospel and allows for the Holy Spirit to do his work in convicting hearts. Graham intuitively understands that the work of the evangelist is to be faithful to sharing the message of hope; the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict of its truth and lead to the cross.

 

The writing is easy to digest, the theology is sound and the book is a joy to read. One senses Graham’s cherished excitement in sharing the story of Jesus. The book is in the same theme as the “My Hope” television evangelism campaign and serves as a companion piece to it without directly repeating that production’s material. This book – likely Graham’s last – is a perfect statement of his belief, his purpose, and his greatest love. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of the book from BookSneeze for the purpose of a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.