Do you like learning about religion and spirituality? If you do, you might have heard of Billy Graham, one of the most influential and respected Christian evangelists of the 20th century. He was known for his worldwide crusades, his radio and TV broadcasts, his books and magazines, and his counseling to presidents and celebrities. He was also called “America’s Pastor” and “The Protestant Pope”. But do you know where he went to college and how his education helped him become a successful preacher and leader? In this article, we will explore the college journey of Billy Graham and learn some interesting facts about his life and achievements.
Billy Graham’s Educational Journey
Billy Graham attended four colleges: Bob Jones College, Florida Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He graduated from two of them: Florida Bible Institute with a diploma in biblical studies in 1940, and Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in 1943. He did not have a major or a field of study at Bob Jones College or Fuller Theological Seminary. He took courses in various subjects such as theology, history, literature, and psychology.
Billy Graham first attended Bob Jones College, a private Christian college in Cleveland, Tennessee. He enrolled there in 1936 with a scholarship from the college’s founder, Bob Jones Sr., a prominent evangelist. He stayed there for one semester until he transferred to Florida Bible Institute in 1937.
Billy Graham then attended Florida Bible Institute, a private Christian college in Temple Terrace, Florida. He enrolled there in 1937 with a desire to become a preacher. He stayed there for three years until he graduated with a diploma in biblical studies in 1940.
During his time at Florida Bible Institute, Billy Graham learned from some of the best professors and mentors in the fields of theology and evangelism, such as William E. Biederwolf, who taught him how to preach the gospel; John R. Rice, who taught him how to reach the masses; and Charles E. Fuller, who taught him how to use radio as a medium. He also participated in various activities, such as preaching at local churches, leading student revivals, and working as a janitor at the college.
Billy Graham then attended Wheaton College, a private Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois. He enrolled there in 1941 with a recommendation from Torrey Johnson, the president of Youth for Christ, an international Christian organization that sponsored his crusades. He stayed there for two years until he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in 1943.
During his time at Wheaton College, Billy Graham learned from some of the best professors and mentors in the fields of anthropology and sociology, such as Clyde W. Taylor, who taught him how to understand different cultures and religions; J. Oliver Buswell, who taught him how to defend the Christian faith; and V . Raymond Edman, who taught him how to live a spiritual life. He also participated in various activities, such as playing baseball for the Wheaton Thunder, the college’s sports team; joining the Gospel Volunteers, a student group that organized evangelistic meetings; and working as an assistant pastor at the Village Church, a local church.
Billy Graham then attended Fuller Theological Seminary, a private Christian graduate school in Pasadena, California. He enrolled there in 1947 with an invitation from Charles E . Fuller, the founder of the seminary and his former mentor at Florida Bible Institute. He stayed there for one year until he dropped out in 1948.
During his time at Fuller Theological Seminary, Billy Graham learned from some of the best professors and mentors in the fields of theology and missions, such as Harold John Ockenga, who taught him how to engage with modern culture; Carl F . H . Henry, who taught him how to apply biblical principles to social issues; and Wilbur M . Smith, who taught him how to study the Bible. He also participated in various activities, such as preaching at revival meetings, leading crusades around the world, and serving as the president of Northwestern Schools, a group of Christian schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Data Table
Here is a summary of Billy Graham’s college education and achievements :
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Franklin “Billy” Graham Jr. | Bob Jones College (1936-1937) Florida Bible Institute (1937-1940) Wheaton College (1941-1943) Fuller Theological Seminary (1947-1948) | Diploma in Biblical Studies Bachelor of Arts | Biblical Studies Anthropology | 1940 1943 |
Billy Graham’s Early Life and Background
Billy Graham was born on November 7, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the eldest of four children born to William Franklin Graham Sr. and Morrow Coffey Graham. His family was American and Presbyterian. His father was a dairy farmer who owned a large farm. His mother was a homemaker who raised him and his siblings.
Billy Graham had a simple and rural childhood. He loved nature and animals. He helped his father with the farm chores. He also enjoyed reading books and magazines about adventure, history, and religion. He attended Sharon High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He played baseball, basketball, and football with his friends. He graduated from Sharon High School in 1936.
Billy Graham’s Post-College Journey
After leaving college in 1948, Billy Graham pursued a career in evangelism and ministry. He became one of the most famous and respected Christian evangelists of the 20th century. He preached the gospel to millions of people in more than 185 countries and territories. He also broadcasted his messages on radio and TV to millions more. He wrote more than 30 books and magazines, such as Peace with God, The Secret of Happiness, Angels: God’s Secret Agents, Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham, Decision, and Christianity Today. He also counseled and prayed with presidents and celebrities, such as Harry S . Truman, Dwight D . Eisenhower, John F . Kennedy, Lyndon B . Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H . W . Bush, Bill Clinton, George W . Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bob Hope, etc.
Billy Graham’s Impact and Significance
Billy Graham is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected Christian leaders of the 20th century. He changed the world with his message of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ. He also promoted peace, justice, and unity among people of different races, cultures, and religions. He received numerous awards and honors for his work, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Templeton Prize, the Big Brother Award, the Gandhi Peace Prize, the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, the Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, etc. He was also named one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World” by Gallup for a record 61 times.
Billy Graham’s college education influenced his evangelism and ministry achievements in many ways. He learned from some of the best professors and mentors in theology, anthropology, sociology, evangelism, and missions at Bob Jones College, Florida Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and Fuller Theological Seminary. They taught him how to understand different cultures and religions, how to defend the Christian faith, how to apply biblical principles to social issues, how to preach the gospel, and how to lead a spiritual life. He also gained valuable experience and exposure from preaching at local churches, leading student revivals, working as an assistant pastor, leading crusades around the world, serving as the president of Northwestern Schools, etc. He made connections and friendships with classmates and alumni, who supported him throughout his journey. He also developed skills and qualities that helped him succeed as an evangelist and minister, such as charisma, passion, perseverance, humility, and integrity.
Interesting Anecdotes or Trivia
Here are some interesting anecdotes or trivia about Billy Graham’s college years:
- He was nicknamed “Billy Frank” by his family and friends.
- He was also nicknamed “God’s Machine Gun” by his fans because of his rapid-fire preaching style.
- He met his wife Ruth at Wheaton College. They married in 1943 and had five children named Virginia, Anne, Ruth, Franklin, and Nelson. They were married for 64 years until Ruth died in 2007.
- He once played golf with Bob Jones Sr. at Bob Jones College. He lost the game by one stroke.
- He once met Albert Einstein at Princeton University. They discussed science and religion.
Relevance to Today’s Students
Billy Graham’s college journey can inspire and motivate today’s students who are interested in pursuing a career in evangelism ministry or any other field. His story shows that with talent, passion, and perseverance, anything is possible. He also demonstrates that education is not only about academics but also about personal growth, character development, and social responsibility. He also proves that success is not measured by fame or money but by happiness and fulfillment.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned where Billy Graham went to college and how his education helped him become a successful evangelist and minister. We have seen that he attended four colleges: Bob Jones College, Florida Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He graduated from two of them: Florida Bible Institute with a diploma in biblical studies in 1940, and Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology in 1943. He was a successful and respected evangelist who preached the gospel to millions of people around the world.