Interview with T.W. Wilson, July 1, 1976

Partial Transcript: Uh, Dr. Wilson, where and when were you born?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses his educational background as well as his family. He reveals the largest influences that led him to convert to Christianity and begin his journey as a preacher.

Keywords: Bob Jones University; Central High School; Faith Theological Seminary; Family; Fathers; Mothers; University of Alabama

Subjects: Charlotte (N.C.); Christianity.; Conversion.; Families.; Religion

Partial Transcript: Why did you become involved in Christian work?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson speaks about how he became involved in the Christian community and how he joined Billy Graham in his crusade.

Keywords: Evangelists; First Baptist Church; Les Barnett; Ministry; Preachers; School of Evangelism; W. B. Riley; William Jennings Bryan

Subjects: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Minneapolis (Minn.); Pastor; Preaching.; Religion; Youth for Christ/USA

Partial Transcript: Uh, all of these things, the reason why I've asked you these questions, uh, uh, is to give some background on your own personal life and comments on Mr. Graham.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson recalls his family's relationship with the Grahams as well as his own relationship with the Graham family throughout the years.

Keywords: Brothers; Childhood; Family; Fathers; Friends; Mothers

Subjects: Charlotte (N.C.); Childhood of world figures; Children; Families.; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018

Partial Transcript: What was the most striking characteristic of Billy Graham that you observed upon first meeting him?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses Graham's characteristics as they were growing up and how those characteristics hinted at his future fame.

Keywords: Baseball; Businessman; Character; College; Education; Kind; Poverty; Salesman; Wealth

Subjects: Childhood of world figures; Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Religion

Partial Transcript: You've already told us when you joined the, the Graham team. Uh, what were your initial responsibilities upon joining?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson recalls the responsibilities he took on after joining Graham's crusade.

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Keywords: Billy Graham Ministries; Education; Evangelism; Holy Crusades; Ministry; Responsibilities

Subjects: Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Minneapolis (Minn.); Religion

Partial Transcript: If you had to name the most influential man or men in Billy Graham's life, who would you name?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson tells his opinion about Graham's relationship with his wife's father, Dr. L Nelson Bell, and how Bell influenced Graham's life more than any other man.

Keywords: Churches; Father-in-laws; Fathers; Influence; L. Nelson Bell; Ruth Graham

Subjects: Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Religion

Partial Transcript: How was Mordecai Ham influential in Billy Graham's life?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses Ham and his opinions on the allegations placed against Ham regarding his racial views. He also talks about Graham's personal views towards race and how he handled international relations in his ministry.

Keywords: High schools; His Land; Influence; Love; Mordecai Ham; People; Preachers; Scripture; Sin

Subjects: Anti-Semitism.; Charlotte (N.C.); Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Judaism.; Race relations.; Racism.; Religion; World leaders

Partial Transcript: John Pollock, in the authorized biography, notes a change in the crusade policy after the Supreme Count decision in nineteen and fifty-three.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses how Graham's crusade handled the idea of desegregating the churches in the south. He also talks about how Graham was able to bring African Americans into his churches to worship alongside white Americans in peace.

Keywords: Church; Desegregation; Integration; Involvement; Peace; Politics; Unity

Subjects: African American; African Americans--Religion; African Americans--Segregation; Alabama; Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Jackson (Miss.); Race relations; Religion

Partial Transcript: Did Billy Graham have any personal views toward, uh, blacks that he had to overcome as a person?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson talks about how growing up in the south influenced the views of Graham and himself in regards to race.

Keywords: Billy Graham Day; Claude Law; Fathers; Friendships; Hatred; Racial discrimination; Reece Brown; San Francisco Giants

Subjects: African Americans--Segregation--Southern States; African Americans--Social conditions; Charlotte (N.C.); Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Race relations

Partial Transcript: Another, uh, issue that's relevant, uh, has to do with national politics and Dr. Graham's relationship with various presidents since the 1950s.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses the relationships that Graham had with various presidents in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. He also disputes the allegations placed on Graham for being the chaplain to the White House.

Keywords: Candidates; Family; Fellowships; Kennedy assassination; Nonpartisan; Politics; Presidents; The White House; Watergate scandal

Subjects: Christianity; Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973; Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963; Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994; Religion; Washington (D.C.)

Partial Transcript: Uh, I have many questions, so I'm going to, I'm going to leave some of these out.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson talks about how Graham handled criticisms placed on him by his "enemies." He also discusses how Graham addressed his crusaders regarding the criticisms.

Keywords: Bob Jones Jr.; Bob Jones Sr.; Churches; Compromise; Criticisms; Enemies; Evangelism; Fundamentalists; Gospel; John R. Rice; Liberalists; Love; Prayer; Repentance; Theology

Subjects: Christianity; Evangelists--United States--20th century; Fundamentalism; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Religion

Partial Transcript: You've been associated with Billy Graham for many years.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses how Graham conducted his ministry and the philosophy behind what Graham preached.

Keywords: Changes; Condemnation; Gospel; Individual; Lost; Love; Reformation; Savior; Society; Transformation

Subjects: Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Jesus Christ.; Religion; Theology.

Partial Transcript: A topic of real interest, uh, because I'm working, uh, also on a research project re--involving Mordecai Ham, is Dr. Graham's relationship to Evangelist Ham.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses how Graham's relationship with Ham affected his preaching methods.

Keywords: Influence; Mordecai Ham; Opinions; Preaching; Students; Teachers; W. T. Watson

Subjects: Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Religion

Partial Transcript: Another person that I have an interest in is William Bell Riley.

Segment Synopsis: Because of Graham's relationship with Dr. Riley, Graham took charge of the Northwestern schools after Riley's death. Wilson discusses Graham's hesitation in accepting this role.

Keywords: Leaders; Pastors; Scholars; Schools

Subjects: Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Minneapolis (Minn.); Religion; Youth for Christ International

Partial Transcript: Uh, well, actually three more questions that I have to ask you.

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses how Graham wanted to fulfill his aim of reaching as many people as possible in order to preach his gospel. He also talks about the different forms of Evangelizing.

Keywords: Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization; Consent; Crusades; Emotional silence; Gospel; Gospel films; Logic; Motives; Music; Preachers; Publicity; Radio; Television

Subjects: Christianity; Evangelists--United States--20th century; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Jesus Christ; Religion; Theology

Partial Transcript: One last question: Who would you recommend that I interview to supplement my research in these areas?

Segment Synopsis: Wilson discusses other people that could further supplement research regarding Graham's life as well as some other influential religious figures.

Keywords: Bob Jones University; Denominations; Grady Wilson; Inspiration; Jimmie Johnson; Methodist; Mothers; Politicians; Politics; Supplemental information; Wendell Phillips; Wheaton College

Subjects: Christianity; Graham, Billy, 1918-2018; Race relations; Religion; Theology