Many have expressed amazement at this letter. It was blunt.
Reporting on his research with others, Billy wrote, “Almost all
have agreed that the content was not strikingly good, consider-
ing the terrific roster of editors and correspondents. They all seem
to feel that the magazine may be slanted a little too much to the
‘egg-head,’ and there aren’t many egg-heads among ministers.
Particularly did I receive almost unanimous criticism of the edi-
torial pages. I, too, would agree that there was not enough ring of
joy, strength, and good news.”
Concerning book reviews, he reported, “This is where we
received probably our greatest criticism. One said, ‘Minor League
stuff.’”
About the attempts at humor one man wrote him, “Eutychus
is terrible.” Another said, “A man with no sense of humor trying
to be humorous.” Yet Billy said he rather liked the humor.
He reported praise for several articles written by theologians.
He was brutally honest about his own article, reporting that
one said, “It was a bit too much spinning dust and purple prose.”
Having criticized his own work he then said that Henry’s article
was a wonderful idea but that others called it “too verbose.” One
man used the expression “obscurity reaching for profundity.”
But then Billy wrote, “Now, my beloved Carl, do not let any
of this discourage you.... Personally I was delighted with the
magazine.” Then Billy went on with pages of practical suggestions
and also cautions about being as inclusive as possible without
compromise. Henry soon wrote back with appreciation for his
insights.
When the second issue was published, Henry received yet
another letter, this one brief and congratulatory.
Billy was no mere cheerleader; he was a strategist, a “posi-
tioner,” a theologian—not in a scholarly sense but in the essen-
tials. Years later one CTeditor commented, “I don’t know how I
would have felt if, after editing that first issue, I’d received this
letter from Billy Graham. It certainly would have captured my
attention—and would have let me know exactly what he was
thinking.”
Birthing Dreams