The Journey (by Billy Graham)

(Amazon UK link)

I've read one or two books by the well-known evangelist Billy Graham before, and found them interesting and somewhat thought-provoking. So when I was given this book, supposedly his magnum opus, I was intrigued. Subtitled: 'How to live by faith in an uncertain world' I thought it might have new insights, and profound thoughts.

It turned out to be a lot more basic than I had expected. The first section is about Christian belief. It's not apologetic in style, like CS Lewis, but much more straightforward. I didn't disagree with any of it, but it was nothing new.

The second section of the book, 'Strength for the Journey', talks about Christian resources - how to grow, how to find guidance, and so on. Again, it's all fairly basic although there are some interesting anecdotes. 

The final two sections of the book go a little deeper, dealing with challenges and finally with growing older. Billy Graham is nearly ninety, and the book was only written in 2006 so he evidently has plenty of  experience of getting elderly...

If that all sounds a bit negative, it isn't really meant to be. Perhaps I was expecting too much of it, but it's certainly not a bad book. It's a good, basic explanation of what it means to be a Christian, and how to continue along the path throughout life. A good legacy to leave behind, and I'm sure it will help many people. Although it's not the brilliantly readable style of, say, Philip Yancey, it's well-written, clear and logical.

I read it over about three weeks, just a chapter or two at a time, and while there wasn't anything really new to me, I think it was well worth reading. 

Recommended to anyone wanting a solid course in the Christian life, or who would like to read more by this famous evangelist.