Passing of Jerry Falwell

Tomorrow will be the funeral for Jerry Falwell. In Lynchburg VA he is either loved or hated…there are few who are in between both extremes.

Though the pastor of a large church, Falwell was not a particularly gifted speaker, Nor was he an outstanding worship leader. His success rested in his ability to connect with people on an individual and small group level, to articulate in a cogent manner a vision and then sell people on the grand vision being God’s will. Part of that vision was attempting to stem the tide of liberalism. Some of what he called liberalism others called progressive and appropriate justice.

He was a controversial man who spoke on daily issues. A conservative to the core he often held firm to positions and would often modify his positions long after the majority had moved beyond his earlier position. He held onto segregation and fought against integration long after integration was common place. His opinions and positions on various issues evolved and changed over time. He was just slower than most people. Today his congregation and university shows no sign of segregational thought. The same can be said on his views on the roll of women in the workplace and church, South African apatite policies, public education, and welfare reform.

While I would disagree strongly with his work in helping to create the religious right and tying it to the Republican party (blog for another time), his work did help give the church a hearing in public dialogue. The church is a public citizen and as a citizen it too needs to speak out of on issues, but without being tied to any candidate or party….and that was where I take issue with Falwell.

There are radio commentators and newspaper writers who call Falwell in this country who call him a perpetrator of hate. While we may disagree on issues, take a contrary stand does not make on perpetrator of hate. To use such language is a purposeful effort to demonize one with whom you disagree and to marginalize them in the process. Such language is not the language of civility but rather doing that which you are saying the other does. What was regrettable is that some of these commentators and writers who claim Falwell was a hate monger openly celebrated before the public over his death and proclaimed that it was a great day for America when he died. Their actions cause us to ask, what are you doing differently than what you charge Falwell as doing?

Falwell can be faulted for being controversial, for being overly political, for speaking sharply and at times unwisely on issues, but hate was not part of his character. I may not agree with his theology, his defining as God’s will and political action, but I will not judge his motivation or passion for the His Lord.

Rest well Jerry Falwell in the arms of Christ.