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Though I did not always agree with Dr. Falwell, I have over the years respected his staying power. Greatness comes with wisdom and wisdom from God. We can even learn from those of whom we may not agree with.

Finaly, may the world be better off with out him and his ilk.

At one time in my life, I was an avid supporter of Falwell and the associated ministry. I even had a very nice scholarship to attend Liberty University. However, had that happened, I would not be alive today.

I came to realize that Falwell spoke for a segment of people who choose not to think or learn for themselves. Rather, Falwell played on unrational fears.

While I am saddened that a family has lost a brother, husband, father, grandfather, et al; at least for a time we will not have to contend with Jerry Sr.

I pray that God's judgement upon Jerry is merciful rather than just.

Shalom

Anyone who steps out these days, liberal or conservative,and stands for something with strength and conviction will inevitably be the target of either praise or vitriole. Rev. Falwell was a Christian man of conviction and determination. He served His Lord well, and will be welcomed into his heavenly home with joy and commendation.

Anti-Christian types loathed him for his biblical stands, and some Christians didn't care for him either. But he didn't let criticism and attack stop him, and persevered to the end.

I didn't agree with him on several theological points, and I'm not a fundemental Baptist; but I agreed with him on the important elements of the orthodox, biblical Faith. I thank God for his life and witness, regardless of his mistakes and weak points. We orthodox Christians should make every effort to minimize our trivial criticisms, and engage one another with respect and godly love on the issues on which we disagree. Now is the time to unite with those of like precious Faith and fight the good spiritual fight, "redeeming the time for the days are evil."

Well done imperfect, but valiant Jerry. Enter into the joy of your Master.

Well done Jerry, indeed:

t is best sometimes to go back in a man's life to get his true measure. Here's Falwell preaching in 1958, quoted in a Washington Post profile in 1988 by Walt Harrington:

"'In this message,' Falwell intoned pompously, 'I want to use the Bible alone as our guide. It is never worthwhile to give man's opinion...The answer to the whole subject can be found in Genesis 9:18-27.' Falwell went on to explain that Ham, the son of Noah, had seen Noah naked one day. When Noah discovered this, he cursed Ham's son, Canaan: 'A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.' Falwell explained that Ham later became the progenitor of the African race.

"He rambled on, still using 'the Bible alone' as his guide: 'The true Negro does not want integration...He realizes his potential is far better among his own race...We see the hand of Moscow in the background...We see the Devil himself behind it...It will destroy our race eventually...In one northern city, a pastor friend of mine tells me that a couple of opposite race live next door to his church as man and wife ...It boils down to whether we are going to take God's Word as final.'

"Oblivious to the hatefulness of his sermon, Falwell concluded: '...If we live in constant fellowship with the Lord, He can enable us to live Christ-like before others.'"

"We orthodox Christians should make every effort to minimize our trivial criticisms, and engage one another with respect and godly love on the issues on which we disagree." It is sad that Falwell did not believe and practice this!

He refused on numerous occasions to dialogue with Soulforce. So, what does that say?

I have a dear friend who attended LU for 3 1/2 years. The stories shared with me are disgusting at best and pitiful at worst. The "outward" person that is known is a true hypocrit to the "inward" person that is not known.

It is sad that most will either never know of and/or believe these things. Sad indeed.

Shalom

"'In this message,' Falwell intoned pompously.." You couldn't find anything original to say, but instead did a google search and let someone else do the talking. This is the best you could do? Surely there more evil things this man has said; after all he spoke publicly for years.

Remember, that Falwell wasn't a Christian until 1952, just a few years before this speech allegedly took place. He also recanted and repented of this position numerous times. His record of supporting african americans through his university speaks volumes of his true beliefs. Many mispoke in those days, but to hold a man to a sermon 50 years old is not just intolerant, but illogical. But blind hatred often is. In today's society one can only be intolerant of those that don't agree with the leftist definition of tolerance. I suppose if I don't tolerate your churlish response, I'll have to be called intolerant. But, don't worry, unlike you, I'll tolerate your intolerance.

Well said, Paradigm. Liberals/humanists certainly were loathe to focus media attention on Bill Clinton's "but I didn't inhale" or trips to Moscow days. And the bane of Hilariy is to bring up the spotted past of the dynamic duo. And Giuliani has some things in his dosier that no doubt he wishes the media would ignore. In all fairness, we really shouldn't hold people responsible for everything they ever did or said in the distant past. But it may not be totally irrelevant in many cases either.

Who among us could ever stand such scrutiny, anyway. We should look at the more recent ideas and statements of public figures. Everybody changes! I once (long, long ago in a far, distant mindset) attended a Black Panther rally in Washington DC with fellow Venceremos Brigade radicals. I would really, really hate for anyone to judge my philosophy, theology or poitical views because of those errant, searching years.

Falwell was a man of his place and time, as Paradigm pointed out: even Imus was forgiven by the Rutgers team. Dig around in the muck of anybody's past and you'll find whatever you want to find - for whatever purposes.

As I said, despite Rev. Falwell's human frailties, he was a passionate servant of His Lord, upholding biblical truth and values to the best of his imperfect ability. But then, even a feeble, half-hearted attempt to do so today makes you a target for the slings and arrows of the anti-Christian inquisition.

Jesus upheld those same moral and spitirual values and look what the politcal sycophants of his day did to Him. Not that any of us could ever do so in the perfect manner he did; but, like Rev. Falwell, all Christians must at least run the race and fight the good fight. That's our calling - and great challenge. Thank GOd for His abundant grace and transforming power!

Well said, Paradigm. Liberals/humanists certainly were loathe to focus media attention on Bill Clinton's "but I didn't inhale" or trips to Moscow days. And the bane of Hilariy is to bring up the spotted past of the dynamic duo. And Giuliani has some things in his dosier that no doubt he wishes the media would ignore. In all fairness, we really shouldn't hold people responsible for everything they ever did or said in the distant past. But it may not be totally irrelevant in many cases either.

Who among us could ever stand such scrutiny, anyway. We should look at the more recent ideas and statements of public figures. Everybody changes! I once (long, long ago in a far, distant mindset) attended a Black Panther rally in Washington DC with fellow Venceremos Brigade radicals. I would really, really hate for anyone to judge my philosophy, theology or poitical views because of those errant, searching years.

Falwell was a man of his place and time, as Paradigm pointed out: even Imus was forgiven by the Rutgers team. Dig around in the muck of anybody's past and you'll find whatever you want to find - for whatever purposes.

As I said, despite Rev. Falwell's human frailties, he was a passionate servant of His Lord, upholding biblical truth and values to the best of his imperfect ability. But then, even a feeble, half-hearted attempt to do so today makes you a target for the slings and arrows of the anti-Christian inquisition.

Jesus upheld those same moral and spitirual values and look what the politcal sycophants of his day did to Him. Not that any of us could ever do so in the perfect manner he did; but, like Rev. Falwell, all Christians must at least run the race and fight the good fight. That's our calling - and great challenge. Thank GOd for His abundant grace and transforming power!

Oh man. I go off on a vacation and what happens? The world has one less voice of cruel piety to contend with. Out of a cast of thousands of modern-day Pharisees, sad to say. No doubt, he'll be miseed, but his legacy of self-righteous activism will be staining the landscape for generations to come. Such a pity...

So who willo you fundies be chering for at Jerry's funersl? His version of christianity or Fred Phelp's?
The Reverend Phelps. another christian, has announced he will be preachng at the funeral.

Should be... interesting.

www.godhatesamerica.com

Phelps is hardly "preaching at the funeral" as if he's an invited speaker. He's being his usual idiotic self. Should I point to the Nazi, radical leftist groups and impute their ideology onto you? I, and fellow Christians, won't be cheering on anyone at the funeral. Rather, we'll be remembering Falwell's family and friends in our prayers. As for Phelps and his ilk, there is nothing more in common with them and I, then you and radical leftist groups. Your posts are dripping with the hatred of a man that disagreed with you and made a public point of doing so. You hate him so much, yet you accuse him of being the hateful one. Where's the love you so often preach? Oh, I see, your "love" is reserved only for those with whom you agree. "Let's tolerate everyone...(so long as they agree with their absolute belief system)"

Gee, Paradigm- Your post is dripping with love. Not as much "love" as Phelps' site reeks of, but " love", nonetheless. Would Jesus approve?

Here's the thing: I don't agree with what Falwell preached. Neither does Phelps. I wouldn't want to hurt a grieving family- Reverend Phelps is the one going there to torment the friends and family of Falwell- but he, like Falwell, is a Jesus-believer and preaches one can only get to heaven through Jesus and the born-again route. Can you honestly say he isn't a Christian ? How do you tell when his dotrine follows that of Christanity. If his behavior is horrendous, he can just do a last-sexond repenting and all's fine with God, right?

PS- I don't agree with Phelps either FWIW, but what Phelps says on his site about The Falwell makes Jerry's 1958-era blathering seem ALMOST friendly and nice. Barf.

"How do you tell when his doctrine follows that of Christianity."

There are some very reliable guidelines, such as the catechisms and confessions of the orthodox Christian churches (Augsburg, Belgic, Heidelberg, Westminster, London Confession, 39 Articles, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, etc.). They may not agree on all points, but they all attest to the canon of faith of the early orthodox Christian Church. They present a distilled core of the Faith, based on the Bible and the orthodox and catholic (little "c") traditions of interpretation. Ultimately, the Bible itself provides the standards of doctrine, morals and spiritual verities. But it must be interpreted wisely, carefully, prayerfully and intelligently – most of all, faithfully.

“If his behavior is horrendous, he can just do a last-sexond repenting and all's fine with God, right?”

Wrong! The Lord is perfect righteousness, truth and wisdom, and all are judged before His holy bar of justice. Phelps is way off in many areas it seems, and will have to answer to God for his errant ways. I may kinda agree with him on SOME issues, but his MO is woefully unbiblical. I think there are MUCH better ways to press the antithesis to our corrupt humanistic culture.