Rev. Jerry Falwell dead at 73

Rev. Jerry Falwell, an often-controversial spokeman within evangelical Christianity, died in his Liberty University office earlier Tuesday. His long career as a preacher and political activist culminated in the founding of the Moral Majority in 1979, the political power base of the conservative Religious Right. Over the years, he has garnered a variety of controversy for his views and comments made about homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and the end times. In fact, for all the good he brought about, I found a quote in The New York Times article about his death especially revealing concerning his mixed public legacy:

Matt Foreman, executive director of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, extended condolences to those close to Falwell, but added: “Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America's anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation's appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic, someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation.”

Sadly, the controversy over some of his public positions often seemed to overshadow his worthwhile contributions. As such, it will be very interesting to read the various reactions to his passing. While I would expect the inclusion of such a "eulogy" by the NYT, there's a cautionary lesson to be learned for Christians about how the watching public perceives the balance between standing on principle and doing so in a way that exemplies Christ's love toward those who hold different convictions than our own.

UPDATE: There are couple of interesting perspectives, both from Gary Varvel (note his link to Hustler publisher, Larry Flynt's, interesting comments on Falwell), and an insider's perspective from Cal Thomas on the passing of Rev. Falwell.

Comments

[Greg]

One of the traditions I have started is watching "Live From Liberty" on Sunday mornings on the Sky Angel Network, before church. I recieved the news yesterday from Kathy, via e-mail, and it shocked me because I enjoyed the sermons he preached and special guests he had. I just watched him this last Sunday and was debating wheather to record it or not. He definately will be missed.

[Secret Rapture]

My inaugural address at the Great White Throne Judgment of the Dead, after I have raptured out billions! The Secret Rapture soon, by my hand!
Read My Inaugural Address
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[Resident Atheist]

Congratulations on your first post from a complete whack-job!

[John]

Yeah, I suppose now is a good time to establish the official TDD disclaimer: "While The Daily Detour does encourage divergent points of view, we do not necessarily endorse all comments posted on this blog. Any violators of said policy will be subject to 39 lashes with a piece of strawberry licorice...etc...etc..."

[Andy Bullock]

Yeah hoser! I'm the only freakshow allowed to post on this blog. So take off!

[Pete Ross]

I submit the decision to become a sexual deviant is as divisive as the decision to villify sexual deviants.

Inclusiveness is an issue for political parties trying to cobble together a majority vote. Inclusion in a religion almost always requires certain limitations on conduct. Rev. Falwell's position regarding homosexuality represented the apolitical Christian mainstream view.

"Progressive" churches, fighting for market share (similar to political parties), put their financial interests ahead of their concern for our mortal souls. We can all find a church that makes us feel good. The challenge is in finding a church that provides correct guidance. Only through Bible study and continual scrutiny can we determine if we are receiving God's unadulterated word or a slick marketing pitch. Just because we like what we hear doesn't necessarily make it true.

PGR