Falwell dead and now on to other news
I was at the gym when I got the news that Jerry Falwell had died. “And now on to other news…” it was something about Anna Nicole Smith again. I was saddened to hear about Falwell’s graduation. I’m guessing that the bulk of the media from both Christian and non-Christian sources will be more than quick to jump on the bandwagon to demonize his political positions and polarizing “foot in mouth” incidents, but at least he usually apologized. That is a facet of him that cannot be ignored and plenty of attention will be given to that. But, since i was there for awhile, there’s a little more to Jerry that you should know; a few positives: 1. He was a pastor who really loved his people. I think this speaks well of a pastor. It is not always a given. No matter where he was at on Saturday he was always at Thomas Rd Baptist Church on Sundays because that’s where he wanted to be. Even if he wasn’t speaking, he was there. Pastoring wasn’t a duty to him…it was something he truly enjoyed and the people knew it. 2. Yet, in a postmodern sense he was a prophet. In an age of moral relativism and political correctness he was a man of conviction and reminded me of the OT prophets who were ridiculed for their unpopular and blunt messages. His messages urging national holiness made most, if not all of us - uncomfortable. Given the opportunity, most of us probably would’ve used a different approach but he was who he was. Though in the minority, I for one will miss him.
posted by Bobby at 6:44 PM
15 Comments:
great post bobby... :)
7:59 PM
Dude! I was in the gym too when I heard! Weird.
8:09 PM
B, I never thought about it before but yes, I guess that he was kinda a modern day example of what prophets were like. Oh, I just saw larry king and yes he said some really stupid stuff but like you said, and CNN, at least he did apologize for his "foot in mouths". I dont know of many Christians who do that ...privately or publicly.
8:19 PM
B - Jerry will be a pillar in 20th Century Church History. He bridged the gap between staunch Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. He also was a man with a photographic memory that I can attest. He was not only a prophet, he was the people's pastor as you mentioned. We will miss him. The question which remains is, which one of us will be asked to step up and speak for God as Jerry did?
9:12 PM
Hello Bobby Brewer. I was just surfing around to see how people were responding to Jerry Falwell and discovered your blog. I cant say that I agree with you on everything or understand all your subjects but I can say I really like your style and read your entire blog. My favorites were the ones about enemies and joel osteen. I've never done a blog before and not sure how to sign up but will chek in again in the future. Good luck. Trevor
9:13 PM
Ughh! My password isnt working. Thank you for recognizing him. You know, it's not often that we meet someone who is STRONG enough to remain in the media standing for what is "unpopular." I never thought I would ever say this but I have tremendous respect for his gallant comments. He was a man of conviction; something we lack these days. :-)
9:15 PM
I certainly cannot say I was a fan and for some reason he seemed to rub me the wrong way. Maybe this is because a family member of mine (you know who) is gay. But your analogy of his prophetness (a new word I just created - like it?) has given me a little something to chew on regarding what it must have been like to have been an isaiah, ezekiel, amos or some other prophet to israel. I have always always always thought of prophets as being mean but maybe they were actually nice people with a tough and unpopular message.
9:24 PM
It's interesting that I only know two Liberty people, but both wrote similar things about Falwell. Check out thelongbrake's blog (on my sidebar).
11:20 PM
Hey Double B,
I read note on him passing and commented to a freind. I am sorry for his family and those who cared about him.
I also believe he did some good things but I would be remiss to believe that we can ever forget what he never actualy denied believing though apologized for saying.
"In 1999 he told an evangelical conference that the Antichrist was a male Jew who was probably already alive."
As I said he apolgized for the remark but not for holding the belief.
Which he never ever denied.
It is very important for Christians to remember what kind of thinking that leads to.
It shapes peoples perceptions and opens the door to terrible things happening that many watched idle as they began.
I myself being raised Catholic only to find out as adult I am of Jewish decent found it hard to believe that my catholic priest told me and my first communion class that Jews had horns hidden.
He was not joking its a sad reality what hides in the hearts of some men.
Not to speak ill of the dead but he was not somone I held great reguard for.
blessings,
Q
8:38 AM
I admire that Dr. JF was "himself" and that he was apparently true to his personal convictions.
I must say that news of his death troubled me in a strange way--my heart felt a sense of "relief/ease" at his passing...and yet I felt so uneasy about feeling that way. It's as though I felt an obstuction to unity and peaceful, loving outreach by the Christian community had been removed. Yet, God used him in his time and way.
10:31 AM
Hello "Q". I know what you mean. But I did see on the news this morning that the particular comment you made mention of was taken way out of context. He was saying that he believed the antichrist would have to be a Jew in order for the Jewish people to be deceived. And so he wasnt saying it in a derogatory or racist manner but that in his views on the end times the jews would only allow a fellow jew to enter the temple. I felt really bad for him at how badly that was taken out of its context. but, i also thought it was neat that he apologized for the misunderstanding.
11:28 AM
Even though I didn't agree with Jerry Falwell on his approach all the time, I'm privileged to say that I knew him some on a personal level and know how much he truly cared for people. He was a down to earth man with a great sense of humor; he really appreciated how God changed his life, and had enormous respect for people. Jerry Falwell will be deeply missed.
Sincerely,
Russ Lewellen
12:05 PM
I am a student at Liberty now. Bobby, your website title makes me wonder what you would have said to his sermon on the emergent church movement . . . nevertheless, and despite my opinions of his opinions, I knew his private self too. And he loved Jesus.
I hope I can love Jesus that much.
3:34 PM
well i couldn't stand falwell, he just seemed so angry and held such hate for 'sinners' and especially homosexuals. nevertheless, when I was watching the news I couldn't believe what they(nbc) did either - they only showed the clips of him speaking these nasty things. Although I didn't like him either I couldn't believe that the news took a man at his death and squashed him even farther down. I thought that was just low.
8:17 AM
Because I am old, I got in on the Jesus movement. These guys were real and hung out with sinners (like JC did). I know that Falwell was very bold and sort of a prophet but many did NOT come to Christ because of him and others like him. I think he was a man for his time and spoke up in the media etc. but I was much more affected by the big ones who target the unsaved. To know that my pastor intentionally makes friends with non-Christians in order to love the unlovely and gently over the years lead them to Christ is much more powerful for the kingdom growth and shows me what I should be doing (instead of haning out exclusively with Christians 24/7) I feel that someone definitely HAD to step up politically though or else we would be much sicker as a nation than we already are. This man and (very) few others have been called for that purpose I guess. Eventually God will step in and say..."that's enough" and then it will be too late to reach the unsaved. Let's get to business in spreading the Word!! Jenn
10:37 AM
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