America Remembers Jerry Falwell

Orginally published on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 7:37 PM
by Todd Rhoades

Reactions are coming in from all over the country on the death of Jerry Falwell. I'll share some of the more positive things being said about Jerry here. Falwell made a lot of enemies with people who didn't agree with him; but it's amazing some of the people who disagreed with him the most are saying how much they liked him personally. Here's a sampling of some of the verbal tributes coming in...

“The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle – the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor. My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.  The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in.” --Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler Magazine

“Jerry has been a tower of strength on many of the moral issues which have confronted our nation.” - evangelist Pat Robertson.

“Dr. Falwell’s shadow falls across the face of the rebirth of conservative values in our nation, in the Southern Baptist Convention, and in the entire evangelical world. Only once in a generation will a man of his stature arise. We all owe him a debt of eternal gratitude.” - Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I think the proper attitude at this juncture is to pass on our condolences and prayers. And we’ll try to do the fixing in place in history a little later.” - White House spokesman Tony Snow.

“An American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith has left us. He will be greatly missed, but the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action.” - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

“I believe Jerry Falwell’s primary legacy will not be his political leadership, but the church he pastored for 50 years, the university he founded that has produced two generations of leaders, the millions who heard him preach the Good News, the innovations in ministry he introduced, and the thousands of young pastors, like myself, that he constantly encouraged, even when we did it differently.” --Rick Warren

“Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Falwell’s family at this difficult time.” - Republican presidential candidate and Sen. John McCain.

“His life is a testament not only to the power of faith to move hearts, but to the strength of the American ethos that stresses the importance of citizenship ... He was a great leader, a person totally sustained by his faith but able to work with many people from many different backgrounds without imposing rigidity on anyone else.” - Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

“He was a man who set a direction. He was someone who was not afraid to speak his mind. We all have great respect for him ... he is a person who told you what he thought, and you knew where he stood.” - Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

“Over the years we became friends; sometimes we had polar opposite points of view. ... I have many fond memories of him. He leaves a great legacy of service and a great university behind. He’s left his footprints in the sands of time.” - The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

“Jerry Falwell was a close personal friend for many years. We did not always agree on everything, but I knew him to be a man of God. His accomplishments went beyond most clergy of his generation. Some of my grandchildren have attended and currently attend Liberty University. He leaves a gigantic vacuum in the evangelical world.” - Evangelist Billy Graham.

“In a world filled with ambiguity Rev. Falwell stood out as a person whose message was clear and ideas were conveyed without fear or favor. In my mind he will long be remembered for his emphasis on education and his relentless tenacity and political will. Through his leadership many Christians became more engaged in the political process and it affected in many cases the course of this nation. He has left an indelible impression on the culture and many of those who followed him closely are grief stricken. My heart goes out to his family as well as his congregation as they have lost more than a religious giant and icon but a loved one for which you have my deepest sympathy.” --Bishop Thomas D. Jakes

“It was my honor to share the front lines with him in the battle for righteousness in our nation. We will continue that fight, in his honor, until our mutual goals are achieved.” — James Dobson

“Reverend Falwell and I didn’t agree on anything, but we got along personally. He personally was genuinely a nice guy, and I would find him to be one of the few people in the public light who was genuine. He believed what he said. I used to tell him, ‘What you’re saying is crazy,’ but he really believes it.” Rev. Al Sharpton

“One of his lasting contributions was the establishment of Liberty University, where he taught young people to remain true to their convictions and rely upon God’s word throughout each stage of their lives.” —President Bush

So… do any of you have any personal stories or thoughts to share about Jerry Falwell?

I’ll start.  I remember when Jerry came to speak at Cedarville University… it must’ve been back in 1987 or so (when Jerry was much more of a controversial figure than of late).  It was very controversial that he spoke at Cedarville.  (He was viewed as a ‘liberal’ by many of the college supporters.  I still remember that he told his “Three wisemen and a virgin” joke in chapel.  People talked about that for weeks!

I know the youth pastor at my church tells the story that while he was at Liberty, one day he was in a hurry and parked in Jerry’s parking place.  When he returned, he got a nasty note on his windshield from Falwell’s secretary kindly rebuking him… something like “Dr. Falwell is a busy man and needs his parking place”!

OK… your turn… any thoughts or memories?

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