Dr. Jerry Falwell's Funeral
A few hours ago, I attended the funeral of Dr. Jerry Falwell. It was a powerful and memorable experience.
I was able to make the following observations which instantly captured my attention, and I believe most likely pierced my memory forever:
Jerry Vines said Dr. Falwell had “an anointing”- which he defined as, “A special touch for a special task,” and I believe anyone associated with Dr. Falwell understands that he was most certainly equipped and commissioned for an extraordinary mission from God.
It was said that Dr. Falwell “confronted the culture.” I believe his desire to see broken lives regenerated, timeless principles protected, and family values preserved for generations to come, compelled him to do so.
It was said that even in the face of controversy, “He just kept smiling and speaking,” and it was said that, “He had a way of making you feel like you were his best friend.” I believe the love of Jesus Christ overflowed out of his heart and into the hearts of those around him.
He was loved, and he loved people.
Jerry Falwell was controversial, and Franklin Graham articulated why he was such a lightning rod for controversy:
(paraphrase)
He believed that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and an Almighty God. That’s controversial. He believed in the inerrancy of scripture. That’s controversial. He believed in the sanctity of life. That’s controversial. He believed in the establishment of the family, and who would have ever thought that would be controversial? He believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. That’s controversial.
I am very thankful that Dr. Jerry Falwell did not plan to be popular and politically correct. He did not choose to cower away from the challenge of confronting our culture with the conviction of his moral questions. He did not defer the duty of debating those that adamantly disagreed with him.
We would do well to learn from his example.
When a man of integrity speaks adamantly against things such as homosexuality, abortion, and pornography, he will be labeled “controversial.” When a man of integrity speak adamantly in support of the inerrancy of the Bible and Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven, he will be labeled as “controversial.”
It takes courage to do what Jerry Falwell did.
There is a swelling mentality in our culture that is attempting to redefine what is morally right and morally wrong. If it is not countered, this emerging mindset will continue to erode, demoralize, and undermine the most fundamental institution of our civilization- the family. Dr. Falwell understood this, and he saw this threat for the very real danger that it is.
Now, more than ever it is absolutely imperative that men of integrity rise up and build upon the foundations of what is morally right, men of values speak up and debate the controversial issues, and men of character stand up and protect the establishment of the family.
If we do not stand for timeless principles that have fashioned our nation into the greatest of all time, and we do not promote what we believe is truly just, good, and pure, we will watch helplessly as our society, and thus our nation, crumbles before us. And mark my words, it will happen on our watch.
I was able to make the following observations which instantly captured my attention, and I believe most likely pierced my memory forever:
Jerry Vines said Dr. Falwell had “an anointing”- which he defined as, “A special touch for a special task,” and I believe anyone associated with Dr. Falwell understands that he was most certainly equipped and commissioned for an extraordinary mission from God.
It was said that Dr. Falwell “confronted the culture.” I believe his desire to see broken lives regenerated, timeless principles protected, and family values preserved for generations to come, compelled him to do so.
It was said that even in the face of controversy, “He just kept smiling and speaking,” and it was said that, “He had a way of making you feel like you were his best friend.” I believe the love of Jesus Christ overflowed out of his heart and into the hearts of those around him.
He was loved, and he loved people.
Jerry Falwell was controversial, and Franklin Graham articulated why he was such a lightning rod for controversy:
(paraphrase)
He believed that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and an Almighty God. That’s controversial. He believed in the inerrancy of scripture. That’s controversial. He believed in the sanctity of life. That’s controversial. He believed in the establishment of the family, and who would have ever thought that would be controversial? He believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. That’s controversial.
I am very thankful that Dr. Jerry Falwell did not plan to be popular and politically correct. He did not choose to cower away from the challenge of confronting our culture with the conviction of his moral questions. He did not defer the duty of debating those that adamantly disagreed with him.
We would do well to learn from his example.
When a man of integrity speaks adamantly against things such as homosexuality, abortion, and pornography, he will be labeled “controversial.” When a man of integrity speak adamantly in support of the inerrancy of the Bible and Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven, he will be labeled as “controversial.”
It takes courage to do what Jerry Falwell did.
There is a swelling mentality in our culture that is attempting to redefine what is morally right and morally wrong. If it is not countered, this emerging mindset will continue to erode, demoralize, and undermine the most fundamental institution of our civilization- the family. Dr. Falwell understood this, and he saw this threat for the very real danger that it is.
Now, more than ever it is absolutely imperative that men of integrity rise up and build upon the foundations of what is morally right, men of values speak up and debate the controversial issues, and men of character stand up and protect the establishment of the family.
If we do not stand for timeless principles that have fashioned our nation into the greatest of all time, and we do not promote what we believe is truly just, good, and pure, we will watch helplessly as our society, and thus our nation, crumbles before us. And mark my words, it will happen on our watch.
3 comments:
‘If Chief Justice Warren and his associates had known God’s word and had desired to do the Lord’s will, I am quite confident that the 1954 decision would never have been made,’...‘The facilities should be separate. When God has drawn a line of distinction, we should not attempt to cross that line.’... ‘The true Negro does not want integration… He realizes his potential is far better among his own race.’...'integration 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.’
- Falwell from a sermon called ‘Segregation or Integration: Which?’ in reference to Brown v. Board Of Education
Also a reason that he may be considered controversial.
Your article was beautiful. I attend Thomas Road and have been so sadden by the loss of my pastor. Thank you taking the stand. I am sure that all that read will be touched as well. TRBC is a solid rock foundation of Christ's love. We will continue to strive to reach the hearts of all the world. Good things are to come. God Bless you
If you liked Jery Falwell and thought he was a Godly man, you obviously didn't keep up with what that man believed. He was an extremist in every way. This was the same man that stated "New Orleans deserved Katrina" Plus the man hated gay people saying they are "living a sin". Now I'm no pastor or anything but didn't the Bible state that every sin carries the same weight? So Jerry, being a morbily obese fat-ass was "living a sin" as much as the homosexuals, because glutony is a sin isn't it? If thats a represenataion of a "Godly Christian", I'm glad I'm not affiliated with any religion, espically Christinaity.
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