CNS News - Rev. Falwell Recalled as Influential Figure

May 15, 2007
By Randy Hall, CNSNews.com Staff Writer/Editor

(CNSNews.com) - The Rev. Jerry Falwell, a long-time television evangelist and president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., died of a heart attack Tuesday after being found unconscious in his office.

Ron Godwin, executive vice president of the university, told reporters at a news conference that he had eaten breakfast with Falwell, who missed an appointment later that morning.

Falwell, who was hospitalized twice for problems with his heart and lungs in early 2005, was discovered in an unresponsive state at about 10:45 a.m.

Dr. Carl Moore, Falwell's physician and a cardiologist at Lynchburg General Hospital, said that all efforts to revive the conservative Christian leader were unsuccessful.

Falwell was born in Lynchburg in 1933 and attended Lynchburg Community College, which he left during his sophomore year. He then transferred to Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo., graduating in 1956.

The founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church in an abandoned bottling plant during 1956 in Lynchburg, Falwell also founded Liberty University in 1971 and the Moral Majority conservative organization in 1979. He began publishing the National Liberty Journal, a politically conservative monthly newspaper, in 1995.

"The death of Dr. Jerry Falwell is a great loss to those of us in conservative Christianity," said the Rev. Louis Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition. "We are deeply saddened but look forward to that great and glorious day when we will join him to sit at the feet of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

"He was an inspiration to all of us who are involved in defending traditional values, and his courageous stand in the face of strong opposition is deeply appreciated," Sheldon added.

"Rev. Jerry Falwell gave his heart and soul to his family, his faith and his country," said Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center, the parent organization of Cybercast News Service. "This is obvious when one looks at the decades of work he completed to grow his ministry, nurture his university and advance the conservative movement throughout the culture and in politics."

Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, said in a statement that Falwell "motivated millions of Christian conservatives to engage the cultural and political issues of the day through politics. With his leadership and vision, he changed the landscape of American politics."

"As a pastor and a patriot, Dr. Falwell loved Jesus Christ and he loved America," Sekulow added. "He leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to influence the national scene for generations to come. He will be truly missed."

However, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, took a different view of the long-time conservative.

"Jerry Falwell politicized religion and failed to understand the genius of our Constitution, but there is no denying his impact on American political life," Lynn said. "He will long be remembered as the face and voice of the Religious Right."

Political influence

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) released a statement in which the 2008 Republican presidential aspirant said he joins "the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University and Americans of all faiths in mourning the loss of Rev. Jerry Falwell."

"Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country," McCain added. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Falwell's family at this difficult time."

As Cybercast News Service previously reported, McCain and Falwell did not see eye to eye when the senator was running for the GOP nomination for president in the 2000 election.

"I am a pro-life, pro-family, fiscal conservative and advocate of a strong defense," McCain said in Virginia Beach, Va., on Feb. 28, 2000. "And yet, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and a few Washington leaders of the pro-life movement call me an unacceptable presidential candidate.

"They distort my pro-life positions and smear the reputations of my supporters. Why? Because I don't pander to them. Because I don't ascribe to their failed philosophy that money is our message," the senator added.

While leaders of several evangelical groups blasted McCain for "divisive" remarks, a spokesperson for Falwell said the evangelist would have no comment on the senator's statements.

Several days later, McCain released a statement in which he apologized for his comments.

"While I disagree with the political message and tactics of Reverends Falwell and Robertson, Mr. [Bob] Jones and other self-proclaimed leaders of the Christian right, I do not consider them evil, and I regret that my flip remark may have mistakenly created that impression," he said.

At the GOP convention in Philadelphia later that year, Falwell endorsed McCain's opponent. "I'm very pleased with George W. Bush and with his policy," the evangelist stated. "I think the desire has been there for many years, the desire of [inclusion], bringing everyone in. But Gov. Bush is doing something about it."