The Death of Reverend Jerry Falwell
Cats: Politics, Religion, Current Events|It’s not that I don’t have sympathy for the lives Jerry Falwell touched in a positive way. My prayers are that God will comfort them in this time of loss.
Mainly, it’s the fact that Rev. Falwell did so many disservices to the cause of Christ in a very public way, that I do not mourn his death. Fortunately for him I am not the Almighty, as I would have taken him sometime after the support he gave to President Reagan’s election and before his denouncement of Tinky-Winky.
I am certain that my salvation rests in some small part on Rev. Falwell’s ministry; he was just too influential for that not to be the case. But the fact that I have had to give any thought to apologetics in response to his outrage at the homosexual lifestyle negates much of my thankfulness for the part he may have played in sharing Christ with someone who shared Christ with someone who shared Christ with me. I know God has certainly used Reverend Falwell for the glory of His Kingdom (as He does with every Christian). However, I’m glad we don’t have to come up with a response to ‘what Jerry Falwell said about’ the next big or small thing to filter into his attention.
I want to be an influencer for the Kingdom, but not at the expense of people closing their hearts & minds to God. I know this isn’t something I can control, and I know that division between the Kingdom and the world isn’t always a bad thing…but I hope I’m not known for it in the way Jerry Falwell was known for blaming 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina on sinners. There are better ways to choose words, and I hope I remember, when the time comes, to choose my words wisely in the hopes of not being a poster boy for religious ridiculousness.
God bless Jerry Falwell. I hope to see him in heaven when I get there (like I hope to see everyone): redeemed, sanctified, and glorified in Christ. Because if God will do that to Jerry Falwell, I have a fighting chance of getting there myself.
