Falwell died today...

[DavidBryan]

Jerry Falwell was found unconscious in his office late this morning and died minutes later.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18679412/?GT1=9951

May God have mercy on him.

[JustinHesychast]

I've heard of this, but I have no clue who he even is...

My mom, and all of my family I am likely sure, are quite fond of him.

[Mary of Bethany]

Lord have mercy upon his soul.

:crosseo:

Mary

[ProfChrysostomos]

May God rest his soul . . . :crosseo:

[JustinHesychast]

Lord, have mercy.

Is he beloved as much in Orthodoxy as he is in Protestantism?

[ProfChrysostomos]

By no means, no! I would write that for any Christian, regardless of church affiliation.

[Knowledge3]

He seemed to be more into politics than Christianity.

Lord have mercy :crosseo:

[Dust and Ashes]

Lord have mercy. :crosseo:

[repentant]

He was probably the last politician who stood up for Christian moral's. Obviously, I do not agree with things he say's regardless Theology..

[Shubunkin]

Lord, have mercy. :crosseo:

I did not like his politics nor his style of Christianity at all. Never did, long before I began studying Orthodoxy. He was quite the opposite of my ideal Christian .... any of them on TV I am quite suspect of their methods.

[Komnenos]

Lord have Mercy.
:crosseo:
Was this one of those TV pastors like Pat Robertson?

[repentant]

He was actually one who nothing bad was ever found about him..not saying he never did anything bad, just that it was never found, like the many other's..

[buzuxi02]

He was more of a christian reverend than the others who claimed to be 'reverends' and involved in american politics.
The 'others' i have in mind are Pat Robertson, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

[Mary of Bethany]

I believe he was still an active church pastor, as well as President of Liberty University.

Mary

[Xpycoctomos]

He seemed to be more into politics than Christianity.

Lord have mercy :crosseo:
I think he would defend himself by saying that he was really into Christianity informing politics. Before he got into politics, he used to preach that it was wrong to be involved in politics. Then as abortion was legalized, etc... he began to realize that he no right to complain if he refused to do anything about it. So in 197.... something he founded "Moral Majority" which was the first Conservative Christian political activist group (of any importance or influence). They noticed that probably a majority of the country agreed on many of the same social issues (gay marriage, abortion) but they were so factioned by denominationalism and other demographics that they didn't have a united front. He seeked not to say that the differences didn't matter but rather than despite our differences, we agree on these issues, so let's make sure we demand change as one powerful group than many small insignificant groups. it is believed that this group played a major role in getting Regan elected and still wields power today if not in and of itself then by its example to conservative Christians that a united moral voice can accomplish a lot.

So, I don't think it's fair to say that he cared more about politics than Christianity since that is the only reason he seemed to care about politics in the first place. It is fair to opine that he put too much emphasis on politics however. I don't know... I mean, we can honestly thank him for the fact that ou Supreme Court is not AS pro-choice as it has been or (worse yet) COULD have been!

Despite my eulogy here, I do not consider myself a HUGE fan of the man's work and tact. While he may have benefitted society, I am not sure he benefitted Christianity as a whole as he often played into the stereotype of the judgemental, closedminded, uncaring Conservative Christian. That's not to say he was either of these things, but he presented himself poorly.

In the end, however, we can all be criticized for a lot of stuff. I'm glad we can pray for him.

[Shubunkin]

He was actually one who nothing bad was ever found about him..not saying he never did anything bad, just that it was never found, like the many other's..
I suppose that quote that he wanted to bomb all of the Iraqis was stellar of him? :(

[Rowan]

Luckily you don't have to like somebody to pray for them.
Lord have mercy on him, me, and us all:crosseo:

[Xpycoctomos]

I suppose that quote that he wanted to bomb all of the Iraqis was stellar of him? :(
Man... if people quoted me out of things I have said in life (including here in the forum) after I die my name would be mud.

[Shubunkin]

Man... if people quoted me out of things I have said in life (including here in the forum) after I die my name would be mud.
Kinda something to think about, eh? We are all guilty of it at one time or another. Just as the Bible says, we should bridle our tongues. :hug:

[Blackhawk]

Falwell came and spoke at my school during chapel. I go to a Baptist Seminary and he was lovd by many here. I was not fond of how he did things nor of how involved he was in politics. Or I should say that I was not fond of how he and other Christians of the Christian Right are looked upon as almost inseperable with the Republican party. I think that is a major mistake. But I pray that the Lord will have mercy and I pray especially for his family that the Lord will be with them.

BTW have you seen Christopher Hitchens vulgar display on CNN and FoxNews? For those who do not know, he is an atheist and has just tore into Falwell even after his death. It is really disgusting to see someone be so hateful and hurtful.

[Mary of Bethany]

I haven't seen it, but I guess that's not surprising from a man who vilified Mother Teresa.

:sigh:

Mary

[EricTheRed]

He was a great man

[The Virginian]

Jerry Falwell was found unconscious in his office late this morning and died minutes later.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18679412/?GT1=9951

May God have mercy on him.
Something which still seems puzzling to me is the fact that the CCM group DC Talk came from Liberty University, which was started by the late Rev. Falwell.
It was interesting to me, that he died in much the same manner as Orthodox saints, who knew they were about to fall asleep in the Lord.
As for him being involved in politics: Should Christians be involved in any area of society other than preaching? Let us not forget that the Believers of the Apostolic Era, and the Early Church, were tent makers, textile workers, fishermen, academians (teachers of the Law). St. Ambrose followed in the steps of his family and served in the council of the leader of his city. To many times we cry about how polluted our society is, but turn right around and decry anyone who dares get down in the sewer to change, or stop the flow of the polluted thought. Folks, we cannot have it both ways.
No, Rev. Falwell was not what some might want as their ideal example of Christianity, but lets apply the words of the Apostle Paul here which he wrote to the Philippians, "...What then? Only that in every way , whether in truth or pretense, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice..."

[MariaRegina]

May he rest in peace.

[ArmyMatt]

May God have mercy upon him.

I know probably none of us agreed with him on the grounds of theology, but he did take a stand on social issues like abortion and gay marriage and he never yielded an inch. I think you have to at least repect his willingness to stand for what he believes in.

[Xpycoctomos]

Something which still seems puzzling to me is the fact that the CCM group DC Talk came from Liberty University, which was started by the late Rev. Falwell.


This struck my curiosity. Why is this puzzling to you. I used LOVE DC Talk (and still do like some of their old songs). But I can't say I know much about them. Fill me in bro'!

John