Jerry Falwell's Impact on The Church (5/17/2007)

Jerry Falwell had an immeasurable impact on church and politics. Of course, the church has always been political, but Falwell made an impact on politics with a distinct Christian perspective. As Falwell defined himself, he helped to define and mold the religious right. His polarization of the Christian conservative, what he redefined as evangelical, allowed for an emergence of the progressive Christian. The bi-product of a political Christian right, is the newly emerging vocal Christian left, or the Christian who identifies herself or himself as a person of faith whose beliefs inform his/her political views in a different direction. Falwell represented a Baptist perspective much different from our American Baptist angle at Fairview Community Church, but what he did by vocalizing his views was give us permission to name our beliefs and stand and be counted as Christians with another perspective. His radical right beliefs compelled formerly reticent leaders forward to give voice to the silent majority. While I found myself repeatedly on the opposite side of the spectrum, often frustrated, I credit Falwell for identifying himself and forcing those of us “in the closet progressives” to find our voice and jump into the Christian political conversation.