Here's a more accurate description of Falwell's legacy, not what the media or idiot digg commenters think:

“Jerry Falwell was one of the giant figures who towered over the 20th Century American church. While most people knew him as the founder of the Moral Majority, the face of the Religious Right, and by some of his more controversial statements, many saw only his opponent’s caricature of the real man.

The story was never told about his compassionate heart, his gentle spirit, his enormous sense of humor, and the millions he invested in helping the underprivileged. Jerry founded the Elim Home for alcoholics, the Center for tutoring inner city children, the Hope Aglow ministry to prisoners, Liberty Godparent Home for unwed mothers, and literally dozens of other compassion projects to help the poor, the sick, and others in desperate need.

I believe Jerry Falwell’s primary legacy will not be his political leadership, but the church he pastored for 50 years; the university he founded that has produced two generations of leaders; the millions who heard him preach the Good News; the innovations in ministry he introduced; and the thousands of young pastors, like myself, whom he constantly encouraged, even when we did it differently.“

Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Lake Forest, CA.

swansonator - I appreciate your opinion. However, you just called thousands of complete strangers idiots. And that's exactly what I'm talking about.

fair enough, it was their comments that were idiotic then...

i met Dr. Falwell, and ha an opportunity to sit down and talk with him....i too did not agree with alot of things that he said, and did....but when we talked we talked about his heart for this world and that he genuinly wanted to see people come to know Christ in a real way. He laughed at a couple of fights he had gotten himself into (he mentioned the teletubbies) and how he felt that he was a voice in the political world, but that he wanted to be remembered for the souls he won, not so much the battles he fought. Just thought that might shed some perspective on this....he was not one f my heroes, but i respect him for what he has done through Christ.

Legacy is a something I often think about, even at my ripe old age of 21. As far as Jerry goes, there are lots of things that can be said. Coming from a family that had a couple kids go to Liberty, the opinions of Jerry are suprisingly varied. I think as the years went on, I grew in a lot of respect for him. One, I dont lump him with Pat Robertson because I... well I am not a big fan of Robertson. The thing about Jerry was that he said a lot of stuff that I thought, if nothing else, could have been said more tactfully but was often truthful. I think his soundbites are often taken selectively, meaning that they would keep the first half where he was condeming some thing he saw as opposed the Bible and would leave out the second part where he would consistently reiterate love for the people committing whatever moral wrong he saw. As far as politics and Jesus, I dont know how I feel about bringing God into politics and I dont think I am a big fan of how it is done. I think the times that Jerry opened his mouth and said something stupid, he was often humble enough to admit it (Teletubbies, comments on 9/11). The thing is, Jerry was someone who I think, more often than not, used his time in the public spotlight to bring the issue back to Jesus. Honestly, I would love for my legacy when I die to be one where people say, that guy could not shut up about Jesus. I think it is sad when people cant see past his strong statement (and they were strong) and see that the man did a lot of good and had a lot of love for people. I think it is interesting when you talk about what people would have said about Jesus if they were around when he died. I think you would have got a lot of angry comments too. Anyway, sorry for rambling so long, just wanted to get some thoughts in.

I also have seen many vitriolic comments regarding Dr. Falwell, in many and varied web sites. The ones that sadden me the most are the comments from Christians on Christian-themed websites. Since when does disagreement with a Brother in Christ justify such hatred? Isn't there a verse about "do not judge your brother's works?" God is the final arbiter of these things; what we have to say about them does not really matter - and, in fact, can be sinful in and of itself.

Now, as Wade said (and Andy said), I don't agree with some of his approaches or conclusions or battles. But, here's the thing about him: He knew what he believed, and he put it into *action*. Andy and swansonator mentioned many of the positive aspects of his legacy, the enduring changes in many lives - changes that sprung from an *intentional investment in the lives of others*.

Sure, he got himself into hot water at times - but he did something that I am finding lacking in many Christians (and, admittedly in myself): He walked his talk, he lived what he believed, and he was not afraid to act when he saw that something needed to be done.

I hope that at least some part of his legacy will read "he did not refrain from doing good when it was in his power to act". He was probably more concerned about what God will have to say about his works than about what men would say. I wish that I had more of that mindset (or is it a heart issue instead? :-).

So, Andy's last question is a good one: "We are all leaving legacies. What will yours be?" I'm afraid that I don't yet have much to show for that. "To be a father full of grace, and a loving husband to my wife" is as good a place to start for me as it is for Andy. :-)

I guess my final though is an echo of Wade's last sentence: "He was not one of my heroes, but I respect him for what he has done through Christ."

- Gronk

I think an important question to ask here is how our legacy relates to eternal life. Our legacy is the way we go on living in THIS world after death. Unless we do something really visible we probably won't be remembered for more than a few generations anyway, yet how much of what we do in this life is driven by the need to be remembered? How much of that matters to God? God, in the saving acts of Jesus, re-members each and every one of us - we are not forgotten by God. Yet we still live in this world, at least for now, and our actions do reflect God's love in whatever distorted way. In Jerry Falwell's case he drove some away from Christ and for others was the beacon that led them to Christ. His will be a pretty mixed legacy. But so will mine! Sigh. Deep stuff - thanks for the spark, Andy.

I too think about legacy quite often. I constantly find my notion of legacy getting mixed up in my head. I worry about my importance in the world's eyes, or by the way the world's definitions of success would judge me. I think what really happens is that we leave a legacy that we don't even intend to leave or realize we are leaving by just living our lives. I am sad to say that at times, for me, that is probably more of a bad thing than a good thing. I'm not really objective in this matter because I am often my own worst critic. I don't know what people will say about me, or would say about me if I were gone right now. I do know that I care a little too much about it, though.

We are all leaving legacies. What will yours be?

I have no idea, and I often think that I'll have very little control over it, really. If you're big enough to leave a well-known legacy---and no, I have no illusions to think that I will---I don't think people get to know you well enough for the legacy to truly line up with the content of your character, both good and bad.

To go to a positive example here: Billy Graham. Who doesn't love Billy Graham? [Okay, don't answer that if you have theological differences with him.] I wager that most Christians---and probably most Americans, regardless of faith leaning---have a positive image of Mr. Graham. But just because we think he's a good guy, is he, really? We have little way of knowing.

Falwell has a bad legacy because he said a lot of unpopular things. [One may argue whether or not the unpopularity is deserved; largely, I think that it is, but I'm just one person.] Because he's said all these things---things that many folks vehemently disagree with---we think poorly of him. After all, the level of a man's intelligence is the degree to which he agrees with me...

Here is what I hope my legacy will be: "Don was a passionate husband, a devoted father, a loyal friend, and a follower of Christ. We will miss him and can't wait to see him again someday."

It's all I can ask for and more than I deserve.

I love the line from Randall Goodgame's "Charlie Robin":
"if you make my biography, how will you be remembered? how will you be remembered?"

Just a comment on Falwell...

An aquantance of ours here in Lynchburg was dying of cancer. The doctors were estimating her time left in days, not months or years. Her daughter even moved her wedding forward about eight months so that her mother could be present. And Jerry was there, at these peoples' house, ministering to this dying woman, and her family. Caring for them, and doing his best to comfort this in the difficult time.

Turns out Jerry went to be with the Lord before this woman did. Strange, isn't it? Anyhow... As much as I disagree with Falwell, I thank God for him, and the legacy he left here in Lynchburg, and the effect he had on local culture. I think NT Wright had a great 'eulogy' for Falwell...
>I’m afraid we in the UK have only heard distantly of Jerry Falwell. Most churchgoers in England won’t have heard of him at all; nonchurchgoers will only have heard of him as a strange character who pops up from time to time when people are writing ‘how weird can they get’ articles in our newspapers shaking their heads over American strangenesses.

My own sense, having spent a lot of time in the States over the years, is that he was a classic of his type and with a lot more integrity than some of the shady characters in the religious penumbra. But, insofar as I know what he taught — which I freely admit would be second or third hand — he was saying some things which I strongly say myself but I think in a different framework, and some things which I strongly argue against (e.g. on the present state of Israel and prophecy).

Within the strange, large economy of God’s grace, which filters the truth of scripture through all of us imperfect interpreters, it may be that I make just as many mistakes as I think he did, but we are each called to be true to what we find in scripture and I have no reason to suppose he was not as obedient to that imperative as I struggle to be.

May he rest in peace and, with the rest of us, rise in glory where we shall look back on present disagreements like an adult looks back on childhood squabbles in the playground.
>

I think you're mistaken about Jesus not having 'political fights'. He was very political. Which isn't to say I agree with Falwell type christian political activism (I don't), but Christians and the Church should be very political.

As for my legacy, I hope it is faithful children and children's children, generation to generation. Anything more than that is icing on the cake.

I don't think we should worry about our legacy. I think it is kind of self serving. In two generations the vast majority of us will be completely forgotten on earth. Our real worry should be with being fishers of men so tat we can be with each other in eternity. As far as JF goes, I doubt he cares right now what his legacy is. I think he felt like he did what was right for God's Kingdom. It is not his (nor our) responsibility to see that the media gets it right.

I just spent the evening at a memorial service for a dear friend who passed away at just 42 years of age, leaving behind five kids and a wonderfully faithful wife. The evening of sharing memories was phenomonal. It was very clear what the lasting legacy of this man, Mark, will be. Funny that I came to your blog when I got home - I'd just finished posting, on my website, the same sort of a question. "What lasting impact have I made?" It's heavy stuff - but so eternal we cannot ignore it. Thanks for the echo and for the encouragement to live intentionally and with purpose.

You ended your entry by saying we all leave a legacy, but I'm not sure that's true. I think there are plenty of folks who come, live lives of quiet desperation, and leave. The tone of the post and subsequent comments is that legacies are the positive things left behind. But not all things handed down from the past are necessarily beneficial to the next generation. I guess the idea is to create something positive to leave behind. In this world of the quiet and not so quiet desperate, working to lead others to Christ may be the only really worthwhile legacy. And even that truly belongs to the Spirit.
Or maybe it's just the middle of the night and I can't sleep.

from Richard:

"Within the strange, large economy of God’s grace, which filters the truth of scripture through all of us imperfect interpreters, it may be that I make just as many mistakes as I think he did, but we are each called to be true to what we find in scripture and I have no reason to suppose he was not as obedient to that imperative as I struggle to be."

Richard, that may be the most awesome paragraph I've ever read from you. And that's saying a lot because you're observations are always thoughful. Wow.

I want people to know that I care--so deeply that it brings tears to my eyes. And that I have wiser eyes. And that any caring, any wisdom, indeed any good thing found in me, comes from the Giver of all good gifts.

It occured to me that most of you are probably too young to know of Mark Heard, which is where the context for the above "wiser eyes" comment.

Nod Over Coffee

All the unsaid words that I might be thinking
And all the little signs that I might give you
They would not be enough
No they would not be enough

So we nod over coffee and say goodbye
Smile over coffee and turn to go
We know the drill and we do it well
We love it, we hate it
Ain't that life

Ain't that the curse of the second hand
Ain't that the way of the hour and the day

If I weren't so alone and afraid
They might pay me what I am worth
But it would not be enough
You deserve better

So we nod over coffee and say goodbye
Do whatever has to be done again today
Get in the traffic and time will fly
Look at the sun and pray for rain

Ain't that the curse of the second hand
Ain't that the way of the hour and the day

The dam of time cannot hold back
The dust that will surely come of these bones
And I'm sure I will not have loved enough
Will not have loved enough

If we could see with WISER EYES
What is good and what is sad and what is true
Still it would not be enough
Could never be enough

So we nod over coffee and say goodbye
Bolt the door it's time to go
Into the car with the radio on
Roll down the window and blow the horn

Ain't that the curse of the second hand
Ain't that the way of the hour and the day

Written by Mark Heard

mark heard = amazing.

i read this post and thought of rich mullins' quote about his own legacy. he used to say that when all is said and done, you really only can say two things:

thank you and i'm sorry.

I read this post 3 times. Good stuff to chew on, thank you Andy.

I don't doubt that Falwell did some good things. And I don't blame him that the press didn't pay attention to those things. After all, they had to bank on the caricature they created of him and couldn't damage that by revealing the fact that he wasn't always the "frothing-at-the-mouth" ultra-right, religio-political (if that is even a word) guru they made him out to be.

However, if your legacy is a caricature, you have to ask how did that caricature get created. We, as the general public, may never know how Falwell spent his average day or the focus of those unpublicized hours, but we do know what he spent his time in front of the press saying.

The important lesson may be that you are remembered for the things people SEE you do, especially when those people have microphones and cameras.

Curt,

That wasn't actually me... I was quoting Bishop NT Wright between the carrots. Sorry for the lack of clarity.

But I agree that it is an awesome paragraph. Too awesome for me to have written, though. :)

In Matthew Christ touches on worrying about tomorrow. He gives instruction to only worry about today, since we have no control over time (past and future). The only power we have lies in the here and now...and there is plenty to do and worry about right now. I truly believe this is what matter most to Him, and that is what should matter most to us.