Jerry Falwell

Jerry Falwell – Life, Ministry, and Famous Quotes

Jerry Falwell (1933–2007) was an influential American Baptist pastor, televangelist, and conservative political activist. Learn about his early life, career, controversies, famous sayings, and lasting legacy.

Introduction

Jerry Laymon Falwell Sr. (August 11, 1933 – May 15, 2007) was one of the most prominent—and polarizing—figures in 20th-century American evangelicalism. As a pastor, media preacher, founder of Liberty University, and cofounder of the Moral Majority, Falwell shaped the intersection of religion and politics in the United States for decades. His speeches, broadcasts, and organizational efforts made him a powerful voice among conservative Christians. While lauded by supporters for championing traditional values, he was also fiercely criticized for many of his statements and political positions.

This article explores Falwell’s life, beliefs, controversies, and some of his most memorable quotes.

Early Life and Family

Jerry Falwell and his twin brother Gene were born in the Fairview Heights section of Lynchburg, Virginia, on August 11, 1933. His parents were Helen Virginia (née Beasley) and Carey Hezekiah Falwell.

Jerry’s father, Carey, had a complex background: he ran various small businesses (including service stations and trucking), and was once implicated in bootlegging activities. In 1948, Carey Falwell died from complications of cirrhosis at the age of 55. Interestingly, Jerry’s paternal grandfather was a staunch atheist.

Falwell grew up in Lynchburg, and he graduated from Brookville High School. He married Macel Pate on April 12, 1958; their partnership remained central to his life and ministry. They had three children: sons Jerry Falwell Jr. and Jonathan Falwell, and daughter Jeannie.

Youth, Education, and Early Ministry

Falwell enrolled at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, receiving his undergraduate degree in 1956 (an unaccredited institution). That same year, he was ordained as a Baptist minister and founded his first congregation, which became Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.

From modest beginnings (the church had only a few dozen members), Falwell’s church grew into a “megachurch” over time. Early on, Falwell also launched The Old-Time Gospel Hour, a radio/television ministry, which would later become a major broadcast institution.

Falwell gradually built influence through sermons, media, and institution building, drawing more followers to his evangelical message and conservative activism.

Ministry, Institutions & Political Activism

Over his life, Falwell founded or co-founded several major institutions and political initiatives that solidified his role as a leader in the conservative Christian movement:

Thomas Road Baptist Church & The Old-Time Gospel Hour

Thomas Road Baptist Church became the center of his pastoral work. His media ministry, The Old-Time Gospel Hour, aired from 1956 until his death in 2007, and was broadcast nationally, generating significant revenue and influence.

Liberty University

In 1971, Falwell founded Liberty Baptist College (later Liberty University) in Lynchburg, Virginia. He envisioned Liberty as a Christian institution that would shape future generations in evangelical doctrine, culture, and leadership.

After his death, his son Jerry Falwell Jr. became president of the university, and his son Jonathan became senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church.

Moral Majority & Political Influence

Perhaps Falwell’s most publicly noted political institution was the Moral Majority, founded in 1979. As a force for evangelical political mobilization, it sought to influence U.S. politics in line with conservative Christian values.

Falwell was a vocal proponent of conservative causes, often linking politics, morality, and religious duty. He pushed issues like anti-abortion advocacy, opposition to liberalism and secularism, support for “Christian values” in public life, and outspoken commentary on culture wars.

He insisted that religion and politics are not separate domains; he once said:

“The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.”

Falwell’s activism extended to influencing elections, lobbying, and forming alliances with like-minded conservative leaders and organizations.

Controversies, Criticism & Social Views

Jerry Falwell’s public life was rife with controversy, contradictions, and sharp criticism. Some key areas:

Civil Rights, Segregation & Racial Issues

Falwell’s early years included opposition to aspects of the civil rights movement. He was critical of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., questioning the sincerity and nonviolent motivations of some civil rights leaders. He also supported private Christian schooling and criticized public educational systems, which he viewed as promoting secularism.

Views on Homosexuality, LGBT Issues, and Feminism

Falwell was a polarizing critic of homosexual rights, frequently condemning homosexuality as contrary to his interpretation of Biblical teaching. At times, his rhetoric was notably harsh and inflammatory. For example, he once stated,

“Gay folks would just as soon kill you as look at you.” He also opposed feminist movements, occasionally making statements that were criticized as misogynistic.

However, in later years, he attempted some gestures of reconciliation, acknowledging that some evangelical statements about homosexuality had offended and could qualify as hate speech, saying, "I don't agree with your lifestyle … but I love you."

Statements Following 9/11 and Theology of Judgment

After the September 11, 2001, attacks, Falwell made public remarks suggesting that various groups—such as feminists, gays and lesbians, and people promoting secularism—were partly responsible for provoking divine judgment on America. He later faced considerable backlash, and somewhat retracted or clarified parts of those statements.

Legal & Financial Issues

There were legal controversies, including SEC scrutiny over bond offerings tied to his church and organizational finances. In the early 1970s, his church was investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over $6.5 million in bonds. A court ultimately found technical violations but no proof of intent to defraud.

He also filed a lawsuit against Penthouse magazine over a published article based on interviews.

Legacy of Criticism

Critics argue that Falwell’s political theology contributed to a fusion of Christian identity with partisan conservatism, sometimes exacerbating polarization. Other critics have weighed his record on social justice, race, and inclusion, pointing out the tension between his religious message and exclusionary stances.

Famous Quotes of Jerry Falwell

Below are several of Falwell’s more well-known and provocative sayings, which reflect his worldview, theology, and public posture:

• “The idea that religion and politics don’t mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.”

• “If Americans will face the truth, our nation can be turned around and can be saved from the evils … that have fallen upon every other nation that has turned its back on God.”

• “Preachers are not called to be politicians but soul winners.”

• “We want young people to know what they believe, why they believe it.”

• “I believe America was built on the Judeo-Christian ethic; I want to see the nation return to the Judeo-Christian ethic.”

• “God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve.”

• “You do not determine a man’s greatness by his talent or wealth … but rather by what it takes to discourage him.”

• “The First Amendment is not without limits.”

• “Life is supposed to be lived for God and for others.”

Because Falwell’s rhetoric often touched on culture, morality, and national identity, many of his quotes continue to be cited—both by supporters and by critics.

Legacy and Influence

Assessing Jerry Falwell’s legacy means wrestling with both his substantial impact and the controversies he left behind.

Institutional & Cultural Legacy

• Liberty University has grown into one of the largest Christian universities in the U.S., carrying forward Falwell’s vision of a Christian higher education institution.

• His media ministry and theological approach contributed to shaping the “religious right” movement in America, influencing how many evangelical Christians engage in politics.

• Falwell’s blending of religion and politics has had lasting consequences for debates about church-state boundaries, civic engagement, and the role of faith in public life.

Political & Social Influence

• The Moral Majority, though eventually disbanded, laid groundwork for subsequent evangelical political organizations and activism.

• Falwell’s model of mobilizing churches and Christian media for political ends is mirrored today in many conservative Christian networks.

• He sparked intensive debate about Christian responsibility in society, the role of prophecy, and activism — pushing many Christians to think more deeply about how faith intersects with public policy.

Enduring Divisions & Critique

• The tensions in Falwell’s legacy—between his outreach and his exclusionary statements, between spiritual aims and political maneuvering—continue to fuel debate among evangelicals, scholars, and cultural critics.

• Some see him as a pioneer of religious activism; others see him as a cautionary example of how religious authority and political ambition can become dangerously entangled.

Lessons and Takeaways

From the life of Jerry Falwell, we can extract several lessons (even if one does not share all his theology or politics):

1. Institutional Vision Matters
   He didn’t just preach; he built lasting institutions (church, university, media ministries). Transformational leadership often combines ideas with structures.

2. Media Strategy Amplifies Influence
   Falwell’s use of broadcast media (radio, TV) allowed him to reach far beyond his local church—he understood that technique and message must align.

3. Conviction and Polarization Often Go Together
   A strong, uncompromising stance draws followers—but also divisions. Public leadership in moral causes frequently faces backlash.

4. The Interplay of Faith and Politics Is Complex
   Falwell challenged the notion that the sacred and secular are separate. His life shows both the power and the risks of religious activism in civic life.

5. Legacy Is Multi-Dimensional
   A prominent figure is rarely seen as wholly “heroic” or “villainous” — the positive and negative aspects of one’s actions often endure together.

Conclusion

Jerry Falwell’s life was marked by ambition, conviction, controversy, and influence. From humble beginnings in Lynchburg, Virginia, he rose to national prominence as a leading voice of evangelical Christianity and conservative politics. His institutions—Thomas Road Baptist Church, The Old-Time Gospel Hour, Liberty University—and his political activism left deep imprints on American religious and civic life.

Ultimately, Jerry Falwell’s story is one of tension—between faith and power, outreach and exclusion, spiritual calling and human flaws. His quotes continue to provoke reflection, admiration, criticism, and debate.

Whether one views him as a spiritual leader or a controversial activist (or both), Falwell’s imprint on American evangelicalism and public discourse is undeniable. Explore more of his sermons, writings, and the debates surrounding his legacy to better understand how his influence still echoes today.