Goodbye to American Christendom? [Dr. D. James Kennedy obituary or a hit piece?]

The American Spectator ^ | 9/17/2007 | Mark Tooley

[Alex Murphy]

Florida mega-church founder and "Religious Right" pillar D. James Kennedy died on September 5. His death did not get as much media play as Jerry Falwell's earlier this year. But Kennedy, though more taciturn in manner than Falwell, was no less assertive in trying to "reclaim" America for Christian beliefs. The passing of the two pastors marked a generational shift of evangelical Christian leadership in America.

A fellow founder of the Moral Majority, Kennedy was one of the earliest of America's mega church pastors and widely watched television preachers.

From his 10,000 member Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Kennedy reached millions across several decades with his television ministry, publications, and teaching materials. His "Coral Ridge Hour' was broadcast on 400 stations and in 150 countries. He authored 50 books and founded two schools.

An entrepreneur and American original, Kennedy was raised by non-church going parents. His father was a traveling salesman and his mother was an alcoholic. Kennedy originally dropped out of college to become an Arthur Murray dance instructor. But his Christian conversion drove him back to seek multiple degrees and towards a 50 year career focused on preaching the Gospel and promoting a Christian cultural worldview. Kennedy also had his theological quirks. He spoke of God's use of the stars and planets as providential signals in a way that almost legitimized astrology and raised eyebrows among fellow conservatives.

Sometimes Kennedy was called a "soft Christian Reconstructionist" who allegedly wanted to return America back to the days of theocratically Calvinist New England. But he was never really a theocrat. More accurately, like other conservative religionists, Kennedy desired a return to a culturally pre-1960s America (minus racism and segregation), where abortion and pornography were restricted, where school children prayed together, and where nearly every American shared

[Greg F]

I don’t think Tooley spent much time listening to Kennedy or he wouldn’t be conflicted about him.

[Reagan79]

Seems fair to me. He praises him and examines some of his shortfalls, but overall very positive piece.

[Reagan79]

I don’t think Tooley is conflicted. I think he praises him by attacking the Hauerwas / Willimon post-modern crowd, but also says not every belief of Kennedy is perfect.

He actually praises him for his reaction against the secularization of America, and praises him for his backlash against post 60’s America.

Where he is criticized, and I agree with Tooley on this is that sometimes Kennedy was reactionary (which is ok) but he bended historical accuracy i.e. the Washington reference.

Overall it is a very positive piece however.