Posted on 05/16/2007 11:06:00 AM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
Like Noah, Jerry Falwell walked with God and found grace in His eyes. He was a friend to all Americans, he was a friend to the Biblical values that he believed America needed, and he was a wonderful friend to me.
My children have wonderfully warm memories of Dr. Falwell from the Toward Tradition banquet in Washington DC at which our organization honored him. His speech to a largely Jewish audience that day, September 11, 2000, was almost prescient and he left an indelible imprint on everyone’s memories.
Of his gigantic accomplishments in making a place at the political table for Bible-believing Americans, little needs to be said. Both friend and foe granted his towering prestige. However, one needed to know him personally to marvel at his humility and graciousness in everyday encounters, whether momentous or minor.
One such occasion was when he accepted an invitation to lunch with a group of left-leaning rabbis. As I witnessed the clerics ganging up on their guest, I was embarrassed for Jerry Falwell. They intemperately assaulted him for opposing homosexuality. Not losing his refined demeanor for even a moment, he mildly inquired of his tormentors, “and how many different interpretations does your Torah have for the word ‘abomination’?” That day he won their respect if not their agreement.
On another occasion, Jerry Falwell was inadvertently insulted by being omitted from the speaker platform of a large pro-Israel event being held on the Mall in Washington DC. Shortly thereafter, I discussed the slight with one of the preeminent Jewish leaders who had organized the event. Sitting in his office, I asked him to call Jerry Falwell and apologize which he immediately consented to do, but expressed reservations as to whether Dr. Falwell would accept his call. I dialed Dr. Falwell who immediately came to the phone. Not only did he graciously agree to talk to the Jewish organizational leader but the two of them chatted happily for nearly half an hour.
I could relate many more such occasions when Dr Jerry Falwell’s kindness and warmth were seen to match his courage and wisdom but his loss leaves us all a little numbed. His influence in the destiny of our nation was desperately needed in the past and perhaps will be needed even more so in the future. May God grant consolation to his family.
Ditto!
Bible believing Christians are harder and harder to find ... when a giant such as JF, who lives it, passes away it is a loss for us but a gain for heaven. I hope to meet him someday.
“Dr Jerry Falwell’s kindness and warmth were seen to match his courage and wisdom but his loss leaves us all a little numbed.”
This speaks volumes of his true character, not the one many in the media try to portray. Peace to Jerry and his family.
Statements such as this from someone who knew Mr. Falwell personally are very meaningful. It's one thing to respect a person's accomplishments, but something more to learn how many people liked him personally, including those who disagreed with him.
It seems clear that his relationship with Christ really showed to those who knew him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.