I read today, that JR. was picked to be head of the University, because of his, “aggressive business instincts,” and Jonathan is minister of the church, because of his, “charisma and morally upstanding character.” Which makes it sound like the father knew the former had issues.
“Which makes it sound like the father knew the former had issues.”
That could be.
More likely was Sr remembered the fallout from the Jim and Tammy Baker scandal from years before.
When Jim Baker fell he took a lot of other churches and church based schools with him.
Donations and funding to the then Liberty Baptist College dried up and the school almost went under. Sr had to tap every available source for money. He even took loans from the extended Falwell clan just to keep the schools doors open. They even resorted to accepting students that a year before wouldn’t have made the cut.
During all that the church had to tighten it’s belt but was never in danger.
I suspect Sr knew he needed a shark at the U and had one right in the family.
Sr weren’t near as simple as some portrayed him.