Jerry Falwell

So I've been in Lynchburg, VA at Liberty University this week and yesterday got to meet Jerry Falwell. I wasn't sure what to think about this occasion since I have mixed feelings about him. He's one of many high-profile Christians who seems to have a propensity for sticking his foot in his mouth. Despite that, I tried to go into the breakfast meeting with an open mind.

In person Dr. Falwell reminded me simultaneously of my father in law (only larger and much older) and of the stereotypical Baptist preacher: well dressed, perfectly coiffed hair, a man of some girth, paternal yet still a good 'ol boy.

He spoke to all of the reps there for the missions conference and talked about the history of the school and their future vision. I came away from it rather impressed. What impressed me was his drive for excellence in Jesus' name. Certainly there are times when the pursuit of this standard can lead to poor choices, but the standard itself is not bad.

I have blogged on this before, but will make the point again. Jesus was excellent, and I believe his followers should pursue that standard as well. Why should everything Christian be second-best? When did it become OK to accept low quality so long as it's Christian? We used to lead the world in nearly everything: music, art, politics and education. Dr. Falwell reminded us that almost all the Ivy League schools were founded by Christians to train ministers.

Nowadays we lag. We've abandoned many of these fields out of some misguided sense of pietism. The point Dr. Falwell made is that we need to re-enter and make a solid contribution in Jesus' name, bringing faith and a Biblical perspective back into these arenas. Rather than just talk about it, he's doing something about it -- establishing a world class liberal arts undergraduate institution, along with a Bible institute and a seminary. They opened a law school three years ago and plan to open a medical school in the near future. I'm all for more Christians in the legal and medical fields.

In addition, he also talked about extending this drive for professionalism and excellence into the athletic realm. They have very intentionally built their athletic programs into Division I caliber, able to compete with and beat larger, better funded, more recognizable schools. They've already made huge gains in the basketball program and he said his goal with football was to one day go to South Bend and beat Notre Dame while sitting next to the Father (the President of Notre Dame). I'm not sure Jerry will live THAT long, but I like his moxie.

His frankness and ambition were refreshing. He wants to see Christ exalted -- and most especially in those arenas we have abdicated. May God grant them favor in this endeavor, for the benefit of us all.