Jerry Falwell, President, Liberty College
By Dick Hall-Sizemore
Virginians have been treated this spring with a feud between the Governor and Jerry Falwell, Jr., president of Liberty University.
First, Falwell defied the Governor’s coronavirus-related stay-at-home order and told students they should return to the campus after spring break. Northam responded by suggesting that Falwell “look to the actions of the leaders of Virginia’s flagship universities for how to set a strong example in this health crisis.” He then quoted a verse in I Corinthinans, “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” In the end, only a handful of students remained on the Liberty campus, while the university conducted most classes online, which it is well set up to do.
Next, Falwell objected to wearing a mask as the Governor directed, on the advice of medical experts. Then, he declared that he would wear a mask designed by him to display the infamous blackface photo in the Governor’s medical yearbook. Asked about this statement, the Governor replied, “I would just say that in response that my background in neurology and psychiatry is to deal and really help parents deal with their children’s behavior and child psychology 101, chapter one tells us, ‘do not water the weeds’ and I would consider the source.”
This action about the mask was apparently the last straw for some of Liberty’s supporters and alumni. As reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and other news sources, nearly three dozen black alumni, including faith leaders, sent a letter, shared with the press, suggesting Falwell resign as Liberty’s president. They said that Falwell had “repeatedly violated and misrepresented Christian principles.” They backed up their words with proposed actions, saying they would stop urging students to attend Liberty, no longer donate to the school, and would urge fellow people of faith to avoid speaking at the school. Signatories included a daughter and son-in-law of the vice chairman of Liberty’s board of trustees.
Among other issues, the letter criticized Falwell for his enthusiastic embrace of the President and “divisive rhetoric” concerning the governor. Falwell responded, “All they need to do is read the Gospels — Jesus got involved in politics.” Grant Neely, the governor’s chief communications officer, resorted to Scripture in his response, “But I recall that Matthew’s gospel teaches us to ‘beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them,’”
This is embarrassing for the Commonwealth, but, you gotta admit, it is sort of fun.
