The Rev. Jerry Falwell went home to be with the Lord this week, and his sudden departure gives us all time to reflect on the legacy he leaves his nation and fellow Christians.

One measure of that legacy is the size and vehemence of his enemies. There’s no point in attempting to make a thorough list; Falwell’s enemies include every element of the Left and much of the mainstream establishment. Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union, nearly every elected Democrat and a bunch of powerful Republicans are quite relieved that he has left the scene.

The Washington Times, in reporting on Falwell’s passing, wrote that Falwell used his leadership skills to forge “an unprecedented electoral coalition”. That is not quite true. Falwell’s vision of the “Moral Majority” might seem political to many – but in reality, his message was directed more toward Christians than it was toward politicians.

Rev. Falwell reminded us that we had a duty to bring our values and faith into the public square in order to help build a more just and decent nation. The media would have you believe that he was some kind of weird momentary figure, because we have lost so much of our heritage.

At the nation’s founding, and through most of its history, the clergy regularly lectured congregants on the connections between the Gospel and public virtue. I recently acquired a volume entitled, Political Sermons of the American Founding Era. It contains sermons by such clerical giants as John Wesley, Samuel Sherwood, John Mason and Samuel Miller. They cover such topics as, “Overcoming Evil With Good”, “The Dignity of Man”, “A Discourse on the Love of Our Country”, and “Scriptural Instructions to Civil Rulers”.

It would be more accurate to portray Rev. Falwell as a man who revived and renewed a proud tradition – one necessary to the nation’s prosperity, even its survival.

It was a responsibility he carried with dignity and humility.

I imagine that he has now received the highest honor a Christian could hope to receive: At heaven’s door, I believe he was greeted by the Lord with the great and terrible words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant….”

Let us pray that the Lord raises up other leaders of Falwell’s integrity to join the battle.