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Jerry Falwell, Jr. Receives Criticism from Evangelical Leaders for Endorsing Donald Trump

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  • Updated Jan 27, 2016

The president of the world’s largest Christian school, Liberty University, has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, which has led to a backlash from a number of other Christian leaders.

Politico reports that Falwell’s endorsement comes as no surprise after his warm welcome and introduction of Trump last week when Trump addressed the Liberty University student body.

“I am proud to offer my endorsement of Donald J. Trump for President of the United States. He is a successful executive and entrepreneur, a wonderful father and a man who I believe can lead our country to greatness again,” stated Falwell.

In his introduction of Trump last week, Falwell compared Trump to his father, Jerry Falwell, Sr., founder of Liberty University and leader of the Moral Majority.

Falwell stated that Trump, “reminds me so much of my father.” 

However, other Christian leaders believe Jerry Falwell, Sr. would be “rolling over in his grave,” at Falwell, Jr.’s endorsement, according to John Stemberger, President of the Florida Family Policy Council.

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America, echoed Stemberger, saying that she “strongly” disagrees with Falwell’s endorsement.

President of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Russell Moore, also expressed his disappointment in Falwell’s endorsement. Moore’s tweets, questioning Falwell’s effusive praise of Trump last week, were featured in a CNN article.

“Trading in the gospel of Jesus Christ for political power is not liberty but slavery,” was just one of Moore’s numerous tweets during Trump’s speech at Liberty.

In an article for the New York Daily News, Shaun King calls Trump’s conservatism into question, citing his evolving stance on abortion, his lack of faith values, and his hateful rhetoric directed at Muslims, African-Americans, women, and other minorities.

King encourages his readers to observe Trump’s character, bringing to mind Falwell’s statement that “by your fruits you shall know them.” 

Falwell used the Biblical reference to say that Trump’s life has borne fruit, while King says that we can indeed learn much about someone from observing their life, and as for Donald Trump, his life does not show evidence of Christian faith or Biblical morals. 

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Publication date: January 27, 2016