NPR : Religion, Politics a Potent Mix for Jerry Falwell

http://www.npr.org/templa…storyId=5522064

I have to admit my own prejudices against Jerry Falwell, but I felt like this interview with him helped me to understand him better.

I used to think Falwell was a conservative version of Christ of Culture- making Christ into the supreme example of what he thinks a good American should be. The kind of person who re-writes American history to make the deist founding-fathers into modern, 20th century evangelicals.

On the contrary, he says that he was taught that “religion and politics don’t mix” while in Bible college- which is descriptive of the Christ and Culture in Paradox perspective. He has since abandoned this perspective, however. Now he uses the media culture, especially TV, to promote Christ- an example of Christ Above Culture.

You can see this clearly as he describes how a modern pastor should be media savvy. He should make controversial remarks so he can draw attention to what he is trying to say.