by Chris Staron | Dec 2, 2025 | Episodes, Season 6 - Rise of the Religious Right
How the New Right chose Jerry Falwell for The Moral Majority
The New Right had a plan–to bring evangelical Christians together as a voting bloc. But how to do that? They chose a few targets, people with big followings, and courted them. Jerry Falwell was an obvious choice. He was a fundamentalist preacher, televangelist, and the founder of Liberty University. He also had a propensity for the dramatic, seeing the end of days around every corner.
Falwell and The New Right turned evangelicals against Jimmy Carter
The New Right did not like President Jimmy Carter and did their best to turn evangelicals against him. A big job considering that Carter was an evangelical and often talked about his faith. Still, they wanted Ronald Reagan (a divorced actor with a reputation with the ladies) to be their man.
In this episode, Chris is joined by author and historian Rick Perlstein.
Sources
- Reaganland by Rick Perlstein
- article about Reinhold Niebuhr
- God’s Own Party by Daniel K. Williams
- The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
- Listen, America! by Jerry Falwell
Discussion Questions
- What was the role of the New Right in recruiting religious people?
- Why was Falwell an ideal candidate for the New Right?
- A higher percentage of evangelicals voted for Nixon than for Reagan. So why do we talk so much about Reagan as a turning point?
- What was the Moral Majority? How do we see groups like them operating today?
by Chris Staron | Nov 18, 2025 | Episodes, Season 6 - Rise of the Religious Right
Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority defined evangelicalism in the 1980s
Jerry Falwell was a prominent American pastor, televangelist, and conservative political activist whose life and ministry had a significant impact on American evangelicalism and politics. Born on August 11, 1933, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Falwell grew up in a family that was not particularly religious. However, after becoming a Christian during his college years, he dedicated his life to ministry. He attended Baptist Bible College in Missouri, where he developed the theological convictions that would shape his future work. In 1956, at the age of 22, he returned to his hometown to found the Thomas Road Baptist Church, beginning his long journey as a spiritual and cultural leader.
The Old Time Gospel Hour
Falwell’s ministry expanded rapidly through the use of media. He launched the “Old-Time Gospel Hour” television program, which gained national attention and allowed him to reach millions of viewers. His style combined traditional evangelical preaching with a strong emphasis on conservative values. The success of his broadcast ministry helped him establish a broad base of support and financial backing, enabling the growth of both his church and other initiatives. By the 1970s, Falwell had become one of the most recognizable faces of American evangelicalism.
Jerry Falwell founds Liberty University
In 1971, Falwell founded Liberty University in Lynchburg with the goal of creating a world-class evangelical institution that trained young Christians to become leaders in their fields. Liberty began as Lynchburg Baptist College but quickly expanded in size and scope. Falwell envisioned it as a bulwark against secularism in higher education, emphasizing both academic excellence and strict moral codes. Over time, Liberty became one of the largest Christian universities in the world, and it remains a significant part of Falwell’s legacy.
Perhaps Falwell’s most politically influential move came in 1979 with the founding of the Moral Majority, an organization that mobilized conservative Christians to become involved in American politics. Through the Moral Majority, Falwell encouraged evangelicals to support Republican candidates who aligned with their views on issues like abortion, school prayer, and family values. The group played a crucial role in the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, signaling a new era of religious involvement in American political life. Falwell’s efforts helped to solidify the alliance between evangelical Christians and the Republican Party that persists to this day.
Jerry Falwell’s mixed legacy
Falwell’s outspoken views often sparked controversy. He was a staunch opponent of abortion, homosexuality, and the feminist movement, and he frequently spoke out against what he saw as the moral decline of American society. Critics accused him of promoting intolerance and mixing religion with politics in divisive ways. Nevertheless, his supporters praised him for standing up for biblical principles and being unafraid to speak his mind in a secularizing culture. Falwell saw himself as a defender of traditional American and Christian values, even as the country grew increasingly polarized.
Jerry Falwell died on May 15, 2007, leaving behind a complex and polarizing legacy. While some view him as a visionary leader who helped awaken the political power of evangelical Christians, others see him as a divisive figure whose rhetoric deepened national divides. His son, Jerry Falwell Jr., later took over leadership roles at Liberty University, continuing the family’s influence in religious and political circles. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Falwell’s impact on American religion and politics is undeniable, and his legacy continues to shape discussions about the role of faith in public life.
Sources:
- God’s Own Party by Daniel K Williams
- American Sermons: The Pilgrims to Martin Luther King Jr. (for the Danforth sermon)
- I first heard the Danforth sermon mentioned on the Now and Then podcast
- The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
- Falwell: An Autobiography by Jerry Falwell
- Falwell’s “Ministers and Marchers” sermon
Discussion Questions
- What do you think of Danforth’s sermon? Why is it important to understand that preachers have been concerned about the US since before it became a country?
- Why is it valuable to understand Falwell’s early opposition to integration?
- We know that much of the season is related to education. Why is it significant that Falwell was an educator?
- How should we as a society adapt when a leader repents of their racism?
- What role did Frances Schaeffer play in shaping Falwell?
by Chris Staron | Feb 2, 2021 | Episodes, Season 3 - Communism and Socialism
Jerry Falwell Sr. had a controversial stance on apartheid segregation in South Africa.
Jerry Falwell Sr. had a controversial stance on apartheid segregation in South Africa. He was one of the most outspoken evangelical Christians in the 1980s. He founded Liberty University and the Moral Majority political movement. In 1985 he went on a trip to visit South Africa, which was then engaged in its apartheid practices. That meant keeping 80% of the land for white use only and moving black people to reservations. It was a black majority country controlled by the white minority.
Upon his return, Falwell made some controversial statements. Including one that American Christians should not protest South Africa or demand sanctions. Seems crazy, right? But South African guerillas were being funded (in part) by the Soviet Union. The worry that communism would take over South Africa was real. Which of the two evils would Christians choose? Backing an apartheid government, or potentially supporting the Soviet-sponsored rebels?
Our guest today is Melani McAlister, author of the excellent book “The Kingdom of God Has No Borders“. She is also professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think of Falwell’s position on apartheid?
- Do you think the US concern about communism was appropriate?
- What were Americans afraid of when it came to communism?
- When in history have you or the Church had to choose between the lesser of two evils?
- How could that have been handled differently?
Helpful Links:
- C-SPAN video of Jerry Falwell (edited for the show)
- George Washington University video featuring Melani
