Falwell Didn’t Do Anything…and That’s the Problem
The reckoning of Liberty University’s notorious president and the case for better Christian higher ed leadership
PHOTO: ALEX WONG/GETTY
Embroiled in controversy and sexual promiscuity, Jerry Falwell, Jr. has officially stepped down (again) as President and Chancellor of Liberty University. After years of contentious, erratic behavior that many thought might have concluded with his being placed on indefinite leave in early August, Falwell and his wife were recently accused of lewd exploits by a former business associate of theirs.
The title of this article is provocative for a reason.
You will not find a defense of Jerry Falwell, Jr. here. Many of the statements he has made and the actions he has taken during his tumultuous tenure at Liberty are indefensible. The man is the very antithesis of the mission and vision of Liberty University.
Instead, I want to focus on his explanation and defense, specifically this bone-chilling phrase:
“I haven't done anything.”
And that is the problem. Jerry did nothing.
Regardless of countless reports of verifiable wrongdoing, Falwell maintains his innocence and inaction. As a proclaimed follower of Christ and the leader of a Christian institution, Falwell had a responsibility to do something.
Time and again Falwell has shirked that responsibility. The scandals that encircle him harshly affect those left in his wake while he emerges seemingly unscathed. The familiar story of oppression so often told by students, faculty, and staff at Liberty University is finally starting to be heard.
Even if we merely consider the last few months of Falwell’s presidency, we find extreme examples of his lack of conviction, moral principle, and mindfulness.
In late May 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and growing racial tension regarding the inherent value of Black lives, Falwell resurfaced a photo of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in blackface. Not only did Falwell resurface the photo, but he did so by emblazoning it on a face mask mocking the social distancing and mask mandates of the Governor. Falwell’s demonstrated tactlessness ended with an insincere apology that resulted in the resignation of four Black faculty and staff members in protest.
Near the end of July 2020, Falwell posted a collection of pictures on his social media that capture both his and a pregnant woman’s midriff, unzipped pants, and a liquor glass filled with something he referred to as “black water” on what appears to be a yacht. Falwell noted the woman in the photo was his “wife’s assistant” and that the inspiration for unzipping his pants and exposing his midriff was due to her pregnancy. This bizarre series of events (save even the conflict of interest regarding the personal use of a yacht belonging to a university-contracted company) concluded with a promise made to his children that he would “be a good boy from here on out.” Falwell was then placed on indefinite leave from the university shortly following the incident.
In a summer already tainted by Falwellian controversy, new accusations in August 2020 regarding Becki Falwell’s years-long affair with—you guessed it—a former Florida pool attendant turned family business partner included abhorrent, and quite frankly creepy, allegations that Falwell, Jr. enjoyed watching the pair take part in a sexual relationship. Falwell was quick to deny any involvement in his wife’s affair and claimed the former business partner was looking only to extort them for money. This incident quickly ended with Falwell’s resignation, subsequent denial of his resignation, and then re-resignation. Another victim of Becki Falwell’s emotional and sexual abuse has since come forward.
In an unrelated interview about President Trump in 2017, Falwell explained his moral reasoning for extending his support in this way:
“You can’t go by who’s sinned and who hasn’t, because we all have. The ones that you think are so perfect and sinless — it’s just you don’t know about it. They’re all just as bad. We all are. And that’s the bottom line.”
It is easy to criticize Falwell for his actions, words, and ill-intent. He leaves behind the legacy of a tawdry, effete, quiescent narcissist who bluntly refused to be denied his power and influence — certainly a strong case study for what unsuitable Christian higher education leadership looks like. But in the face of hypocrisy and bigotry, the bottom line cannot be that we remain bad. Our salvation and sanctification point us toward something better — toward someone better.
When Christian leaders do nothing to work against what is wrong, as Falwell has so brazenly demonstrated, sin crouches at the door (Gen 4:7). The adversary roams the earth (Job 1:7) prowling around like a lion waiting to devour (1 Pet 5:8) — like a thief that seeks to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10).
But when Christian leaders take action to stand up for what is good and right and just, transformation accompanies that action. We must cast a new vision for Christian higher education leadership that extends far beyond what Liberty University has been so poorly offered by Falwell. It must be a vision informed by Scripture, covered in prayer, and staunchly defended by men and women of Christ who have been entrusted with leading Christian institutions.
A Renewed Vision for Christian Higher Education Leadership
In its most simplistic form, Christian leadership should be marked by devoutness, prudence, self-control, faithfulness, hospitality, the love of good, non-contentiousness, gentleness, justice, integrity, respect, good repute, and enthusiastic encouragement. By no means is this a comprehensive list, rather it is merely a baseline. In an effort to provide a framework for a renewed vision for higher education leadership, I have borrowed from the leadership work of Kouzes and Posner. I believe there to be five key concepts toward casting a renewed vision of Christian higher education leadership.
Model the Way
Institutional values are often vague and flexible. Leaders must make an effort to clarify their values and affirm those that are shared by the campus community. Leaders must daily live out the shared values they claim to represent and defend. In this way, leaders should model and teach others to model these values.
(Prov 12:22; 1 Cor 11:1; Titus 2:7; 1 Pet 2:21)
Inspire a Shared Vision
Similar to values, institutional vision statements are often vague and difficult to measure. Leaders should take time to imagine and reflect on the purposes their institutions set out to accomplish. By enlisting others in the search for this Christ-centered vision and shared values, leaders animate their campuses toward virtuous change.
(Rom 8:28; Col 1:16; 3:10; 1 Pet 2:9)
Set the New Standard
Leaders must take initiative in setting a new standard for integrity. Doing nothing is not an option. Lives of integrity are practiced consistently. Leaders should not accept base or blanket standards alone. They are but the floor, not the ceiling of excellence. Leaders create new standards that value the worth and dignity of others.
(Ps 1:1–3; 41:11–12; Prov 11:3; 1 Pet 3:16; Heb 13:18)
Enable and Empower Others
Leaders have a responsibility to create a culture that cultivates and prizes trust. Trust is formed through authentic, appropriate relationships. Leaders strengthen institutions by assisting others in developing competence and confidence to do their work and to do it with excellence.
(Matt 22:37–40; Phil 4:8; 1 Pet 4:8; 2 Pet 1:5–8)
Encourage the Heart
Finally, leaders must always think and act with holistic persons in mind. Leaders do this by expecting the best and personalizing the recognition they give. Leaders celebrate the victories of all, cultivating a spirit of community. Leaders buy into their work and become personally invested in the success of the institution and those they lead.
(Rom 12:4–5; 1 Pet 3:8; Heb 10:24)
My intention is not to relegate Christian higher education leadership to only these areas. However, by beginning here we set our institutions up not only for institutional success but holistic, human flourishing. Our campuses, classrooms, and offices should be places of transformation and refuge for students, faculty, and staff — not places of inaction, neglect, and bigotry.
Of the lessons to be learned from Jerry Falwell, Jr., perhaps the most important one comes in the form of choosing integrity. When Chinua Achebe speaks of integrity, he says this:
“One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”
Christian higher education leaders, I exhort you to accept the challenge of integrity — the challenge to choose right from wrong, good from bad, excellent from deficient. Refuse compromise. Model the way of Christ, inspire a shared vision that seeks to spur on good change, practice integrity consistently, enable and empower others to act, and encourage the hearts of people by celebrating successes and valuing good work.