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Although some will remember Falwell's charisma, others will remember his controversial remarks. After September 11, 2001, Falwell blamed abortionists, feminists, homosexuals, and the ACLU for the terrorist attacks. He later apologized. He also apologized for 2002 remarks in which he called Muhammad a terrorist — a comment that stirred riots in India.

"He often would say things in the public square that were matters of conviction in Thomas Road Baptist Church but sounded like bigotry on CNN, and that's what got him into trouble consistently," said Bill Leonard, dean of Wake Forest University Divinity School.

Despite Falwell's unquestioned influence, younger megachurch pastors have not followed his lead in politics, Leonard said.

"His death may be the end of an era of megachurch pastors who participate extensively in conservative political issues," Leonard said. "With some exceptions, the new generation of megachurch pastors are just not as interested in politicizing their ministries as Falwell did."

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Jerry Falwell Ministries has a Falwell's Mothers' Day sermon and a biography. Liberty University has more information about the funeral.

He was publisher of National Liberty Journal, founder, chancellor, and president of Liberty University, and co-founder of Moral Majority (which was reactivated in 2004 as the Moral Majority Coalition).

The Lynchburg News & Advance, The Washington Post (1 | 2 | 3 | 4), The New York Times, NPR's All Things Considered and Morning Edition, USA Today, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Baptist Press, and other media outlets have extensive coverage of Falwell's death and legacy. Religion News Service, Associated Press, and other news services also have obituaries.

The Washington Post also rounds up newspaper editorials on Falwell. USA Today has an op-ed from Cal Thomas.

Christianity Today articles by or about Falwell include:

The Power of Hospitality | How to win over enemies and influence people. (A Christianity Today editorial, June 1, 2006)

Give Me Shelter (Now Workers) | "The devil appears again in the Trade Center smoke, Falwell tries another apology, and bin Laden's Abu Sayaaf connection." (September 1, 2001)

America on the Offensive | The world joins in prayer—and in attacking Jerry Falwell. (September 2001)

Conversations: The Jerry Falwell We Never Knew | He hangs out with liberal pundits and gay activists. Is this the same Jerry Falwell who founded the Moral Majority? (April 24, 2000)

Building Outreach and Friendship with the Homosexual Community | What Jerry Falwell really said at the Anti-Violence Forum. (Jerry Falwell, November 1, 1999)

I'd Do It All Again | Jerry Falwell is pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He founded the Moral Majority in 1979 and closed it down in 1989. (Jerry Falwell, September 6, 1999)

Is the Religious Right Finished? | Responses to the call of Ed Dobson and Cal Thomas for "some sort of quarantine." (Paul Weyrich, James Dobson, Cal Thomas, Ralph Reed, Jerry Falwell, Don Eberly, and Charles Colson, September 6,1999)

Making Radio Waves | Christian talk radio's high-wireless act is soaring. But without strong accountability structures, it could lose its balance. (August 15, 1994)

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May (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51