The Rise of Falwellian Fundalmentalism
Susan Harding’s Terminology Clarification fundamentalists Insider term used by Bible-believing Protestants Some represent themselves as “militantly anti-modernist” & avow separation from worldy society Such as: J. Frank Norris, Carl McIntire, John R. Rice, Bob Jones Sr., Bob Jones Jr., early Jerry Falwell
Fundamentalists Outsider (liberal Protestants, academics, journalists) term for those who believe the supernatural claims of the Bible are true. Bible-believing Protestants who often call themselves evangelicals, Bible-believing Christians, or Christians. Oppose a “Modern” view Bible is a product of human history. Bible’s supernatural claims read as allegory, spiritual truth, or mythology.
Who was Jerry Falwell? Born in Lynchburg, VA in 1933 to a Christian mother and an alcoholic father. Died in Came to know Christ at 18 years and was called by God to preach. Went to the Baptist Bible college in Springfield, Missouri. Founded Thomas Road Baptist Megachurch in Lynchburg, VA in 1956.
Who was Jerry Falwell? 1980s Built large, complex, & far-reaching ministry that included the Liberty Baptist College & Seminary & a K-12. Headed the Old-Time Gospel Hour (OTGH). Main media spokesman for the New Chrisitan Right. Founder of the Moral Majority.
Falwell’s Influence Converted his people from “fundamentalists” to “conservative Christians” so they would fight worldly battles and seek worldly power in the name of “Christian values.” Moral Majority most visible public lobby for conservative Christian causes & fund-raising organization with a mailing list of several million donors.
How did Falwell politically mobilize fundamentalists? Created a “fundamentalist empire” Generated a factory of words, a Bible-based language industry. “jeremiads” = laments spiritual condition of world, disastrous reckoning to come, call for profound transformation of society. Enemy is secular humanism. Words reached everyone in US through sound bites, interviews, & special reports.
How did Falwell politically mobilize fundamentalists? 1970’s = his college added more highly educated students, faculty & their families to his congregation, became more middle class. OTGH (Old-Time Gospel Hour) & Moral Majority turned Falwell from a southern into a national preacher.
3 movements converged in 1980s 1. fundamentalist reform led by Falwell. 2. Southern Baptist Convention. Largest Baptist group in the world & largest Protestant denomination in US, yearly meeting of messengers. 3. The larger evangelical fellowship. Impact These Christians became newly engaged fundamentalists who formed the core constituency of the New Christian Right. Changed not only the shape of fundamentalism & evangelicalism but the meaning of “modern America.”
Scopes Trial of 1925 Landmark trial tested a law passed in 1925 which forbade the teaching, in any state-funded school in Tennessee, of: "any theory that denies the story of the divine creation of man as taught in the Bible” “that man descended from a lower order of animals.” High School teacher John Scopes was charged with teaching Darwinian evolution. Scopes was found guilty & fined $100.
Effects of Scopes Trial in 1925 Ushered in a “secular modern” era in which the mixing of politics & religion was seen as anti-modern & inappropriate. Fundamentalists were considered backwards and not modern. Inherit the Wind (1960) with Spencer Tracy.
Effects of Scopes Trial Reversed in 1980s Fundamentalists built an empire. Gained political purchase through the Moral Majority. Once again, brought religion & politics together!