Bad theology, not to mention mean
By Marv Knox

As Americans pondered the imponderable —the horrendous hijackings that resulted in almost 6,000 deaths in one clear-blue morning —a common refrain echoed across the land: Why?

Why did this unspeakable act happen? Why do terrorists hate us so much they can incinerate thousands of ordinary people? Why?

Politicians and pundits proffered their perspectives for hours on end. But one preacher topped them all. Jerry Falwell blamed people he hates, as well as God.

The American Civil Liberties Union has “got to take a lot of the blame for this,” Falwell said on Pat Robertson’s “700 Club” television program Sept. 13. Robertson replied, “Well, yes.”

“The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this, because God will not be mocked,” Falwell continued. “And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way— all of them who have tried to secularize America—I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen.’”

Although an ACLU spokesperson said, “We are not dignifying (the statement) with a response,” Falwell unleashed a storm of protest. A White House spokesperson called the remarks “inappropriate” and stressed President Bush does not share the sentiments. Ethicists and religious leaders chastised the comments. Even ultra-conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh criticized the claims.

Falwell and Robertson initially defended themselves by attacking the reports of their comments. But when the transcript and replay of the program verified the accuracy of those reports, Robertson distanced himself from the statements. By Sept. 18, Falwell apologized. He called his remarks “insensitive,” “uncalled for” and “unnecessary.”

“In the midst of the shock and mourning of a dark week for America, I made a statement that I should not have made and which I sincerely regret,” he said. “I apologize that, during a week when everyone appropriately dropped all labels and no one was seen as liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, religious or secular, I singled out for blame certain groups of Americans.

“I do not know if the horrific events of Sept. 11 are the judgment of God, but if they are, that judgment is on all of America—including me and all fellow sinners —and not on any particular group.”

Even in apology, Falwell’s theology is found wanting.

The central idea of his first claim— which he did not retract, even in his apology—is that God punished almost 6,000 people for the behavior of others. Such an assertion not only is illogical but also contrary to the gospel.

Falwell claimed God is judging America’s sins by taking the lives of people who work in the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. That’s about as logical as a prominent minister’s assertion that the Mississippi River floods a few summers ago were God’s judgment on homosexuality. So, God floods Des Moines instead of San Francisco. This time, God kills bond traders to punish abortion doctors. Nonsense.

Worse, Falwell fell into heresy. He asserted a just God required the punishment of office workers and airplane travelers as payment for the sins of others who happen to live in the same country. The heresy is that he assigned to these terrorist victims a role that only can be filled by Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to Earth to save us from our sins. His crucifixion—the sacrifice of the only perfectly sinless person who ever lived —is the only satisfactory substitute for God’s justified judgment on our flawed and sinful souls. To claim God would require the sacrifice of terrorist victims is barbaric and contrary to the nature of God revealed in Christ. It also diminishes and defiles the atoning work of the Savior.

Make no mistake: All people have sinned and have fallen short of God’s aim for our lives. No human sacrifice, not even almost 6,000 victims of terrorism, can bridge the chasm between God and us that sin eroded. Only Christ is sufficient.

Falwell should have known better.

October 2001