Methodology and Approach

As previously stated, and according to the LCN network website, around 2,000 churches were established by Liberty University graduates throughout the United States and approximately 4,800 churches. Falwell's vision/ estimate was planting 5,000 new churches. This original qualitative study is a mere example or model that does not presume to indicate the full extent of the phenomenon but shines a spotlight to illustrate Falwell's strategic action and ofers a case study to understand better the ripple efect and infuence caused by the conservative political force in particular and the American political system in general. The study only examined churches established by Liberty graduates throughout the United States. In cases where an alum planted more than one church, the sampled church was the frst one he planted during his studies or postgraduation.

Liberty University alumni were tracked via two primary sources: The frst was student newspapers, alum publications, and ofcial university publications found in the Falwell archive at Liberty University. These covered mainly graduates who completed their studies in the 1970s and 1980s. The second was a LinkedIn search, which is not limited by time, hence including even recent graduates. After identifying the graduate's name and the church they planted, additional background information was reviewed, like the exact church's address, city and state, year of establishment, the number of worshippers in the frst prayer service, and as many historical details as exist on the pastor who founded the church.

The Religious Context of Falwell's Connection with the State of Israel

In his book, Falwell talks about the frst time he understood the importance of Israel to a believing Christian, which occurred during his religious studies at college.“ Chapter after chapter, book after book, the scriptures tell the story of those whom GOD chose and how He helped to bring about their creation. He made a covenant with the fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He promised them a great nation in the promised land. ‘And from My people of Israel,’ GOD promised, ‘will come a Messiah who will save all people from their sins.’” The understanding that the Israelites are GOD's chosen people recurs throughout Falwell's writings, speeches, and declarations as a cornerstone of his faith. Falwell expected every believing Christian to understand that the Israelites are GOD's chosen people and that they need and are obligated to live in peace in the land promised to them by GOD almighty himself.

In his book, Listen, America, Falwell discusses the prophecy of the attack that would befall Israel at the end of days. Falwell's interpretation describes the attack by Israel's enemies, the primary enemy being the Soviet army with its Arab allies. He quotes chapters 38 and 39 from Ezekiel's prophecy describing the battle against Israel and interprets: “Russia will be defeated, and Israel will succeed for the second time to be saved by the hand of GOD.

Background on Christian Theology and Its Afnity to Israel

The period after the Six-Day War (The 1967 War), which was also Israel's 25th Jubilee year, was a period of “rebirth” for Evangelical theology in general and the Christian Lobby that supported Israel in particular. David Katz claims that one of the infuential connections to Evangelical theology in the modern era is the book The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey, frst published in 1970 with the help of Carol Carlson. According to the author and editor, 25 million copies of the book were sold, making it the best-selling book in Christian tradition, other than the Bible itself. According to Katz, this book has had such a signifcant impact, partly due to its dynamic description of the vision of John of Patmos, which unrolls before our eyes, starting with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. According to the belief of observant Christians, this period, which comes every 50 years and is called in Hebrew “The Jubilee year,” is a substantial milestone in the development of the relationship between the Evangelical Church and the people and State of Israel. Jason Olson also refers to 1967 as a turning point, claiming in his book that: “1967 was a vindication for fundamentalists. GOD proved that he stood by Israel. History has proven this.”

Introduction to Falwell's Relationship with Menachem Begin

The frst-ever documented meeting between Menachem Begin and Falwell dates back to 1975. During Begin's meeting with a group of Evangelical leaders, Jerry Falwell pledged to support Israel. Jan Pieterse wrote about that meeting in his book: “During the meeting in Washington D.C. in 1975 between evangelical leaders and Menachem Begin, the evangelicals pledged full support for Israel. Jerry Falwell stated during the meeting that ‘we proclaim that the Land of Israel encompasses Judea and Samaria, as integral parts of the Jewish patrimony, with Jerusalem as its indivisible capital. Israel stands as bulwark of strength and determination against those who by terror and blackmail threaten our democratic way of life.’” However, the close relationship between Begin and Falwell commenced only after the political upheaval of 1977 and the formation of government by Menachem Begin.

Before exploring the personal rapport between Falwell and Menachem Begin, it is important to briefy introduce Begin's background to readers unfamiliar with his trajectory. Born in 1913 in Brest-Litovsk (then Poland), Begin rose to prominence as the leader of the Revisionist Zionist youth movement Betar, and later as commander of the Irgun, a Jewish underground organization that fought the British Mandate in Palestine. After Israel's independence, Begin founded the Herut party, remaining in the political opposi-tion for nearly three decades.