After personally inviting Jerry Falwell Jr. to prayer with Christian leaders at Liberty University during this weekend's Red Letter Revival in Lynchburg, Va., Christian author and activist Shane Claiborne revealed the university's response: A letter notifying him of potential arrest if he steps foot on campus.
The letter, addressed just two days before the planned event, comes from the Liberty University Police Department Colonel Richard D. Hinkley.
BREAKING: I sent @JerryFalwellJr a sincere request to pray with us at the #LynchburgRevival. His response? A letter threatening up to a year in jail and a $2500 fine if we attempt to pray on campus @LibertyU, even with students and alumni. Here are both letters. pic.twitter.com/hiGq3C0Zh5
— Shane Claiborne (@ShaneClaiborne) April 5, 2018
Organizers of the revival describe the event as a “time for a Christianity that looks like Jesus again. It’s time for gospel preaching and prophetic witness. It’s time to return to the things Jesus said. It’s revival time!” Scheduled speakers include Rev. William Barber II, Lisa Sharon Harper, Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner, and many more.
The revival’s genesis came in January, on the heels of Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr.'s continued vocal support of President Trump.
Jesus said love our neighbors as ourselves but never told Caesar how to run Rome-he never said Roman soldiers should turn the other cheek in battle or that Caesar should allow all the barbarians to be Roman citizens or that Caesar should tax the rich to help poor. That’s our job.
— Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) January 26, 2018
One day later, Claiborne tweeted out a poll, gauging Christians' interest in challenging the “toxic evangelicism of @JerryFalwellJr.”
If we were to organize a #LynchburgRevival where there was preaching, worship and prophetic action... that challenged the toxic evangelicalism of @JerryFalwellJr... would you come?
— Shane Claiborne (@ShaneClaiborne) January 27, 2018
The threat of arresting critics isn’t a new tactic for Liberty University. Back in November, prominent author and speaker Jonathan Martin was banned from campus after criticizing Falwell. Martin is planning to attend the event this weekend.
The Red Letter Revival will kick off Friday evening and go throughout the day on Saturday. Follow our on the ground coverage here.
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