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WINONA LAKE - Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake, was packed Tuesday with Grace College students. With all the seats filled, students lined the walls of the auditorium to listen to evangelist Dr. Jerry Falwell. The event was sponsored by CE National and The National Institute for the Development of Ministries to Youth.
Falwell began his presentation with the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but with a different conclusion. In Falwell's rendition, the wolf, grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood set up an alternative house and live together, respecting each other's alternate views on life and God.
Falwell said this idea was "ridiculous" but no more than the religious views he hears today through the media.
"The Bible is under fierce attack today by the prophets of political correctness," he said. Many versions of the Bible are being written "to accommodate political correctness."
As an example, Falwell said even the feminists have written their own Bible, substituting their version of the truth for the truth of God, and other minority groups are expressing their own views through their versions of the Bible. Scriptures are being changed to support these views, he said.
"If you can subscribe to these views, then you're OK. It doesn't matter how you live, what you do," Falwell said of different versions today.
In today's "world of political correctness," people are judged by the positions they take on political issues, rather than being judged by God, Falwell said.
He encouraged young people to escape this world he described, to take their stand on the Bible and to spread the word of God to as many people as they can.
"Let God be true," Falwell said. "This is a battle we must win. People, there are many good versions - but focus on the Bible. Stick with the book."
He explained that everyone sins, even Christians, but the Bible informs people how to "do it right next time," how to make your sins right and how to avoid them again.
"If you're wrong with the book, you're wrong with everything else," he said.
Falwell also briefly addressed issues of abortion, homosexuality and premarital sex.
"There's only one position of a Christian on the life issue," he said, "and that's pro-life."
Falwell said he uses the Bible to tell him what to believe in. For example, he uses the Bible to tell him which politicians to vote for. The politician with the closest views to the Bible is the one he votes for.
"To me, the Bible is very clear," he said. "We need young people like you to take a stand and (who) will not compromise (your beliefs)."
Although some of those beliefs may be unpopular, he said, some of the most important issues/views are unpopular.
Falwell also said he speaks to gays and lesbians telling them that what they are doing is wrong, but "God loves you and you're welcome in my church."
Falwell also said all sex outside of marriage is wrong, living together unmarried is wrong and homosexuality is wrong: "that's called sin, sin is a choice."
"We must speak the truth in love," he said. "But we never compromise our position."
"Sin is sin and everything the Bible says about hell is true," he said, "and that's why I'm asking the Lord to help."
Falwell will speak to people in all 50 states and 74 nations this year to help people understand the word of God and to help people escape the reality of hell as depicted in the Bible.
"God has a different role for every one of us - a wonderful role," he said. "You young people are going to be out there in that cold, Christ-hating world. If you'll take your stand on loving him ... you'll be God's spokesperson.
"Christians do sin," he said, "but your spiritual authority, young people, will be in proportion to your obedience with Christ."
Falwell asked Grace College students to "be willing to be oddballs - the fifth wheel - to be the one in the crowd. Don't ever give up. Keep loving. Keep ministering."
And, at the end of the road, Falwell said, God will say to his people, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
