'Progressive' Christians gathered in Lynchburg this weekend for a revival on the steps of one of Donald Trump's most ardent supporters, Jerry Falwell Jnr.
Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo, founders of Red Letter Christians, hosted the 'Lynchburg Revival' conference on Friday and Saturday. The conference, held in the same town as the evangelical Liberty University where Falwell in president, spoke against guns, racism and Christian support of Trump.
Dr. @TonyCampolo in the final minutes of the #LynchburgRevival:
"I love America. It is the best Babylon on the face of the earth.
People, it is still Babylon. It is not the Kingdom of God."
'This kind of idolatry of guns is very difficult to reconcile with the Prince of Peace, the one who told us to carry a cross — not a gun,' was one of the messages of the revival.
'We really want our Christianity to be known for its love for Jesus more than its love for Trump,' said Claiborne.
The two-day gathering, billed as a 'Christian rally for Jesus and Justice' featured a range of speakers, as well as prayer, worship and discussion.
"We really want our Christianity to be known for its love for Jesus more than its love for Trump." - Shane Claiborne, Author/Activist, Red Letter Christians pic.twitter.com/xrMQ07d4Jx
— Valencia E. Jones (@vjreports3) 7 April 2018 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Claiborne had invited Falwell to pray with him as part of the conference but in response received a threat of a year in jail if he entered the Liberty campus. Instead Campolo delivered prayer cards to the Falwells.
#LynchburgRevival participants praying with @TonyCampolo, who is preparing to deliver a box of prayer cards (written notes) to the Falwell family. pic.twitter.com/WY6VMVeby6
— Sarah McCammon NPR (@sarahmccammon) 7 April 2018 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Student journalists at Liberty were reportedly forbidden from reporting on the event and Falwell declined to comment telling ABC 13 'they don't deserve any attention'.
Don't miss the irony.
A school called "Liberty".
Famous for championing religious freedom.
Passionate about making sure people can pray in public schools...
Threatened to arrest us for praying on campus.https://t.co/mnECsJHmJb
