How does Jerry Falwell Jr. explain his controversial endorsement of Donald Trump for president? In part, he’s taking his cue from his Moral Majority-founding father, who supported Ronald Reagan over Southern Baptist Jimmy Carter.

“When [Jerry Falwell Sr.] walked into the voting booth, he wasn’t electing a Sunday school teacher or a pastor or even a president who shared his theological beliefs; he was electing the president of the United States with the talents, abilities and experience required to lead a nation,” said the Liberty University president during his glowing introduction of Trump at a school convocation. “After all, Jimmy Carter was a great Sunday school teacher, but look at what happened to our nation with him in the presidency. Sorry.”

Today, he added: “Jesus said ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged.’ Let’s stop trying to choose the political leaders who we believe are the most godly because, in reality, only God knows people’s hearts. You and I don’t, and we are all sinners.”

Read the article “As Falwell Favors Trump, Pew Says Most Americans Still Want a Religious President” on christianitytoday.com.