theophiliacs

At 91 years of age, the (in)famous Pastor Oral Roberts came to be present to the Lord today.  Roberts was one of the first preachers to really run with the so-called “Prosperity Gospel” and turned it into an evangelical empire consisting of even a University.

There can be no question that most on this blog consider the Prosperity Gospel to be no gospel at all.  It is certainly not the gospel of Christ who called out his ministry quoting Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” - NRSV

Christ’s burden is one of freedom, but also of suffering.  And those who accept the Good News are not promised material wealth but are incorporated into the eternal self-offering of the Son to the Father.

But, there is no question that Roberts was still an evangelist and undoubtedly there are a great many people who have come to saving faith on account of his preaching.

He was, as we all are, a mixed up batch of faithfulness and faithlessness.

Resquiescat in Pacem pastor Roberts.