Oral Roberts dies at age 91

Posted on December 16, 2009
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Evangelist Oral Roberts died Tuesday at the age of 91. It is a great loss for the Christian community.

Roberts rose from humble beginnings to US’ most famous and influential preachers. Along with Billy Graham, he pioneered religious TV, and he played a major role in bringing American Pentecostalism into the mainstream.

I knew Roberts at the age of 15. My previous church was so fond of him and his teachings. I bet the Pentecostal community in India is broken by the news.

The man founded Oral Roberts University in Tulsa in 1963. Interestingly, students at the school are required to sign a pledge not to lie, curse, drink, smoke, gamble or have sex outside of marriage.

Sadly, Roberts’ daughter Rebecca Nash died in an airplane crash on February 11, 1977 with her husband, businessman Marshall Nash. Roberts’ eldest son Ronald committed suicide in June 1982, five months after receiving a court order to undergo counseling at a drug treatment center.

The other two Roberts children are still living: son Richard, a well-known evangelist and former president of Oral Roberts University (ORU), and daughter Roberta Potts, an attorney.

One important feature of Roberts’ preaching would be the emphasis on “prosperity gospel”. The Pentecostals love this. “You follow God and the riches follow you” – thats a statement I heard in Roberts sermon.

On a personal note, I hate prosperity gospel. I think it was in 2007 when I was invited for Joyce Meyer’s convention in Mumbai where Hillsongs also was performing. Well who would miss Hillsongs live? Not me! That convention also had Delirious, and I made sure I attend that massive meeting.

Although I enjoyed the music, the sermons by Joyce Meyer made me extremely dejected. Well you can say too much emphasis on prosperity gospel. Her bank accounts and ministry funds were being scrutinised after allegations cropped up that it was being used for her luxury. She wears glittery jewels, sparkling outfits, stays in 5 star hotels and travels in her own plane. Ask her why and she would say, “Nobody should feel jealous because of me being blessed this abundant. This is not a luxury, it is heavenly gifts for faithful.”

Really, its not that I opposed that statement, what I dint like was the platform and the place where she made those. Imagine going to Mumbai which is full of slums and filled with poverty and making such statement. What would the poor Christian who still follows God minus money and glitter think? That God doesn’t love him thats why he enjoys no riches? By the way you should check out the interview of Benny Hinn on ABC. Hinn was stuttering I thought? what say?

Getting a cup of hot ginger tea, talk to ya later, Adios!

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