Christianity Today

Great article, I appreciatte Dr. Olson's deliberate candor and thoughtfulness dealing with Oral Roberts. I cannot imagine the welcome Oral Roberts recieves in heaven. He was a servant of God who had vision to help people. Hmmm, sounds like he might have understood at least for himself what he was here for, to serve a ressurected savior by helping people. I choose to remember the good Roberts did for the Glory of God. Most significant super-star ministers are imperfect but so am I. I thank God for these imperfect yet willing to sacrifice their-selves for the cross kinda of ministers.

The best theologian who ever lived had foibles. No human can stand as a perfectionist example on this earth. Rev Roberts foibles, errors and mistakes were writ larger than some because of TV and other modern communication techniques. Just imagine if TV had been focused on Calvin, Luther and the rest. Thank God that we imperfect sinners can be used by the God of the universe.

A fair and balanced assessment. Like Olson, my theology has evolved over the years but I wonder at his statement, "I ... left my Pentecostal roots and joined the evangelical mainstream." What is the "evangelical mainstream" and what is the advantage of being part of it? www.GodintheNow.com

Bob, you are completely right and I have very little to add. Oral Roberts' legacy will be Benny Hinn, Jan and Paul Crouch and moving to popular teachers today, Joel Osteen. He was a Word of Faith teacher who had more than 'theological shortcomings,' he was teaching a false gospel. I do not mean to speak ill of the dead, but this is how I see his 'legacy.'

I simply do not understand what all the fuss is about. Theologically, the man was in a league of his own. And, he always won, because he kept the score!

Yes, Robert was sincere..he was sincerely WRONG.............Any ordinary person not able to hide behind the store front of a religious organization, would have been in prision long ago.......His healing services, in case you may have forgotten, were documented FRUADS............And you have to love that ability to speak directly with God and get audible answeres daily...........We have a funny way of assuming that just because someone looks like a Christian, supposedly walks and talks like one, he or she is one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, sorry folks that ain't necessarily the case. The career of Oral Roberts was built around scamming good, honest and naive Chritians out of their money to afford him the lifestyle of a muti-millionaire.........I wouldn't imagine that the brass bands and the red carpet where rolled out in heaven for Oral's arrival, personally I think he'll be lucky if he gets in via the back door.....

Roger, your comments are right on target. I was on the faculty at ORU from 1975 to 1985. We went there because many good things were happening; we left because we could no longer in good conscience stay. Much good has been accomplished there over the years, as well as much evidence of humankind's fallen and finite nature. I am pleased that the university seems to be back on a better path today.

Reluctantly I entered ORU as a student of the very first class, in the very first year of the school's operation, 1965. There were only about 250 of us. Since I was there on a music scholarship I was involved in many meetings where we had an opportunity to see Oral Roberts up close and personal. (A few of us even flew with him in his plane to a meeting.) My greatest single personal impression of Oral Roberts is not about the magnitude of his international ministry. It is the memory I have of the fatherly concern he and his dear wife Evelyn showed to a fat kid from North Tulsa. That was me, and yet Oral Roberts, bigger than life Oral Roberts, took the time to be kind and caring to me. Thank you, President Roberts, for the qualities that made you great: the qualities that few saw because they were not close. Reluctantly I went to ORU, but I am thankful for what it has meant to me, especially for the love I learned from this sometimes controversial, but very compassionate man.

Olson's article is very insightful on the life and minstry of Oral Roberts. It is a reminder that those who play their roles on a very large stage often forget they are only role-players and not the play itself. While I am certainly not suggeting that Oral Roberts is a modern day John Calvin I do think Olson's statement: "At times, it seemed he stood at the center of his worldview, between God and the devil. But he cared deeply about his ministry and its impact;" could be said of both men and maybe of all who spend several years at center stage underneath the bright spot light. Yet God choses some eccentrics in every generation.

Some might say that Oral Roberts was a 'Billy Graham' for Pentecostals. ( I know, I know not all would agree) Yes he said and did some embarrassing things but he will stand out as one of those who helped to 'mainstream' Pentecostalism. Despite his theological shortcomings he will be known for his leadership and influence among Pentecostals and Charismatics. For better or for worse.