October 3, 2007

Embattled President of Oral Roberts U. Wins Support From a Higher Authority

God, it seems, has gotten involved in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday against Oral Roberts University and its president, Richard L. Roberts.

In his weekly chapel address today, Mr. Roberts said God had spoken to him this morning and advised him to respond to the lawsuit. “Here’s what he told me to say to you,” Mr. Roberts told the students and professors gathered at the service, according to the Associated Press. “‘We live in a litigious society. Anyone can get mad and file a lawsuit against another person whether they have a legitimate case or not.’

“‘This lawsuit … is not about wrongful termination,’” Mr. Roberts said God added. “‘It is about intimidation, blackmail, and extortion,’” he said, according to the wire service.

Three former professors at the university sued the evangelical institution and Mr. Roberts on Tuesday, accusing him of enlisting university resources to back a local mayoral candidate and to furnish his family with an opulent lifestyle.

How opulent? According to the lawsuit, the university maintains a stable of horses for the exclusive use of Mr. Roberts’s daughters; university security guards are routinely ordered to run errands for the daughters; and the university jet was used to fly one of the daughters and her friends for a $30,000 trip to the Bahamas and Florida.

The professors are suing for breach of contract, wrongful discharge, slander, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

God has also been quoted about the lawsuit once or twice in a discussion on the Tulsa World Web site, though usually in the form of Bible verses. Many commentators are alumni of Oral Roberts. Some stand by the president. Others say they’ve felt for a long time that Mr. Roberts has demonstrated a little too much focus on the family.

“Instead of ‘Thy Kingdom Come,’” said one poster, “it became ‘My Kingdom Come.’” —John Gravois

Comments

1. This has been a problem among high profile American ministers. Their lifestyle and actions are in sharp contrast to the teachings of Jesus about the <a href=“http://the-kingdom.blogspot.com”>Kingdom of God</a>.

   — David    Oct 4, 07:56 AM    #

2. Right, David. My guess is that, had God really spoken to Mr. Roberts, he’d have been told to read Mark 10:21. But the fact is, Roberts and his like preach one set of rules for others while practicing a very different set themselves. Meanwhile, they lament the decline of religion. They should look in the mirror for the answer; people have caught on to the con game.

   — Dan Kirklin    Oct 4, 08:29 AM    #

3. These are the type of matters that I as a Christian would prefer to see dealt with within the church dispute resolution structure. My hope is that this matter will not get messy. The purposes of the Kingdom of God don’t need this.

   — Marvin    Oct 4, 08:30 AM    #

4. How come the sons of famous preachers are called by God to succeed their fathers: Franklin Graham, this guy Roberts, Falwell’s son and others. In fact, they are pretend Ayatollals who are very un Christ like.

   — russ james    Oct 4, 08:59 AM    #

5. Russ, please be careful to research when naming those you label. I presume you meant “pretend ayatollahs”? Then you say they “are very un Christ like” which makes no sense. Which do you say they pretend to be? An ayatollah and Christ are totally different, as well may be the 3 men you named!

   — Charlotte    Oct 4, 09:32 AM    #

6. So, God is also an attorney! And a doctor too. That’s some deity. I grew up in Tulsa, though I left long ago, back when the “City of Faith” was still a quasi-hospital. The wacky antics of Oral and his family and their gold-plated “university” were always a source of great amusement. I’m still laughing.

   — D. William    Oct 4, 11:46 AM    #

7. With millions of people dying of hunger and countless thousands tortured by war, it’s nice to know that God is more concerned with Richard Roberts’ welfare. Says a lot about God, no?

   — marci    Oct 4, 12:11 PM    #

8. The problem with people like Roberts seems to be is that they end up discrediting the many organizations whose people do live lives of sacrifce to serve others in the name of Christ (check into Habitat for Humanity and World Vision, to name two that are very well known)—and in some cases, cause people to become cynical about God Himself. Their actions sadden me, but don’t really surprise me. Con men try for the best “cover story” they can find, and “good works” make a good cover for a con man precisely because so many people recognize the worth of truly “good” works and want to support them. Stories like this also caution me, as a Christian, to watch my own actions and motives, so that I don’t disgrace the name!

   — Nancy    Oct 4, 12:18 PM    #

9. When a story like this one comes out, it is painfully predictable that numerous commentators will jump on their anti-church soapboxes and trot out the same tired observations about “conning in the name of the Lord.” Please give it a rest. Richard Roberts and ORU have been sued for things which can be examined in court. Let the court do it’s thing. And as for God — He is watching, and He will take care of the situation. Especially now that RR has claimed to be quoting Him directly.

   — Jim    Oct 4, 01:35 PM    #

10. Mr. Roberts, leave God out of this. God doesn’t take sides against His children, and He did not tell you anything—you imagined it. How many college/university presidents have jets? Remember God ostensibly spoke to another Roberts about building a hospital years ago?

    — Solomon    Oct 4, 03:31 PM    #

11. Give me a break. If there is a god, it is certain that, given the many problems in this world, she wouldn’t be concerned with Roberts’ issues. Sounds like the sin of arrogance is raising its ugly head….

    — rec    Oct 4, 03:55 PM    #

12. “God told me” has to be the most often used justification for any action, and somehow Christians seem to find it less offensive when the name of God is used by another purported Christian than when used by someone of a different faith. Justification by faith might be a great theological concept, but most of us prefer to practice justification by our own prejudices – be they religious, political, sexual or racial.

    — Richard    Oct 4, 09:18 PM    #

13. In my view, Christ and the bible give us the example of how to live. We all have fallen short at times. Of course we can ask for forgiveness. We do hold ministers to a higher standard especially when they are well versed and educated in the bible. I want to believe that Richard Roberts is an ethical person and trying to fulfill God’s purpose in his life. Power, greed, politics, and sex has ruined many a great man. In this case, I will give him the benefit of a doubt and presume his innocence, and ultimately God knows if he is guilty.

    — Randy    Oct 4, 10:03 PM    #

14. First George and now Richard – though, from my understanding of George’s youth, Richard probably had conversations with God before George did – his bio-Dad probably demanded it!

    — TDD    Oct 4, 11:29 PM    #

15. I think Richard Roberts should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail…like they used to do to snake oil salesmen in the good old days. Any preacher that bilks his flock, and this seems to be a Roberts tradition, deserves to be treated like the charlaton he is. Speaks to God? How could anyone trust such a person?

    — S. Fisher    Oct 5, 10:36 PM    #

16. Oral Roberts is the Antichrist. This sort of scandal is well predicted in Revelations.

    — Bob    Oct 6, 08:41 AM    #

17. Randy, you say you “want to believe that Richard Roberts is an ethical person.” Why? Perhaps someone else wants to believe the opposite. I choose not to believe anything but fact. His behavior either was or was not legal. Ethics have nothing to do with this situation. The Bible is not exactly a lesson in ethical behavior, either by example or by word. Ultimately, a court of law will determine his guilt or innocence, not some bearded guy in the sky.

    — Rob    Oct 6, 09:18 AM    #

18. This is nothing new. I’ve lived in Tulsa all my life and have always known they were charlatans. I’ve met people who’ve worked at O.R.U. and you should hear the stories they tell. Most of the time when a Roberts family member hears God speak it’s about other people giving their hard earned money to them. It’s hard to believe anyone would send them a dime.

    — R.E.D.    Oct 6, 06:10 PM    #

19. The temple is full of quick change scam artists. Disgusting!

    — Charles    Oct 6, 07:06 PM    #

20. My prayers are with the Roberts family and the ORU community. I will also hold up in prayer the many who think they have the answer and are ready to judge and convict withiut the facts. I know that the day shall come they too shall stand and be judged as well. Yet it will be to late to pray for them.

    — Bob    Oct 7, 09:44 PM    #

21. I am not even a christian – but i have to agree this needs to be judged by the courts. Alot of things can be taken out of context.
    This man has many in opposition even before this. Put on a great show on TV tonite -youd
    never see him squirm

    — marc    Oct 9, 09:53 PM    #

22. To everyone who wants to cast stones at Roberts first I would say take a look at your own life. Do you always do everything right? Is one mans sin Greater than another man. Its easy to kick someone while they are down, but if you really want to know what Jesus would say, look at the compassion he had on humanity. I’m not saying I agree with what has happened I’m just saying if you have ever told a lie or stole something small then in the sight of God your just as guilty as the man who is on death row waiting punishment for murder. We all need to be forgiven!!!!!

    — john    Oct 9, 10:51 PM    #

23. #22
    Jesus Himself was allowing Thomas to scrutinize his very person. He said “Thomas put your hands in my wounds” Number 22 you are asking people to turn off their minds and just blindly follow the propaganda that you ‘ve been sold on. Sorry …I am a Christian and I don’t buy your approach. So everyone’s just human …is that it? I guess if the courts absolve Richard and the Roberts then we should say they are moral? Hmmm. Their are a lot of brainwashed people out there and you are one of em. Look at the compassion Jesus had on the Pharisees…Woe to you Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites! is what He said. Mercy is not foolish excuses made for foolish leaders! Wake up.

    — francis hilow    Oct 11, 01:39 PM    #

24. #23 said:
    “Their are a lot of brainwashed people out there and you are one of em.”

    So let me get this right, from one posting you’re able to deduce that someone is brainwashed?

    Allow me to do some of the same…..can guarantee you’d probably be the first to be calling for tolerance and love at the local peace rally, attend a mainline church or perhaps call yourself a christian but are really universalist.

    Wake up #23 – #22 isn’t turning off his mind – you’re merely shutting your off for him and dismissing his call for repentance. Surely as a self-professed Christian you can agree with that?? Not very loving now is it.

    Yes – this is pretty much an ad hominum arguement that means nothing.

    — J D    Oct 16, 05:03 PM    #

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