Historic Happenings

My jaw about dropped when I heard the latest developments coming out of ORU. In short, the regents accepted Richard Roberts' resignation, he will hold a "spiritual" post on the board but both father and son have no voting power whatsoever; they are merely advisors. The big news, however, is ORU and the ministry are going to be separated. Here is the press conference. http://www.kjrh.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=51870@kjrh.dayport.com&navCatId=3

Whether any doctrinal reformation can be achieved at ORU time will tell. I was a little concerned when the spokesperson described contributions as "seed faith gift" and stated both ORU and Oral's ministry will be "spiritually connected" but maybe I'm just nitpicking; change takes time.

Later on, Mart Green, owner of Mardel and Hubie Lobby announced his family will donate 70 million to ORU. There are, of course, strings attached. Eight million is unconditional but if the university wants the other 62 mil, certain conditions must to be met. Some include greater transparency in financial dealings, new leadership (achieved with Richard resigning), and the possibility of new regents.

I couldn't be more pleased. Look folks, it's simple and Mr. Green said this very thing. Trust has been violated and ORU is in serious debt. In order for the ship to be righted, new leadership must take over. One other comment, Mr. Green made clear his family had no intention of taking over ORU, in fact, he said it's possible in a couple of years, they may not even be needed. To what extent new leadership will be sought, and how all this will shake out only time will tell.

I was also happy to hear Mr. Green describe the problems @ORU not as financial, but as spiritual. Whether "spiritual" he means a lack of trust, or something deeper like doctrine, who knows, but I was energized hearing him say once the spiritual issues are resolved, this in turn will resolved the financial issues.

Please continue to pray for the ongoing issues facing ORU. They are to be commended for the step taken separating the ministry and university.

Richard Roberts Resigns

I heard Richard sent in his letter of resignation to the regents. It looks like he is no longer the boss.

I think this is a good step for ORU. Too much controversy is following Richard (four seperate lawsuits have been filed), and it's time for new leadership.

My prayers are twofold. First I pray that Richard and family will repent of any wrongdoing. I also pray for healing between the Roberts' and those hurt by their behavior. Second, I pray the leaders @ ORU will evaluate the theology held by many of the regents.

I've said this several times, it's not happenstance that ORU has the problems it has given many in the leadership are involved in the Word Faith movement. Remember, it isn't just Richard that is accused of lavish living. Time and time again, investigators have uncovered many high profile WF ministers living like kings and queens. My wife's nephew worked at a Hotel in OKC where Benny Hinn was holding one of his crusades. He and several others were responsible for serving Hinn's entourage. The curious little thing about Hinn's company is he had his own food taster. Another article disclosed a minster who graduated from a famous WF minister's school of preaching. (I think it was Morris Cerullio but I am not sure) this particular minister took a trip to Africa for one of his shows (err crusades) while addressing the crowd, he was dressed in a suit of green and sat on a gold throne. These two examples (one can find more, all they have to do is a little research) should go to show Richard's behavior and lifestyle are by no means unique in the "Name it and Claim it" movement.

Oh, one other thing, Ministry watch .org, http://ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/H_Home.asp has given most of those in the WF movementfailing grades for transparency regarding their funds.

Let us continue to pray for those involved on both sides of the ORU scandal. May God be with all parties and may they find healing and direction on doing His will.

UPDATE: I heard on KFAQ this morning Richard Roberts may still be head of ORU Ministry. Also, the Profs are paid by ORUM, this makes for an interesting development in the ORU sags. Who knows how this will turn out.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving. Take time to give thanks to God for the blessings he has bestowed on you. Even though you may not think you're doing so well, there is always somebody who has it worse than you.

While you're at it, pray for the staff at ORU. I've been pretty hard on President Roberts and his lack of theological discernment, but I do want this whole mess straightened out. It looks like Richard is out, which is good The university needs new leadership not connected to scandal and excesses. My prayer is that the staff and regents @ORU will examine the errors of the WF movement, and disassociate themselves from these teachings. I hope where there is a need for repentence, those needing to repent will do so and experience the wonder power of God's grace. Then and only then can healing take place. I have faith ORU can be a university dedicated to Christian Higher education.

Until next time, have a happy and save Thanksgiving.

No Confidence

No Confidence;

In a vote of no confidence, the professors of ORU have expressed their lack of trust in Richard Roberts.

One comment on Michael Bates' blog caught my eye. It sums up perfectly the (partial) problem and (partial) solution.

“If ORU is to recover from it’s current problems, it can no longer be or even seem to be a hereditary monarchy where the whim of the royal family is law.”

Professor Don Vance was interviewed on KFAQ where he described the atmosphere as a "culture of fear." King Richard ruled by Royal decree. If one disagreed with him, one risked his Royal warth. It sounds like there may be more to this story than meets the eye.

How much of the scandal could be from faulty doctrine held by the Roberts family? (The doctrines of the Word Faith Movement)Something to consider.

Leave of Absence

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071017_1__OralR36523 According to this article, Richard Roberts was granted a temporary leave of absence.

This is a good step, kudos to ORU for taking it.

The Plot Thickens.

KJRH had a story Saturday night about new allegations leveled against ORU. Some include Lindsay's spending time with an underage male. Whether it was innocent or not, who knows, but one thing I can't understand is why would the Roberts put themselves in such a situation? A judge and jury will have to sort through the allegations.

One comment Ms. Roberts made really rubbed me the wrong way . When asked about their lifestyle, Ms. Roberts gave the typical Word Faith answer. "God wants his children to prosper"

I've said this before, this is a common teaching in the WF movement. Why do so many people fall for such false teachings on health/wealth, who God is, who man is, the nature of Christ's death (they state he died spiritually, and some even say he HAD to go to hell to pay for our sins), and the nature of faith?

Yet more evidence of the need for all Christians to become knowledgeable in the Word.

Let us continue to pray for the situation at ORU.

Richard Roberts on CNN

When I heard Richard Roberts was going to be on CNN, I hooked up the trusty lap top and listened. Like WW on her blog, I agree neither of them gave straight answers. Whether it was texting underage kids (their daughters had phones and the Roberts' had a ministry for troubled youth) or Senior trips (Richard had a speaking engagement) there was an answer for everything. I know the Roberts' deserve their day in court, but the lifestyle and behavior make them all the more suspicious. Something else that concerned me is when both Oral and Richard said they would have the Regents look into the matter. Do we really think the regents, a list of who's who in the Word Faith Movement will be impartial? These same regents attend the annual ICBM ministries hosted by ORU. That is like the fox guarding the hen house. Not only are they supportive of ORU by their involvement w/the university, but ORU seems to subscribe to the WOF teachings their regents peddle. If ORU wants to get to the bottom of these charges, Richard should step down until the issue is resolved by an IMPARTIAL investigator.

The Roberts are insincere if they do anything else.

You Are Who Your Friends Are

I read a post on Michael Bates blog www.batesline.com where he talked at great leangth regarding the lawsuit filed against Oral Roberts University. I recommend reading it and the comments. Towards the bottom of his post, he lists several regents who, in his words, are who’s who of the Word Faith movement.

Why does ORU associate itself with teachers who teach, among other things… men are little gods, one can have wealth and health if they “confess and possess” Kenneth Hagen has said several times, one shouldn’t ask if it’s God’s will, simply name and claim. Jesus died spiritually, and that our words have meaning (i.e. if we say something and exercise our faith, it will come to pass) Hagen has even said God cannot act without our faith. Now, these are general teachings as different WF pastors teach and focus on different doctrines but this is clear enough to show the teachings are at the very least unorthodox, the worst outright heresy.

You heard me right, some of these teachings and their teachers are heretics. Kenneth Copeland has said that Adam WAS God (a throw back to an old Mormon teaching) and that when he reads in the Bible where Jesus says I AM, he smiles and says “I am too” and Benny Hinn said there 9 persons in the Trinity. I think he recanted this statement but he also said he gets his “anointing” from Kathrine Kulman’s grave, sounds like occultist spiritism to me.

Which is why I ask ORU, why is your university associating with these teachers? Is it because they are a way for the university to get large donors, or does ORU subscribe to these teachings too?

How father and son answer this question will go a long way to evaluating their credibility.

P.S. I do know there are several orthodox professors (one was my Youth Minster, another an old Sunday School teacher) but I still find it disturbing the list of people listed as ORU’s regents.

FYI: There is a great deal of information on the Word Faith Movement. For more info, check out the web site http://www.apologeticsindex.net/, and the book The Word Faith Controversy by Robert Bowman.