Narrow Way Cafe

Orphangelical

“You meet saints everywhere. They can be anywhere. They are people behaving decently in an indecent society.”

Kurt Vonnegut

“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future.”

Oscar Wilde

The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They fail to alter their views to fit the facts. Instead, they alter facts to fit their views.

Dr Who.

Mr. Robertson's Passing

Dgg

“Considering the outcome…”

Paul gives an instruction we have come to appreciate in his letter to Hebrews. In his concluding remarks about leadership, the following phrase appears:

“…considering the outcome of their conduct.”

Indeed, one should do so. It’s very instructive.

Pat was globally famous, extremely wealthy, highly regarded in evangelical circles. His influence across decades of speaking resulted in the weaponization of Christianity as a political means to an end. As with many of his prophecies, the end he promised hasn’t come.

If you’re a bible thumper, a list of failed predictions is the measure of a false prophet.

Moses said:

”If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message.”

Jesus said:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit.

A partial list of the outcome of Mr. R’s leadership was insurrection and violence. Politics has been empowered to expand the maltreatment of widows, orphans and strangers who have fled their homes. The list of egregious errors continues with science denial, anti-intellectualism and pandering conspiracy.

Mr. Robertson was plainly a liar. But, self-righteousness has the effect of insulating one from the jagged truth. Doesn’t it? How many Pastors have cast out “little ones” over the perceived unholiness of lifestyle since TELEvangelists started speaking against certain groups?

The warnings Paul wrote to Timothy are shocking:

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Mr. Robertson’s certainly entered those homes and drained pockets. My mother was an example and fit this description with precision.

Mr. Robertson’s passing reminds this / #Orphangelical that even the most seemingly devout can be drawn astray by the things of the world.

Pity them. Let the justice of the cosmos prevail.