Pat's Perplexing Points Puts him in a Pickle

Recent comments made by Pat Robertson have caused a tremendous furor. The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and media-described “televangelist” said on his 700 Club program that the United States should take advantage of any opportunity to asassinate Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. Robertson’s remarks have been met with a flood of outrage from conservatives and liberals alike, and a distancing by some religious leaders.

In case you are unfamiliar with Hugo Chavez, he is the “elected” leader of Venezuela, and as Robertson describes would become "a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."

Robertson is right of course. Chavez is a despot that has spewed anti-American venom for a long time and Pat Robertson only voiced something that many of us have thought on many occasions. Let’s face it, how many voices in media made the comment that instead of going to war with Saddam Hussein, we should just send in a spec-op team and “take him out”. As a matter of fact, I said that on several occasions and many national talk radio figures said the same.

Isn’t it strange that when Rush or Sean or Mike to says it is a rallying cry, but the second a Christian leader says it, it becomes deplorable and despicable, no matter what the context of the remarks are. I have experienced this same result in my own small way. Anyone else can say something like “Drinking and driving can kill” and it will either be practically ignored or taken as a remark from a concerned citizen. If I said the same thing, a thousand different interpretations come forth from a thousand different peoples. I would called intolerant, prudish, a fanatic and a party-pooper, and that’s just from the Christians.

I agree that the fact of sending an ops-team to Venezuela and whacking a government leader is not the right thing to do, and after thinking about it, I am sure that Pat Robertson wishes he had held back or stated his comment differently. But why is there is double standard when it comes to the speech of Christian public figures as opposed to others? What Robertson said was wrong and he should be focusing on the gospel instead of rubbing out someone. Even though he should have the right to say what he did, he should have been more responsible with his wording. He should also be willing to stand by what he said even after rethinking his intent.

With that said, we all must watch our words, and Pat should retract his comments or at least rethink his position, and repent if needed. We need men like Pat Robertson.

Where are the Luther's?

I seldom ever rent films (or as my grandmother called them ‘fil-ems’). But recently I took notice of the film Luther that tells the story of the great reformer Martin Luther. I must say that not only was I am impressed with the quality of the movie, but I was even more impressed with the accuracy of the story and the fact that it did not water down the clear message of the man.

You should be aware of who Martin Luther was. Martin Luther (originally Martin Luder or Martinus Luther) (November 10, 1483–February 18, 1546) was a German theologian and an Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions (a broad movement composed of many congregations and church bodies). His call to the Church to return to the teachings of the Bible resulted in the formation of new traditions within Christianity and his teachings undoubtedly impacted upon the Counter-Reformation in the Roman Catholic Church.

Luther's contributions to the culture of Western civilization went beyond the life of the Christian Church. Luther's translations of the Bible helped to develop a standard version of the German language and added several principles to the art of translation. Luther's hymns sparked anew the development of congregational singing in Christianity. His marriage on June 13, 1525 to Katharina von Bora began the tradition of clerical marriage within several Christian traditions. (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Luther was one among many heroes of the faith, who boldy, and brazenly some say, stood against the sinful, selfish standards of his day and said, “I can not and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.” The lists of names goes on Wycliffe,Calvin, Knox, Wesley, Spurgeon, Bonhoeffer and many more; men who were sold out to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and were willing to pay the price for following Him.

Where are these type of people today? I am sure they are out there, but they of course do not get the attention that the user-friendly crowds demands. Where are the Luthers, who will stand before the world and say “ Thus saith the Lord” and not back down when the the mockers come?

I am met constantly with opposition and ridicule, not from the unbeliver, but from those who claim the Name, who say that the bold examples set forth by those great stalwarts of the faith, is by today’s standard and definition, too radical and too insensitive.

I imagine Luther must have had doubters in his time, but unlike our comfortable exisitence today, Luther faced losing his life for standing and not just his social status.

God give us more Luthers, more Knoxes, more Spurgeons. God strike our hearts and bleed from us the fear and doubt that keeps us trapped in our own wallow. God breaks us that we may be clay only for Your hands.