Pat Roberson: the media's religious trotting horse
Media types seem to fall in love with certain "experts" and the public is then subjected to those same experts over and over and over. A case in point is Pat Robertson, a media darling when a Christian point of view is needed to flesh out a religious story. Perhaps they-the media and especially cable tv news outlets-trot him out so continously because they know his statements will be shocking and outrageous.
Case in point is Robertson's ridiculous comment on the health crisis facing Israeli Premier, Ariel Sharon: He called Sharon's stroke "divine punishment for dividing God's land".
This may come as a surprise to journalists who always define Robertson as "Christian spokesman" or "Christian broadcaster". He does not speak for or hold a view of Scripture that in any way places him alongside most Christians theologically. He is a dispensationalist... And an embarrassment... More like a sensationalist when the cameras turn on. Dispensationalism briefly defined is: A method of interpreting the Bible that divides history into distinct eras or "dispensations" in which God deals with man in a distinctive way and, in some cases, in which God's ethical standards change. In other words, God changes to fit each situation.
Christian theologians would say dispensationalists like Robertson have a wrong view of scripture. God does not change, He is the same yesterday and today. So why do Christians sit quietly by each time Robertson and his ilk get up before the news cameras and spout doctrine that in no way reflects the Church (capital C)? It is embarrassing,not to mention maddening, to be painted with his broad brush. Enough already! I'm begging you, all you news people, please. Get someone else as your Christian spokesman. There are so many thoughtful, knowledgeable, scriptural churchmen out there. Find someone else.
I might suggest this person-Uwe Siemon-Netto, well known international journalist and theologian who has recently created a blog and could use a prod to add to it regularly because he is brilliant and he should be heard. Google him, media.
Where is his blog? I want to read him.
Posted by: Bill Baar | January 06, 2006 at 09:54 PM
sorry Bill, I thought I had linked it, I better fix the post, but here is the blog address: http://concordia.typepad.com/vocation/
Posted by: diane | January 07, 2006 at 07:26 AM
An excellent post. I couldn't agree more.
That said, don't assume that all dispensationalists line up with Robertson; the ones I know don't approve of his rantings either.
Posted by: Defensor Pacis | January 09, 2006 at 11:34 PM