One of the pioneer televangelists, who started preaching on TV in 1955, has died.
Oral Roberts, who would have been 92 next month, died of complications from pneumonia in Newport Beach, Calif., according to the Associated Press.
According to a biography of Roberts at answers.com, Roberts "was the first evangelist to lead large televised revivals in which worshipers claimed to be miraculously healed. He was raised in a Pentecostal Christian tradition whose worship style emphasized personal experiences of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues."
Furthermore, "He invited viewers to put their hands on their hearts or TV sets for his closing prayer. His fame grew with the 1965 opening and 1971 accreditation of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, an academic institution with Pentecostal convictions. By the time of his network TV specials in 1969, he was America’s second best-known evangelist, behind his friend Billy Graham."
–Chuck Ross
“Claimed to be miraculously healed” being the key phrase. Did anyone grow limbs or raise from the dead? Were they even healed of true paralysis? Of course not. It’s phony baloney!
Not mentioned is how much money he raked in fraudulently from people who could afford it least. The spreading of this ignorance should be a crime. Too bad he has a clone continuing his “work.”
Can I just answer what a release to discover a big name who essentially understands what theyre talking about on top of the online. You absolutely recognize how to carry an problem to light plus make it significant. Extra people need to study this and recognize this side of the story. I cant believe youre not additional popular because you certainly have the gift.