Thursday, February 02, 2006

More harm than good

Honestly, when will Pat Robertson just stop talking? In this article he speaks of the United States needing a miracle - and that more than anything, the US needs faith in God. So far, so good.

But the real purpose of his appearance on Good Morning America seems to be to tout his new book on miracles. A sampling of the information included in the book:

In "Miracles Can Be Yours Today," Robertson, 75, prescribes steps that
must be followed before miracles will be granted:

Have Faith in God

Speak a Command: talk to the disease, talk to the financial trouble,
talk to the storm


Be Specific

Do Not Doubt

Appropriate the Answer

Immediately: God will send you an answer immediately to coincide with
His perfect timing for your life


Forgive Those Who Have Wronged You



The only god in whom this will promote faith is one who can be manipulated by his creation for their gain. This kind of "name it and claim it" theology does nothing but pervert the image of God and throw roadblocks to the spread of the true gospel.

Does God perform miracles today? Absolutely. I have friends who have experienced what can only be described as miraculous healing - cancer completely disappearing. Is working miracles God's usual way of interacting with us in the present age? Absolutely not. The crowds in Jesus' time clamored for miracles, wanting to see the signs and wonders performed. Yet in every case, the miracle was meant to get people's attention, to draw them in to listen to the message Jesus was proclaiming. That was not "see what miracles I can do", but "see Who I am".

Anyone have a muzzle handy?

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