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Pat Robertson

Tough Questions, Bad Answers

 

Pat Robertson is the founder and chairman of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., and founder and chancellor of Regent University, an institution of higher education granting masters and doctoral degrees in law, business administration, communications, education, theology, and government. This New York best-selling author has written numerous books, including The End of the Age, and The New World Order, and has achieved national and international recognition as a radio and television broadcaster, religious leader, and philanthropist. (Bring It On, back inside dust jacket, special CBN partner edition)

On the back dust jacket of Pat Robertson's book, Bring It On, Tough Questions. Candid Answers., it says,

Each week on The 700 Club, Pat Robertson invites millions of viewers to "Bring It On" as they submit probing questions about life, morality, and the Scriptures.

Robertson claims his answers "come from the world's greatest source book - The Holy Bible" (p. i), but the answers he gives below are clearly not from holy writ, and well illustrate only some (2 Peter 3:16) of his "destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1).

I. A False God

A. A Passive god

Robertson writes,

It is important to realize that some of God's laws carry with them their own punishment. For example, there is a physical law called the law of gravity. If a person decides to jump from a ten-story building, he will have violated the law of gravity and he will crash to the ground, either killing or maiming himself. God has laws about sexual purity. We are seeing an epidemic today of sexually transmitted diseases. God is not punishing people for committing immoral acts. He has built into the universe the punishment for that conduct. In America, at least 60 million people are feeling the consequences of that built-in-law. (p. 74, bold added)

In this paragraph, Robertson describes a god who is not directly and actively causing gravity or sexually transmitted diseases. But the truth is, the real God is. He is presently "upholding all things by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3). And just as He "walks on the wings of the wind" (Psalm 104:3) and "causes the grass to grow for the cattle" (Psalm 104:14), so He daily causes the gravitational pull of the earth (Romans 11:36) and punishes people for committing immoral acts (Romans 1:18, 26-27).

As God continually and faithfully continues to cause the law of gravity, so it is He who causes people "to do those things which are not fitting" (Romans 1:28), like jump from great heights to their demise (Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23) and commit sexual immorality (Romans 1:29). And yes, as He did with David (2 Samuel 24), He then punishes them for doing the very behavior He caused them to do (e.g. Ezekiel 14:9).

As ice is given "by the breath of God" (Job 37:10), and "He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'" (Job 37:6), so "He sends out His command to the earth" (Psalm 147:15). Whatever happens, be it in the heavens or on the earth, it is His work (Psalm 104:19-24) and by His word (Hebrews 1:3; 2:10). This is the God of the Bible (Job 23:13-16; Psalm 114:7).

Yet, Robertson does not know the God of the Bible, and so he writes,

To say that AIDS is a plague of God is a bit overstated. AIDS is a disease that man has brought upon himself. (p. 175)

And a little later,

But it is not because God is punishing our world; it is because men and women continue to engage in activities that God has prohibited, thus causing the rapid spread of this plague, and bringing a curse upon themselves. (ibid.)

Men and women do indeed bring these things upon themselves (Jeremiah 2:17), but AIDS is nonetheless a plague from God (Romans 1:18, 26-27; 11:36).

In another place Robertson writes,

Why does God allow children to suffer with incurable diseases like cancer? Why doesn't God just heal them?

Perhaps the question could be, why does God allow anybody to suffer with cancer or other debilitating diseases? We wish we knew more about these things, but frankly we don't. I've prayed for many people with cancer; some have been healed while others have not been healed. Sometimes they live to a ripe-old age, and others die in their prime. We just don't know why. (p. 207)

Robertson does not know why because he does not know God (1 John 2:4). The reason for these things is found in His word.

I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (Exodus 33:19; see also Romans 9:15)

Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. (Psalm 115:3)

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. (Romans 1:18)

For the creation was subjected to futility. (Romans 8:20)

God does as He pleases and has compassion on whomever He wills and pours His wrath on whomever He wills. Those who believe God's word know why. It is because God's wrath is upon this earth, and He pours it out whenever and on whomever He so chooses.

Immediately after the above quote, Robertson writes,

We do know that God does not put cancer on anybody.

This is a lie. It is a false view of God and a denial of Romans 1:18; 11:36; Hebrews 2:10 and a host of other Scriptures that show God does these things (e.g. Numbers 12:1-14; Isaiah 45:7; Lamentations 3:38; etc.).

After the above, the following paragraph reads,

My wife's father had an eye disease, iritis, and the doctors treated him with a certain medication that led to his developing leukemia and an early death. Did God cause that? No, the medical community made a mistake.

Indeed, the medical community may have made a mistake, but who caused them to make the mistake? God (Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 11:36; Hebrews 2:10). And who caused the leukemia and the early death? God (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Lamentations 3:38).

Robertson's passive god is further revealed on page 209 where he writes in the context of "WHY DO THE GOOD DIE YOUNG?",

On the other hand, it's important to emphasize that God does not send cancers or brain tumors on His people. Granted, in the Old Testament, God was said to be in charge of everything, both good and evil. From a New Testament perspective, however, sicknesses and diseases are often attributed to the activity of Satan. Other diseases seem to be the results of natural forces.

Here again, Robertson describes the natural forces in this world in a deistic way in which God is not actively involved. He even admits that the Old Testament reveals God is in "charge of everything, both good and evil," but what he fails to mention, and actually denies, is that God does not change (Malachi 3:6). He is still in charge of everything, both good and evil (Romans 11:36; Hebrews 2:10). He has lost no sovereignty (Psalm 66:7). He has discarded no control (Psalm 103:19). The New Testament reveals no change in God's sovereign hand. Both in the New and Old Testament sickness and disease may be attributed to the activity of Satan (e.g. Job 2:7; Luke 13:10-16), but it is nonetheless all by Him (Hebrews 2:10).

Moreover, it is presumptuous to say God does not send cancers or brain tumors on His people. Just as God afflicted Job's flesh (Job 19:20-21), poured out His wrath on Heman (Psalm 88), and gave Paul a messenger of Satan (2 Corinthians 12:7), so He may send cancers or brain tumors on His people. He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3) and performs what is appointed for us;

and many such things are with Him. Therefore I am terrified at His presence; when I consider this, I am afraid of Him. For God made my heart weak, and the Almighty terrifies me. (Job 23:14-16)

But, no such godly fear resides in the heart of Robertson (Romans 3:18; 2 Peter 2:14).

In the following paragraph after the above quote, Robertson lies to a person whose young son had died.

Your son died young, but although it is correct to say that God allowed the cancer that killed him, it is not correct to say that "God took him."

This is a lie. Jesus is the one who holds the keys of Hades and Death (Revelation 1:18) and it is the Lord who kills (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6).

In another place Robertson writes,

God isn't the author of our problems. Many physical or mental maladjustments relate to genetic imbalances. (p. 206)

And who causes these genetic imbalances? God (Hebrews 2:10).

B. A god Who Doesn't Send To Hell

God doesn't send anyone to hell. Anyone who goes to hell will be there because of decisions they have made. In essence, you send yourself there. (p. 304)

This is a lie. Indeed, people choose to do evil (Isaiah 66:3), and they love death (Proverbs 8:36) and seek death (Proverbs 21:6); and "he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death" (Proverbs 11:19); and they bring this trouble upon themselves (e.g. Jeremiah 2:17). But, God still is the One Who sends people to hell, as Jesus said,

Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire. (Matthew 25:41; see also Isaiah 50:11; Matthew 10:28; 24:50-51; Luke 12:4-5; Revelation 20:11-15; and the reports, Hell and How Can A God Of Love Send People To Hell?)

II. A False Gospel

A. Another Name

Robertson is asked,

IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY?

I am very uncomfortable with the idea that Jesus is the only way to heaven. What about all those devout Jewish or Islamic people? Will God condemn them to hell because they call Him by a different name?

Robertson answers,

God will not condemn anybody to hell because he or she uses a different name for Him. (p. 159)

This is absolutely disgusting being that Robertson's statement is in the context of two Christ rejecting religions! The apostle Peter preached to the Jews,

Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone." Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)

B. According to Robertson, Christ Is Not Enough

On page 169 Robertson addresses,

CROSS-DRESSING

I have been married for thirty-one years. Soon after our wedding day, I discovered that my husband enjoyed dressing up in women's clothes. A recent test shows that he has an extra X-chromosome. We are both Christians and have prayed for deliverance from these feelings, but he continues this behavior. Please tell me if it is okay to condone this in our marriage.

Robertson's last paragraph in his answer concludes,

Seek out a Christian counselor who will pray with you, work through deliverance, and help your husband walk out of this lifestyle. It may take some time - a thirty-one-year habit is rarely overcome in an instant - so commit yourselves to a long-term program, and rejoice with each bit of progress.

In these words, Robertson reveals he does not believe in the power of Jesus Christ. For Jesus said,

Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)

Jesus Christ sets free from the power of sin. A pervert, as described above (Deuteronomy 22:5), does not need a program (long-term or otherwise). He needs Jesus Christ. He needs to repent, stop despising God (Proverbs 14:2), and submit to God (James 4:7; Romans 10:9-10), and then he will be free (Romans 6:14).

C. Empty Deceit (Colossians 2:8-10)

1. Drugs

Robertson has been duped by the oxymoron "Christian psychiatrist," and taken captive (Colossians 2:8) by the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 3:19). For Christians, he sees "nothing wrong with someone taking antidepressants" (p. 195) and believes in leaving "the treatment of mental illness to those who have been trained in the field" (ibid.). On page 195 he illustrates.

In one case, a man who worked at CBN became completely deranged, out of his mind with manic delusions. We referred him to a Christian psychiatrist who was able to treat the chemical imbalance with appropriate antidepressants, and the man began to function normally and resume a normal life.

Here again, Robertson finds salvation in something other than Jesus Christ. For those who know Christ, they have a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). They are no longer debased (Romans 1:28) and mad (Ecclesiastes 9:3). Those who trust in the Lord have perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7).

It is God who gives wisdom to the mind and understanding to the heart (Job 38:36; Proverbs 2:6), and it is God who causes confusion and madness (e.g. Deuteronomy 28:28; Zechariah 12:4). If a person is "out of his mind" it is because he does not trust Christ. It is a symptom of the reality of having a debased mind and still being lost in sin (Romans 1:28). The only real lasting answer to this, the only real salvation from this, is Jesus Christ (John 8:34-36).

2. Hypnosis

Writing about hypnotic suggestions, Robertson states,

Sometimes these suggestions can be helpful or even humorous, but often the posthypnotic effects linger long after the hypnosis. (p. 251)

One sentence later, in the next paragraph he writes,

I strongly counsel anyone against opening their subconscious gates to suggestions over which they have no control.

Then five sentences later, at the beginning of the next paragraph he writes,

Perhaps in some extreme cases of depression or emotional trauma, hypnosis may be appropriate if done by a trained psychologist or psychiatrist.

Instead of giving Jesus Christ as the answer and Savior for "extreme cases of depression or emotional trauma," Robertson gives hypnosis "by a trained psychologist or psychiatrist." This is a denial of Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6-7, and the power of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5) that comes through faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:4).

D. A Gospel of Works

Robertson writes,

You must take definite action; you must admit that you are a sinner and ask God to forgive you of your sins; you must believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the grave, and you must ask Jesus to take control of your life. It's a big decision . . . with eternity hanging in the balance. But it is your choice, not God's. (p. 304-305, ellipses in original, bold added)

Robertson lies when he says the choice is not God's, because Scripture says,

Many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14; see also Matthew 20:16 NKJV or KJV)

Jesus said to his disciples,

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. (John 15:16)

Salvation does not come via the work of the human will apart from God's absolute control (Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Romans 11:36). Salvation is a gift from God, and even the ability to repent and turn to Christ is a gift from God, as Ephesians says,

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Even the ability to believe is a gift from God and it is not of ourselves, as Romans 9:16 says,

It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. (see also John 1:12-13)

To teach otherwise, is to teach a gospel of works (Romans 9:11-16; Ephesians 2:1-10).

III. Evolution

In his rejection of the word of God, Robertson believes in evolution.

The current theory which I accept points to a big bang theory as the beginning of creation, when about 15 billion years ago an extraordinarily dense mass exploded, and out of that came an expanding universe. Part of the reason scientists believe this theory stems from the movement of the planets. Study of the cosmos indicates that the planets are still moving away from each other. Imagine that we took a big balloon that had not been expanded, put little dots all around it, and then began to blow up the balloon. As we blew up the balloon, the dots would get farther and farther apart. That is similar to what astronomers observe has been happening to our universe during these 15 billion years.

The big bang theory is not at odds with the belief in a creator or what is called intelligent design. The Bible neither supports or negates such a theory, since the Bible was not written as a science book. (p. 135, bold added)

Robertson's view is called theistic evolution and it is a lie. For example, Robertson says the universe came out of a dense mass. This is a lie. Hebrews 11:3 says,

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were NOT made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3, emphasis added)

Moreover, the Scriptures declare,

In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. (Exodus 20:11; see also Genesis 1:1-2:2)

When one calculates the 1656 years of genealogies up to the flood (Genesis 5:3-32; 7:11), the 582 years of the Hebrew genealogies from the flood to the time Jacob came into Egypt (Genesis 9:28-29: 11:10-26; 21:5; 25:26; 47:9), the 430 years Israel spent in Egypt (Exodus 12:40), the 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon (1 Kings 6:1), the 427 years of the kings (1 Kings 6:1; 2 Chronicles 9:30-36:11), the 70 years of the Babylonian captivity (2 Chronicles 36:20-23; Jeremiah 25), and the prophesied 483 years of Daniel to the time of Christ (Daniel 9:25, 69 [62+7] x 7 ["weeks" = 7's literally in the Hebrew] = 483), it becomes evident that the heavens and the earth had only been in existence for approximately 4128 lunar years by the time Christ came (Scripture years are lunar, e.g. Hebrew חֹדֶשׁ [chodesh] for "month" and "New Moon" is the same word, see e.g. Genesis 7:11 "month"; Numbers 29:6 "New Moon"). Where's the 15 billion?

Evolution is one of man's many schemes to reject God (Romans 1:18-23) as he seeks only to rebel (Proverbs 17:11) against His truth (Psalm 10:3-4). Because they say in their hearts, "There are no Gods" (Psalm 14:1-3; www.atruechurch.info/heisholygods.html), they are left to nothing but folly as they reject wisdom (Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:20-33). When they reject wisdom (God Himself, Job 28:28), there is nothing left but foolishness (1 Corinthians 3:19). Therefore, they are deceived by what they see.
 
The age old question exemplifies this: "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" The chicken (Genesis 1:20-21)! God created a mature creation. Within six days, He completed a mature heavens and earth with animals, birds, sea creatures, etc., and a man and a woman (not babies). Even though the man and woman were only a few minutes or hours old on that 6th day, they would have appeared to be years old. So it is with the earth and the heavens (and the stars, sun, and moon). So, man is deceived by what he sees, and his so called science is folly and "falsely called knowledge" (1 Timothy 6:20 NKJV; "science falsely so called" KJV).

IV. The Origin of God

But there is never a mention in the Bible explaining where God came from. He says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Scripture says, "From everlasting until everlasting, Thou art God." There are many other descriptions of the everlasting Father. It is as if God has always been there. He is an ever-living Spirit. Concerning His origins, we don't know, and He didn't tell us. (p. 156)

Shortly thereafter on the same page Robertson writes,

The origin of God is a mystery, and we won't know the answer until He reveals it to us.

It's almost presumptuous for us, in our finiteness, to expect that we would understand who He is, let alone where He came from.

Truly the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ is hidden from this unbeliever (2 Corinthians 4:4). The very passages Robertson quotes (Psalm 90:2; Revelation 22:13) reveal the origin of God. He is from everlasting (Psalm 93:2). He has always been (Isaiah 63:16; Micah 5:2; Habakkuk 1:12; Acts 15:18). He is the beginning (Revelation 1:8). He inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:17). God is the origin of all things (Romans 11:36) and there is no origin, existence, or reality of anything apart from Him (John 1:3).

V. Blasphemy

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (and 2 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3) God warns of a prevailing false Christianity in the last days. One of the marks of this false Christianity is that they will be blasphemers (2 Timothy 3:2). Robertson blasphemes, and encourages others to blaspheme, in James Dobson's style, in describing an incident in his book where he writes,

The woman told me that her husband had just died.
I probed a bit into their relationship, and she told me that he had been an abusive, drunken man, and she harbored deep resentment toward him, even now that she was widowed.
I asked her to pray after me, "God, I thank you . . ."
"God, I thank you . . ." she repeated.
"For giving me a drunk for a husband," I said.
The woman gulped hard, and slowly said, "For giving me a drunk for a husband."
"Who abused me during our marriage . . ."
The woman tearfully repeated my words.
"Because that brought me closer to You."
She echoed my words.
I continued with the woman repeating each phrase of my prayer, "And God, I forgive him, and I forgive You. And I praise You for everything that has happened in my life." (p. 215, bold added)

Robertson leads this woman into blaspheming God. God needs no forgiveness from anyone, nor does anyone need to forgive God.

For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

The Lord is righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:17), and it is blasphemous to even suggest any concept of forgiving Him for anything.

VI. Ecumenical

On page 119 Robertson writes,

The church - those true believers in Jesus Christ from every denomination, . . .

This is ecumenism. Denominations exist because they differ in doctrine (i.e. what they believe the Bible teaches). Basically, what Robertson is saying is that true believers can have sustained differing opinions on what they believe the Bible says, because he thinks there are true believers in every denomination; but this is a lie. Jesus said, "He who is of God hears God's words" (John 8:47), and, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). In other words, they follow the truth (John 14:6).

All true believers have an anointing from God, and this anointing teaches them concerning all things (1 John 2:27). Therefore, every true believer agrees with every other true believer on what the Bible says. As 1 John 4:6 says,

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Those who do not "hear" (i.e. do not agree) with true believers are not true believers, but rather liars (1 John 2:4) and the spirit of error is upon them (Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 4:6). On the other hand, those who agree with true believers on what the Bible says exemplify that they too have the anointing from God (1 John 2:27) and they too have the spirit of truth (1 John 4:6).

Therefore, there is truly only one way (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), one body and one faith (Ephesians 4:4-5). There is only one true form of Christianity. It is a very narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14) in which all of the word of God is important (Matthew 4:4) and contended (Jude 3; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Robertson's way is broad (Matthew 7:13) and it leads to destruction (for more on the broad way see www.atruechurch.info/savednot.html and www.atruechurch.info/unity.html)

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