Robertson V/S Robertson

It’s not surprising when an evangelist decides to make a comment which directly opposes one of the Ten Commandments (#6, based on Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill”), that the universal church of Christians rise up in arms.

Mr Pat Robertson made his controversial remarks amid tense diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Washington. On Monday’s (Aug 22) edition of the 700 Club (a show I myself watch quite regularly) Robertson said:

You know, I don’t know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we’re trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it… It’s a whole lot cheaper than starting a war … and I don’t think any oil shipments will stop.

President Chavez is a regular critic of the US, which regards Venezuela as a possible source of instability in the region. Mr Chavez has accused Washington of conspiring to topple his government and possibly backing plots to assassinate him. US officials have called the accusations ridiculous. Mr Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America and a former presidential candidate, accused the United States of failing to act when Mr Chavez was briefly overthrown in 2002.

Now of course, hours after the remarks that sparked all the controversy, Robertson has apologized:

Is it right to call for assassination? … No, and I apologize for that statement. I spoke in frustration that we should accommodate the man who thinks the U.S. is out to kill him.

So, what is my take on all this?

I believe that Pat Robertson is a good man & a good teacher. Like many of us however, he let his emotions get the better of him that day when he made the comments he did.

I too talk a bit too much (have always been taken to task for this) and very often afterwards have regretted saying something I did.. “just how could I have said that??”

At the end of the day, Pat Robertson made a mistake. And though we do not condone it or advocate what it suggests, we must forgive him.

And it is important that while we forgive him, we learn a lesson from this - that people who stand on public platforms - and ESPECIALLY to preach the gospel of Christ, be very very careful of their every word.

As St James in his epistle (Chapter 3) says:

1 … remember that we preachers will be judged with greater strictness. 2 We all make mistakes of all kinds…

It would be well with us all (starting with me!) that we choose our words wisely and with the knowledge that God records every word you say and will some day call you to account for every careless, thoughtless, unkind and unchristian comment (Matthew 12:36)

While that thought usually scares me, it’s also well to remember (& yes Pat, this one’s for you) that God also knows our hearts. So when we say something that’s perceived in another way we intended, or we mistakenly make a boo-boo, God will understand…

At the end of the day, we’re not called to judge Pat Robertson (woe to us, how much more shall we be judged then?), we’re called to forgive. Let the Divine Master Who knows all judge according to His infinite just & merciful love.