Rev. Pat Robertson, a legendary figure in evangelical Christianity most well known for hosting the 700 Club program and for running for president in 1989, has passed away at the ripe old age of 93. Robertson spent the vast majority of his life transforming a small radio station located in the state of Virginia into a major religious broadcast network that helped to spread the gospel message to millions.
According to the Daily Wire, Robertson’s death was announced early on Thursday by the network he helped to build.
“Born Marion Gordon Robertson, he was the son of Absalom Willis Robertson, who for 36 years served Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. After graduating from Washington and Lee University, he served as assistant adjutant of the 1st Marine Division in Korea before graduating from Yale Law School,” the report said.
“Robertson became a powerful force among conservative Christians, hosting the popular ‘700 Club’ television show and the Christian Coalition that he founded. His backing was routinely courted by Republican politicians, and in 1988, he ran for president himself,” it continued.
While Robertson ultimately lose his run for the Oval Office to then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, he came in second place in the Iowa caucuses, launched forward by support in the state from fellow Christ-followers and due to a very slick strategy of using petitions to get him to run for office into a sound and powerful ground game.
″He asked people to pledge that they’d work for him, pray for him and give him money,” Hadden, a University of Virginia sociologist, stated during an interview with The Associated Press in 1988. ″Political historians may view it as one of the most ingenious things a candidate ever did.″
Along with founding the Christian Coalition, which he helped to establish back in 1989, Robertson also created Regent University, a Christian school located in Virginia Beach; the American Center for Law and Justice, which is a huge organization that defends the First Amendment rights of people of faith, and Operation Blessing, which is a humanitarian group.
In other words, Robertson wasn’t just a man who claimed to follow Jesus Christ. He showed his profession of faith was legitimate by living out his faith in every area of his life. Robertson believed in being the hands and feet of Christ, serving his fellow man and seeking to leave the world a better place. If more Christians would follow that example, perhaps things wouldn’t be falling apart the way they are at the moment?
Regardless, it’s never too later for believers to stop running from the culture war. We can stand boldly on the truth, proclaim it loud and clear, all the while refusing to be silenced. The church is to be a prophetic voice in society, calling people everywhere to repent and follow the King of Kings. Part of doing that is putting boots on the ground and protesting.
Another aspect of the battle is making our voices heard on social media platforms, creating media, both fiction and not, as a means of helping people receive the truth of God’s Word.
Here’s to hope someone continues Robertson’s legacy.
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