Oral Roberts

For the university, see Oral Roberts University. For the university's athletic program, see Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. For the Pentecostal ministry, see Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association.

Oral Roberts
Born
Granville Oral Roberts

(1918-01-24)January 24, 1918
Ada, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedDecember 15, 2009(2009-12-15) (aged 91)
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
NationalityChoctaw, American
EducationOklahoma Baptist University
OccupationEvangelist
Years active1947–1993
Spouse
Evelyn Lutman
​
​
(m. 1938; died 2005)​
Children4, including Richard Roberts
ChurchPentecostal (Pentecostal Holiness Church), Methodist (United Methodist Church), Charismatic
Offices held
Founder and President, Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association;
Co-founder, President, and Chancellor, Oral Roberts University
Websitewww.oralroberts.com/oralroberts/

Granville Oral Roberts (January 24, 1918 – December 15, 2009[1][2]) was an American Charismatic Christian televangelist, who was one of the first to propagate Prosperity Gospel Theology. He was ordained in the Pentecostal Holiness Church from 1936 until his transfer to the United Methodist church in 1968, a controversial relationship that ended in 1987 when his credentials were revoked. He is considered one of the forerunners of the charismatic movement, and at the height of his career was one of the most recognized preachers in the US.[3] He founded the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University.

One of the most well-known and controversial American religious leaders of the 20th century, his preaching emphasized seed-faith.[4] His ministries reached millions of followers worldwide spanning a period of over six decades.[5] His healing ministry and his bringing American Pentecostalism into the mainstream had the most impact,[6] but he also pioneered televangelism, and laid the foundations of the prosperity gospel[5] and abundant life teachings.[7] The breadth and style of his ministry, including his widely publicized funding appeals, made him a consistent subject of contention among critics and supporters.[5]

  1. ^ Juozapavicius, Justin (15 December 2009). "Evangelist Oral Roberts Dead At 91". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 25 August 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference AP_obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Son of televangelist fights 'personal character attack'".
  4. ^ Roberts, Oral (1980) [1975]. A Daily Guide to Miracles and Successful Living Through Seed-Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell. pp. 228–231. ISBN 978-0800783006.
  5. ^ a b c Schneider, Keith (December 15, 2009). "Oral Roberts, Fiery Preacher, Dies at 91" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
  6. ^ Olsen, Ted (December 16, 2009). "Why the Oral Roberts Obituaries Are Wrong". Christianity Today. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
  7. ^ Sherman, Bill (December 20, 2009). "Oral Roberts 1918–2009: A Lasting Influence" (PDF). Tulsa World. p. 2. God is a good God who wants to bless people spiritually, physically and economically.