ORU Pride
As I read comments about what’s going on at ORU, I can’t help but notice how few people are standing up for the Roberts family. Regardless of what comes out of the current allegations, I feel vindicated for my skepticism towards them during my four years of college. At times I felt guilty and thought something was wrong with me because I didn’t think more highly of them. Both Richard and Lindsay had a certain arrogance about them, but I was too young and naive to fully recognize the situation. For someone who was used to assuming the best about people, somehow their TV shows and national name recognition gave them legitimacy. But now that I’m older, I realize these can have little to do with one’s character.
In the case of the Roberts family, it was their pride that rubbed students and faculty alike the wrong way. When Lindsay spoke in chapel, you could find 1/3 to 1/2 of the guys on our floor in their rooms, skipping chapel. Who wanted to be scolded and lectured by someone who was always preaching from her high horse? It was difficult to respect someone who remodeled dorm rooms and reserved entire wings especially for her daughter and friends. And when she lectured on the spirit of Jezebel, most of the people in the chapel were thinking, “Look in the mirror.” Richard was somewhat better in chapel, but still carried a “my way or the highway” attitude. His pride was also apparent and I cringe as I see it in his chapel response to the latest allegations. He said God told him, “We live in a litigious society. Anyone can get mad and file a lawsuit against another person whether they have a legitimate case or not. This lawsuit … is about intimidation, blackmail and extortion.” This is a text book Richard Roberts answer.
I don’t mean to sound happy about what’s going on, because I’m not. But pride is the original sin of mankind and extremely hard to break. The Roberts are not submissive people and I think that if ORU is to have a future, one way or another they need to be put in their place and be stuffed full of humble pie. If you read the laundry list of misconduct, it becomes more and more obvious ORU only has a future without them leading it. But even without misconduct, such pride in the leadership would eventually spell the demise of the school. When it comes to correction, sooner is better than later.
I agree, Kyle. The truth will always be found out won’t it? This makes me sad. Think of the opportunities and the fruit that would have come from a leadership that was humble and submissive. Our experiences there might have been even richer. At any rate, we can look at this and recognize the importance of walking out our own lives out with better character. What I really hope is that God’s purpose for the university will not be diminished. I haven’t been able to talk to my sister about it…she is attending there right now.
They always talked about how Billy Graham predicted a curse would come upon the school if it were to leave its founding purpose. We’re seeing some of that come to pass and I hope it’s for the better. The kind of people that enter and graduate ORU are of a high caliber and the country needs this type of school.
It would be interesting to hear your sister’s point of view. Let me know when you have a chance to talk with her.
I thought about Billy Graham’s words as well. I will let you know when I speak to her.
I’m sure you know by now that Richard has stepped aside “indefinitely” as President of the University. Of course, he’s still CEO and President of the ministry. Remember, the University is merely a branch of the ministry…a spoke of the umbrella…a mere window in the mansion of Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association. The Tulsa World has all of the latest coverage. Billy Joe will be the interim President and Oral is moving back to help with the problems. This has all happened as a result of new allegations. Everyone on campus seems to be rather calm and okay. But you couldn’t have summed up better the way everyone saw the Roberts family. You nailed it. Billy Joe and Oral are speaking in chapel tomorrow. I’m sure more will be revealed at that time.
My sister has been staying low key about the situation and not talking too much about it. She did say that there are a lot of protesters around campus and that things have been stressful. She also said Oral spoke in chapel on Monday and that it went extra long…remember those days?
I don’t know much more than that though.