Pat Robertson seems to think he is wiser than Jesus. While Jesus is depicted in both the Synoptics and John as questioning a simplistic link between “worst suffering” and “worst sinners,” Robertson claims for himself the authority to interpret plate tectonics and thus seems to claim a wisdom and insight (and perhaps even an authority) greater than that of Jesus himself.
Among other Biblical figures whom Robertson ignores are Ezekiel (who denied that children would suffer for the sins of their parents) and Job (which might lead us to think that perhaps Haiti is being tested because it is so righteous, while Robertson is clearly less righteous than Haiti since there is no earthquake beneath him).
Other bloggers have been addressing this subject since yesterday (I’m sure I’ve missed some):
The Hatian Ambassador responds (also at Episcopal Cafe)
Polycarp has blogged about the colonial myth that Pat Robertson mistook for fact.
Steve Wiggins notes that in the Book of Job there is also a “pact with Satan” but on that occasion it was made by God.
Scotteriology suggests that Satan is Pat Robertson’s theological mentor.
Dr. Jim wonders how God will punish Pat Robertson for his unbiblical notion of corporate punishment.
Peter Carey shares a post asking where God was in all this. Ben Witherington asks the same question.
Biblische Ausbildung shares from the perspective of ones connected with Haiti.
Wheat among Tares sums it up well: ugh.
Bob Cornwall shares a post by Anthea Butler.
Brian LePort recommends ignoring Robertson (among other things).
Joseph Celucien offers a poem.
Missives from Marx suggests that Robertson is simply repeating the view found in the Bible of God as abusive husband.
Friendly Atheist notes Christians who are speaking out against Pat Robertson.
New Ways Forward suggests that it might be more faithful to the Gospel to reject it if it comes packaged in the form Pat Robertson offers.
John Loftus links to another blog which describes this as yet another reason he wants nothing to do with Christianity.
David Sessions doesn’t think Pat Robertson’s speech was hateful (this time).
Amused Muse relates the tragedy to the question of whether all beliefs are equal.
Meanwhile, many Christian and non-Christian bloggers are mentioning opportunities to help.
As for why I threw Solomon into the mix, it is to illustrate in yet another way the problem with claims to believe the whole Bible and take it all literally, which I think Pat Robertson would (falsely) claim as his own perspective. I don’t know any Christian who makes such a claim and who would say that Solomon was wiser than Jesus. Yet that seems to be the clear implication of a literal reading of 1 Kings 3:12, where God tells Solomon “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” And so while it may be that there is no historical evidence to show the superiority of Solomon’s wise and discerning heart to that of Jesus, a true Biblical literalist will nevertheless know and affirm that it is so.
While they are busy with that, the rest of us can focus on more important matters, like showing compassion.
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