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Evangelist Oral Roberts dies at 91

Oral Roberts, the famed televangelist, died Tuesday of complications from pneumonia. He was 91.

Oral Roberts, who died of pneumonia at age 91 in Newport Beach, Calif., helped create television evangelism and the idea of "prosperity theology," or that a person's faith could be rewarded by great wealth.

Oral Roberts, who died of pneumonia at age 91 in Newport Beach, Calif., helped create television evangelism and the idea of "prosperity theology," or that a person's faith could be rewarded by great wealth.

AP

For years, Roberts was the most popular evangelist on television, drawing millions of viewers each week who dipped into their pocketbooks to send him checks in the mail.

For years, Roberts was the most popular evangelist on television, drawing millions of viewers each week who dipped into their pocketbooks to send him checks in the mail.

Washington Post file photo

Unlike other ministers, including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who attempted to influence politics and social policy, Roberts focused more on matters of faith and finance. Roberts poses with entertainer Elvis Presley in this publicity photo.

Unlike other ministers, including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who attempted to influence politics and social policy, Roberts focused more on matters of faith and finance. Roberts poses with entertainer Elvis Presley in this publicity photo.

Oral Roberts University-Reuters

Roberts became an evangelist as a teenager when he said he was cured of tuberculosis and stuttering at a tent revival meeting. Although he did not claim the title of faith healer, his motto was "expect a miracle."

Roberts became an evangelist as a teenager when he said he was cured of tuberculosis and stuttering at a tent revival meeting. Although he did not claim the title of faith healer, his motto was "expect a miracle."

Carlos Osorio-AP

The prayer tower at Oral Roberts University looms over the campus in Tulsa, Okla.

The prayer tower at Oral Roberts University looms over the campus in Tulsa, Okla.

AP

"If we set aside Billy Graham and Martin Luther King and Falwell," said Grant Wacker, a professor of Christian history at Duke Univesrity Divinity School, "outside them, Roberts was the most important religious figure in the second half of the 20th century."

"If we set aside Billy Graham and Martin Luther King and Falwell," said Grant Wacker, a professor of Christian history at Duke Univesrity Divinity School, "outside them, Roberts was the most important religious figure in the second half of the 20th century."

Kelly Kerr-AP

The large praying hands at Oral Roberts University at the university campus.

The large praying hands at Oral Roberts University at the university campus.

Anonymous-AP

As Roberts's popularity began to wane in the late 1980s, and as his ambitions outpaced contributions, he resorted to his time-tested mastery of pulpit histrionics. He told his viewers that God would "call him home" unless they sent him $8 million to keep his enterprises afloat.

As Roberts's popularity began to wane in the late 1980s, and as his ambitions outpaced contributions, he resorted to his time-tested mastery of pulpit histrionics. He told his viewers that God would "call him home" unless they sent him $8 million to keep his enterprises afloat.

AP

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This Story Trailblazing, empire-building evangelist Article \| With emotion-laden prayers, dramatic testimonials and a powerful personal story, Oral Roberts rose from the revival tents of Oklahoma to become one of the most important forces in 20th-century Christianity. Mr. Roberts, who died Tuesday of pneumonia at age 91 in Newport Beach, Calif., helped create... Evangelist Oral Roberts dies at 91 On Faith: A rabbi's perspective on Roberts		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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