Pat Robertson Advises Man to Divorce Wife With Alzheimer's

I grew up with the “ministry” of Pat Robertson and I believe my family even contributed to his presidential campaign(s). He greatly influenced my upbringing with the prosperity “gospel” making a mockery of many well-meaning people. I’m saddened that as he continues to get older, his heart is revealed more and more. May the Lord preserve us from such shameful public displays and keep our hearts from falling into the same temptation.

Blessings, Kim

This Pat Robertson story was on my local news this evening. Unfortunately, everyone who has heard about Robertson’s completely unbiblical response will not hear about Robertson McQuilkin’s book A Promise Kept. McQuilkin was president of Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) when his wife began declining with Alzheimers. He resigned in 1990 so he could spend every moment with her. The link below is of part of the audio of his resignation announcement to the student body along with some pictures of him and his wife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6pX1phIqug

I posted something similar at Justin Taylor’s blog but thought it worth another go here.

When asked about this comment Robertson replied, “I don’t remember saying that”, to which someone noticed a gleam in his wife’s eye.

So I jest, but when your spouse is sick with such an illness, this is the time when he or she needs you MOST. I believe Robertson will regret this greatly, but not necessarily because he believes he is wrong but because of the outpouring of objection.

@Brenda: thank you! If that does soften a person’s heart—I don’t know what will.

@Alex: but when your spouse is sick with such an illness, this is the time when he or she needs you MOST. So true!

Does Mr. Robertson apply this principle to any other situations? Why just Alzheimers? Is he seriously proposing that Christians embrace “What they don’t know won’t hurt ‘em” as a viable option in decision making?

The problem with such selfish behavior is that it might not affect the person who is suffering from severe confusion and memory loss, but the person who would commit such an act will never recover from their own treachery and infidelity.

I did a little more digging and came across this article in CT Today, “Living by Vows” based on Brenda T’s original video of Robert McQuilkin that she posted. I’m sure most of you have seen/read the article, but for those who haven’t—it’s, IMO, a very worthwhile read.

Blessings, Kim :)

CT: Classic: Living By Vows[url] http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/februaryweb-only/2-9-11.0.html

My brother, my wife, my daughters, my son-in-law, and I all have degrees from http://ciu.edu/ CIU .

The McQuilkins lived about 2 miles down the road from us and we had occasion quite regularly to drive past their home. If my memory serves correctly, he would hang a flag off the porch (visible to passing vehicles) on the days that Muriel had some recognition of him.

She passed away a few years ago, he has remarried and (I think) moved away from the neighborhood.