Robert A. Schuller

Robert Anthony Schuller (born October 71954 in Blue Island, Illinois) is an American televangelist, author, and senior pastor of the world-famous Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California.cite web |title=About Robert A. Schuller |publisher=Crystal Cathedral |url=http://www.crystalcathedral.org/about/ras.php |accessdate=2008-04-16 ] An ordained minister, he is the only son of Robert H. Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral, and Arvella Schuller. He is the best-selling author of "Possibility Living".

Personal information

Schuller was raised in Garden Grove, California, where he attended Santa Ana High School. He then graduated in 1976 from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. He was also employed at Crystal Cathedral, leading worship services every Sunday evening, working under a 24-hour prayer group, and organizing small group fellowships. In 1980, Schuller became an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, after receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He received an honorary doctorate degree from National Hispanic University in San Jose, California in 1996.

Schuller has four children and lives in Laguna Beach, California. His oldest son, Robert Vernon ("Bobby"), is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, as well as having a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bobby leads "The Gathering", an emerging service held on the Crystal Cathedral campus. A daughter, Christina, was a cast member during the first season of "". Schuller's first marriage ended in divorce in 1984 and he married his current wife, Donna, that year. [cite news |title=Notable evangelical preachers who divorced |publisher="The Tampa Tribune" |date=2007-08-24 |url=http://www.tbo.com/life/faith/MGBPWYY5Q5F.html |accessdate=2008-04-16 ]

Ministry

In 1981, Schuller founded Rancho Capistrano Community Church in San Juan Capistrano, California, where he served as senior pastor of for 17 years. He also founded the Rancho Capistrano Conference Center in 1981, and still serves as Chief Executive Director. In 1992, he established the Rancho Capistrano School, offering pre-school, elementary school and middle school.

In 1987, he was one of the ministers who helped to raise $32,000 to rebuild La Carbonera, Mexico, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Gilbert. He has taken more than 3,000 people on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He continues to partner with several non-profit/charitable organizations which help individuals worldwide.

From 1995 to 1999, Schuller also hosted a one-hour live coast to coast radio show, which was proven to be popular. The program revolved around health and wellness and featured a number of guest stars, including those of: Larry King, Robert Atkins and Elizabeth Dole.

Following his father's retirement in 2006, Schuller became the senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. With over 25 million viewers worldwide, the Hour of Power is the fourth longest-running Sunday series in the United States.

Criticisms

Like his father, Schuller emphasizes the teaching of "positive Gospel" (not to be confused with the Prosperity Gospel). It is argued in some schools of theological thought that doing so overemphasizes grace over holiness, a common critique of Reformed theology.

However, where his father's preaching tends to be heavier on psychological reference and lighter on scriptural reference, Robert A. Schuller's messages rely considerably on scriptural reference, hermeneutics, and apologetics, making the role of "positivism" secondary. This emphasis on scripture as a primary teaching source makes his preaching style considerably different from his father's.

Critics of his father will find Robert A. Schuller's teaching and style more in line with mainstream evangelical thought. Some argue that that he does not preach adequately on the topic of sin and man's fallen nature, while others counter-argue that he does so adequately without overemphasizing them (a common critique from evangelicals and fundamentalists).

It is also argued that, as with many televangelists, including his father, Schuller's message is not throughout truly Christian but tends to be rather secular. Others counterargue that the heavy use of scriptural reference, hermeneutics, and apologetics used by Schuller negate this argument.

The Crystal Cathedral is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America (a sister of Presbyterianism). Reformed theology emphasizes grace, and does not overly emphasize evangelism. Most critics tend to be associated with evangelicalism, and are often not aware that their arguments are with Reformed theology itself, and not with Schuller per se.

External links

* [http://www.hourofpower.org Hour of Power official site]
* [http://www.ranchocapistrano.org Rancho Capistrano official site]

References