Pat Robertson
Televangelist, media mogul, and conservative political activist.
He advocated a conservative Christian ideology and was known for his involvement in Republican Party politics. His career spanned over five decades, and he became a recognized public voice for conservative Christianity in the U.S. and around the world, while also remaining a controversial figure.
- field
- Televangelism, media, politics
- nationality
- American
Lore & Background
Pat Robertson was born into a prominent political family; his father, A. Willis Robertson, was a U.S. Senator. He earned a B.A. in history from Washington and Lee University, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War (receiving three Battle Stars), and later earned a law degree from Yale Law School. After failing the New York bar exam, he underwent a religious conversion and earned a Master of Divinity from The Biblical Seminary in New York. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for president in 1988. Robertson was associated with the Charismatic movement and held to a charismatic theology not traditionally common among Southern Baptists. He was known for his opposition to progressive causes including LGBTQ rights, feminism, and abortion, and for promoting conspiracy theories regarding the Illuminati and New World Order. Scholars have noted his influence on the direction of American politics on the religious and political right.
Reader's Guide
Pat Robertson's significance lies in his role as a pioneer of televangelism and a key architect of the religious right's integration into American politics. His founding of the Christian Coalition in the late 1980s mobilized evangelical voters as a potent force within the Republican Party, reshaping electoral strategies and policy debates. Robertson also established enduring institutions: Regent University trained a generation of conservative leaders, and the American Center for Law & Justice provided legal advocacy for religious freedom causes. However, his legacy is deeply contested. His rhetoric on social issues and his embrace of conspiracy theories drew sharp criticism, and allegations about Operation Blessing's activities in Zaire raised questions about the intersection of charity and business. Robertson's career exemplifies both the rise of conservative Christian political power and the controversies that accompanied it.
Did You Know?
- Robertson was nicknamed 'Pat' by his older brother, who patted his cheeks as a baby.
- He earned a law degree from Yale Law School but failed his only attempt at the New York bar exam.
- Robertson filed a libel suit against former Congressman Paul McCloskey over military record claims, but dropped it in 1988 to focus on his presidential campaign.
- He was awarded three Battle Stars for his service in the Korean War.
Frequently Asked Questions
What major organizations did Pat Robertson found?
He established the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Regent University, and the Christian Coalition. These institutions became the pillars of his mission to spread conservative Christian messaging through media, education, and political advocacy.
What was Pat Robertson's role in American politics?
He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988 and spent decades as a vocal conservative political commentator. His deep involvement in Republican Party politics made him a prominent bridge between the pulpit and the political arena.
Why is Pat Robertson listed among Protestant reformers and theologians?
Though not a historical reformer in the sixteenth-century sense, Robertson reshaped modern American evangelicalism by fusing religious messaging with mass media and political engagement. His career demonstrated how one figure could influence both the church and the public square for more than fifty years.
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