Talk:Robert H. Schuller

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I think this is a short, yet fairly accurate bio as it stands. One point where I see room for revision lies in this passage:

"Strongly influenced by his mentor, Norman Vincent Peale, Schuller has focused in his teaching on the positive aspects of Christianity. Rather than concentrating on condemning people for sin, he encourages Christians (and non-Christians) to achieve great things through God, uplifting theology and positive thinking. "

I think this article does not establish any relationship between the term "positive aspects of Christianity" and the exposition of such aspects in the following sentence "to achieve great things through God, uplifting theology and positive thinking." (

I think these ideas sound more like pop psychology rather than any traditional Christian doctrine I have heard of. I'd like to see this area expounded on, as well as the concept of "positive thinking." I'm not sure I am the one to go about this however, not being an expert in either Christian theology or pop psychology. Is anyone interested in working on these points?

MissGarbo 12:51, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

"Criticisms" section is not sourced. "Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons" policy provides that the views of critics should be sourced to reliable secondary sources.

The need for sources is particularly important in light of the use of charged words like "heretical" and personal opinions like "overemphasizes grace to the neglect of holiness," or "His son and successor, Robert A. Schuller, has arguably already garnered even more criticism than his father has in his entire ministry."

And why would it necessarily have been "controversial" for Schuller to have "stated that he did not consider himself a Christian, merely 'a follower of Christ.'"

I am not taking a position one way or another on the opinions expressed in the "Criticisms" section. Rather, I am pointing out that the section in its current form does not comport with Wikipedia policy. Thus, it should either be appropriately revised or deleted. 75.31.98.66 23:25, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Criticism section

After improving the Criticism section a bit, I removed it per WP:BLP as it was contentious and completely unsourced (like the rest of the article). It will need good sources and good due weight arguments before it can be allowed back in. (diff) Avb 18:54, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

PS I've just read the above comments and agree with just about everything written here by MissGarbo and 75.31.98.66. Avb 20:52, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

I've tried to find acceptable third-party sources to flesh out a criticism section but found only non-RS partisan material that looks like minority criticism to me; if Schuller's views are as heretic (relative to reformed Christendom) as reported there, they would have had him defrocked in no time.
While looking for critical material, I came across this informative article that seems reliable to me: http://www.ocmetro.com/archives/ocmetro_2004/metro120904/cover120904.html
Avb 20:52, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

Hello, thanks for your changes, I like them. What about the newly placed link? I hesitated from putting it because it somehow disturbs the other link's title Letting in the light. But the essays are worth reading, do you agree? Maybe you can put it somewhere else.

Austerlitz -- 88.72.31.98 10:00, 5 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Children

  • Here it is said that Schuller and his wife have got five children. In the source I have cited only three children are mentioned. Maybe the text has to be changed again.
Austerlitz -- 88.72.31.98 19:31, 5 November 2007 (UTC)