There is an old joke that everyone talks to God, but only crazy people hear God answering them. What then is one to make of television evangelist Pat Robertson and his annual end of the year chats with our maker? It has become something of a New Year’s tradition that at the end of every year, the founder of the 700 Club retreats into prayer, returning New Year’s Day to share the substance of his conversation with his congregation and viewers around the world.

Call me a skeptic. I have long suspected that the only difference between men like Robertson and the guys that used to stand on the corner of 45th and Broadway talking to God was that the guys on the corner actually believed the Lord was speaking to them. Age has mellowed me a bit and while I continue to be skeptical, I am now a tad more generous. I have never doubted that Robertson is speaking to God. In fact, the older I get the more I speak to God. Moreover, my understanding of prayer is that it is supposed to be a dialogue so a response from God shouldn’t be all that unusual. However, judging from Robertson’s recent conversations, it may just be that God has run out of substantive things to say.

This year Robertson emerged from his annual tête-à-tête offering predictions of rising prices in the commodities markets -- specifically oil and gold and falling stock markets. He even claimed to know the result of the upcoming presidential election – information he chose to keep to himself.

Skepticism about God speaking to people is not new. It has in fact been around as long as, well, as long as folks have been talking to God. When the Lord informed Moses that he had been chosen to return to Egypt to free the children of Israel, he was especially concerned not merely that the Egyptians would beat the snot out of him before laughing him all the way back to the sheep herds, but that the Hebrews would think he was a crackpot. God just doesn’t talk to people. It’s just not done! So Moses asks, “Who should I say sent me?” The Lord famously replies, “Tell them I Am has sent you.” I can just see Moses face. “I Am? What kind of blankety blank is that?” No doubt God understood his concern, which is why he loaded Moses up with miraculous signs in order to prove to the masses that he was in touch with the Almighty. I imagine it was the latter day version of Yo Yo’s “You betta Ask somebody!”

Part of our skepticism may be based in jealousy. Many of us want so badly to connect with the Lord, want to feel his warmth and the soft whisper of his breath in our ear. As a Christian, I know I want nothing more than to be transported to that place that is above all and within all, of knowing that I am protected and cared for by the heavenly father. As I understand it, that is the purpose of prayer: to lead one to a greater communion with God and a greater understanding of His will.

This is, alas, where false prophets always get hung up. They invite disbelief because the messages they deliver from God are so insubstantial. Imagine emerging from a conversation with the maker of all things and having only the results of the 2008 presidential election to show for it. Is it any wonder we skeptics ask for the name of he from whom they are sent.

When Moses descended from the mountain top, he brought with him the seeds of law, compassion and private property rights. Robertson comes back with stock tips. Moses introduced the concept of history and the building blocks of literacy while Robertson offers this year’s new fashion trends. I have it on good authority that God doesn’t give a wit about gold prices, the stock market or the American economy. That authority of course is scripture which is remarkably clear on the things God is concerned with, namely our love for Him and our love for each other.

Robertson isn’t crazy. It may be that he does spend each New Years speaking to God (though what is unclear is of what significance the God of the infinite universe finds in the beginning of our calendar year), and God may even answer him. It may simply be that the good minister has fumbled the message.

Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.