Over the past couple of years, the preacher/speaker of Joel Osteen has made me cringe. Concerning the following two articles found on this page, it is very evident to me that Joel Osteen does NOT preach the whole counsel of God's Word. He is picking and choosing the feel-good and inspirational parts of the Bible.
Maybe this could be an open conversation between us in the coming days. But the following found on the weblink above really makes me skeptical on the "preacher" of Joel Osteen:
[Joel Ostee] was at a Boston bookstore signing books when he was asked his opinion about "gay marriage," which has been legal in Massachusetts since 2004. According to the Boston Herald, Osteen "suddenly got sheepish." "I don't think it's God's best," Osteen said, according to the Sept. 2 edition of the Herald. "I never feel like homosexuality is God's best." Pressed further, Osteen added, "I don't feel like that's my thrust ... you know, some of the issues that divide us, and I'm here to let people know that God is for them and He's on their side."
Writing in his weblog, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Osteen's answer fell short."Put that alongside the fact that Stephen Green was recently arrested in Great Britain for passing out pamphlets that included Bible verses clearly declaring homosexuality to be a sin," Mohler wrote. "Christians in many parts of the world now risk arrest for declaring openly what the Bible clearly teaches. Mr. Osteen can be assured that his weak and evasive non-answer to this reporter's question will put him at very little risk for arrest. But then, pandering prophets are rarely at much of a risk from the public anyway."There was no conviction in his answer; no clear declaration of biblical truth; no Gospel, no judgment, and no promise. Just a non-answer with a smile. Pathetic ... simply pathetic."
It is not the first time Osteen has given a somewhat evasive answer to a moral question. In June 2005, during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live," Osteen was asked about his positions on "gay marriage" and abortion."You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ...," he said, according to a transcript. "... I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody."
"You don't call them sinners?" King asked."I don't," Osteen said."Is that a word you don't use?" King asked."I don't use it," Osteen responded. "I never thought about it. But I probably don't. But most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change. There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go down the road of condemning."
5 comments:
Peter,
I see your perspective, however, I also would refrain from quoting Al Mohler as an authority. Many people see him as a legalistic blowhard. I am one of those people. Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but so is oppressing women, and not teaching the entire counsel of the Word of God. Hyper calvinists often look to have everything be neat and concise, in a theological construct. However, there are many issues that are not neat and tidy.
Osteen inhereted a great situation from his father, there in Texas. I do not agree with all he says , but he is a counter voice to the hell spewers. Most TV preaching emphasizes LAW, whereas his message emphasizes GRACE. The problem is when too much emphasis is placed on one side or the other. If (When) I err, I hope to err on the side of Grace...but Inhope that God is gracious to me.
I wonder often of the appeal of preaching that seems to have no "meat", but it is funny how the Holy Spirit works in different people. I detest Mohler, but yet...God uses him. I am not crazy about Osteen, but his Grace centered message is a fresh breeze...and God uses him. You and I preach very differently, but God uses each of us...not because of our ORTHODOXY, but because of our relationship and empowerment by the Spirit.
So....Can you learn anything from the ministry of Osteen, YES. Can You learn anything from Mohler, regretably, YES. Should we condemn either, No. Do each serve a purpose? Yes.
A liberating fact I learned long ago is that I am not called to be a preserver of all things righteous. I am accountable for my messages, and I pray that when I err....God is still big enough to forgive and correct.
the naked preacher,
Thank you for your gut-wrenching cry to the issue and being vulnerable to express your heart.
I do believe that there is a place, if not every week that we touch/talk on sin and the effect it has on our life. I don't hear Osteen talking about it at all, in the times I have listened to him. Yes, there nights specifically in new orleans when I would listen to him when I was unable to fall asleep.
You are correct, He does fall on the other side of the road when it comes to preaching law (as you put it) like most other televangelists. And yes, we will all be accountable to what we teach and preach... that may be the most important message of this blog post.
I think highly of you my brother,
peter
Joel Osteen is a doofus! And, that "naked preacher" is close. Al Mohler on his worst day, sick and half dead, is by far, more of an authority on theological issues than YOU are!!! He is a Calvinist, I am not; however, we both should be wise not to contend with a man that is as smart as he is, especially one that is called of God. Your arrogance is what the Word calls pride. As far as your comments on Osteen, only God is capable of giving grace... Osteen is not being graceful, he has sucessfully found a way to tell people that they can live however they like and still go to heaven. By the way, he's wrong! As ministers we have the responsibility of presenting Truth, the whole council of God... not just the warm and fuzzy part... Joel will find it more difficult to build the Church if he were to speak against homosexuality, and other religions... ie other ways to heaven other than Jesus. That's why he wont speak against muslims (plus, he's probably afraid). Mohler may say many things that you dissagree with, but this should not be one of them. How can you justify before the Lord calling any brother in Christ a "blowhard" or saying that you "detest" them; isn't that another way of saying you "hate" them? I am certain that you will have some clever things to write back to me; don't waste your breath. Listen to the Spirit, and if you feel blowhard and detest is ok with God, forgive me.
PS... Calling Osteen a doofus... I dont feel that I am making that accusation against a brother in Christ. I refer to the lost... false teacher... 2 Peter 2:1
Eddie said: Joel Osteen is a doofus! And, that "naked preacher" is close.
Me response--I do not know you Eddie, nor did I attack you. This was a dialogue between two friends. I would like for you to be my friend, but I have some concerns about your approach to friendliness and discussing theological issues. You said your peace and then tried to stop all discourse on the subject. I am here to point out several flaws in your reasoning and invite you to one day be my friend. We may never agree, but we are still brothers in Christ. Just like MOHLER and Osteen.
Eddie said: Al Mohler on his worst day, sick and half dead, is by far, more of an authority on theological issues than YOU are!!!
My response--Well...throughout church history many people have taken theological stances much different than Moehler. So why is he an authority? He is a voice, not the voice of God. My statement was that however God still uses him, although I do not go for all of his theological approach. God still uses you, although from first impression, I do not hink that I would care for you that much. Perhaps it was a rush to judgement. Also, this may rock your little world...but God uses me too.
Eddie says: He is a Calvinist, I am not; however, we both should be wise not to contend with a man that is as smart as he is, especially one that is called of God. Your arrogance is what the Word calls pride.
My response--So, it is not fine for me to question Moehler, but it is OK for you to question Osteen? I just do not understand? Seems like a contradiction. I am sure that the reason is that "Moehler is biblical and that Osteen is a false prophet", and my answer to that is that this is only a matter of perspective. My warning to Peter was simply summarized in this manner...."God uses people that we may not agree with, we can learn from each, but I think a more balanced approach between law and gospel is needed.
Eddie says: As far as your comments on Osteen, only God is capable of giving grace... Osteen is not being graceful, he has sucessfully found a way to tell people that they can live however they like and still go to heaven. By the way, he's wrong!
My respose--Again, in my post I stated that Osteen is heavy on the grace side. I also feel that at times he is heretical. At this point it weems that you are having a difficulty with the historical movements of Law and Gopel in theology. I would encourage you, if you are comfottable, to study some theology from people other than Baptists. They do not have the market cornered on theology and Biblical interpretation. By the way...they OFTEN disagree!! That is why there are nmore Baptist churches than any in the South..it is not evangelism it is dissention.
Eddie says: As ministers we have the responsibility of presenting Truth, the whole council of God... not just the warm and fuzzy part... Joel will find it more difficult to build the Church if he were to speak against homosexuality, and other religions... ie other ways to heaven other than Jesus. That's why he wont speak against muslims (plus, he's probably afraid). Mohler may say many things that you dissagree with, but this should not be one of them. How can you justify before the Lord calling any brother in Christ a "blowhard" or saying that you "detest" them; isn't that another way of saying you "hate" them? I am certain that you will have some clever things to write back to me; don't waste your breath. Listen to the Spirit, and if you feel blowhard and detest is ok with God, forgive me.
9:51 PM
Eddie said...
PS... Calling Osteen a doofus... I dont feel that I am making that accusation against a brother in Christ. I refer to the lost... false teacher... 2 Peter 2:1
9:52 PM
My response--Ok...I have listened to the spirit, and it said to write you back. I am to tell you that I love you, and am glad that God is using you. I am also to tell you that you are prideful, and that I am prideful. You have your ideas as to how to interpret scripture, and I do as well. We both sense that we are lead by the Spirit, the difference is that I encourage dialogue, and that you do not wish to speak with someone that does not agree with you (you stated do not bother to write back).We are brothers, and when we are in heaven around the throne of Christ...we may be singing side by side. Guess what, you (the attacker of Peter's friend and preserver of all things holy) and Osteen (the too much grace, non telling of homosexuals that they are going to burn in hell), and me(the sarcastic jester in the kingdom of God who you really do not know at all)and Al(the detestable one who over emphasizes portions of scripture and deemphasizes others) singing in 4 part harmony together. That my friend is the great equalizer....GRACE! My we all be wrapped up in that today, and learn to love.
Eddie thae greatest thing that I learned a long time ago is that:
I cannot save myself, I cannot save others, and I cannot save God. This means that salvation is a gift, I cannot force it on others, and that God does not need me to defend him. He is quite big enough to take care of himself. We are to worship God and enjoy him forever. We are to be accountable for our sermons. We are not reponsible for correcting all the errors we hear from laity or clergy.(The log and speck parable helps us whith that one...you and I have a few logs to work on.) Since we rarely agree, we would be spending all our time correcting and none of our time loving. Eddie, I hope to know you one day. There are things in your life that have lead you to the theology that you hold as truth. The same is true with me. The good news of the gospel is this...GOD is bigger than our opinion of him...if he was able to be grasped by our little minds...we would not need him at all...Now would we?
A good day, and may your time of Worship be a celebration of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Lets not play theological tennis over Peters' blog..use my email...Richsarah99@sc.rr.com
I look forward to learning more about you as you are willing to share.
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