CLICK HERE to visit AudienceONE and read more articles by Steve Camp
"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God" (2 Tim. 1:7-8).
I had the privilege of singing at Lakewood Church several years ago, just before its founder and senior pastor, John Osteen, went home to be with the Lord. That is when I first met his son, Joel Osteen. He was personable, kindhearted, gentle, winsome, and yes, happy. What you see is what you get with Joel; it is no act. In my limited time with him, I found him to be very genuine--just like you see him today.
However, while I hold that Joel is the real deal in his personality, family and up-beat affableness, it was troubling the other evening to hear him "stutter" about the exclusivity of the gospel in his interview on Larry King Live. Larry challenged him on it a few different times and even one supportive caller (reminding him of John 14:6) still was searching for clarification. The reason for reprinting a portion of this Larry King Interview with Joel is so you can read it first hand and sharpen your discernment.
This was tragic beloved, that a man who is the pastor of the largest church in America and given such a wide platform into peoples lives, would stumble on the most essential truth of all the Bible--the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not a matter of seminary education; pastoral experience; or being more interview savvy. This is a matter of "speaking the truth in love." This was compromise of the worst sort. Personal promotion of anyone’s book is no substitute for the proclamation of the gospel. When the Lord increases ones platform in the world’s eyes, it is for one reason only; to further exalt His gospel and glory to the world. It’s not about us—it’s all about Him!
"Your Best Life Now" means nothing at all if you spend eternity in a living hell tormented night and day under God’s wrath, does it? Unfortunately, what Joel represented in his timid desire to be liked and received by all listening was no gospel at all. And there is now some serious doubt in my mind; does he really understand the genuine gospel of sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus?
Please read the following and let me know your thoughts. As you do, pray for this man that he would publicly repent of this error and affirm without shame nor hesitation the once for all delivered to the saints faith—the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord.
Grace and peace to you,
Steve Camp
2 Cor. 4:5-7
Excerpt One:
KING: Because we've had ministers on who said, your record don't count. You either believe in Christ or you don't. If you believe in Christ, you are, you are going to heaven. And if you don't no matter what you've done in your life, you ain't.
OSTEEN: Yeah, I don't know. There's probably a balance between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think that if you know Christ, if you're a believer in God, you're going to have some good works. I think it's a cop-out to say I'm a Christian but I don't ever do anything ...
KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?
OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...
KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?
OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God will judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.
Excerpt Two:
KING: You don't call them sinners?
OSTEEN: I don't.
KING: Is that a word you don't use?
OSTEEN: I don't use it. 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.
KING: You believe in the Bible literally?
OSTEEN: I do, I do.
KING: Noah had an ark and Adam and Eve?
OSTEEN: I do. I do. I believe that. I believe it all.
Excerpt Three:
CALLER: Hello, Larry. You're the best, and thank you, Joe -- Joel -- for your positive messages and your book. I'm wondering, though, why you side-stepped Larry's earlier question about how we get to heaven? The bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and the only way to the father is through him. That's not really a message of condemnation but of truth.
OSTEEN: Yes, I would agree with her. I believe that...
KING: So then a Jew is not going to heaven?
OSTEEN: No. Here's my thing, Larry, is I can't judge somebody's heart. You know? Only god can look at somebody's heart, and so -- I don't know. To me, it's not my business to say, you know, this one is or this one isn't. I just say, here's what the bible teaches and I'm going to put my faith in Christ. And I just I think it's wrong when you go around saying, you're saying you're not going, you're not going, you're not going, because it's not exactly my way. I'm just...
KING: But you believe your way.
OSTEEN: I believe my way. I believe my way with all my heart.
KING: But for someone who doesn't share it is wrong, isn't he?
OSTEEN: Well, yes. Well, I don't know if I look at it like that. I would present my way, but I'm just going to let god be the judge of that. I don't know. I don't know.
KING: So you make no judgment on anyone?
OSTEEN: No. But I...
KING: What about atheists?
OSTEEN: You know what, I'm going to let someone -- I'm going to let god be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell. I just -- again, I present the truth, and I say it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with Jesus. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going to be their choice. God's got to look at your own heart. God's got to look at your heart, and only god knows that.
KING: You believe there's a place called heaven?
OSTEEN: I believe there is. Yes. You know, you've had a lot of the near-death experiences and things like that. Some of that is very, to me, not that you need that as proof, but it shows you these little kids seeing the angels and things like that.
CLICK HERE to visit AudienceONE and read more articles by Steve Camp |
