Now you've gone and made her mad!
Posted on 07/06/2015 6:07:46 AM PDT by Gamecock
While American evangelists such as Franklin Graham and Rick Warren are not afraid of speaking on sensitive topics such as same-sex marriage, abortion, or political strife, Joel Osteen prefers not to discuss those while at the pulpit, saying those topics often "turn people off."
During a recent interview with WBUR's "Here & Now" radio program, Osteen said everybody has his or her own calling, but tackling politically controversial issues is not something that he has been called out to do.
"I have friends who are very political. They're pastors and that's what their thing is. But I think sometimes, in the church world, we can take one issue and make it really, really big and it can turn people off where there are many bigger issues. That's why I don't like to be defined by one thing," he said.
"You know, our message is about lifting people up, helping them fulfill their destiny, helping them to forgive in a tough time, how to make it through this life when life tries to push you down," Osteen added.
The pastor founded Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, back in 1959. It is the largest congregation in the United States, with around 43,500 people attending church services weekly.
Osteen said Lakewood Church continues to grow in number because they focus on issues that affect people in their daily lives as opposed to handling controversial ones.
But just recently, six men belonging to the Church of Wells heckled Osteen during service. "Joel Osteen, you're a liar!" one of them shouted, while another one who carried the Bible shouted some lines from the Scripture at him.
Osteen simply continued preaching, but churchgoers got scared in light of the recent Charleston Church shooting.
Before things could get worse, the six men were escorted out of the church by security personnel. They were later slapped with criminal trespassing, according to World Religion News.
Hundred bucks says his “wife” has a package.
Excellent analogy.
If he says “it’s not my calling”, then I agree with him. It isn’t. Nor is preaching the gospel. There is no salvation without faith, and in the presence of the Almighty God there is no faith without repentance. As Isaiah said when in the presence of God, “Woe is me. I am undone.” There is no other legitimate response.
His job is leading a self-actualization club. Apparently, he’s good at it.
Also, to the extent the hecklers were supposed to be providing a Christian alternative, I think they failed.
Seems something's missing from your message Joel?
...every good businessman knows not to offend any customers.
Now you've gone and made her mad!
No suprise there, money is his god.
As we advance further and further into darkness we need Bonhoeffers in the pulpit not charlatans.
She looks upset. I guess the $10.5 million mansion is not enough.
I got that impression the first time I saw him years ago. During that time, he never mentioned Jesus. He is just another feel good fake.
A Pastor is supposed to preach the WHOLE counsel of God.
I find the clown to be obscene. How people give him money is beyond reason.
“.....but tackling politically controversial issues is not something that he has been called out to do....”
This is guy is such a phony. The body language is so obviously. Eyes closed when he talks... etc. He never talks about right and wrong, good or evil. No opinion on abortion, euthanasia, etc. All stars and moonbeams if you lead a good life and think positively. He is more a Dale Carnegie type than a preacher.
Someone dear to me, a Catholic, gave me his Daily Readings. Not one of them mentioned “Jesus.” Not one, compared to the daily readings of Billy Graham, where he’s mentioned almost daily.
Not one of the readings make the distinction of good and evil in the context of being Christian.
I returned the book to her, and told her that I would not be reading it. Hurt her feelings, but a month or so later she agreed with me, and returned the book to the book store for her moneh back.
The pastor founded Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, back in 1959.
How old is this guy?
His God is money.
The silence tells us everything.
What a fraud!
Plastic surgery is a wonderful thing.
Seriously, same question was asked upstream. His father founded Lakewood.
The FR Osteen crowd is noticeably quiet.
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