Joel Osteen finally comes out on 'gay' issue

World Net Daily ^ | 10/03/2013

[Responsibility2nd]

'I'm not here to be preaching hate, pushing people down'

God “absolutely” approves of everyone — including homosexuals — declared one of America’s most well-known evangelical pastors

The Houston megapastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen, whose followers include the likes of Cher and Oprah Winfrey, is hitting the talk-show circuit to promote his new book, “Break Out!

Osteen, the very visible face of Lakewood Church in Houston since 1999,  talked to the Huffington Post about his thoughts on prayer, the pope and the homosexual lifestyle.

HuffPo Live host Josh Zepps quoted from Osteen’s new book: “It doesn’t matter who likes you or who doesn’t like you, all that matters is God likes you. He accepts you, he approves of you.”

Zepps followed up by asking if that included homosexuals.

Pastor Joel Osteen

“Absolutely,” Osteen insisted, “I believe that God has breathed his life into every single person. We’re all on a journey. Nobody’s perfect.”

[fwdude]

Then what did Jesus die for? For the fun of it?

[Vigilanteman]

An effective church helps sinners improve their lives. It doesn't reaffirm their sins.

The church of big government, OTOH, takes from those who have achieved some degree of success in overcoming their sins to enable those who refuse to make the effort.

[Dutchboy88]

Osteen has fallen for that great error that public popularity is more important than truth. Paul, however, was not this thin. He notes that while homosexual inclinations are no worse that adulterous inclinations, or lying inclinations, or gossiping inclinations, none of these activities were to be endorsed. But, the homosexual community now wants everyone to say, their sin is not just “okay”, but it is to be lauded. Perhaps the adulterers will step up next demanding the same.

[kara37]

Joel Osteen is SO gay.
*********************

I thought the headline said that he was coming out as gay.

[MrB]

Remember the target - the left seeks to destroy the family and replace it with the State.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

This really surprises me. Gay people's money spends just as well as everybody else,' and Joel is all about the money.

[Olog-hai]

He might have focused a bit more on Bible prophecy too (which speaks of the punishment of the unrepentant), and perhaps the truth about Sodom and Gomorrah.

[fwdude]

I look at homosexuality as no better or worse than any other sin.

All sin condemns, but there is indeed a difference in seriousness that God himself says that He recognizes. Sexual sin is at the extreme end of the seriousness spectrum. It led to destruction by fire of an entire geographical region, when other sins didn't call for this judgement.

If He recognizes these differences, then we ought to as well.

[JimRed]

God loves us all, but hates some of our BEHAVIOR.

[Olog-hai]

“Ye cannot serve God and mammon” — Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13.

[NormsRevenge]

Uhhh,, shaking my head..

[LucianOfSamasota]

God loves homosexuals, more than I love my children.

But at times, my children earned my disapproval, based upon actions.

Love doesn’t mean approval.

[Ransomed]

What do you expect from world class nut daily? These are the same people who thought someone watched a Chinese sub launch an ICBM and recorded it blast away for 10 MINUTES.

Freegards

[winner3000]

Joel Olsteen can bring a lot of people to Christ. There are different styles of preaching that are effective for different people.

As long as he doesn’t say that sin is ok with God, he’s not saying anything contrary to the Bible.

The way he parses his words is disturbingly close to a politician’s, but whatever he says is not inconsistent with the Bible.

Essentially, he is emphasizing the “love the sinner” part of the equation, and not the “hate the sin” part. That’s fine with me.

[apillar]

What is a church for if God approves of everyone and everyone is okay??

A waste of time. After all, nothing that you do or do not do will cause God to cease to accept you and approve of you.

Reminds me of that passage in the bible that says (paraphrasing) "And in those days Israel had no king so every man was left to do what was right in his own eyes."

I find that phrase fits perfectly the United States today, we are so bereft of leadership (both politically and spiritually), that many have just begun "doing what is right in their own eyes". That is why you can find many so-called Christians that will say (and sincerely believe) that homosexuality and homosexual relationships are a beautiful thing and God has no problem with it. Even though there is absolutely nothing in the bible that supports that view (in fact just the opposite), but it doesn't matter because it is right "in their own eyes".

[Labyrinthos]

I look at homosexuality as no better or worse than any other sin. For instance, if I knew of someone who was a serial shoplifter, I wouldn't shout them down and denounce them in the street, but on the other side of the coin I wouldn't excuse their behavior by saying, “Well that’s just how God made them....” or “The church better stop preaching that stealing is a sin, because we don’t want to scare away shoplifters and their families who might get offended.”

At least "Thou shall not steal" made the top ten list. Can't say the same about "Thou shall not commit homosexuality." I'm not saying that homosexuality isn't a sin, rather, many of us seem obsessed with a sin that God didn't seem to think is important enough to include in the top ten like the stuff about killing, stealing, committing adultery, false idols, and keeping the Sabbath Holy, etc.

[Thane_Banquo]

HuffPo Live host Josh Zepps quoted from Osteen’s new book: “It doesn’t matter who likes you or who doesn’t like you, all that matters is God likes you. He accepts you, he approves of you.”

"Thus says the Lord of hosts,
'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you.
They are leading you into futility;
They speak a vision of their own imagination,
Not from the mouth of the Lord.

'They keep saying to those who despise Me,
‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace”’;
And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart,
They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’"
--Jer 23:16 - 17

[Carpe Cerevisi]

Buddy Jesus approves of his lukewarm pabulum of a non-answer.

[Thane_Banquo]

I don’t know of a Church (Catholic, Protestant, or other) that disagrees with this, except the Westboro Baptists.

God only approves of those who have faith in Jesus Christ. Only the faithful receive the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The rest are under the wrath of God, objects of His holy and righteous displeasure:

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him"
John 3:36

[Alex Murphy]

Osteen also discussed Pope Francis during the Huffington Post interview, saying he appreciates the pontiff’s inclusive nature. “I think the pope is fantastic, his tone, his humility,” he said. “We may not agree 100 percent on doctrine and theology, but the Catholic Church, our church, it’s open for everybody. I like his tone, not pushing people away.”

Related threads:
Recent FR threads on the Pope and Homosexuality
Joel Olsteen Joins With Catholics To Convert Confused Protestants

As WND reported, Osteen was once the victim of an elaborate hoax that suggested he was quitting his church and abandoning his faith. Osteen was in fact not quitting, despite several phony websites, news stories and even a YouTube video declaring otherwise.

What's this? Someone out-satire-d me?
Joel Osteen Heresy Gauge