The bible warns of “EVIL SUSPICIONS”... you might be able to figure out where such ideas come from.
Criticize a theological argument till kingdom come, offering something better in its place. But this ad hominem stuff is the cheapest of cheap shots.
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RedNeck,
Since you’re interested in where “ideas come from”, care to tell us where Mr. Osteen got this idea from:
Larry King Live interview from a few years ago:
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 with 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.
(This guy tap dances better than Fred Astaire!)
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“He’s orthodox, yet he is choosing his battles.”
Care to explain how his waffling on Jesus being the ONLY way to eternal life is orthodox?
There is a lot of genuine theological debate about the Jewish situation, at least. We know that Christ is a member of the Godhead, so if you believe in the Godhead for personal salvation, you are also believing in Christ, however well or ill you understand Him. The big problem with Jews (and with a lot of Christians too — look in a mirror and check yourself!) is self righteousness. This cuts you off from salvation because you never accept it. The humble one who knows he needs salvation and asks God for it will get it.
And incidentally I have seen this story with Jewish people. Those who are humble enough to confess before God needing a new righteousness will eventually be shown the way to the cross. Exactly HOW they are shown, is something which too many Christian groups try to take pride in themselves about... if you don’t do it the BAPTIST or REFORMED or (for that matter) CATHOLIC way you’re damned... HOG WASH. If there is no other missionary, Christ is the missionary, but He in omnipotence can arrange for any missionary He wants.