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.
The other day I saw a bicyclist heading straight for a cliff,
but I thought it would be rude, ie, “not my calling”, to warn him about the cliff,
because he seemed to be having a great time.
Our Pastor addressed the tax-exempt issue this last Sunday during his sermon on homosexuality and sin. As far as he’s concerned, the Word of God comes long before worrying about tax-exempt status.
Shocked...not. He shies away from anything if Biblical substance other than cherry picked feel good verses. He’s a smarmy used car salesman
But, Joel, those controversial issues DO affect people in their daily lives. How about those business owners being forced to cater to sodomites in violation of their religious beliefs? How about the middle class chafing under the yoke of taxation to provide “free” health care to slackers? Or that illegal immigrant deported 5 times who murdered that young woman. Tell her family that the controversial issue of rampant illegal immigration didn't affect their lives.
Joel, with all due respect to a man of the cloth — but I think you're a coward.
Sounds like your pastor has his priorities right.
He’s a feel good preacher. He just tells the people what they want to hear. I doubt he’s in there warning anyone on the dangers of sin.
I knew I would get blow-back. I think he knows the Truth, but like most Americans today, he is basically gutless.
Meanwhile my Pastor made this statement to our 3,500 members - http://bellshoals.com/response/
**********************************
On Friday, June 26, the Supreme Court of the United States redefined marriage in the United States of America. The five to four ruling of these judges now makes same-sex marriage a legal right in all 50 states.
For many years, concerned Christians have prayed and worked fervently to uphold biblical marriage in our laws. No doubt, Friday’s Supreme Court decision represents a major loss for Scriptural values in America and takes our country another giant step in the wrong direction morally and spiritually. Bible-believing Christians are disappointed, frustrated, and deeply offended. Our initial emotions may lead us to feel defeat, to lash out in anger, or to be overcome with fear. In light of these trying circumstances, it may be helpful to remember what the Supreme Court’s decision does not do.
The Supreme Court’s decision does not overrule God’s Word concerning marriage.
The court’s ruling changes the legal definition of marriage in the United States. As followers of Jesus Christ, however, we adhere to a higher authority. We affirm that God created marriage as the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6). No human opinion or governing institution has the authority or the ability to revoke God’s revealed Word in Scripture.
The Supreme Court’s decision does not diminish our church’s dedication to defend biblical standards of marriage.
We believe that redefining marriage to include same-sex couples weakens the institution of the family, displeases God, and ultimately harms everyone in our society. Because we love our neighbors and our nation, we will continue to proclaim the truth of God’s Word concerning marriage, and we will seek whatever avenues available to stand for biblical marriage. Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world, standing for His unchanging truth (Matthew 5:13-16).
The Supreme Court’s decision does not overturn Bell Shoals Baptist Church’s policy concerning marriage.
Our church bylaws clearly express our commitment to the biblical truth that marriage is the union of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. Our pastors and staff will not perform a homosexual wedding, and a homosexual wedding will never be held on the property of Bell Shoals Baptist Church. We will obey God rather than men, no matter what the consequences (Acts 5:29).
The Supreme Court’s decision does not give us reason to act unkindly or disrespectfully to anyone.
To those with whom we disagree concerning the definition of marriage or any other matter, we are committed to show love, kindness, and compassion. God’s love is perfectly described in John 3:16. God loves every person, and so do we. He compels us to pray for governmental leaders and to reach our neighbors with the saving gospel of Jesus (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
The Supreme Court’s decision does not reduce our hope.
We believe the Court’s decision raises a serious threat to the religious liberty of churches and citizens with biblical convictions about marriage. Nevertheless, our hope is not in the machinations of government, the decisions of any human court, or the vacillations of popular sentiment. Our hope is in the Lord and His unfailing love (Psalm 33:18). We need not give up hope, nor lose our joy or peace in the present circumstances. Instead, more than ever, we must look to the Lord, repenting and confessing our own sin to Him, seeking His face for renewal and revival, and asking for His healing and forgiveness for our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
The Supreme Court’s decision does not change our mission.
The early church counted among its members people who were redeemed by God from every type of imaginable sin. Then, as now, God worked to cleanse, sanctify, and justify lost people “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). At Bell Shoals, we live to follow Jesus, love people, and make disciples. By God’s grace and power, we will continue our mission, praying that God would use us to reach this generation with the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ.
EXACTLY!!
Amen.
“I think he knows the Truth, but like most Americans today, he is basically gutless.”
I too think he knows the truth is has made the decision to serve Man instead of God.
So he’s a liar, which makes him bad in my eyes
I don't get why people go to his church, or buy his books or tune into his broadcast when all he preaches is the SOS every week about how God wants them to prosper and that they should grab for their "best life now". Nothing new is to be learned from one week to the next.
Now that's some barn burnin’ preachin’ right there! But...what about that “Jesus” thingy?
Don’t compare us to him! Some Americans are gutless, Joel O’Steen is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!
Good for your Pastor. After reading his encyclical that reads like it was written by Occupy Wall Street, I have far less faith that Pope Francis will do likewise.
They know they can go and not be told, that if they keep living a sinful life they are going to hell. He’s tickling their ears.
Because he makes people feel good and tells them what they want to hear.
“TRUTH” is everybody’s calling!
His “courage” is compromised by his quest for wealth and popularity.
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