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'That's not my calling': Joel Osteen on why he's mum on hot issues such as gay union
Christian Today ^ | 03 July 2015 | Czarina Ong

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.


TOPICS: Current Events
KEYWORDS: christians; homosexualagenda; megachurch; osteen; pastor; ybpdln
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To: Gamecock

Hundred bucks says his “wife” has a package.


41 posted on 07/06/2015 6:39:05 AM PDT by ameribbean expat
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To: MrB

Excellent analogy.


42 posted on 07/06/2015 6:40:10 AM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: Gamecock

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.


43 posted on 07/06/2015 6:42:03 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Pray for their victory or quit saying you support our troops)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
His “calling” is $$$$$.
He's not the only one. Where are the priests and bishops? What about the pope, the jews? Nothing but silence - and it speaks volumes.
44 posted on 07/06/2015 6:43:17 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Gamecock
"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.

Seems something's missing from your message Joel?

...every good businessman knows not to offend any customers.

45 posted on 07/06/2015 6:43:20 AM PDT by TexasCajun (Hillary: Ethically Sleazy & Politically Stupid)
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To: ameribbean expat; Alex Murphy
Hundred bucks says his “wife” has a package.

Now you've gone and made her mad!


46 posted on 07/06/2015 6:44:15 AM PDT by Gamecock (Why do bad things happen to good people? That only happened once, and He volunteered. R.C. Sproul)
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To: Gamecock

No suprise there, money is his god.


47 posted on 07/06/2015 6:49:15 AM PDT by wjcsux ("In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell)
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To: Cats Pajamas

As we advance further and further into darkness we need Bonhoeffers in the pulpit not charlatans.


48 posted on 07/06/2015 6:50:26 AM PDT by rocketmag
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To: Gamecock

She looks upset. I guess the $10.5 million mansion is not enough.


49 posted on 07/06/2015 6:52:12 AM PDT by boycott
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To: boycott
Poor child, having to live in a dump like this:


50 posted on 07/06/2015 6:55:33 AM PDT by Gamecock (Why do bad things happen to good people? That only happened once, and He volunteered. R.C. Sproul)
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To: Gaffer

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.


51 posted on 07/06/2015 6:57:23 AM PDT by MamaB (Heb. 13:2)
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To: Gamecock

A Pastor is supposed to preach the WHOLE counsel of God.


52 posted on 07/06/2015 6:58:25 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: Gamecock

I find the clown to be obscene. How people give him money is beyond reason.


53 posted on 07/06/2015 7:00:08 AM PDT by boycott
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To: Gamecock

“.....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.


54 posted on 07/06/2015 7:00:34 AM PDT by nikos1121 ("The enemy of your enemy is your enemy!" B. Netanyahu)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Olson identifies with money. It's turned into a clubhouse where the feel-good fee is
10% of your earnings.
55 posted on 07/06/2015 7:00:59 AM PDT by MaxMax (Call the local GOP and ask how you can support CRUZ for POTUS,)
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To: Gamecock

The pastor founded Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, back in 1959.

How old is this guy?


56 posted on 07/06/2015 7:02:07 AM PDT by nikos1121 ("The enemy of your enemy is your enemy!" B. Netanyahu)
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To: Gamecock

His God is money.

The silence tells us everything.


57 posted on 07/06/2015 7:02:53 AM PDT by Enlightened1
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To: Gamecock

What a fraud!


58 posted on 07/06/2015 7:03:36 AM PDT by Enlightened1
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To: nikos1121

Plastic surgery is a wonderful thing.

Seriously, same question was asked upstream. His father founded Lakewood.


59 posted on 07/06/2015 7:03:52 AM PDT by Gamecock (Why do bad things happen to good people? That only happened once, and He volunteered. R.C. Sproul)
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To: All

The FR Osteen crowd is noticeably quiet.


60 posted on 07/06/2015 7:05:26 AM PDT by Gamecock (Why do bad things happen to good people? That only happened once, and He volunteered. R.C. Sproul)
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