Posted on 07/01/2005 8:17:31 AM PDT by Terriergal
Dear Friend,
Many of you have called, written or e-mailed regarding my recent appearance on Larry King Live. I appreciate your comments and value your words of correction and encouragement.
It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as to what I believe and Whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life.
Jesus declared in John 14; I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. I believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation. However, it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to review the transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven. It’s about the individual’s choice to follow Him.
God has given me a platform to present the Gospel to a very diverse audience. In my desire not to alienate the people that Jesus came to save, I did not clearly communicate the convictions that I hold so precious.
I will use this as a learning experience and believe that God will ultimately use it for my good and His glory. I am comforted by the fact that He sees my heart and knows my intentions. I am so thankful that I have friends, like you, who are willing to share their concerns with me.
Thank you again to those who have written. I hope that you accept my deepest apology and see it in your heart to extend to me grace and forgiveness.
As always, I covet your prayers and I am believing for God’s best in your life,
Joel Osteen
Pastor - Lakewood Church
Click here for What We Believe.
He does know, because the Bible makes it clear. This kind of thing always reminds me of Peter denying Jesus after His arrest to avoid trouble. George W. Bush did it too (he backpedaled) during the first presidential campaign after he was asked about Jews who don't believe in Jesus going to heaven.
The Gospel is offensive to those who don't believe it. There is no getting around that. Why can't all these preachers stay off Larry King and other secular shows if they are going to downplay what they say they believe? They have to know that these kinds of questions are going to be asked, and should be asked.
***The Gospel is offensive to those who don't believe it. There is no getting around that. ***
"...And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
Yeah, that's disturbing. I hope he will continue this attitude of humility and get himself some doctrine. Like I said, time will tell. May some Priscilla and Aquilla approach him and he will accept teaching like Apollos.
A new way of life or a new life involving turning your back on all your good works which are as filthy rags? That makes all the difference.
Joel truly is drawing people to Christ whom otherwise would not step foot in a place of worship.
So does Rick Warren but in order to do that he has to play to their fleshly egos and downplay human depravity. That's not a real gospel. I only pray that Joel will follow through on this. If not, that will give me my answer as to whether to lump him in with Rick Warren or not.
Incidentally, Lee Strobel, also a pastor/teacher at Saddleback, seems far more confrontive than Rick Warren, and though I think his "Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary" book really has poor doctrine, I did enjoy his "Case for a Creator." With the way he seeks after truth, I fully expect him to end up leaving Saddleback at some point. He already left the more hardcore seeker-driven Willow Creek.
Of course, he says it is NOT the latter, but... we'll see how he grows. This letter has softened my heart toward him a little, I must admit.
Well, with all the double dealing I've seen at my own church, I'll reserve the Hallelujahs for now. :-)
Yep. I hope his 'what we believe' section changes. Note the things that are left out.
The apostle Peter drew 3,000 people in by accusing them of murdering the Son of God.
Many people are confused about Joel. His gift is exhortation (encouragement) and that's what he does best. He is very uplifting and I can trace his sermons to the Scriptures. He is great for people who have been Christians for some time and who have a decent understanding of the Gospel.
Fire and brimstone are the substance of the sermons of apostles and prophets who have to warn God's people and society about sin and wicked living. That is not Joel's function but he does warn people about consequences of sinful, selfish behavior but in a gentle way.
All these men and woman though different are diverse parts of the Body of Christ each doing what God has lead them to do
Seeker-sensitive types are focused on man, man's needs, and people-pleasing. They have no understanding of the power of God's word or the power of the Holy Spirit to convict sinners of their sins and their need for the atonement provided by God.
thank you for pinging me to this. I hope that he indeed does learn from this and begins to preach it more.
Thank both of you for your enlightening posts. I usually pass by Joel Osteen when I am flipping through the channels on Sunday Morning, but next time I think I'll stop and take a look. Everyone seems to paint horns and a tail on Joel, but I suspect he is sincere and I have no reason to doubt his salvation.
Doctrinally he may be a bowl of mush and maybe he's better suited as a motivational evangelist than the pastor of a church, but as a pastor of a church that I don't go to, Joel is not accountable to me, he is accountable to God and to those to whom he has been called to lead.
It is refreshing to see some postive comments here. I'll be sure to catch a glimpse of his sermons next time I'm channel surfing. I'm sure he's more orthodox than the leadership of many of today's traditional denominations. That's not saying much, but like his apology, it is a step in the right direction.
Well, since he has such a national following, we have every right... actually a responsibility... to examine his teaching and offer refutations.
Everyone seems to paint horns and a tail on Joel, but I suspect he is sincere and I have no reason to doubt his salvation.
Sincerity is not an excuse however. Like I said, time will tell. The initial note is promising. If he continues in the direction that note sets, I will 'rejoice and be glad' -- but for now I just have hope that he will do that, until he proves me wrong.
So refute his teachings if they are in error. Offer sound doctrine. But don't tear him down for the sole purpose of watching him fall. It seems to me that the biggest complaint most people have is not that his doctrine is wrong, but that it is supposedly "incomplete" or that his emphasis is different than you would preach. It's not the "whole" gospel. Whatever. What percentage of churches in the world preach the whole gospel? I'm sure Osteen's church teaches more gospel than you will find in many of the traditional churches.
Do you spend this much time attacking the perverters of the gospel that have turned over their pulpits to homosexuals and atheists? Why this obsession with Joel Osteen and Rick Warren? At least these guys are pointing their flocks in the right direction. Many of the traditional Churches are leading their flocks directly on the path to destruction. Where is your outrage there?
You said that very well. I didn't state my thoughts very clearly when I posted earlier.
It sounds a lot like back-pedalling to me. If he had to look at the transcript to know what he said, then he should have put more thought into his answers.
I saw Larry King interview with Joel. Joel fell into the double bind that Larry sets all all conservative people of faith who appear on his program. If Larry's victim declares the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ and the Gospel, Larry gets to demonize him as a narrow minded bigot. If the victim soft peddles the gospel he cashes in chips with his core constituency and sends an I'm OK/Your OK message to the very people who need to be confronted with the claims of Christ. What's a fellow to do? Stay off the Larry King show? That might be the best solution. Or the conservative christian community might come up with stand reply such as, "You know more important than my opion is what Jesus said--He said, I am the way the truth and the life, no one come unto the Father but buy me. I'd encourage you to look into that and decide for yourself what He meant".
If one is a true Christian,there should be no hesitation in stating that they believe that the Word of God is the truth, and that only those who obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ are going to Heaven. They should not care what Larry King thinks or says about them. The only thing that matters is what God says.
I agree--however, the media has done a great job of distorting and lampooning the message to the advantage of the Kingdom of Darkness. So my point is--why do we put ourselves in these situations. Our focus should be on declaring the message and living it out in our local communities, among our friends, loved ones and neighbors. It is in those situations that our message is given credibility--by our lives.
Stand up for truth and accept the consequences.
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