Friday, January 04, 2008
Caught up in the Hype?
We all know evangelicalism plays a major role in today's political process. Old news. You can hardly turn on a news network today without hearing another talking head comment on the presidential candidates' faith—or lack thereof—and how it affects so-and-so's standing with a certain demographic. What I find interesting, however, is how many people can get caught up in the media frenzy of meshing the political and spiritual arenas. By caught up, I don't mean carried away; I mean literally trapped like a fish in a net that is slowly pulled ashore.
I wonder if Joel Osteen feels a bit like that after seeing the ripples caused from comments he made a couple of weeks ago—with one of those aforementioned talking heads, no less. On Dec. 23, the Lakewood Church senior pastor appeared on Fox News Sunday, chatting with host Chris Wallace about everything from his "Christianity lite" label from critics to the true meaning of Christmas. The interview, as always is the case nowadays with prominent leaders within the evangelical movement, eventually touched on the role of faith in today's political world. More specifically, Wallace steered Osteen into the heavily trodded territory involving Mitt Romney's beliefs and whether Mormonism is just another form of Christianity. Here's the exchange (click here for the video link, and here for the entire transcript):
WALLACE: And what about Mitt Romney? And I've got to ask you the question, because it is a question whether it should be or not in this campaign: Is a Mormon a true Christian?
OSTEEN: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said that he believes in Christ as his savior, and that's what I believe, so, you know, I'm not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are. And so, you know, Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don't think he would ... anything would stop me from voting for him if that's what I felt like.
WALLACE: So, for instance, when people start talking about Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, and the golden tablets in upstate New York, and God assumes the shape of a man, do you not get hung up in those theological issues?
OSTEEN: I probably don't get hung up in them because I haven't really studied them or thought about them. And you know, I just try to let God be the judge of that. I mean, I don't know. I certainly can't say that I agree with everything that I've heard about it, but from what I've heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that's a common bond.
I refuse to join the ranks of online heresy hunters who have quickly run to the gallows with a pre-fitted noose for Osteen. Internet forums and the blogosphere are already jampacked with those continually crying how Osteen is weak on biblical truth yet strong on motivational, self-help "sermonettes." It's well-known that America's "smiling pastor" purposefully avoids hot-button issues. That's his schtick. Even Wallace asked him about this:
WALLACE: Unlike a lot of preachers, you don't—and I can sense a little discomfort on your part—you don't get involved in politics. You don't talk a lot about abortion and gays and the so- called social issues. Why not?
OSTEEN: Well, it started back with my father. He never did. And I just don't feel comfortable as well. I don't feel like that's my main gifting. And I feel like when I stay focused on encouraging people, and giving them hope, and helping them live their everyday life, I think that's where I can have the most impact. And I even heard Billy Graham say this, and I think it's true. Sometimes when you take strong stands, if you're not called to do it, you're dividing the audience you're trying to reach. I'm trying to throw a big net out there to say to anyone that God loves them and He's in control. And I think the moment ... even our church is so diverse. We have Republicans, Democrats, independents. And I think the moment I start saying, "Well, go this route," well, this group's going to just say, "I'm not going to listen to him because of the political stance."
The real tragedy in this, however, isn't just that Osteen hedged on a theological issue but that this is the second time he's done so before millions of those he's going after with a "softer" gospel." Some will recall his ambiguous responses on Larry King Live in 2005 to matters of Christ being the only way to salvation. He later issued a heartfelt public apology to the Christian community for being "unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life."
I admired Osteen for that then, and I continue to admire him now for, among other things, choosing to reach as many as possible with an appealing message of hope. The guy would rather err on the side of inclusivity, projecting a gospel that highlights (almost solely) God's unconditional love, acceptance and life-changing power. But I wonder if you can truthfully represent such a gospel without ever mentioning its inherant exclusivity. Unfortunately, it seems that in becoming "all things to all men"—which is what I interpret Osteen's deeper intent to be—the gospel represented has become skewed.
YOUR TURN: What do you think of Joel Osteen's answers to the questions on Mormonism? Was he simply put in a no-win situation, or is he preaching a diluted gospel?
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"Unfortunately, it seems that in becoming 'all things to all men'—which is what I interpret Osteen's deeper intent to be—the gospel represented has become skewed."
Marcus, you are right. I'm one who is a long-time critic of the Osteens because I have studied their work since Joel's late dad John held court at Lakewood.
I've no doubt Joel's a nice guy and that he is sincere but he holds out much false hope. Consider what I show in my piece "Joel Osteen Helping Mormons Become A Better You" http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/12/joel_osteen_hel.html
Marcus, Osteen's "message" is so watered down that even a Mormon owned book publisher can sell his book. I offer that if we love Joel Osteen then we have tell him the truth that he is hurting far more people than he is helping.
And he knows exactly what he is doing as I clearly pointed out in Joel Osteen: Smile When You Lie http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/11/joel_osteen_and_1.html
Marcus, you are right. I'm one who is a long-time critic of the Osteens because I have studied their work since Joel's late dad John held court at Lakewood.
I've no doubt Joel's a nice guy and that he is sincere but he holds out much false hope. Consider what I show in my piece "Joel Osteen Helping Mormons Become A Better You" http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/12/joel_osteen_hel.html
Marcus, Osteen's "message" is so watered down that even a Mormon owned book publisher can sell his book. I offer that if we love Joel Osteen then we have tell him the truth that he is hurting far more people than he is helping.
And he knows exactly what he is doing as I clearly pointed out in Joel Osteen: Smile When You Lie http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/11/joel_osteen_and_1.html
let god worry about osteen. man is always trying to interrupt gods plan. don't need mans comments. osteen is catching the fish and god will scale them. too many charismatics and pentecostals judge too much. work on your own family. god protects as he directs. as he is directing the words of osteen he will protect osteen ministry. the fact that matt lauer at nbc even had osteen on his morning show for the dicussion of christianity is a step that the word is going forth, and god will move in and direct maybe another person, famous or non famous carry the torch. you cannot put god in a box and the bible is just a section on how god wants us to live and operate on this temporary land. as christians, we must not have narrow minds and we must think outside of the box and stop criticizing so much where we cannot affect a life of change from non christians. stop picking the fruit from the trees. the trees will continue to bear fruit as long as we are the seeds of the root. when god moves. we move. just like that
# posted by 
: 9:42 PM
: 9:42 PM
I think of how the apostle Paul dealt with the Athenians in Acts 17. He was inclusive in that he showed God's providence and care for all and quoted Greek poets. But he was exclusive in that he clearly warned people to repent because judgment was coming from the Man God raised from the dead.
It's the latter part of Paul's preaching that seems to be totally absent from today's Lakewood. (By the way, Mr. Silva, I disagree that this was the same case when John Osteen was at the helm.)
It is possible that people who go to Lakewood get exposed to the full gospel in classes for believers at Lakewood. But this is never aluded to when I've listened to Joel. His comments while being interviewed have seemed to paint him as more of a humanist than a radical Christian.
May God challenge Joel (and all of us!) to embrace the whole counsel of God more fully and not just what he (we) feel(s) "gifted" to handle.
It's the latter part of Paul's preaching that seems to be totally absent from today's Lakewood. (By the way, Mr. Silva, I disagree that this was the same case when John Osteen was at the helm.)
It is possible that people who go to Lakewood get exposed to the full gospel in classes for believers at Lakewood. But this is never aluded to when I've listened to Joel. His comments while being interviewed have seemed to paint him as more of a humanist than a radical Christian.
May God challenge Joel (and all of us!) to embrace the whole counsel of God more fully and not just what he (we) feel(s) "gifted" to handle.
I believe Joel was treading that fine line of truth and judgement. He is correct. Having Christ as Savior is a common bond. Take this into consideration. If Mitt were the Lords anointed(although we are refusing to address certain doctrinal issues which would not be profitable to rehash) then to touch that would be wrong. Would it really be useful to bring up unBiblical doctrine issues? I think Joel fielded a tricky issue extremely well. He did NOT endorse morman doctrine.
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