Osteen Out of the Closet ... In a Good Way
I'm not a big fan of Joel Osteen. Not that he needs my support. The popular "smiling preacher" leads the largest church in America, writes best-selling books and has a huge TV ministry. I don’t have a beef with Osteen personally. He seems like a nice guy. It’s just that I find his sermons a little fluffy. To me the brand of faith he promotes seems like Christianity lite. A little biblical truth supplemented with a lot of pop psychology.
Still, I have to give credit where credit is due. And this week I applaud Osteen for a courageous stance he took on the issue of homosexuality.
It all started when son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Jay and a group of gays and lesbians attended Osteen’s Lakewood Church in an effort to influence the famous pastor’s view on the issue of homosexuality. Jay Bakker is part of a coalition of organizations that advocate for complete acceptance of homosexuality. Osteen welcomed the group and met with them after the service. But according to Lakewood’s spokesman, Donald Iloff, Osteen did not bow to the group’s pressure.
“It was a very cordial, very nice meeting,” Iloff said. “But ultimately through our conversations, we continued to disagree with … Jay's position.”
Additionally, Iloff said that, at the church, they “believe homosexuality is sin” and that “it is disobedience under God.”
Osteen’s stance was important for a couple of reasons. First, the visit to Lakewood was the first stop for the pro-gay group (they’re calling it “The American Family Outing”) in a 6-stop campaign that will move on to other influential churches such as Willow Creek and Saddleback. I’m glad Osteen set the tone by taking a tough stand for biblical truth. It sent a message to the other churches on the gay activists’ list not to be intimidated into compromising their beliefs.
Osteen has been evasive about the controversial issue until now. So in a way the group’s visit occasioned a “coming out” moment for him, a time when Osteen could weigh in on an important topic. And he passed the test. He resisted the pressure.
Osteen may still not be my favorite preacher, but today I’m impressed.
Still, I have to give credit where credit is due. And this week I applaud Osteen for a courageous stance he took on the issue of homosexuality.
It all started when son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Jay and a group of gays and lesbians attended Osteen’s Lakewood Church in an effort to influence the famous pastor’s view on the issue of homosexuality. Jay Bakker is part of a coalition of organizations that advocate for complete acceptance of homosexuality. Osteen welcomed the group and met with them after the service. But according to Lakewood’s spokesman, Donald Iloff, Osteen did not bow to the group’s pressure.
“It was a very cordial, very nice meeting,” Iloff said. “But ultimately through our conversations, we continued to disagree with … Jay's position.”
Additionally, Iloff said that, at the church, they “believe homosexuality is sin” and that “it is disobedience under God.”
Osteen’s stance was important for a couple of reasons. First, the visit to Lakewood was the first stop for the pro-gay group (they’re calling it “The American Family Outing”) in a 6-stop campaign that will move on to other influential churches such as Willow Creek and Saddleback. I’m glad Osteen set the tone by taking a tough stand for biblical truth. It sent a message to the other churches on the gay activists’ list not to be intimidated into compromising their beliefs.
Osteen has been evasive about the controversial issue until now. So in a way the group’s visit occasioned a “coming out” moment for him, a time when Osteen could weigh in on an important topic. And he passed the test. He resisted the pressure.
Osteen may still not be my favorite preacher, but today I’m impressed.
posted by Drew Dyck at 3:41 PM
28 Comments:
I was hoping this report was about Osteen getting a backbone. Now I hope this new found courage gets applied to the narrow road exclusivity of Jesus Christ.
I also applaude Joel Osteen's Biblical stand on homosexuality. Everyone has a different calling on their life and Joel's calling is to uplift and encourage the body of Christ, not to give deep theological sermons. I believe God is blessing his ministry because he is being true to himself and the call God has placed on his life. Blessings.
once again i run across your blog and the first thing out of your mouth is something negative about another man (or woman as with Becky Fischer) of God. Regardless of their stance or ministry you need to keep your negative opinions of people of the internet. You have taken your opportunity for positive influence and laced it with defamation.
Unique thing is even though it does not matter, i have never met you and dislike you strongly. I was delivered from the streets and crime. You would not survive there with your lips flapping against the very community in which you choose to reside.
if it doesn't lift em up keep it to yourself, it's people like you that make this whole Christianity thing appear distasteful when it's the tastiest thing ever created.
Had to say it...you bring it out in me.
Joel I have never met you, God Bless your courage for being open to meeting with those people while standing your ground, and God Bless You! You are causing global difference while others choose in the name of Christ to use this amazing internet to assault you. You are now in great company with the likes of the apostles and Jesus Himself.
Brad Herman
Brad, you are correct that a Christian should be very cautious in speaking negatively of a man of God. Yet you have done exactly the same thing. It is okay for us not to see eye to eye on every issue. But it is important that we as the body of Christ stick together in combat against the moral turpitudes that are being thrust onto Christianity, expecting us to bow down in acceptance.
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Called to uplift and encourage>???????
don't think i agree with that, nor do i think i could stomach an entire sermon of Joel's
however that being said, i'm glad he stood up to the group. especially being the first one to deal with it. for that i applaud
As someone who has come out of homosexuality and is counting down the days to my wedding your article caught my eye. I believe the church needs to dialogue more openly on this issue and begin to treat everyone as equals. Gay and Lesbian people need to be accepted into the fold like everyone else. Join the band, take up the offering, volunteer in every area just like the rest of us do.
Through the experience of community and the Holy Spirit if there is change to be made in their lives it will come, in the same way it does for everyone else....oh and by the way folks the worst thing you can say to a homosexual is "god loves the sinner not the sin"...try it on yourself it is not positive and reinforcing language at all!
Joel Osteen isn’t my favorite…by a long-shot. However, I have to give him a standing-ovation for his stance against Jay Bakers so called movement. Way to go, Joel!
LOL, WOW! This is new. Christian on Christian crime. I'm not talking about the gays, I'm talking about the editor and all those who have decided how preachers should preach and teachers should teach.
I use to like reading this online magazine, but now it seems that another editor has become an accuser of the brethren.
Oh yeah, Pastor Osteen is right, homosexuality goes against the word of GOD. Just in case anybody cared about the issue.
Wow, Are these comments evident of the truth in God's word. We reap what we sow. If we look for the negative in some one else we show our own flaws. God, help us not to do that in our own lives.
I agree with scooter in that each of us may have a different calling.
Philippians 4:8 tells us we should look for the good in everything.
Let's talk about the positive things other Christians say or do.
Asolutely one of the most insiduously pompous articles that I have ever read. I had to look at this website and see if it was New Man Report or 'the old man' report. It sure had a lot of 'old man'in its ridiculous condemnation of one of God's wonderful servants,Joel Osteen....many more of these editorials and you can just take me off your pharisaical,judgmental newsletter...too many other issues in my life to listen to this garbage about my brother who is running an INCREDIBLE race!! My brother who implores and invites TENS of thousands in his church each Sunday and untold millions over the years to give their hearts to the Lord JESUS each and every service.
Get a life Editor! Joel is NOT your enemy...He is your BROTHER!!
This blog was not about Bakker it was about you having the opportunity to slam Joel again...when will you get that pound of flesh you are so desperately seeking...better watchout pal about throwing 'dem rocks.
I'm glad to hear that Osteen has taken a stand against sin. It would be nice to see him preach on it some.
There are a lot of fluffy people out there who believe in Jesus but are not Christians, so Osteen is just being faithful in keeping the worldly Jesus followers on the right path. Why wouldn't Osteen resist the spirit of perversion? I hope the spirit of perversion visit's Greg Boyd's Woodland Hill's church in St. Paul. He just might be able to evangelize them to conversion. He is good at getting to the root of a problem.
I was disappointed to hear the negative comments that were made. We each have our own calling. Doesn't the Bible teach us to "judge not". I have found in my walk w/God that when the teaching at a church does not feed my spirit any longer, then God will tell me when to move. There is so much negative in this world, that sometimes a positive message is what a person needs until they get back on their feet. I work with people that come from desperate and hard circumstances. They need LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT first. You can't start a baby on meat. You give them the milk first. We all must becareful before we start judging the Man of God and some opinions should be kept to ourselves. Life and death is in the power of the tongue and we shall eat of its fruit. I would much rather pray for a brother and/or sister in Christ and seek God's guidance. If a leader is in the wrong, I trust that God will show His people the truth. As leaders in our community, we must recognize the power of the written word and our influence on others before we speak negatively about others.
Now if only Joel would admit publicly that Jesus is THE way to Heaven instead of dodging it like he did on Larry King's show.
Watering down the gospel makes him VERY popular...for we have heaped up for ourselves teachers who will tickle our ears...but in the end, when one refuses to answer the direct question of salvation, it shows that they are a traitorous coward.
But hey, we can't all be fighting this spiritual battle...some people need a comfy spot to sit down and grow fat.
Good luck boys...I'm off to gather the heads of the enemy and his demons.
Thanks for the info on Joel, and I needed to hear it because I haven't understood his stance at all. The fluffy style, as you describe it, of preaching is alright once in awhile, but all the time does not prepare the body for what's to come and is coming fast. And to Brad, don't take offense at another brother's point of veiw. Jesus sought the response of his disciples all the time. He really didn't need any advice. He already knew his mission in life. But he did need the support of the body for strength and we do also. Jesus is coming and we all need to pray for one another and support one another as long as our opinions line up with the truth of God's word. Remember also that Jesus wasn't always calm and soft. He got upset many times. A difference of opinion from the pharisee's. Let's serve Jesus together.
Wow! There's a lot of emotion and hard feelings out there. The problem is, Drew is simply doing his job, like a preacher. It's his pulpit. Now I admit, a lot of what he says is true and it is his right to say it. Joel Osteen doesn't need a lot of defending. His body of work stands for itself. When I lived and worked in Houston I attended Lakewood Church. You will not find better folks on God's earth than the Osteens. And, they do not act like Christian super stars like so many we see today. But, when I was introduced to a church that preached more in-depth on the Word of God, I left Lakewood and attended that church. Drew, thank you for speaking from your heart. I believe you want the best for your Christian brothers. And, thanks for standing with Joel on the homosexuality issue. It just shows that even when we disagree on most things that there are some things that we can still find to agree on. Finally, I agree that all should be welcomed in the church. But, when a homosexual says that Jesus loves me just the way I am and I do not have to change. I politely agree and then remind him that if he has really met Jesus then Jesus will begin to take him where He is and there is no room for sin in His place.
Oh, I so agree with this article. I too am glad to see Joel finally speak out on sin. I know sin is not a popular topic and I'm sure that is why he avoids it whenever he can. It hardly packs the pews or the pocketbook. Joel is a motivational speaker and needs to present himself as one instead of a preacher. I'm afraid he is leading people to a false sense of security. But on this issue: Good going Joel!
Let's don't be critical of a successful ministry. The amazing thing about Lakewood Church isn't the message or the messenger but the Church. Have you noticed, black, white, hispanic, rich, poor and everyone in between worshiping Jesus on Lakewood's broadcast? That, my brothers is what Heaven will be like. Better get used to it.
A False sense of security is no security at all, it sounds like to me that security is false? Thank God that He loves me just the way I am. Thank God that He motivates me to "grow up" and mature in Him. Please remember to "be patient, God isn't finished with me (us) yet! Critical is bad and Love is good. We are to love our brothers and sisters and we are to pray for them as well and all the while we are to test the spirits. If we are truley loving, praying and testing then how can we be critical? Thank God for my wife who always says that "we should be positive and loving"!!!
scooter says, "Everyone has a different calling on their life..." Actually, all Christians have the same calling from Jesus; Go and make disciples. We have different gifts, but Mr. Osteen has chosen to neglect the most basic calling of a Pastor, which is to teach the Word! Not teach about how good the Word is, or how good life can be with the right attitude, but TEACH THE WORD! Mr. Osteen's stand on homosexuality is basic and we shouldn't be holding him up as an example because he holds to a particular tenent, rather we should encourage him to TEACH THE WORD!!
One of the tests of Christian speech is Ephesians 4.15: "but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." We must speak the truth, and we must do so in love. When I have refused to speak truth, or when I spoke without love, then I have sinned.
There's lots of room for disagreement on "peripheral" issues, such as hymns vs choruses or which is the best translation or whether all believers should speak in tongues or .....
Is there love and is Christ honoured in our disagreement? (I'm Canadian, so it isn't a spelling mistake.)
When I read the comments posted on columns like these, I get very concerned about the health of the body of Christ. People throw out "Judge not, . . ." without ever considering the rest of scripture. I Cor 2:15 states, "He who is spiritual judges all things, . . ." Inplication, he who does not judge all things is not spiritual. Heb 5:14 states, "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." I could go on and on with all the scriptures in the New Testament from many authors all saying the same thing: test, try, examine. As the author of Hebrews said, our ability to discern is only developed by use. The trouble is that the greek word used in "Judge not," is not the same greek word used in "He who is spiritual judges,". "Judge not" means "do not condemn", where "He who is spiritual judges" means "to examine as a judges examines evidence to determine truth from error(without condemning)". If we are ever to come to a place of maturity in the body of Christ, we have got to stop accepting interpretations of scripture that leave one scripture in contradiction of others, and we do this all the time. It is time for all of us, especially ministers to obey the apostle Paul's exhortation to Timothy to "Be diligent to show yourself approved, . . . rightly dividing the word of truth." And for the record, Joel's numbers and following do not impress the Lord, but rather whether or not he can say like the apostle Paul in Acts 20:27, "For I have not shunned to declare to you the WHOLE COUNSEL of God."
The comments are chalk-full of the typical fluffy Christianity that we as Americans have gotten used to. For some reason we inherently think that conflict is bad and to be avoided. In Scripture, we are told that we are made better in much the same way as "iron sharpens iron."
Needless to say, this is not a fun or pleasant process, but our God doesn't simply shape by friendly means (OT for anyone who wants an example).
Good article. Way to go Osteen for this one.
May I reccomend "No More Christian Nice Guy; When Being Nice - Instead of Good - Hurts Men, Women, & Children." I've cast aside the fluffy, nice Christianity that I was brought up on. I encourage all guys to read this book and reclaim true Christianity, not this fluffy spiritualism.
Hey Brothers and Sisters! Good to hear we are all related by Jesus amazing blood. Jesus is against gluttony, too, but he doesn't 'shove that down someone's throat' that doesn't even see their struggle! It is our LOVE for one another that will introduce others to the LOVE of Christ! Pray for one another! Osteen is unusual because he IS POSITIVE! Just declaring someone or something as sin can be done without the least bit of love or compassion! 'Speaking the truth IN LOVE' requires investment in someone and their life as they are. Jesus will bring them to himself through us who are willing to invest IN LOVE!! We can ALL relate to 'making a stand for the right' as a technique used to defray investment and declare superiority! Jay will see his way and straighten things up as the Holy Spirit convicts NOT as his BROTHERS convict!!!!! For him to come in an offensive stance is NO WAY to be received. He isn't looking to be received in reality! He is looking to be STOPPED!! We are not accustomed to LOVING those who are not like us. We usually 'take a stand' on the defense of TRUTH and exclude everyone we are sent to reach! Can't we invest in others without the FEAR of being influenced BY them toward sin? Let's LOVE WITH ABSOLUTE ABANDON!! INVEST IN OTHERS!! SACRIFICE YOURSELF FOR THE CHRIST!! 'As much as you have done it unto one of the LEAST of these...you have done it to me'! Jesus in His many disguises! Let's LOVE Jay and his followers into the counsel of the Holy Spirit!
"Those who sin rebuke before all" - Timothy.
I may not like the way Joel Osteen does things but I do agree that I will not accuse my brother.
It is good to see that Joel stood up for what the Bible calls an abomination.
I know when Joel was on Larry King he was asked if you don't believe in Jesus are you going to hell? to which Joel did not give a real answer. You have to tell it like it is.
"He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God"- John 3:18
I came out of homosexuality last year after suffering over 30 years with it. I bring this to light not to brag or because I think it gives me any "authority" on this topic, but I think I can help shed understanding. For those wondering, all of my teaching has come directly from reading the Bible and at the direction of the Holy Spirit, not from anything any person has told me. I would suggest the same to all of you. To rely on any person, rather than the Holy Spirit, is folly, because people are corruptible and imperfect unless led by God.
Therefore, my opinion comes from revelation of the Word of God to me personally, not from any Pastor or Teacher.
I believe that God has shown me that homosexuality is a great deception of Satan. What makes it particularly effective is that Satan convinces you that this is "unchangeable and developed from birth". The popular media feeds into this lie, it is espoused by gays who live the lifestyle, and even worse the "church" has no hope or solution other than to say "its an abomination, dont do it or you are going to hell".
I can assure you that homosexuality is not a "choice" as in a conscious decision (what moron would CHOOSE to be gay and be hated and unlovable by God and family?). Because the person trapped has NOT made a conscious decision to live that life (do you recall ever making a "conscious" decision to be straight..it just came "naturally" to you and so it appears to the homosexual as well?), it supports the lie of Satan, that "homosexuality is unchangeable".
The "choice" of homosexuality is two-fold 1) whether to act on those desires, as all people have to choose whether to act on their own unholy desires, whatever those may be for that person. Unfortunately, even chastity is no "cure" because if you have the thoughts of homosexuality Jesus has already said its the same as performing the act(Matt 5:22,5:28. For all who deal with the issue of lust (straight or gay) its quite a struggle when no matter where you go your temptation continues to show up all around you. The difference is that with straight lust at least you can get married and have a "sanctified" version to fulfill your lust/need for companionship. There is no such option for the homosexual, and thus the feeling of "fighting a hopeless fight".
2) the "choice" of whether to accept the lie/deception that you are gay in the first place. This is very difficult because numerous people throughout a gay persons life have "declared" homosexuality over that person. People dont understand the power of the spoken word. Saying "that person is effeminate or that person is gay or a momma's boy" is a CURSE on them.
This is an insidious deception because the person affected cant pinpoint any "decision" of their own to "correct" or "repent" for, particulary as a teenager when they very likely have yet to have an actual sexual experience. Most gays will indicate that they were gay for as long as they can remember, typically ages as young as 5-8. In effect, Satan makes the person believe they have no part in this, that it is just a "part of them unchangeable". How can you ever overcome something when you inherently believe it CAN NOT be changed? When you have prayed (in great earnestness and agreement with other Christians to NOT be gay) and it has not come to pass?
The solution, as all solutions, is complete surrender to Christ, who then supernaturally through the Holy Spirit makes the change (in my case gradually, yet quickly in comparison to the long time frame on the other side). It is not enough to just WANT to change, even desperately, only complete surrender to the will of Christ (Matt 7:21) (not just believing in Christ as many Christians falsely teach) can impart the change.
My answer to the church? Love everyone and condemn no one, while as one poster put it, testing all things and lovingly reproving by the word of God. In the case of homosexuality the real struggle is in recognizing the deception of Satan. Therefore, in witnessing to the person trapped in that lifestyle offer HOPE not condemnation. The HOPE of Glory, Christ in us. Plant the seed of hope and redemption, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest to bring it to harvest. If you plant condemnation, all you will do is play into Satans hand and add to the "there is no hope of change" mentality that already exists.
This is a very serious spiritual battle. It is one of Satans most successful ploys because it is planted very early in life and then confirmed by numerous stupid people through their cursing words. Dont be one of those stupid people. Pray for God to open the eyes of the gays to the insiduous deception that Satan has used on them.
Regarding Joel Osteen. I have watched his shows a few times. I wont dispute he is Christian light as some put it, but I will say this...PRAY FOR HIM. If he has the largest church in our country then he needs great prayer support. Do you think the enemy isnt constantly attacking him? If Mr Positive starts preaching sin and redemption think of the lives he could change. Thats the LAST thing Satan wants him to do. Pray and Joels (seemingly very good) heart will be changed by God to do his good works. After all, in the end he is just another man, which means the enemy is fighting against him and putting deception upon him as well.
Pray (Faith), give Hope (Hope) lovingly correct through the word of God (Love) (I cant find the verse, but its the one that says Now abideth Faith, Hope, and Love) Never condemn.
I have come out of gay into God. I emailed Jay Bakker about 3 years ago about going to nyc and sharing my testemony for free!! Tammmy Faye turned progay and a church i attended in hollywood ca fell into it. Joel loves God and all people. He does stand against ALL sin. There are men who secretely struggly with gaybi even in the church and are married and will NEVER admit it and get help(Haggard is a good example).
As Christian men how would you treat a "gay" acting male in your church? MOST will never air thier dirty laundry at theier own church. Joel has recovery groups for people who struggle with sin at his church. God is calling you toreach the gays in and out of the church but often they are rejected and unhelped. If you are stuggling with bigay or know of someone who needs help go to www.redeemedwashedsanctified.com. I will be glad to help,even if poor
Pastor John
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