The Heresy Hunter

Gospel Lite or Gospel Ziltch?

An interesting paragraph from yesterday's St. Petersburg Times on Joel Osteen:

Osteen's positive messages - recent sermon topics include "Having Confidence in Yourself" and "Stop Listening to the Accusing Voices" - have helped make him a religious everyman. He touts a loving God. There is no condemnation. No talk of judgment or damnation. No declarations of Christianity as the only way to heaven.

His congregation regularly includes Christians, Jews and Muslims. On a typical Sunday, the sanctuary resembles a Benetton ad, an equal mix of whites, blacks and Hispanics, church leaders say.

On the other hand, Paul, when he was being accused of legalism, wrote "why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished." (Gal. 5:11) To the Corinthians he wrote "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing." 2 Cor. 4:3.

Seems to me that if Jews and Muslims can sit comfortably in Joel Osteen's services and not be offended by the message he presents, then he isn't presenting the Gospel.

posted by Bob Hunter @ Monday, November 27, 2006