God “absolutely” approves of everyone — including homosexuals — declared one of America’s most well-known evangelical pastors
The Houston megapastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen, whose followers include the likes of Cher and Oprah Winfrey, is hitting the talk-show circuit to promote his new book, “Break Out! 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life.”
HuffPo Live host Josh Zepps quoted from Osteen’s new book: “It doesn’t matter who likes you or who doesn’t like you, all that matters is God likes you. He accepts you, he approves of you.”
Zepps followed up by asking if that included homosexuals.
“Absolutely,” Osteen insisted, “I believe that God has breathed his life into every single person. We’re all on a journey. Nobody’s perfect.”
In past interviews, the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston with over 45,000 followers, has tried to take a very non-confrentational position on homosexuality to avoid condemnation from the general public.
In a 2012 interview with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, Osteen stated that he believed gays were some of the most loving people he had ever met.
“I believe the scripture says that being gay is a sin. But, you know, every time I say that, Chris … people say, well, you are a gay hater and you’re a gay basher,” Osteen told Wallace during the interview. “I’m not. I don’t – I don’t dislike anybody. Gays are some of the nicest, kindest, most loving people in the world. But my faith is based on what I believe the scripture says, and that’s the way I read the scripture.”
It is plainly obvious Joel Osteen is avoiding taking a tough stance on sinful behavior in order to keep the sales of his new book high. While it is absolutely true that God loves all people including homosexuals and adulterers and liars and thieves.
It is also very true that the Lord will never condone sinful behavior. All sin brings death and just because it is taboo to condemn a particular sin at a particular time does not mean the Lord will give that sin a pass.
Joel Osteen should stop taking the easy way out. The influence that he has been given should be used to call America to repentance instead of the feel good false gospel he has so benefited from. The Lord has spoken against such men before.
But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.” -Malachi 2:8-9