RT @parshalltalk: I was one of those silenced by Twitter. This event IS happening in DC and it is newsworthy. This story should never have… 22 hours ago
Things are getting crazy out there, and if you listen to the media, we may be close to the end of the world! How should we respond to the threat of the coronavirus and public overreactions?
Do you know how many times in the Bible it says not to be afraid? Over three hundred times! Some have said 365 times, which is at least one ‘fear not’ for every single day of the year.
Do we trust the Lord or are we leaning on our own understanding? Is our faith in God or government? Things were shut down rather quickly and it seems like state control is gradually increasing. Should this be a concern?
Benjamin Franklin once said:
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
We all hope this is temporary. But could this be inching us closer to globalism? Big government advocates have often said never let a serious crisis go to waste, and the media sure is taking advantage of it all. The feds are spending astronomical amounts of money, so could this be a test-run for socialism or perhaps a sign of the end times? Maybe both.
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.
Yes, the coronavirus is a very real threat. We should be taking precautions, protecting our families, and making wise decisions, but step back and remember who’s in control and always has been. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10).
A.W. Tozer once said that “a scared world needs a fearless church.” People are watching how Christians respond at times like this, but it’s hard to be at peace, pray, read God’s Word or encourage people when we’re busy listening to the media, to government and others saying, ‘be very afraid!’ ‘Every man for himself.’ ‘You get the toilet paper, I’ll grab the hand sanitizer!’
I really want to believe it. Kanye West recently said, “I’m not here for your entertainment; we’re here to spread the gospel,” at a recent event. What? So, is Kanye born again? And what’t this about Kim Kardashian West getting baptized? What does it mean, was it for show, and why should we care?
Because these two alone influence hundreds of millions of people.
Throughout history, fame and fortune have left countless souls empty and miserable, so it shouldn’t surprise us when celebrities and “the elite” search for true meaning in life. Many are satisfied with some form of spirituality or religion while others don’t really know what they’re looking for, but remember this: no one is beyond the reach of the one true God.
Pray for them, but let’s not be too quick to put celebrities up on a pedestal. Some Christian news outlets are often quick to publish stories on big name actors, athletes, or celebrities who simply mention God, faith, or talk about being “blessed.” This does not mean they trust in Jesus and have repented and believed the Gospel, and as we’ve seen, some were false converts.
We need to exercise cautious optimism and discern the beliefs, theology, and lifestyle of any public figure claiming to be Christian. The maturity of true disciples can take years, and there’s much work to be done regarding the uprooting of a lifetime of sinful habits. There are too many examples of famous people mentioning God or claiming Christianity, but living or speaking in ways that contradict what the Bible teaches.
As for Kanye West, some liberal Christians are skeptical of him just because of his support of President Trump. Regardless of what you think of his spiritual journey, it appears he is sincere in his newfoundfaithin Jesus Christ. BUT, time will tell – and only God knows his heart.
I can’t even mention some of the past horrific and disgusting song lyrics by Kanye West, many of which are profane, blasphemous, and offensive. But apparently, that was then. His new project is called, “Jesus is King,” and he now says he only wants to do gospel music.
In a recent video of him preaching to a captive audience at one of his album listening events, he refers to himself as a recent convert. West admitted some past mistakes including idolatry, saying he formerly “worshiped the idea of labels, brand names; I worshiped cars, I worshiped the city I grew up in (Chicago).”
West mentioned repentance and the gospel, explaining that:
“The first thing Jesus said was ‘Repent.’” And added, “Imagine someone sending their only son — to die for you!”
He talked about the fact people cannot work their way to heaven or earn salvation and quoted Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith; it is not a result of your own efforts, it’s a gift of God.”
So what are we to think? Just wait, watch, and pray. Observe his life to see if he produces good fruit. And be gracious, because we all have a past, we’ve all sinned and have made mistakes along the way, even in our own process of sanctification.
As for his wife, Kim Kardashian West, she too, has glorified sin and has done extensive damage for the enemy seducing countless souls. If she is sincerely seeking truth, it might take a while.
…Writing in The Washington Times about why we should care, Jessica Chasmar penned anarticle, “Kardashian culture is killing America,” and stated:
“The Kardashian saga illustrates our nation’s moral, spiritual, and cultural decay like few other media stories do. America of 50 years ago would regard Ms. Kardashian with a mixture of disdain and pity, embarrassed by the very idea of a young lady’s most private moments being broadcast for all the world to see.”
…There’s only one way to salvation and that’s through Jesus Christ. Imagine the impact the rich and famous could have for the kingdom of God. More importantly, their very souls are at stake. Pray for more of them to come to a knowledge of the truth before it’s too late.
Over four hundred teachers underwent mandatory training in Michigan recently that exalted Islam but denigrated Christianity, America, and white males. The training leads people to believe Islam is the peaceful, true religion while Christianity is a man-made, inferior, false religion.
Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center (TMLC) described it as a well-orchestrated Islamic propaganda campaign and said:
“We found that the teachers were subjected to two days of Islamic propaganda, where Islam was glorified, Christianity disparaged, and America bashed…”
But that’s not all!
There’s another lawsuit, this time in Maryland, where high-school students wererequiredto profess the Shahada, the Islamic conversion creed, ‘There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.’ The school did not allow a Christian student, Caleigh Wood, to opt out, and failed her for refusing to submit.
It’s interesting that Islam is translated as “submission.”
I agree with TMLC’s Richard Thompson that across the U.S. special treatment is being given to the Muslim faith. Government schools do so under the guise of diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, teaching history and social studies. Would this ever be tolerated if it were Christianity or any other religion? Nope.
In the training, Christian scriptures are described as being “corrupted” while the holy book of Islam, the Quran was said to contain the “pure” word of God. According to the report, of hundreds of teachers attending the workshop, not one teacher challenged the fabrications about Islam, the disrespect toward Christianity or attacks on America.
…Huda Essa of Culture Links LLC, who describes herself as an advocate of social justice and encourages children to “take pride in their many identities.” She also claimed that white males are more dangerous than Islamic radicals.
Essa provided no truthful information on Sharia law, jihad, or the harsh treatment of women. All references to terrorism were dismissed as having nothing to do with Islam. She compared Christianity to Islam suggesting they are mostly similar. “The one big difference, she claims, is that Islam is the world’s “only purely monotheistic religion.”
…Unfortunately, one need only go back to the 1960s when the one true, living God was expelled from most public schools along with voluntary prayer, Bible reading, and even the Ten Commandments. This void not only set the stage for the lack of discipline, unprecedented sexual activity, drugs, and violence; but for many of today’s schools bending over backwards to promote Islam…
How many fans do you need to lose before you understand you’re alienating more than half of your audience when you use sports to push progressive politics? Outspoken U.S. Women’s Soccer team co-captain, Megan Rapinoe is on top of the world for helping win the 2019 World Cup last week.
Congratulations. But it’s hard not to notice the pink-haired activist makes the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick look like a Boy Scout.
Rapinoe recently said in an interview,
“I’m not going to the f—king White House… [and] I don’t think anyone on the team has any interest.”
From kneeling during the National Anthem before games to calling the Trump administration corrupt, some of these social justice athletes just don’t get it. Their insults and disrespect come off as anti-American, and fans are tuning out.
The moment had so much potential to unify Americans, but ended up a disappointing celebration clouded by politics. Nice job, ladies. Too bad your leaders blew it.
The Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins put itthis way:
“It was supposed to be a euphoric win – another chapter in American sports dominance. But the message from the captain of soccer’s reigning champs was clear: our country may be wearing the same colors, but that doesn’t mean we’re on the same team.”
…In another disappointing part of this story, there’s speculation that one of the best players in the nation, Jaelene Hinkle, was snubbed from the team for being a Christian. According to theWashington Times, Hinkle chose not to wear a rainbow-themed women’s soccer jersey in honor of Gay Pride month.
You can guess what happened to Jaelene Hinkle. The very next game, fans waving rainbow flags booed her. That was the last time she played for the national team. World Cup women’s team coach, Jill Ellis (who is married to a woman) cut Hinkle from the roster and told reporters her decision was ‘solely based on soccer.’
…Winning on the world stage is a big accomplishment, and the women’s World Cup could have been a uniting victory for all Americans. All it did was drive the divisive wedge of identity politics even deeper.
Over fifty years ago, American culture was being prepped for a new era of sexual behavior and expression. People began accepting things that used to be called “sins.” The increase of adultery and abortion came first, which helped set the stage for pornography, homosexuality, and transgenderism.
…When moral anchors and norms are removed from culture, just about anything goes. Some say the next step is pedophilia. But they wouldn’t go that far…would they?
On June 28, 1969, New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, an underground venue for homosexuals, who responded with a violent riot. This event was one of the catalysts propelling the LGBTQ movement from the closet to America’s streets. Hoping to garner campaign support, Democrat Joe Biden visited the historic Inn just last week.
We can debate about how this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and when the moral decline accelerated to the point we are no longer a godly, moral people as a whole. The fact is things that used to be talked about in whispers are now proudly proclaimed and celebrated.
With the ongoing efforts of Hollywood, media, government, public schools, andcorporations,we are being bombarded by sexual ideas and images. In this open rebellion against the one true God, the left has effectively dumbed-down our values. So now, if marriage, morality, life in the womb, and gender no longer matter, why should age matter? ‘Love is love,’ they say. There is nothing new under the sun, and pedophilia has been around for thousands of years.
…As for many on the left, they say they just want to “live and let live,” but we are no longer naive enough to think it stops there.
Modern Liberalism cannot coexist with biblical Christianity. Another example of placing social justice above Scripture emerged last week, this time from a Baptist church leader in Texas. In a commencement benediction at Baylor University in Waco, left-wing pastor, Dan Freemyer denounced “straight white men” and lobbied for the environment – during a prayer.
Fine. If you disagree with certain aspects of God’s Word and dislike Christian conservatives, this is a free country. But stop being a progressive pretender and admit you’re either following the crowd or creating a god in your own likeness.
Calling evil good, conforming to secular culture, and reinterpreting Christian teachings to fit an agenda is part of the cult of modern Liberalism which masquerades as Christianity. In their rebellion against God, their values might include hyper-grace, political idolatry, boycotting Israel, feminism, socialism, sexual confusion, environmentalism, and of course, abortion.
In these last days, the Holy Scriptures too often take a back seat to pleasing man. In this case, it’s Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, which proudly states they are: “fully affirming of women in lay and professional ministry roles, and fully inclusive of LGBTQ+ persons.” One Baylor alumnus proudly stated that Broadway Baptist cut ties with the Baptist General Convention of Texas long ago over homosexuality.
Affirming, inclusive. Friends in Christ, don’t be deceived by the modern use of these words. I wrote an entire book about man “Redefining Truth.”
So a few of the remarks from Dan Freemyer at the Baylor University commencement went like this:
“God, give them the moral imagination to reject the old keys that we’re trying to give them to a planet that we’re poisoning by running it on fossil fuels and misplaced priorities — a planet with too many straight, white men like me behind the steering wheel while others have been expected to sit quietly at the back of the bus,”
Misplaced priorities is right, but look in the mirror, Dan. In your rant about poisoning the planet, you missed an opportunity to honor Jesus Christ and the true gospel by encouraging the college grads to seek first the kingdom of God. You could have reminded them about the need for repentance and to walk closely with the Lord every day as they enter a very dark and worldly culture.
By alluding to environmental activism, climate change, and by subtly dissing God-ordained natural marriage, you were exposed as just another religious liberal, also known as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Using your platform and position as cover for a secular, social justice agenda is apostasy.
By appealing to people’s love of this world and taking advantage of their ignorance, plenty of false Christian leaders are deceiving multitudes while true believers in Christ have been placed on the defensive today. The octopus of liberalism now dominates virtually every aspect of culture.
The Left practically controls education, organizations, publications, the entertainment industry, government, and especially the media. The tragedy however, is that liberalism has gained power and influence in seminaries as well as in church pulpits across the country.
The notion too many pastors have today is we must become like the world in order to reach the worldly. Wrong. Where is this in Scripture? Think about it; do unbelievers and liberals ever compromise and become more holy, or do conservatives typically give in, compromise and become more worldly?
One result is Americans are more divided over moral and political issues than ever before, but our greater concern should be Christians are divided as well. Research shows that fewer believe in absolute truth which tells us we aren’t much different from the world after all.
How could this be since God never changes and His Word is eternal? They do a good job of changing public opinion by emotion-driven marketing.
Some call it a revival of post modernism, liberation theology, progressivism, or social justice. Many of these leaders hold to a form of godliness but they deny the power of God (2 Tim. 3:5) and attack those who stand on the inerrancy of Scripture.
So why does all this matter and why is it dangerous? Political liberals are one thing; we know exactly where they stand; radicals on the left like Pelosi, Booker, Beto, Buttigieg, AOC, and Sanders.
But religious liberals have infiltrated churches across America and have deceived many. These men (and women) generally believe many of the same things as extremists on the left, and yet claim to be “Christian.” You will know them by the fruit they produce and by their doctrine. They are masters at twisting Scriptures.
This is nothing new and the emerging church has been gaining converts for decades. Until we acknowledge the enemy within, know God’s Word and combat lies with the truth, people will just keep on buying what liberalism has been selling. Because after all, they have a degree or a title; he’s a pastor, priest, or reverend.
The Bible is full of warnings to discern false teachings, call out deceivers, expose the darkness, and contend for the faith handed down through the ages. Put on the armor of God! The main obstacles to the left’s takeover of America are strong, biblical churches and mature, informed Christian citizens who refuse to be silent.
Actors Jim Carrey, Alyssa Milano, and a cast of other liberals are fighting for abortion, but their tactics seem to be backfiring because they’re unintentionally making a case for the pro-life movement. It’s “Hollywood vs. Alabama and Georgia” – “Liberalism vs Life” in the ongoing war against truth.
On Saturday, Jim Carrey posted a graphic piece of artwork he created intending to defend abortion, but it actually depicts the violence of the life-ending procedure. Carrey is attacking Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey because she signed a bill into law last week restricting abortions in the state.
The idea behind Carrey’s art is Kay Ivey should have been aborted – and shows her brains being sucked into a tube. He tweeted:
“I think If you’re going to terminate a pregnancy, it should be done sometime before the fetus becomes Governor of Alabama,”
Carrey apparently knows what the majority in Alabama want. While signing the legislation, Governor Ivey said the bill had many supporters, and is a result of citizens having the “deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God,”
Is Carrey publicly wishing death on an elected official and promoting violence? It’s debatable, but as usual, liberals are held to very different standards. Remember Kathy Griffin holding a bloody head of President Trump? Imagine a Republican tweeting this kind of image depicting Nancy Pelosi, for example.
Author and blogger, Matt Walsh responded to Carrey’s artwork and made some sobering statements on Twitter last weekend:
What Jim is depicting here is an aspiration D&C abortion. A metal speculum forces open the birth canal and a powerful vacuum tube sucks out the baby piece by piece. The remaining body parts are scraped out and the mangled corpse is tossed into a medical waste dumpster. https://t.co/DrEEwp49G6
The left claims they are “pro-choice.” What about choosing abstinence, adoption, birth control (not post-pregnancy!), marriage, or making the difficult decision to have the baby? They act as if killing a living, developing fetus is the only option.
Just a few weeks ago, Hollywood activist, Alyssa Milano unwittingly promoted conservative values when she called for a sex strike in response to the heartbeat bill in Georgia signed by Governor Brian Kemp. In case you missed it, note the drama in her demands:
“Our reproductive rights are being erased. Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy,” Milano tweeted. “JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. I’m calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on.”
Don’t look now, Alyssa, but you’re unintentionally promoting conservative values. An actress calling for abstinence? Well, the public schools won’t do it. Not only will there be less adultery and fewer pregnancies, but we could also see a reduction in STD’s. Sounds like a win win to me.
Public schools in America allow Planned Parenthood access to the youngest of children in order to push their hyper-sexual, destructive agenda. They justify perversion and deceptively use terms like health, science, and “age appropriate;” and with the help of your tax dollars, they’re exposing kids to pornography, homosexuality, sexual experimentation and of course, abortion as they normalize unrestrained sex.
It’s no surprise public school children are getting hooked on sex.
Following the same business model as a drug dealer, Planned Parenthood’s goal is to make sex addicts. With the help of Hollywood, pop-culture, music, and the education system, this godless worldview has already led to tragically high numbers of abortions among teenage girls and young women. And what happens when sex between boys and girls doesn’t lead to pregnancies? Planned Parenthood also makes money offering testing services for STD’s.
First, they introduce obscene sex-ed materials encouraging risky sexual behavior in young people through our schools. They may even pass out condoms and talk about “safe sex,” but never abstinence or purity. Planned Parenthood purposely and maliciously exposes children to things they are not mature enough to comprehend; things in generations past that were only discussed at home with parents.
Do you really know what Planned Parenthood is selling as normal, natural, and healthy? Sexual content depicting people in various sexual positions – along with images of male and female body parts, masturbation, and anal sex.
Producer of a 2012 American Life League report, Michael Hichbornstated:
“If a dirty old man in a park showed ten-year-old children the graphic images Planned Parenthood pedals as education, he would be arrested. Planned Parenthood shows this smut to children and is awarded with more taxpayer money…
It’s hard to believe American parents are on board with this so I have to conclude that they don’t know about it. A book already promoted in many schools by Planned Parenthood discusses sexual intercourse, experimentation, homosexuality, and pornography. Guess what the book is called? “It’s Perfectly Normal.”
The controversy came up again recently, this time on the House floor in Minnesota as Representative Eric Lucero flipped through the bookdescribingsome of the content including naked caricatures of young boys and girls looking at their bodies in the mirror. Parents should not have to ‘opt out’ their children of content that ought not to be taught in the first place.
Like many of us, Lucero was also concerned not only about the graphic nature of the content, but the reckless idea that pornography is normal and healthy. The truth is porn degrades women, destroys families, relationships, and can lead to sexual abuse.
Parents and grandparents, our culture has been hijacked by radicals and open war is upon us. Tragically, children are the target as well as the victims here.
With the transgender revolution, we’re already seeing some of the consequences of removing God, moral absolutes, prayer, and the subject of intelligent design from schools.
…Only God can heal this land, but it’s clear over half the country has abandoned Him and rejected biblical morality. The gospel must be preached and the truth must be told! So what’s it going to be?
The new mantra these days that you have your truth and I have mine is simply an extension of the 1960s, “If it feels good, do it.” So, should sin be redefined based on ever-changing times and pop-culture? What about the Law of Nature and nature’s God? Is there a moral standard? And now, we may soon find out if America is ready for an open-homosexual to be president – who, by the way, claims to be a Christian!
But feelings don’t change the truth. So the debate continues: Can we make up our own individual morality? Should the Bible be rewritten? The fact is God never changes, the human heart is wicked, man is sinful, and we all need a Savior.
John Stonestreet at Breakpoint is right, saying there’s an epidemic of self-centered faith in our culture as well as our churches.
If there were an Americanized translation of the Apostle’s Creed for today, it would be something like this: “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, who always supports my feelings.”
Enter openly gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, now a 2020 presidential candidate, who claims his homosexual lifestyle and marriage to a man has brought him closer to God. He also thinks God made him gay, so he obviously concludes homosexuality can’t be a sin.
The mayor may be most well-known for attacking the faith and character of Vice President, Mike Pence who responded with grace. Pete says he’s a Christian, but he doesn’t get to invent another doctrine or his own version of Christianity. That’s called idolatry. Either way, the media sure loves him.
They’re on board, promoting this new progressive 2020 candidate with glee. Senior editor of CNN, Kyle Blaine even sent an eye-opening tweet, saying:
This Buttigieg/Pence episode illustrates a core question many LGBT people have to confront at some point in their life: Can you be “friends” with someone who believes that something at the very core of who you are is wicked and should be changed?
First, there’s no “episode.” Buttigieg is good at insulting Mike Pence and others who disagree with his twisted theology, but Pence has not retaliated. He compliments the Indiana mayor as a “dedicated public servant.” The victim card may not work as Buttigieg intends.
CNN’s Kyle Blaine is actually suggesting every LGBT individual must question whether or not they can even be a friend of someone who is a truly converted Christian. What I mean by using descriptors is there are millions of pretend or “professing” Christians who do not believe the whole Bible nor do they live by its teachings.
What we’re talking about here are authentic, born-again Christ followers who trust Jesus, God’s Word, and understand holiness and sanctification. CNN and others continually provide a platform for people like Blaine who indirectly suggest a Christian is not worth befriending.
The truth is by nature, we are rebellious toward God. Scripture reminds us “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and “our righteousness is as filthy rags.”
Author Peter Heck points out the fact teaching about the sickness of the human heart goes back before the early church to the Prophets. We all need redemption.
That’s not just “the gays.” It’s everybody. And since every human being is wicked at our core, we Christians believe that the heart of every human being must be changed; We recognize it for all mankind, including ourselves.
But many progressives cannot allow themselves to believe man is inherently evil. Even Jesus said no one is good except God alone. Man at his best falls short; we need a Savior, but this doesn’t bode too well with those who have redefined sin.
We are made in God’s image, but we each have a conscience and moral awareness. I don’t have a problem with who Buttigieg is; I simply disagree with what him doing whatever he feels like doing and calling it “Christian.” There are too many hypocrites and posers in American churches trying the same thing, the difference being their sin of choice is something other than homosexuality.
Human identity is much more than the sum total of someone’s sexual inclinations. Everett Piper of the Washington Times responded to Buttigieg this way:
[T]he “creator” whom you so boldly reference makes this pretty clear. There is no place in His entire biblical narrative where He defines us by our desires. All of us, however, are known by our choices. …You see, Mr. Mayor, this is a matter of your proclivities, not your personhood; If you want us to stay out of your bedroom, please shut the door. Stop opening it up and forcing us to applaud and celebrate.
When feelings trump truth, we’re in serious trouble. It has become trendy to ignore biological, natural roles our bodies have in procreation, as well as the historically accepted meaning of marriage between one man and one woman. But sadly, feelings have practically become the new authority or at least the measure of personal identity.
What may be most concerning however, is the biblical illiteracy in our churches as well as the radical shift in public opinion when it comes to God, government, and being gay. In all three, evil is being called good and good, evil. Our great grandparents and founding fathers would be extremely confused by today’s America; and perhaps indignant. One thing is certain: they would not remain silent.
When one of the most popular Christian leaders in America focuses more on personal growth, self-improvement, and positive thinking than on the essential doctrines of the faith such as repentance from sin, sanctification, and the atoning work of Jesus Christ, there’s a problem. The prosperity gospel preached by men such as Joel Osteen has been described as biblically anemic theology. And millions have fallen for it.
It’s like a caffeine or sugar high with the nutritional value of cotton candy, but make no mistake: it can be quite lucrative for those preaching it. A friend of mine visited his church and said there are no crosses and there was no mention of Jesus.
Lakewood Church in Houston church rakes in about $70 million a year. For his latest book, Joel Osteen received a $13 million-dollar advance. One book. He and his wife have a fortune estimated at $60 million. His 17,000 square-foot mansion is listed at $10.7 million and has six bathrooms, five fireplaces, three elevators, a swimming pool, guest house, and parking for 20 cars – including his $230,000 Ferrari.
…People who practice Joel Osteen’s formula for success and then get cancer or fail to get the expected results end up disillusioned or worse; they blame God! It might feel good short term, but many people get angry at God if things don’t work out the way they want them to and they fall away from Him.
Rather than catering to self, the Bible teaches us to surrender our lives to Christ. The Gospel of Luke 9:23-24 quotes Jesus as saying:
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”
The true Christian faith is honest right up front because the road to eternal life is narrow and hard. The Bible promises persecution, trials, and that people will hate you. Jesus said we will have trouble in this world.
President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Albert Mohler offered some insightful comments on a recent an article in The Financial Times in which the writer destroys Joel Osteen’s brand of Christianity and contrasts prosperity theology with teachings in Scripture. The author is not even a believer.
Editor of The Financial Times, progressive writer Edward Luce, visited Lakewood Church in Houston and interviewed Osteen. Luce writes about what he sees as a contradiction between Joel Osteen’s preaching and the historic, orthodox Christian faith. He calls Lakewood, “the most significant temple to the prosperity gospel in America.”
…Only God knows the hearts of those who preach watered-down doctrines such as word-faith and the prosperity gospel, but those who are teachers will be held to a much higher standard (James 3:1) by the Lord who exalts His precious Word. To embrace and follow Christ, we must hold the things of this life loosely and set our hearts on things above (Col. 3:1-3)…