In an interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace, popular televangelist Joel Osteen gave Mitt Romney an endorsement of sorts, addressing the doctrinal issues that many had hoped would be addressed in Romney's "Faith in America" speech. 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.
How, if at all, will this help Mitt Romney? What did Osteen say about Huckabee? What does my Mom think about all of this? After the jump.
This is interesting to me, because it can cut several ways. Osteen is very popular, and very influential with a large number of evangelical Christians. A statement like this could knock some people off the fence about Romney. On the other hand, Osteen gets some criticism from theologians who doubt his credibility as a preacher, and people like that might be unmoved.
To me, the fact that the question was even asked is ridiculous. In fairness to Osteen, he says elsewhere in the interview that faith is a factor, but not the only factor. I agree with him there. If the Jets get a great Quarterback in the draft, I don't care if he worships Magilla Gorilla. Conversely, it would be nice if our next president were a Jets fan, but I'm not gonna switch my vote over it. (Okay, maybe I will.)
Wallace asks Osteen about Mike Huckabee, too, and I'll include the exchange and get back to it later.
WALLACE: So in that sense, what do you make of Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist pastor who's doing so well and, in effect, using his faith as part of his platform?
OSTEEN: Well, you know what? I like Mike Huckabee. I've never met him. My brother's from Little Rock and he knows him and says he's a fine man. And so I like what he stands for.
From what I've seen, I don't think he's overdone it. I think he's just - you know, he's a Baptist pastor. That's in him. And I think he's just standing up for what he believes in.
In this post on my Mom's blog, Lady of Light, she kinda takes Joel to the woodshed a little. She made me promise to say that she loves Joel Osteen, and makes her criticism lovingly. She makes some very interesting points about Osteen's response.
When asked about his lack of formal bible education, Joel mentioned that the disciples didn't have a formal education and they were chosen by Jesus. While it is true that the disciples didn't have formal bible education, we must remember that they walked with Jesus, himself, and if they had any questions, they could ask him directly. Today, we rely on God's word and those who are knowledgeable in God's word to guide us and help us to formulate sound doctrine and beliefs. In the book of Timothy, Paul exhorted Timothy to
"Study and show thyself approved, a workman who need not be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.: (2 Timothy2:15)
The common bond of salvation that Joel Osteen acknowledges with Mitch Romney is important but sloughing off the validity of the doctrine of the Mormons, which differs from other Christian Churches is not following in the example which was given to young Timothy as a Pastor of the early church. Paul continues to tell Timothy in 2 Timothy Chapter 4:1-2:
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; PREACH THE WORD INSTANT IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON: REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ANN LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE..."
While Joel Osteen may have a special calling, it is important to know that he has a concern for sound doctrine as well because in our everyday life we don't want to be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men..." (Ephesians 4:14) as the bible warns. I don't think a person needs a Doctorate for that - they just need to believe that the bible is the word of God and find out what it teaches. I know Joel Osteen believes that the bible is the Word of God ...where does it speak of these things that are mentioned about the doctrine of the Mormons?
It's a great point that I've often wondered about regarding religions in general. If everybody's "saved", what's the point of having different doctrines, and if you believe yours is correct, how can you believe others are "saved"? Her point is that Osteen was correct to say that Mitt is "really a Christian", but that he should have pointed out the importance of doctrine to each church.
As for Osteen's remarks about Huckabee, I see in them either a complete disinterest in the topic, or a damnation with faint praise, I can't decide. "My brother likes him"? I think that Osteen's responses here bespeak an appropriate disinterest in the "world of men". Later in the transcript, Wallace asks Osteen why he doesn't weigh in often on topics like "gays or abortion."
"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.'"
Whatever you think of Osteen as a preacher, it's hard to argue with that point. I think ultimately, this will help Romney, even if it shouldn't. Click for Full Text!