60 Minutes Wrap
Monday, October 15, 2007 at 02:39PM 
It was great to see Michael on 60 Minutes! Just a couple of thoughts about the interview . . .
Out of nearly four hours of taping Mike got about 3 minutes of air-time. Too bad that so much of that was spent watching Mike climb the stairs of my beloved Alma Mater (Westminster Seminary California). I had hoped CBS would give Mike a chance to tell the audience about the true gospel, but then again we can't expect too much from CBS. At least they gave someone (like Mike) a chance to respond. What they did use from Mike was germane and to the point. Did anyone else notice that Bryon Pitts looked like he was gonna hurl at several points while interviewing Osteen? Obviously, he wasn't buying it.
The gospel always seems to lose out in heavily edited interviews like this, especially when the guy not preaching it can cry on command and seems so sincere and bent on being positive, even if its "not his ministry" to tell people the truth about the human condition and what Jesus has done to save us from our sins. If you are interested, there are some great resources dealing with Osteen's fluff "gospel" on the White Horse Inn webpage (Click here: osteen2).
On the lighter side, just so you know, Michael's already caught a fair bit of flack from his friends. As one noted Reformed theologian pointed out, "Osteen’s theology may indeed be popcorn theology, but it appears that he can bench press more than Horton can." Michael has already promised to spend more time in the gym and will challenge Osteen to a rematch. Maybe the only Reformed guy who can currently out-bench Osteen is James White.
I also wonder if Joel hasn't been chuggin' down a few cans of Pat Robertson's famous Diet Shake. Pat claims to leg press some 1000 lbs (if I recall). That Joel Osteen can actually bench press 300 lbs was the real surprise of the interview. Everything else was pretty much as I expected.
It is also no surprise that thousands of people will flock to an arena to be enthralled with a light show on the ceiling, a pop concert, and to hear a dynamic message about how they can reach their potential. Joel's very good at what he does, but it is an absolute shame that doesn't include preaching Christ and him crucified. That makes him an "evangelist" without an evangel. That Best Life Now drivel rings pretty hollow in light of eternity.
Reader Comments (44)
and sympathy too
But honestly I hope and pray that the true gospel will be restored in this great country which prospered because it was founded on biblical principles.
a guy from the Netherlands
This country was really founded on the "rule of law", rather than religious priciples. Most of the founding "fathers" were humanists, rationalists and at best in a religious sense, deists. The fact that religious values were predominant can be credited to the makeup of the common folk as opposed to the few who had enough money to become land owners. I thank God that He blessed this nation out of His abundent grace and mercy than thing the founders did to deserve it In spite of the poor record we have of maintaining sanctified living, the US still carries the financial amd missional burden of spreading the real Gospel to the world, and I believe that is the reason that God has not abandoned us to the fate we most assuredly deserve.
During the interview I never once heard anything close to sola gratia, sola fide. What I did hear was a message that would appeal to Robert Schuller, Mormonism, et.al. All he said, as he broke down in tears, is that marriages and families are being put back together by his meassage of optimism and hope. Never did he base that hope in the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
January 16,2008