Transcript of Larry King Live-Aired June 20, 2005
KING: Because we've had ministers on who said, your record don't count. You either believe in Christ or you don't. If you believe in Christ, you are, you are going to heaven. And if you don't no matter what you've done in your life, you ain't.
OSTEEN: Yeah, I don't know. There's probably a balance between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think that if you know Christ, if you're a believer in God, you're going to have some good works. I think it's a cop-out to say I'm a Christian but I don't ever do anything...
KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?
OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know...
KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?
OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But i know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.
A danger to the true church of Christ is preachers that preach a "seeker friendly" message. Joel Osteen does not believe himself that you have to accept Jesus Christ as the only way to God according to the transcript above. Out of his own mouth with his interview with Larry King shows he not sure of the ultimate truth of the Gospel. Jesus said Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except by Me." No "religion" will save man no matter what the name on the sign says out front. Man can not save himself no matter how many books are written with seven steps to be an over comer or twelve easy steps to be all that God wants you to be. If we could improve ourselves and make ourselves worthy and holy, we would not need God.
Joel Osteen needed to clearly state the truth of God's Word and refused to declare it that Jesus is the only way to God for salvation. No matter how sincere a person is in their religion, does not excuse the fact that they are sincerely wrong without Christ in their lives, period.
We need preachers to preach the truth and not assemble people together to teach self help doctrines that will never save anyone! I don't care if his church reaches 50,000! If the Gospel is not truly preached, it is nothing but a waste in the light of eternity!
_________________ Kelby
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