Joel Osteen's disturbing inability to say that Mormonism is something other than Christian reflects a particular affliction from which our culture suffers. I'm not sure what to call it other than the cult of agreeableness, a widespread tendency to avoid disagreement, conflict, and contradiction whenever possible, a disposition to never draw hard lines for fear that we'll upset or make ourselves unattractive by the action. … [Read more...]
Why Mormons aren’t Christians
October 30, 2011 By 74 Comments
For the last generation Mormons have tried to mainstream themselves. The popular "I am a Mormon" ad campaign is part of that effort, but it's only the most recent manifestation of a long public-relations campaign. For the last few decades the Mormon Church has presented its adherents as good-neighborly types: friendly, moral, familial. But the family-down-the-street strategy is only part of the job. The Mormons have also actively worked to make their beliefs appear within the pale of orthodox … [Read more...]
On judging Joel Osteen
October 29, 2011 By 54 Comments
It turns out that criticizing Joel Osteen ruffles feathers. Perhaps this shouldn't surprise. His congregation is more than forty-thousand strong, his sermons air worldwide, and his book sales are stratospheric. He's got more than a few fans available to take offense at someone holding his feet to the fire. … [Read more...]
The insufferable Joel Osteen
October 28, 2011 By 65 Comments
Few things rub me the wrong way as much as poseurs masquerading as pastors. If that sounds unduly harsh, forgive me, but I don't think this is undue. Al Mohler recently published a piece on Joel Osteen's equation of Mormonism with evangelical and Catholic Christianity. … [Read more...]
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