Well, wonders have not ceased, even in these politically correct days of Christless christianity and cultural pluralism. On Sunday morning, January 3rd, and the days following, Christ was presented, without editing, on a major news network television show. The proclaimer of the good news was not physically harassed and immediately challenged on the air, but instead had the opportunity to explain, in brief and to the amazement of his colleagues, that Christianity offered the hope and comfort needed for those in despairing situations. The specific incident that aroused such discussion was the recent 'fall from grace' of golf superstar Tiger Woods, who after years of projecting a squeaky clean image of morality and proclaiming the propaganda of a family man in control of his life, was recently caught in a sex ring scandal that would make any WestPac sailor blush. Tiger, in all his carousing, has destroyed his reputation, tarnished his outstanding golf career and most sadly of all, lost the heart and trust of his wife, who has recently filed for divorce. This disastrous menagerie of events has awoken the rage of the modern moralistic media. "How dare our undaunted and revered hero show himself to be frail, faulted and finite.", is the summary of their response, "Don't you know, Tiger, that you are suppose to do all those naughty things with out getting caught? After all, as a human you are 'the measure of all things', 'the maker of your own destiny' ". Well, while I admit nobody actually was insightful and honest enough to say such things, that was the gist of it all; a perfect time for the Gospel to make a star appearance. But who would be the messenger for the the Good News? Who had the courage to brave the certain fury of the Godless press and pundits? Was it Joel Osteen, the pastor of the largest church in America? Would Pastor Osteen take a stand for the gospel at all costs proclaiming Christ to be the only mediator between God and man? Well, why don't you watch this clip from the Larry King Show and be the judge if the good reverend has the spirit of Peter and Paul of old.
HMMMM.... not exactly Paulish, but maybe Mr. Osteen was just....nervous, yea, I mean he was on network TV and just wasn't as clear as he might have been. If only someone would give him an opportunity to clarify. Well, what do you know about that, later on the same show, a bewildered viewer called up to give Mr. Osteen another chance to explain that Christ is the only way to the Father. Let's listen....
"I can't judge somebody's heart?" Well, no Mr. Osteen you can not, but how about their words and their works. It doesn't seem like a stretch to say that someone that does not believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father is wrong in their conceptions of spiritual things. Or that the millions that pray in any other name than the name of Jesus have any hope of gaining the salvation that he alone has secured. Nor does it seem like a shot in the dark to say that men and women that seek spiritual peace through meditation, ritual or some other mediation than Jesus are deluded by the Evil One. Or that those that suggest salvation consists of building up the 'inner self' and encouraging that 'inner light' are wrongheaded. Is the very essence of the Gospel Message not that all mankind is undone by sin and in need of a savior, namely Jesus Christ. Is He not the only one, being both God and Man that could fulfill the righteous demands of the law and offer satisfactory atonement to the Father in the stead of His people? Well then, why does this minister the largest Christian Church in
At first glance this comparison may seem unfair. After all I do not know for sure that Mr. Osteen has not reached out to Tiger in his fallen state. If he has, or does speak to Tiger, I do hope that he has the wisdom and courage to confront him. Not in a destructive kind of way, pointing fingers and speaking accusatory words, but in the loving sort of way that one man should judge another, humbly bringing his recent actions under the light of Scripture. Holding his feet to the purifying fire of Scripture before the judge of the Universe; proclaiming him a fallen sinner and transgressor of God's holy law in order to prepare the way of repentance and forgiveness in Christ. One can not escape seeing Tiger's years of interviews, remembering his portrayal of self control and moral character, seeing those pictures of him smiling like all is well, next to his wife and not judge him as a wretched hypocrite. The error is not passing obvious judgment on Tiger, but stopping there and not seeing that we all, like Tiger, are wretches and are undone apart from the justifying work of Christ in our lives.
Well, in all this hoopla, I am not endorsing Brit Hume for the 'Believer of the Year award', I know very little about Mr. Hume and was not aware that he professed Christ before this incident, nor do I believe him to have the eloquence and substance in presenting the Gospel as did the Puritan's of old, but I am thanking God for his honesty in telling Tiger, and the American people, what needs to be said: Jesus alone is the Savior of mankind in whom is found peace and reconciliation for the soul. Also, I hope that this dauntless declaration shakes the hearts of ministers, like Mr. Osteen, who are not willing to do what they stand on the stage to do regardless of the cost, namely declare Christ alone as the Savior of men and the solace of the sinful soul. When this transformation occurs in the pulpits of America, when the unadulterated Gospel is boldly proclaimed to the adulterous nation, we will be on the way to real spiritual revival. It is my earnest prayer that the Lord will have mercy on Tiger, granting him true repentance and faith in Christ, and also on our nation, that in a similar fashion has been a whoring with other God's for far to long.
