Bible Scholar Slams Joel Osteen Over Homosexuality
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Bible Scholar Dr. Joel M. Hoffman today lambasted Pastor Joel Osteen for the way Osteen approaches homosexuality and the Bible. Hoffman's remarks, posted on his personal blog, came in response to Osteen's interview with Oprah Winfrey in which the mega-church pastor reaffirmed his opinion that homosexuality is a sin because Scripture says so.
Hoffman called Osteen a "coward" who uses the Bible to "hide from the people he attacks," adding that Osteen's anti-homosexual position lacks "merit" and "integrity," because, Hoffman wrote, Osteen picks and chooses from Bible verses like everyone else.
Osteen has maintained that he cannot accept homosexuality because Scripture calls it a sin.
Hoffman countered by citing an appearance Osteen made in October, 2011 on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight" in which Osteen said he doesn't know if he supports capital punishment, and doesn't know if he accepts the biblical mandate of "a life for a life."
"If he can entertain the possibility of rejecting the biblical position on capital punishment, why can't he consider doing the same for homosexuality?" Hoffman asked.
Pastor Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. According to market research cited on his website, he is the most watched inspirational figure in America.
Dr. Joel M. Hoffman is an author and Bible scholar best known for his work on Bible translation. He speaks widely to audiences across America and abroad.