[See the original MJS post here.]
The following is from Chris Wallace’s interview with Joel Osteen:
WALLACE: And what about Mitt Romney? And I’ve got to ask you the question, because it is a question whether it should be or not in this campaign, is a Mormon a true Christian?
OSTEEN: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said that he believes in Christ as his savior, and that’s what I believe, so, you know, I’m not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are.
And so, you know, Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don’t think he would — anything would stop me from voting for him if that’s what I felt like.
WALLACE: So, for instance, when people start talking about Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, and the golden tablets in upstate New York, and God assumes the shape of a man, do you not get hung up in those theological issues?
OSTEEN: I probably don’t get hung up in them because I haven’t really studied them or thought about them. And you know, I just try to let God be the judge of that. I mean, I don’t know.
I certainly can’t say that I agree with everything that I’ve heard about it, but from what I’ve heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that’s a common bond.
You want to know what the end result is when we start saying “What’s the problem? We all believe in Jesus”? Joel Osteen on Mormons. Theology? No big deal. We all believe in Jesus, right?
Maybe the apostles didn’t have any formal theological training (see earlier in the interview), but I guarantee you they weren’t apathetic about who Jesus was. I mean, is He a Savior who actually does something for you, or does He only teach you stuff you have to do? (We call that “gnosticism,” Joel.)
Isn’t it great not to get wrapped in the little details about Christianity? You know, like the Trinity? It took me about five minutes to look on the Mormon website to find out whom they believe God is, whom they believe Jesus is, whom they believe we are, and what happens to people after they die (you can repent after you die!). But Joel doesn’t get hung up on theological “details” like those.
And, you can be sure, neither do his followers. Hey, Mitt Romney says Jesus is his Savior! Let’s not ask what the meanings of those words are! He said “Jesus”! And “Savior”!
Balaam's Ass 