By David Ettinger
Infamous Interview
On June 20, 2005, world-famous evangelist Joel Osteen was a guest on Larry King’s TV show. At one point, the subject turned to Heaven and, to his credit, Mr. Osteen affirmed the biblical teaching that only those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior go to Heaven.

Mr. King then asked: “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 going to Heaven; if you don’t, no matter what you’ve done in your life, you ain’t …’”
Mr. Osteen responded rather theologically daintily, saying nothing of substance. Mr. King then stated, “What if you’re Jewish or Muslim and don’t accept Christ at all?”
Mr. Osteen spent the rest of that segment stumbling and bumbling over the Bible’s teaching on who goes to Heaven and who doesn’t. Sadly, there was no reason for it, and no reason to sugarcoat this vital truth on which the Bible is absolutely clear. In essence, Mr. Osteen stumbled over nothing.
Hard to Accept
The Bible’s teaching that only believers in the Lord Jesus Christ go to Heaven is odious to unbelievers. It is no wonder Jesus told His disciples and us:
· “Everyone will hate you because of me” (Luke 21:17).
· “The world … hates me because I testify that its works are evil” (John 7:7).
· “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18).
· “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19).
· “Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).
It’s hard for unregenerate humanity to accept the message that they are sinners and destined for eternal damnation because of it. It is also hard for them to accept the message that there is ONLY one, single way out of this destiny, and that is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The Crucial Message
However, this IS the crucial message of the Bible. We are all born sinners (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23), and because of this we are destined for eternal punishment (John 3:36; 1 John 5:11-12). The solution to the above is that there is a way out – BUT JUST ONE:
· “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6, emphasis added).
· “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, emphasis added).
· “Whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18).
This is as direct as it gets!
No Need to Stumble
When confronted by Mr. King, there was no reason Mr. Osteen should have stumbled. He should have said something such as: “This is correct, Larry. Only those who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior will go to Heaven. I didn’t make this truth up, and am by no means the first to proclaim it as it has stood for 2,000 years. It is, however, my responsibility to proclaim it boldly, directly, and truthfully, because it is the truth on which my faith rests.”
As believers, we need not stumble over the indisputable claims of the Bible. Will we be hated for stating them? Probably, but it is incumbent upon us to declare the truth of salvation to a perishing world as the Lord gives us opportunity. May God increase our boldness for Him – and compassion for those who don’t know Him – in these difficult and challenging last days!
mrsmariposa2014
March 1, 2019
I recall that interview and very much agree. Too often, we as Christians stumble over nothing and apologize for the truth. We forget the burden on us is not to be accepted by all, but just to share what we know and trust God with the rest. Thank you for being a truth sharer. 🙂 God bless.
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dettinger47
March 1, 2019
Well said. Amen!
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annj49
March 1, 2019
David, you stated that Joel Ostern stumbled over “nothing”, when, in fact, what he stumbled over was condemnation and judgement. In this segment, he was being asked to judge and condemn and he stated that it’s not his place to do that on someone else’s journey. He was unwilling to judge the soul state of another living person and condemn that person to hell, believing that that is ultimately the job and work of God alone, which is something I also believe. We do not know what God is doing in the life of another person, or how He will bring them to Himself. All of us have had journeys that were fraught with error…..
In saying all this, i am not saying Joel is always theologically correct. I don’t think he is, but I am saying that Christians often overstep in the area of judgement and condemnation of others and are hated because of that. Often an unnecessary barrier or wall is placed that becomes a stumbling block to others in their journey towards God.
The message of the cross and our belief in it stands for itself and the evil cannot stand the stench of purity, and FEEL (and actually ARE) judged by it. THAT is why we are hated, but our purpose here is to LOVE people to the gospel, to faith, as per the two greatest commandments….love God and love your neighbour.
We can give the message of the gospel and the cross in love, stir a desire for the knowledge of the God who created us to love, and gave us the capacity to love, encourage and nurture to growth whatever seeds of faith may already be present, and leave the door open for further communication when that person is ready to receive it. We can trust that God is already at work and has a plan for that person that we are are only part of.
We can clearly present Scripture and let the word of God itself do its perfect work in changing the heart of that person by the power of the Holy Spirit. The job of conviction of another soul is better placed coming from there than from the words and lives of those who are basically imperfect people.
Again, David, these are my own thoughts, imperfect though they may be, what’s on my heart, and I share here because I feel the need to do so. I hope you can understand.
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dettinger47
March 1, 2019
Hi Ann. Thank you for your thoughtful reply, however, this is not what I was saying. Mr. Osteen was, basically, being asked about the basis of what constitutes entrance into Heaven. All he had to say is that those who die without knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be sentenced to eternal separation from God. Those that have professed Christ will go to Heaven. It’s as simple as that.
Regarding what’s in an individual’s heart, that is an entirely different matter; none of us knows that. What Mr. Osteen refused to do was simply explain the indisputable teaching on this topic, which is crystal clear.
Regarding individuals going to Heaven or not, I covered this in my blog, “Do Jews Go to Heaven” (https://ettingerwriting.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/do-jews-go-to-heaven-2/).
And please remember, that I am Jewish.
Thank you again, Ann, for both reading my blog and taking the time to comment on it. It’s much appreciated!
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annj49
March 1, 2019
David, I did read that other blog you mentioned though I did not comment there. I agree with your position in that blog.
In this interview, Joel had already stated “only those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior go to Heaven”, so he was quite clear. The person interviewing was putting him on the spot and pinning him down to comment about people belonging to specific faiths, which is not simply a question of individuals in general and Joel in response stated how he approaches and deals with individual people rather than enter the contentious ground of criticism of the particulars of these two faiths. I really didn’t see anything wrong with that after his previous statement about what was necessary for salvation.
I think if I had been having that interview (but I have the benefit of prior reflection) I might put the interviewer on the spot by redirecting that question BACK at the him, saying “What do YOU think about that? Based on the information I just gave you on the process of salvation, how would YOU answer your own question?” and then I would have added to his/my answer much the same way I did in my previous response here.
Just more of my thoughts on this from what I heard on this clip…..
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dettinger47
March 2, 2019
Good thoughts here, Ann. Overall, though, I still think he missed out on a great opportunity to preach salvation in Christ alone, to really drive home the point. He vacillated, even the caller recognized that.
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annj49
March 2, 2019
I know I have failed at times, when I had good opportunity. I felt like he was put on the spot, and that he wanted to tread carefully…which he did.
I’m not a fan of Joel though I have listened on occasion in the past. Not a fan of the health and prosperity gospel on the whole, or the law of attraction kind of thing. It scares me because it works, but the source is not good. Anyway, I don’t want to be at odds with you, brother. I know what you mean and I think you know what I mean by my comments here!
Have an awesome day!
Many blessings!
AJ
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Raina Nightingale
March 1, 2019
I’m not going to say anything about Joel Osteen, but I agree with you that people are often far too hasty to say that someone (or someones) are in hell. After all, it is God’s right to judge. We do know that only through Jesus can we see God and live. Only in Jesus is eternal life. Only through knowing Him can we enter Heaven. We are commanded to preach forgiveness of sins in Him to the entire world.
But, I really think we had better not say who is in hell, even on a generalized, non-personal, individual level.
I very much liked your comment.
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dettinger47
March 1, 2019
Thank you, Raina.
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vicklea
March 1, 2019
One way to Heaven…Jesus is the door!
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dettinger47
March 1, 2019
So true!
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seekingdivineperspective
March 2, 2019
If I were in a hotel that was on fire, I could sneak out alone, not warning anyone else, because gee, if I wake them up, they might get mad at me …
Or I can tell them the inconvenient truth and save their lives …
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dettinger47
March 3, 2019
Good analogy.
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http://stretchingyourfaith.net
March 3, 2019
Thanks for the Dangers in Christian Television video, very interesting!
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dettinger47
March 3, 2019
Thank you.
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