It’s tough being famous

In June of this year, Joel Osteen of Houston’s Lakewood Church told Larry King that his ministry of encouragement means that he doesn’t focus on the consequences of unbelief. His desire to make people feel good seemed to be at the expense of biblical truth. By his own admission, he heard from a lot of people after that interview and clarified his position regarding the exclusivity of Christ as the means to salvation. Additionally, he explained that he was confused and intimidated during the interview and didn’t say some things he very much believed. It was a convincing and humble apology.

In late August, evangelist Pat Robertson told his “700 Club” television audience that someone, particularly our own military special operators, should “take out” the president of Venezuela. He later, not so convincingly, claimed that “take out” doesn’t exactly mean assassinate. He also apologized for the distress this comment, made in passing during his news digest, caused.

Everybody trips over his tongue. We all say things that we wish we hadn’t said, even if we believe them to be true. Preachers are not immune to that and we shouldn’t expect them to be ? but, prominent people thought by many to represent evangelical Christianity have a severe responsibility for what they say publicly. Celebrity is seductive, interviewers are often cagey, and all of us have opinions better left unsaid. Maybe preachers are not cut out to be famous for anything but the gospel. Maybe gifted communicators are prey to the temptation to talk too much.

That’s no excuse, really. Everyone has an area of some competence, whether it’s a hobby, experience, or profession. It is obvious to others when a person speaks authoritatively and when he is saying too much. Most of us also tend to extend our moral authority beyond its reasonable limit. Preachers may expand the authority of their pulpits to a pet economic or social theory and expect immunity from criticism. A chemistry professor may try, by intimidation, to extend the mantel of his PhD. over politics or marriage counseling. These are misuses of what moral authority we might have. For every area of competence and calling, there are scores of issues before which we are all laymen.

As I said, James Robison is not a scientist. He embarrassed us all by pretending to be one for that evening. His biblical arguments meant nothing to Carl Sagan, Ted Koppel and to most of the audience?especially not when the subject is scientific.

The Larry King interview with Joel Osteen indicates that theology is outside Mr. Osteen’s area of expertise. Maybe he should just refuse interview questions with theological ramifications. That sounds odd for a preacher but that response is indicated by this preacher’s performance. It’s also possible that he doesn’t speak well off the top of his head. There’s nothing wrong with that. He should stay off Larry King, though. We must not let ego or marketing pressure tempt us to try things we can’t do responsibly.

Similarly, Pat Robertson might not be much of a pundit?at least not regarding foreign policy. The fact that this was a passing comment rather than a major policy statement is of little consequence. This is not the first time Mr. Robertson has made strange statements that embarrassed other evangelicals. He should stick to his calling rather than squandering his authority by commenting on everything. This remark was self-indulgent and harmful to us all.

That’s the point. Do what you do with confidence and do what you don’t know with caution and humility. We all have to do work we are less equipped to handle; the secret is to know when you are operating as a novice. Our egos will always try to lead us into places we should not go.

None of us is called to be everything. If the gospel is our calling, it should be our message. When, for example, Southern Seminary President Al Mohler appears on a news program, the subject has some moral or religious connotation. So does his message; he consistently preaches the gospel throughout his arguments. He doesn’t mistake himself for a physician, military strategist, or biologist, and neither does his audience doubt the content of his calling and message.

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