Monday, October 15, 2007

The only television preacher I watch is Joel Osteen, author of the mega-seller, Your Best Life Now, which I once mentioned in an Easter sermon. Joel Osteen went into the fiery furnace of CBS's Sixty Minutes last night and, to me, seem to have come off well. He presents an attractive optimistic Gospel. The sneering [base "]liberal theologian[per thou] who said Osteen doesn't present the whole Gospel makes an obvious point that Osteen himself agreed with. The real question is whether you can have enduring hopeful Christianity without theology, Christology, bible study, liturgy, art, disciplined prayer and all the other things that make up traditional faith. In the meantime, though, what could be wrong with focusing on abundant life? As Joel says, this is what he can do, and he sure does it well. --J. Douglas Ousley 4:55:26 PM    comment []

Thursday, September 27, 2007

I am sorry this blog has been dormant so long first because of a computer crash, then because of an office flood, finally because of a transfer to Mackintosh from Windows. In any event, in the wake of the US House of Bishops meeting, further splintering of the Anglican Communion seems inevitable. I say this as one who has always supported the progressive position of our church toward gay and lesbian freedom. While lack of resolution of the issues was predictable, it was still amazing that the bishops seemed so calm as the church in their care foundered. They even found time to do token home repair in New Orleans. Symbolic of their passivity was their reception of "prayer shawls." I'll withhold comment on this new "ministry" now. My own wish was that the bishops were clothed in the armor of righteousness and were filled with passion for the truth and courage to debate. Instead, one bishop modestly characterized the gathering as "holy." Holy debate might have led to a real consensus instead of warm feelings and a broken church. Comments welcome--click on right. --J. Douglas Ousley 10:05:45 AM    comment []