Missed Opportunity

In Sunday school this week, one of the discussion questions presented to us while studying Romans 1:18-32 was, "Do believers suppress the truth?" Unfortunately, the answer is yes -- in many ways and in many situations. That fact came to mind once again last night while watching "Larry King Live" on CNN.

Larry's guests were the Dalai Lama and Joel Osteen and the topic was the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. One of Larry's first questions was about how a "higher being" would allow something like Katrina to happen to "good people." Keeping in line with his religious beliefs, the Dalai Lama spoke about karma and past events -- as well as climate changes. While I certainly disagree with his viewpoint, it's what I would expect him to say.

I was more disturbed by Joel's remarks:

KING: How do you respond to that same question? The Buddha said it's the natural evolvement of things. What does the pastor say?

OSTEEN: Well, Larry, what I believe from the Christian faith is that, you know, God is [in] control. We don't understand why all these thing happen. I think some of them are just natural disasters and you know, I think that when we come out of this we know that God is right there with us, [that] he's the God to comfort us and, I don't think we can explain this. And you know, David talked in the Psalms that he doesn't try to explain or to understand things that are too great for him. So, we don't try to get bogged down in that, we just try to -- try to remind ourselves that God is a good God and, he's on our side and he's going to bring this through -- bring us through these times of difficulty.

KING: Why not question it? If he's a good God and he's on your side, why did he flood New Orleans, something he could have prevented?

OSTEEN: You know Larry, I don't think there's an answer to all that. I mean you could go and figure out -- and try to figure out why are babies born abnormal and why did this happen, that happen? I don't think you can figure that out, Larry. I mean that's, the Bible says, "God's ways are not our ways, he works in mysterious ways," and so, I don't -- I think that's where a lot of people get hung up. But you know, part of trusting God is having faith in the tough times. And I think that's what we -- that's what we do as Christians right now.

Here's how I wish that interview had gone:

KING: How do you respond to that same question? The Buddha said it's the natural evolvement of things. What does the pastor say?

OSTEEN: Well, Larry, what I believe from the Christian faith is that, you know, we live in a fallen world. The Bible says that nobody will be immune from the bad things in this world. That includes death, disease, heartache, job loss, financial troubles -- and even natural disasters. God never promised a life free from trouble, but He does promise strength, peace and comfort to get through those times of trouble. When we confess our sins to Him, acknowledge that we are in need of a savior, confess that He is the Son of God, and then accept Him as our personal savior and give our life over to Him -- then He is there for us each and every day.

KING: Why not question it? If he's a good God and he's on your side, why did he flood New Orleans, something he could have prevented?

OSTEEN: You know Larry, we do not say that God is on our side; rather, that we are on His side. We acknowledge that He is in control, and that we each have a choice to make -- to accept Him or to deny Him. Could He have prevented the hurricane? Absolutely. Could He have prevented the flood? Of course. But He allows these things to happen, and through them all, He seeks to be glorified. In the aftermath of this storm, many people have come to accept Him as their personal savior -- have come to acknowledge that the only way to His heaven is to accept Him. As a result of the devestation, He has been glorified through the outpouring of love and generosity of the church -- of people being the "hands and feet" of Christ -- and many more people will spend eternity in heaven because their eyes were opened to the truth by what they've seen and experienced.

Is this "Joel bashing" on my part? I would like to think not. It just frustrates me to no end when an opportunity to proclaim the truth is missed -- especially on national TV and practically shoulder-to-shoulder with the lost and confused Dalai Lama. How much more should His truth be proclaimed!

Am I off base here? Am I too critical? I would be interested to know what you think.