Joel Osteen And The Dangers Of Religious Leadership

On Monday, the media caught hold of a story that made national waves: Pastor Joel Osteen, the televangelist prosperity gospel advocate, had closed the doors of his megachurch to victims of Hurricane Harvey. As Paul Bois of The Daily Wire reported:

As the hurricane ravaged its way across Houston this weekend, Osteen announced that his megachurch – Lakewood Church near downtown Houston – will not be holding services on Saturday and Sunday. As Monday hit, Osteen asked his fellow Texans to lean on Christ for comfort. “Due to the weather impact of Hurricane Harvey and concern for the safety of our members, all Lakewood Church worship services for this weekend, Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th have been cancelled,” read the church’s announcement. “Jesus promises us peace that passes understanding,” he wrote. “That’s peace when it doesn’t make sense.”