Is this teaching biblical?
Houston's refusal to accept his sinfulness directly contradicts Scripture's clearest declarations about human nature. If we are not sinners, Christ died for nothing. The entire gospel rests on the premise that all have sinned — to deny this is to deny the need for a Savior and to make God a liar.
What did Brian Houston say?
"I refuse to accept that I am a sinner."
Speaker: Brian Houston
Source: Interview statement
What does Scripture actually teach?
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
— NKJV
ALL have sinned — no exceptions. Houston's refusal to accept this places him in direct contradiction with the universal declaration of Scripture. To refuse to be a sinner is to refuse the gospel's starting point.
1 John 1:8-10
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."
— NKJV
John couldn't be more explicit: saying you have no sin means (1) self-deception, (2) truth is not in you, and (3) you make God a liar. Houston's statement fits all three indictments.
Psalm 51:5
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me."
— NKJV
David acknowledges sinfulness from conception — not as a negative confession but as honest reality before a holy God. Refusing to acknowledge sin prevents the repentance that leads to forgiveness.