Is this teaching biblical?
Houston wrote this op-ed specifically to condemn Israel Folau, a rugby star who publicly called sinners to repentance based on 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21. Houston characterized Folau's biblical message as 'judgmental' and 'scaring people.' But Scripture commands believers to 'preach the word... reprove, rebuke, exhort' (2 Timothy 4:2). Calling sin what it is isn't being judgmental — it is being faithful. The apostles were all 'judgmental' by Houston's definition, as was Jesus Himself.
What did Brian Houston say?
"The world doesn't need more judgmental Christians."
Speaker: Brian Houston
Source: Sydney Morning Herald op-ed, April 2019 (condemning Israel Folau for calling sinners to repentance)
What does Scripture actually teach?
2 Timothy 4:2-4
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
— NKJV
Paul commanded Timothy to REBUKE — the very thing Houston condemns as 'judgmental.' Paul also prophesied that a time would come when people would 'not endure sound doctrine' and instead seek teachers who tell them what they want to hear. Houston fulfills this prophecy by building a ministry that systematically avoids uncomfortable truth.
Acts 17:30
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent."
— NKJV
God COMMANDS all people everywhere to REPENT. This is not optional, and it is not 'judgmental.' It is the gospel. Houston's ministry has been documented as systematically removing repentance from its teaching — even editing it out of printed Scripture. To oppose preaching repentance is to oppose God's own command.
Luke 13:3
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
— NKJV
Jesus Himself said this — the ultimate 'turn or burn' message that Houston condemned Folau for echoing. By Houston's standard, Jesus was 'judgmental.' The Son of God did not shy away from warning people of judgment. A pastor who condemns this message has abandoned the gospel of Jesus Christ.