Pastor Joel Osteen

[GQ Chris]

I like Joel, but he never talks about Sin and repentance. What's up with that?

 

[GQ Chris]

I was at Borders the other day and I was going to buy Pastor Osteen's new book, but instead I picked up the Truth War by Pastor John MacArthur, great read so far.

 

[VCViking]

He's a false teacher and denied Jesus to millions on Larry King Live.

KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?

OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?

OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

From CNN LARRY KING LIVE Interview With Joel Osteen
Aired June 20, 2005

 

[Maranatha27]

This is a terribly difficult question. I believe its cotton candy christianity, but who am i to judge him...lol. I think his congregation is so large because he avoids the offensive sections clearly taught in scripture. Others do the same thing with not nearly as much success. I think God can use Joel whatever the case, but i believe there is probably a large amount of unsaved in his congregation.

 

[Maranatha27]

He's a false teacher and denied Jesus to millions on Larry King Live.

KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?

OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?

OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

From CNN LARRY KING LIVE Interview With Joel Osteen
Aired June 20, 2005

Yea that was a total disaster for a Christian pastor

 

[GQ Chris]

You know, I really respect Pastor John MacArthur, I was reading some articles on his website Grace To You, and I gotta tell ya, it was solid, Biblical to the core, convicted the wayward parts of me, ministered to the weak things in me, and empowered me to become even more bold and committed to Christ.

I wonder what John MacArthur thinks about Joel. I still have no doubt that God can use Joel, but I think that a lot in his congregation are missing out on the whole Gospel, Christ Crucified.

 

[Miracle Storm]

I have only seen him a few times on tv, but the times I have he had a really good message to share with others.
He has really inspired my dad who doesn't attend a Church and who I think had lost faith to a certain extent, but he really likes to watch Joel.
My dad is one who doesn't like to discuss politics or religion with others because he believes those are the best way to start arguments and he tries to avoid conflict. So I'm glad Joel is there for him to watch.
So can God use Joel, of course he can. He has used him in my life and in my dad's.

 

[Theophorus]

He has nice hair.

 

[SpiritDriven]

I like Joel, but he never talks about Sin and repentance. What's up with that?

You will Sin every day of your life....but be forgiven those Sins....if you repent of your own actions and deeds to attain right standing with God, and put your trust in him who Justified the Un Godly on the Cross at Calvary.

This is the repentance God is calling all peoples too....

 

[BrightCandle]

I like Joel, but he never talks about Sin and repentance. What's up with that?

I think that Joes Osteen, is a sincere Christian. However, the reason that he has such great success, is that he basically preaches a "prosperity Gospel", which is what the average urban and suburban American wants to hear. They don't want to hear about what is sin! They want the blessings of God, but they don't want to give up the things of the world. That is the type of Christianity that is popular nowadays in the US, and that is why Joel is so popular.

 

[Miracle Storm]

I think that Joes Osteen, is a sincere Christian. However, the reason that he has such great success, is that he basically preaches a "prosperity Gospel", which is what the average urban and suburban American wants to hear. They don't want to hear about what is sin! They want the blessings of God, but they don't want to give up the things of the world. That is the type of Christianity that is popular nowadays in the US, and that is why Joel is so popular.

You know I have to disagree with you to a point there. Yes he does in part preach the "properity Gospel" ask for it, speak it, believe it, that's not just about finances though...
But I disagree that is why he is so popular. He preaches common sense, he preaches love, how to love others, even those who you might feel are your enemy.

Another thing I personally like about Joel is he keeps this tone of voice the whole time he is preaching, you can tell he is just excited about God, but his voice stays calm and uplifting.
He is a great source of encouragement and imo knows how to rebuke people without condemning them when he preaches. He teaches and it can usually hit at the very heart of something you are going through and you can use those lessons toward your life. In everything I have heard him preach it has been in line with the Gospel....

 

[Verv]

But isn't there also a question concerning the proper exposure to Christ?

There is a point where knowing Christ comes into it, and those who were deprived of knowing their master cannot be expected to hold the same standard. Christ speaks of this in a parable:

[bible]Luke 12:47-48[/bible]

 

[GQ Chris]

Not to mention people are being shortchanged for not hearing the Full Gospel of Jesus Christ, because when the trials and the storms come into their life, all they are going to be remembering is all the Prosperity and business success they have been promised, and they fall away easily, if they were ever saved at all.

 

[Miracle Storm]

But isn't there also a question concerning the proper exposure to Christ?

There is a point where knowing Christ comes into it, and those who were deprived of knowing their master cannot be expected to hold the same standard. Christ speaks of this in a parable:

[bible]Luke 12:47-48[/bible]

I'm not sure what you are saying here. Are you saying he doesn't preach about Christ enough?
Like I said I have not watched enough of his programs that I would know. I did have his last CD's that came out, but I gave them to my mom because I felt like she needed them more. So I have never had a chance to listen to them, can't even remember what they are called now.
But anyway I do know at the beginning of each program the congregation holds up their Bibles and say some kind of confession....In so many words. "I believe what it says"

 

[Verv]

I'm not sure what you are saying here. Are you saying he doesn't preach about Christ enough?
Like I said I have not watched enough of his programs that I would know. I did have his last CD's that came out, but I gave them to my mom because I felt like she needed them more. So I have never had a chance to listen to them, can't even remember what they are called now.
But anyway I do know at the beginning of each program the congregation holds up their Bibles and say some kind of confession....In so many words. "I believe what it says"

I am saying his comments concerning Muslims and Jews not going to heaven, etc. are perhaps not entirely off.

If a Muslim or a Jew knows the gospel of Christ it is up to them to be a Christian but if, say, we are talking about Saudi Arabia where the possession of a Bible is literally illegal somebody cannot expect them to be full Christians.

In this case, the passage says that since they did not know Christ they will be punished with few stripes. In other words, I think that they will not face hell because they never had the opportunity to have a relationship with Christ.

 

[GQ Chris]

God has given a measure of Faith to every human being, he draws all men unto himself, I sure didn't want to become a Christian before I got saved, any one who has rejected Christ will be lost. Narrow is that road indeed.

It just goes to show that people know the truth, they believe it, and still they reject it.. Jesus Christ is the only way into Heaven.

 

[Miracle Storm]

I am saying his comments concerning Muslims and Jews not going to heaven, etc. are perhaps not entirely off.

If a Muslim or a Jew knows the gospel of Christ it is up to them to be a Christian but if, say, we are talking about Saudi Arabia where the possession of a Bible is literally illegal somebody cannot expect them to be full Christians.

In this case, the passage says that since they did not know Christ they will be punished with few stripes. In other words, I think that they will not face hell because they never had the opportunity to have a relationship with Christ.

We agree there.
I believe those that have never had the opportunity to know Christ will definitely be shown mercy.
It is better not to have known than to have known and turned your back...for those who have "turned their backs" I believe have the knowledge of salvation, but have not yet been saved..
Because I am of course a OSAS believer, but perhaps that's off topic a bit.
2 Peter 2:21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

 

[Miracle Storm]

God has given a measure of Faith to every human being, he draws all men unto himself, I sure didn't want to become a Christian before I got saved, any one who has rejected Christ will be lost. Narrow is that road indeed.

It just goes to show that people know the truth, they believe it, and still they reject it.. Jesus Christ is the only way into Heaven.

This is true, Jesus is the ONLY way.
But God will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy. Per my beliefs I would venture to say that includes those that have never heard of our precious Savior.

 

[simonthezealot]

I was at Borders the other day and I was going to buy Pastor Osteen's new book, but instead I picked up the Truth War by Pastor John MacArthur, great read so far.

Wise decision, here is a comparison of the 2 from clips on Larry king.
http://tramsek.podbean.com/2006/12/23/joel-osteen-vs-john-macarthur-on-larry-king-live/

 

[djsterf]

What we have is a Yikes situation.

(1) Itching ears

2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

(2) Neglect of the core problem of man -- what's the point of putting a band-aid on a wound that will not close? Sin is the core issue, and not preaching about repentance is dangerous.

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.
Romans 6:23a - The wages of sin is death...
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(But note that we need to confess them!)

(3) Neglect of preaching the full counsel of God (cf. Luke 7:30, Acts 20:27)

John 14:6 - "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life -- no man comes to the Father but by me."

The center of the Gospel is the Cross -- it isn't essential to have one in a church sanctuary, but I find it interesting that Osteen has a waterfall, a rotating globe, but no Cross.

Why did Jesus die?
To save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21)
"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Pray for Osteen to come to the realization that he needs to preach on sin. haha I would love to go preach to his church about sin! I even kinda look like Osteen.