Joel Osteen

Joel Does not Believe in preaching about Hell.How can Mr. Osteen, or anyone, Claim to believe the bible and deliberately refuse to warn people about hell?

KING: But you're not fire and brimstone, right? You're not pound the decks and hell and dam nation?

OSTEEN: No. That's not me. It's never been me. I've always been an encourager at heart. And when I took over from my father he came from the Southern Baptist background and back 40, 50 years ago there was a lot more of that. But, you know, I just -- I don't believe in that. I don't believe -- maybe it was for a time. But I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm there to encourage them. I see myself more as a coach, as a motivator to help them experience the life God has for us.

KING: But don't you think if people don't believe as you believe, they're somehow condemned?

OSTEEN: You know, I think that happens in our society. But I try not to do that. I tell people all the time, preached a couple Sundays about it. I'm for everybody. You may not agree with me, but to me it's not my job to try to straighten everybody out. The Gospel called the good news. My message is a message of hope, that's God's for you. You can live a good life no matter what's happened to you. And so I don't know. I know there is condemnation but I don't feel that's my place.





Joel Does not know If Jesus is the only way to heaven.

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.



When someone asks him what the Word of God has to say on the topics of same-sex marriage and abortion, it doesn't matter if it's his "thrust" or not. He, as a minister of God's Word, should be ready with an answer or be prepared to find an answer. That answer, when he gives it, should be clear as crystal, not muddied up and gutless.Homosexuality is sinful (Romans 1:24-28,1 Corinthians 6:9-10,Jude 1:7) and those who indulge in it are sinners.

KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?

OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ...

KING: You have thoughts, though.

OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody.

KING: You don't call them sinners?

OSTEEN: I don't.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html

Joel osteen is clearly a false preacher who cares more about not hurting people's feelings than about preaching the FULL GOSPEL OF CHRIST

God Bless You All.

I watch him occasionally. Everyone is not called to be a theologian. God has called him to be exactly what he is, mostly a motivational speaker. I believe he is a man of God with a huge heart and he is very humble, unlike many other Christians I know.

I probably would never join his church, but he does have some good and motivating sermons whenever I catch him.

Some days I want some tough meat of the word of God, and there are times I just need to hear someone encourage me in the Lord without a whole bunch of fire and brimstone..He has it!...

God has given everyone a different call. The bible is full of many men/women of God with different calls and messages for the body. Jeremiah was a weeping prophet, he is the only one who cried and cried while doing God's will..yet, God still called him before he was ever born and so on.

Just because a message or minister is not dancing in your parade, does not mean God has not sent him to dance in someone else's parade and give them a life changing word.

flyingsum0 said:

Pesonally I like the dude...I'll admit I haavent read this whole thread though...

OKOK yeah I know Im reading now...

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I like him too. He has some great encouraging sermons that have helped me a few times or more.

ANM29 said:

I watch him occasionally. Everyone is not called to be a theologian. God has called him to be exactly what he is, mostly a motivational speaker. I believe he is a man of God with a huge heart and he is very humble, unlike many other Christians I know.

I probably would never join his church, but he does have some good and motivating sermons whenever I catch him.

Some days I want some tough meat of the word of God, and there are times I just need to hear someone encourage me in the Lord without a whole bunch of fire and brimstone..He has it!...

God has given everyone a different call. The bible is full of many men/women of God with different calls and messages for the body. Jeremiah was a weeping prophet, he is the only one who cried and cried while doing God's will..yet, God still called him before he was ever born and so on.

Just because a message or minister is not dancing in your parade, does not mean God has not sent him to dance in someone else's parade and give them a life changing word.

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He may be a motivational speaker but I think you hit the nail on the head. Motivational speaker is not necessarily a preacher. J.O. preaches half a gospel which would be considered a false gospel according to Jesus.
I don't like hell preached down my throat all the time either. I don't believe in scaring people into heaven but rather showing love and Gods power. But I also know there's a place for judgment and on occasion God will have me speak up about it... it's a balance. Osteen is one sided, out of balance.
Some months ago God told me to speak out against homosexuality among my online friends, many of whom are not Christians, or who mix religion, and some pagan. Some in those circles were/are gay. Actually I surprized I wasn't flamed and actually the message was taken pretty well. rather than being attacked those who didn't agree appeared to ignore me or become inactive on my groups...
Point being, would Joel Osteen preach such a message? Is he even open to hearing God on such issues or does it all have to be possitive thinking?

When preachers like Osteen and others who have gained worldly riches from their ministries start giving away some to the poor and notching down their posh lifestyle a bit, then maybe I'll feel differently about them.

VCViking said:

Why would anyone listen to a pastor who says this:




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

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I was unaware the Joel Osteen said that and yes it does disturb me. I believe any christian not just pastors need to stand up for what they believe / know to be truth based on the word of God.

However, I have seen Joel Osteen on TV many times, my pastor was mentored by his father. Most of the time I enjoy listening to him. I rarely seem him quote scripture or read out of the bible, but frequently (not always) his points are based on biblical ideals. Usually he is encouraging people to lead better, more helpful lives. I don't think that is wrong.

Never the less, we should never get all of our teaching, etc. only from a pastor. We are called to have a personal relationship with Christ. If we personally spend time in the word and in prayer that we should be able to discern truth. I have been blessed many times by TV pastors, but if I hear something that spiritually doesn't feel right I turn them off.

Starcrystal said:

He may be a motivational speaker but I think you hit the nail on the head. Motivational speaker is not necessarily a preacher. J.O. preaches half a gospel which would be considered a false gospel according to Jesus.
I don't like hell preached down my throat all the time either. I don't believe in scaring people into heaven but rather showing love and Gods power. But I also know there's a place for judgment and on occasion God will have me speak up about it... it's a balance. Osteen is one sided, out of balance.
Some months ago God told me to speak out against homosexuality among my online friends, many of whom are not Christians, or who mix religion, and some pagan. Some in those circles were/are gay. Actually I surprized I wasn't flamed and actually the message was taken pretty well. rather than being attacked those who didn't agree appeared to ignore me or become inactive on my groups...
Point being, would Joel Osteen preach such a message? Is he even open to hearing God on such issues or does it all have to be possitive thinking?

When preachers like Osteen and others who have gained worldly riches from their ministries start giving away some to the poor and notching down their posh lifestyle a bit, then maybe I'll feel differently about them.

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How do you know he doesn't give to the poor? Most legitimate ministries tithe off of the income received and put $ into other outreaches.

Both my husband and I came to know Christ from watching and listening to Joel. I am hugely grateful for what he does every week. I know it's not a style of message that speaks to everyone, but I think he's doing a lot of good. His sermon last week on loving one another was one of the best I've heard in a long time (it might be on iTunes if anyone wants to check it out).

Just to correct a fact from earlier - Joel does sell tickets when he travels to other towns. They keep the price low (it was $10 when we saw him in Indianapolis), and they started doing that after they had too many people show up at a free event and couldn't accommodate everyone. Maybe the $100 price was a scalper reselling them?

rmw8855 said:

How do you know he doesn't give to the poor? Most legitimate ministries tithe off of the income received and put $ into other outreaches.

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Well, most do that and he probably does as well... but it's out of their abundance. Makes them look good. I can't say for sure but some do these donations just out of a sense of obligation or necessity and not from the heart.

Starcrystal said:

He may be a motivational speaker but I think you hit the nail on the head. Motivational speaker is not necessarily a preacher. J.O. preaches half a gospel which would be considered a false gospel according to Jesus.
I don't like hell preached down my throat all the time either. I don't believe in scaring people into heaven but rather showing love and Gods power. But I also know there's a place for judgment and on occasion God will have me speak up about it... it's a balance. Osteen is one sided, out of balance.
Some months ago God told me to speak out against homosexuality among my online friends, many of whom are not Christians, or who mix religion, and some pagan. Some in those circles were/are gay. Actually I surprized I wasn't flamed and actually the message was taken pretty well. rather than being attacked those who didn't agree appeared to ignore me or become inactive on my groups...
Point being, would Joel Osteen preach such a message? Is he even open to hearing God on such issues or does it all have to be possitive thinking?

When preachers like Osteen and others who have gained worldly riches from their ministries start giving away some to the poor and notching down their posh lifestyle a bit, then maybe I'll feel differently about them.

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Motivational speaker can also be a preacher, but not necessarily.

Regardless of anyone's opinion of him, God is still using him to reach millions weekly. If he has not reached you or touched you in any way, then you were not one of the ones meant to be reached by him. I believe this is why we have so many different personalities that God created, if one minister does not appeal to you there are ten more who probably will.

Even if Joel Osteen is a false prophet as many are saying, God will still use what the devil does to bring good out of it. He will still use Joel Osteen to accomplish a purpose and God will still be glorified EVEN IF he is a false prophet. That is one thing I know for certain. Many have come to Christ because of his ministry, and there were days when I turned him on and he said exactly what God himself knew I needed to hear to encourage me at the time. So, everyone has an opinion about some preacher..none of them are ever good enough in the eyes of so many people..The good thing is he does not have to be good enough according to man's standard and idea of what they consider 'good' anyway.

Everyone who brings the word of God does not preach in a huff and puff fast paced tone, some speak slow, some are more teachers than preachers..Either way the question to me is a part of changing lives, and the answer has been yes.

If he is a false prophet in ur eyes, turn the tv and don't buy his books. God will judge him either way, and GOd will still be glorified through Joel Osteen for the SAKE OF HIS PEOPLE! and many have been blessed and God has already been glorified.

I never heard about Joel making all these statements I have read, and even if he did that is still between him and God. God will still use him to serve a purpose for his people, I think that is part so many of us forget or never even consider because we are so quick and ready to throw stones just because it does not ALL make sense to us..and unfortunately many of us feel only God talks to us so if he didn't confirm something with us it can't be God..God is so much bigger than our small view of him and even his servants..

Joel is not obligated to speak out against gays or abortion. He is told to preach the gospel to sinners ( gays, etc ) and the Holy Spirit does the turning of hearts. So whether he ever has a protest or march to protest "SIN", makes no difference. That is actually not even what God commanded us to do..he has given that tasks to some ( i will say) not all. Read the bible, you will see that God had a specific purpose and mission that was different for everyone..but, with all one purpose and that is to speak God's word to his people whether it be a messages of damnation or a message of hope...and EVERYBODY HAD A DIFFERENT MESSAGE TO TAKE...

Our job is to stop sitting around bad mouthing God's people just because their call does not line us with ours. We need to be on a mission to figure out why God created us and what specific purpose do we serve on the earth and get with it..Joel and many of the others have found theirs.. Maybe the do spend too much money on houses, etc..I think many of them do, but at the end of the day as long as they have accomplished their purposes in changing God's people lives, I am ok..God will deal with the rest, that is between them and God...


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OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody.

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Ok, looks like he said it was wrong..So, what is the problem? If he was out in the streets protesting would that make him a real man of God?

If he protest homosexuality, he must also protest ( and the rest of us ) all the other hundreds of sins..and let us make sure we all label them one by one on our banners.

Like the little white lies we tell on a regular basis, lusts, and all the secret hidden sins of our own hearts. We have to put all that on big white banners and march in the streets against it..

Or is the better way to preach the gospel to a fallen sinful world and allow God to convict the hearts of man. Homosexuality and abortion are only two sins in the world, let us display our own secret sins if we are going to keep this really fair and 'holy'.

Is it a sin to secretly struggle with homosexual feelings like many Christians do? Many who will be the first to throw stones at the theif and murderer..We better make sure we are being true to the cause of God and not just blabber mouths because we have one.

Why don't we all display our own private sins and stuggles on banners? ..I mean, we put everyone else's out there don't we?

Sweep around your own front door and ask God to create in you a clean heart and then go out and tell a sinner about Christ.

We will not save the world or change the entire world, many will die in sin. We are called though to touch those who are 'open' to the word of God..Let us get about that and while we are at remember that we still are a work in progress..and learn some humilty and get off the high horses..

Followers4christ said:

Joel Does not Believe in preaching about Hell.How can Mr. Osteen, or anyone, Claim to believe the bible and deliberately refuse to warn people about hell?

KING: But you're not fire and brimstone, right? You're not pound the decks and hell and dam nation?

OSTEEN: No. That's not me. It's never been me. I've always been an encourager at heart. And when I took over from my father he came from the Southern Baptist background and back 40, 50 years ago there was a lot more of that. But, you know, I just -- I don't believe in that. I don't believe -- maybe it was for a time. But I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm there to encourage them. I see myself more as a coach, as a motivator to help them experience the life God has for us.

KING: But don't you think if people don't believe as you believe, they're somehow condemned?

OSTEEN: You know, I think that happens in our society. But I try not to do that. I tell people all the time, preached a couple Sundays about it. I'm for everybody. You may not agree with me, but to me it's not my job to try to straighten everybody out. The Gospel called the good news. My message is a message of hope, that's God's for you. You can live a good life no matter what's happened to you. And so I don't know. I know there is condemnation but I don't feel that's my place.





Joel Does not know If Jesus is the only way to heaven.

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.



When someone asks him what the Word of God has to say on the topics of same-sex marriage and abortion, it doesn't matter if it's his "thrust" or not. He, as a minister of God's Word, should be ready with an answer or be prepared to find an answer. That answer, when he gives it, should be clear as crystal, not muddied up and gutless.Homosexuality is sinful (Romans 1:24-28,1 Corinthians 6:9-10,Jude 1:7) and those who indulge in it are sinners.

KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?

OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ...

KING: You have thoughts, though.

OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody.

KING: You don't call them sinners?

OSTEEN: I don't.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html

Joel osteen is clearly a false preacher who cares more about not hurting people's feelings than about preaching the FULL GOSPEL OF CHRIST

God Bless You All.

Click to expand...

I have read the entire transcript. I was alarmed when I read it because what we hve here is a man who has the Message of Jesus Christ, but he has suffered and succumbed to the FEAR OF MAN.

He has done a disservice to the kingdom of God in that program, as He has propogated a feel-good kind of gospel, stumbling on the stone, the foundation stone--JESUS CHRIST.

God can certainly use what Joel and his wife said on that program, but he himself will suffer for it, and I do believe he has.

He needs to be prayed for and prayed OVER with regard to his fear of man, which is a very common fear in men and women of God.

Too bad...

FloatingAxe,

If he suffers for it, that is between Joel and God..God will still use his messages to accomplish a good work. Let us deal with our own fears and struggles, we have some too. ..Pray for him if you think he is so wrong, Have you prayed for him ? Probably not!

Stop bad-mouthing him. What are you wrong about ? I am sure there are many things you can find wrong about yourself, just like the rest of us..

ANM29 said:

FloatingAxe,

If he suffers for it, that is between Joel and God..God will still use his messages to accomplish a good work. Let us deal with our own fears and struggles, we have some too. ..Pray for him if you think he is so wrong, Have you prayed for him ? Probably not!

Stop bad-mouthing him. What are you wrong about ? I am sure there are many things you can find wrong about yourself, just like the rest of us..

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I actually have prayed for him, ANM29.

I wasn't bad-mouthing him in the least. I am saying that he has done what we all have done--succumbed to the fear of man.

I am one of the few who DO NOT lambaste the man and call him a blight! I am sure that he is a saved and gifted man, but he suffered fear and gave into it on the Larry King Show. That's all...so far.

Floatingaxe said:

I actually have prayed for him, ANM29.

I wasn't bad-mouthing him in the least. I am saying that he has done what we all have done--succumbed to the fear of man.

I am one of the few who DO NOT lambaste the man and call him a blight! I am sure that he is a saved and gifted man, but he suffered fear and gave into it on the Larry King Show. That's all...so far.

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I am glad to know some Christians are praying instead beating him down as if he is the only person with an issue or two. ( Even if this is an issue, to some it is )Most of us don't even have the balls to speak to a crowd or 5 people, he speaks to thousands weekly doing what God called him to do whether we like it or not.

I think sometimes we forget that the people Jesus had issues and debates with were religious church people, not sinners. ( and so do we ) We need to pray for him if we think he is going astray and not start threads about him as if he is trash and has no God who can't put us all to shame if we are not careful.

Paul says that we need to become all things to all men so that we can have a better chance of helping them get to heaven.

I don't agree with Osteen's wishy-washyness, but I think because I have been reading all these threads and all the things I know of him, I think that might be what he is striving for so that he can try and share the gospel with as many as possible.

Personally, I would not go about it that way, but that is me. For me, his way of doing that would saying to one of my non-believing friends, "You must be baptized NOW!" instead of simply asking her to pray with me over a meal. But like I said, his way of teaching is not mine.

I don't agree with what he says, but it is not my place to judge his actions. That is God's job. I am simply supposed to glean everything that God wants me to and then study to make sure it is true

Preaching Jeremiah 29:11 and telling people that if you surrender your life to Jesus is going to make things easy is telling people a lie. In all of the gospels and in the book of acts God calls us to evangelise to people; the great comission. This is the call of all Chrisitians, to go and make disciples of all nations. People have been persecuted, tortured, and murdered for this. Preaching a prosperity gospel for a bit of scripture that didn't even come true until the gerneration after Jeremiah is taking it out of context.
It is nice that Joel Osteen preaches on was to emulate Jesus and good characteristics. But the argument is Christianity v. Morality. If his theology doesn't include Jesus Christ as the only way, then how can anyone say he should be teaching? I know plenty of very awesome morally good people....and plain and simple they are going to hell because they have never surrendered their life to Jesus....and my heart breaks for them.

ANM29 said:

I am glad to know some Christians are praying instead beating him down as if he is the only person with an issue or two. ( Even if this is an issue, to some it is )Most of us don't even have the balls to speak to a crowd or 5 people, he speaks to thousands weekly doing what God called him to do whether we like it or not.

I think sometimes we forget that the people Jesus had issues and debates with were religious church people, not sinners. ( and so do we ) We need to pray for him if we think he is going astray and not start threads about him as if he is trash and has no God who can't put us all to shame if we are not careful.

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We need to pray that those who are anointed to proclaim Christ to large numbers will obey the call. Whom God anoints, He expects obedience. No fear! And, as Joyce Meyer puts it..."Do it, afraid!"

I don't mean to be critical of Joel, but I guess you could say I find it amuzing that he does more talking with his eyes closed than anyone I have ever seen.

And I am all for speaking well of him (like Luke 6:26 says).

Joel Osteen Ministries is not listed as a member of the Evangelical Council For Financial Accountability http://www.ecfa.org/Default.aspx. ECFA's statement of purpose includes the following:

ECFA is an accreditation agency dedicated to helping Christian ministries earn the public&#8217;s trust through adherence to seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. Founded in 1979, it is comprised of over 1,200 evangelical Christian organizations, which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions to support their work.

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To me, this is a fundamental test of credibility: I would expect that a Christian organization that solicits donations from the public should be a member of ECFA or at least follow the same principles that ECFA promotes in terms of transparent accountability and adherence to certain ethical standards.

I would be very cautious about a ministry that does not subscribe to these standards.

Joel Osteen Ministries is also not listed at http://www.give.org/about/index.asp- the Better Business Bureau affiliate that provides audits of charitable organizations- here is their mandate:

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance (the Alliance) helps donors make informed giving decisions and advances high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public. The Alliance was formed in 2001 through the merger of the National Charities Information Bureau with the Council of Better Business Bureaus&#8217; Foundation (which housed the Philanthropic Advisory Service.) The merger partners offer over a century of combined experience in charity evaluation. The Alliance produces in-depth evaluative reports on national charities based on comprehensive Standards for Charity Accountability and publishes a quarterly magazine, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide. National charities that meet the standards can apply to participate in the Alliance&#8217;s National Charity Seal program.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance produces reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations. About one-third of the local Better Business Bureaus in the United States report on regionally soliciting charities.

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Again, I would be very suspicious of an organization that is not listed with Give.Org.