Joel Osteen

[Zecryphon]

What do you guys know about him? I have heard his name, but I haven't really heard him speak or read his books. I overheard someone talking about him, but I don't know much about him, so I couldn't really join the discussion.

Joel Osteen is probably the # 1 Word-Faith pastor in the country right now, to people outside of the Word-Faith movement. To the people in it, Kenneth Copeland is your man. As a pastor or preacher of God's word I think Joel Osteen is in the wrong profession. As an inspirational speaker/comedian he's one of the best I've heard.

The problem with Osteen is that in his sermons, he never mentions the cross, sin, repentance, Jesus is rarely ever mentioned by name in his sermons. It's all about what you can do to make the world a better place. It's all anecdotal stories, I think it's a stretch to even call what he does topical preaching. One of the most recent sermons I heard by him was called "You Are Somebody's Miracle." Huh? A miracle is an event that defies all laws of nature, does not happen everyday, and does not have a rational explanation.

The examples Joel gave in this sermon of being a "miracle" to another person are common everyday acts of kindness. He told a story about how he was at an airport and the guy next to him had his cell phone die, so Joel gave him his. The guy said "oh no I can't use this, I'm calling Hong Kong." Joel said "that's okay. You make as many calls as you want." Then Joel said "from the look on that guy's face, you just knew he was truly grateful. I was that guy's miracle." Does any of that match the definition of a miracle as it's been defined here? No. It's closer to a good deed or a blessing. It's not a miracle because it has an explanation. You can explain what happened.

Joel's theology is basically this, if you do good things for others God will do good things for you. If you bless others, God will bless you. Does that sound like the God of the Bible to you? Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours? No. It sounds more like Bill & Ted's theology of "Be excellent to each other" (From Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure) than anything having to do with God.

All of his sermons are pretty much the same watered-down, vanilla, tickle the ears sermons that pack the churches full of people. Don't get me wrong, as an entertainer Joel Osteen is one of the best as a preacher he fails miserably. People have a disease called sin, God has the cure in Jesus Christ, but you'll never hear that from Joel, because he once said that talking about sin was a downer, and he just wants to lift people up and encourage them.

 

[Zecryphon]

I've only really listened to him once. And it was kind of funny, because I've learned that when God wants me to learn something or is trying to get something through to me, I'll start reading and hearing the same thing over and over. Like, I'll read something in the Bible pertaining to that topic, then something will come in my email dealing with that, or I may read something in a magazine or hear it on the radio.
So, awhile back, there was this one topic that for some reason God wanted me to 'grasp'. And I kept coming across it in everything. I came home from work one day and turned on the tv. It just happened to be on whatever channel Joel was on and he was talking about that very topic!!
So, I believe that God can use him. I've heard many people say he preaches fluff, doesn't preach the whole gospel, etc. and maybe he doesn't. I can't pass that judgment since I've not really listened to him. But, that doesn't mean that someone isn't helped by something he says.

Rosie, it's very easy to listen to Joel Osteen now. Just go to www.itunes.com and download his podcast. Search for Joel Osteen and you should find it rather easily. That's what I've been doing, and I still have yet to hear him mention sin, the cross or repentance. I have a question for people who do listen to Joel Osteen, it's alot like the Tootsie Pop question of how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center? How many sermons does it take for Joel to get around to mentioning, sin, the cross, or repentance? My current count is 5 sermons and not one mention.

 

[Zecryphon]

"I'm sorry, but your comments almost make me sick."

Yeah, the truth can have that effect sometimes.

"Our job as Christians is to spread the word. If a single person comes to Jesus as a result of Joel Olsteen's actions that will be one more person saved regardless of how Joel Olsteen presents his message."

No, that will be one more false convert in the pews and we have enough of those now as it is. Just because one person may get soundly saved by listening to Joel, that doesn't make his methods right. He is not preaching or teaching about sin, repentance, the cross or Jesus. It's a watered down message that tickles the ears and does not convict a person in their heart of their sin. I've listened to Joel "preach" and I have felt no need whatsoever to call upon Jesus to save me. Why would I? According to him all a person needs to do is bless others and God will bless us. No savior needed. I can do good works all day long. Do you see the problem yet?

"From there it is up to each of us to educate ourselves in the Word of the Lord and not follow blindly."

Educate ourselves about what? Because of Joel's sin of omission we have no idea about sin or our fallen condition or why we even need a savior.

"How did your comments just contribute to the kingdom of God?"

They warned against a false teacher, that is beneficial to the kingdom of God. Jesus warns about false teachers too. Did He not contribute to the Kingdom of God either by doing this in your opinion?

"Did you say you saw the program once and that gives you freedom to trash him because his style didn't appeal to you? I think not."

Is Joel Osteen in the body of Christ? Is he in the church? Then according to 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 the person you are ticked at had every right to judge as they have. We are to judge those inside the church, while God judges those outside the church.

"The Word contained in the New Testament should be your main teacher, none other. Whatever works to inspire anyone to follow or come to the teachings of Jesus is helpful to the kingdom."

Why would anyone come to Jesus based upon Joel's messages? People come to Jesus because they are guilty of sin, of breaking God's laws and need a savior. Joel has said repeatedly that he will not talk about those things, because they're "downers". So if Joel isn't talking about those things, bringing people to repentance and to the foot of the cross, is he doing his job as a teacher of God's word? I'd say not.

"Your comments are not. Perhaps if you took some time to listen to Joel Olsteen you'll see that he does quote from the Bible."

How many sermons do you have to listen to before that happens? At the end of today I'll have heard 7. I've never heard him quote the Bible, and I've never heard him say "open your Bibles with me to... " pick whatever verse you like.

"He did a real good show once on what Jesus meant when He said it's what comes out of your mouth that makes you unclean. Kind of clarified what Mom said about not saying anything if you didn't have anything to say. Or have no idea of what you are talking about."

Once? He did this once? He came close to talking about sin once? Be still my trembling heart.

"Joel shows people how to use the teachings of Jesus to improve their everyday lives."

Oh, so it is all about US and ME, it's not about Jesus for me. That's what I thought, thank you for confirming my conclusion.

"Nothing wrong with that. Must be working. A lot of people attend his service and even more watch the program on TV for inspiration."

There is plenty wrong with that. A big church and campus wilth lots of attenders is not the sign of a successful ministry. The sign of a successful ministry is that all the people sitting in your church are soundly saved and have heard the full gospel of Christ and don't run for the door when you preach Jesus, sin, repentance and the cross.

"Join us"

Never!

"and then if you still feel the need to trash him, go for it. At least you'll have a better idea of what you are talking about."

No one is trashing him though. We're just telling you why his style is bad and that nothing good will come of it.

"I think you'll find his teachings refreshing."

If I wanna feel good about myself, and be inspired yeah I'll listen to Joel. If I wanna hear a good sermon on sin, repentance, Jesus and how Jesus paid the fine for my sin by taking my punishment for me so I wouldn't have to, then I'll go to my church. Hear it every week. And ya know what? I feel alot better when I leave my church than when I finish an Osteen sermon? Know why? Cuz the gospel is pure, beautiful, awesome, but sadly never really fully preached in Joel's church. One thing I will say about the guy though is that he really puts the "me" in his message.

 

[Zecryphon]

Sorry, that's not true, here's some chapters in his book:

Chapter3: God has more on store!
Chpt 19: Let God bring justice into your life.
Chpt 22: Trusting God's timing.
Chpt 24:Trusting God when life doesn't make sense.

Mostly his whole book, even if it doesn't have "God" in the titles of his chapters, teaches you to turn your life and trust over to God.



Here's an ending statement from his book:

"Each week, I close our international TV broadcast by giving the audience an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. I'd like to extend that same opportunity to you.
Are you at peace with God? A void exists in every persons heart that only God can fill. Will you pray with me today? Just say, 'Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I ask You come into my heart. I make You my Lord and Savior."

Hmmmnnnn....interesting, AND he quotes bible scriptures allll thru his book.

Just say, 'Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I ask You come into my heart. I make You my Lord and Savior."

Yes he does say this at the end of every sermon. But I always have the same questions. I approach a sermon every time I hear someone speak as if i know NOTHING about anything having to do with Christianity.

Here are the questions I have at the end of every Osteen sermon, remember I'm pretending not to know anything.

1) Who's Jesus? I never heard him mentioned.

2) What's repentance? Why do I need to do this?

3) What's a sin? Why do I need to do something about them?

4) How does Jesus come into my heart? I thought he was a man. How can a man enter a person's heart?

5) If I can make this Jesus guy do what I like, that'd be cool. Sounds like he answers to me, awesome!

See the problem?

There's a way to determine if a message you are hearing preached is Christ-Centered and Cross-Focused. This comes from Todd Wilken at Issues, Etc. It can also be applied to Christian Music too. Alof of CCM fails miserably at being Christ-centered as well. Alot of it is fluff too.

1) How many times is Jesus mentioned by name? Not as generic "God", not as "the big guy upstairs", "you know who", etc. But how many times is He mentioned as "Jesus", Jesus Christ", "Christ", "Our Savior", "Our Redeemer"?

2) If Jesus is mentioned, is He the subject of the verbs? Is the sermon telling you what jesus has done or is Jesus simply in there as an object in the background? Is the sermon really not about what Jesus has done, but rather what somebody else has done? Maybe even what YOU have done?

3) If Jesus is the subject of the verbs, what are those verbs? Is this the Jesus that is your power source? Your inspiration? The Jesus that you love so very much? Or is this the Jesus who has lived for you and died for you and rose from the dead for you to pay for your sins?

 

[Zecryphon]

Good, no, excellent points that need to be said. It seems like some here just can't wait to condemn themselves as per Romans 2.

This thread is SO UNREAL. How can these people trash someone they may or may not have even watched who is helping people to find their way to God? It's UNREAL. No, more like a nightmare.

I feel so sorry for these people. My stomach turns to see what they are doing to themselves trashing this person who is bringing people to Jesus.

Thank you for your excellent post. To bad many will ignore it and condemn themselves further. You got to let go and let God, but I sure wouldn't want to be them come Judgement Day.

God Bless.

Yeah and I don't want to be in your shoes either. Turning a blind eye to a false teacher.

 

[Zecryphon]

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..

I'm gonna do more than pray for him, I'm gonna email him and start a dialogue and challenge him to get on board the Biblical bandwagon with the full truth of the gospel message. Wish me well, I think I'm about to suffer for my faith.

 

[Servant222]

Here is Joel Osteen Ministries Statement of Faith, which you can view at http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_whatwebelieve

WE BELIEVE…the entire Bible is inspired by God, without error and the authority on which we base our faith, conduct and doctrine.

WE BELIEVE…in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to this earth as Savior of the world.

WE BELIEVE…Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. We believe that salvation is found by placing our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. We believe Jesus rose from the dead and is coming again.

WE BELIEVE…water baptism is a symbol of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ and a testimony to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

WE BELIEVE…in the regular taking of Communion as an act of remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross.

WE BELIEVE…every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying God’s Word, yielding to the Holy Spirit and by being conformed to the image of Christ.

WE BELIEVE…as children of God, we are overcomers and more than conquerors and God intends for each of us to experience the abundant life He has in store for us.

So does his ministry reflect these beliefs?

 

[Zecryphon]

Here is Joel Osteen Ministries Statement of Faith, which you can view at http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_whatwebelieve



So does his ministry reflect these beliefs?

The interesting thing about the statement of faith for Lakewood church is it talks more about sin, Jesus and the Holy Spirit than Joel does. Now do we know that Joel wrote this statement of faith? Was this around when his dad was the pastor of that church or did someone else write this for them altogether? Alot of churches will adopt a statement of faith from another church too because they can't write their own.

I do have one question though in regards to Communion at Lakewood. How does a church that size distribute it? Do you have the elders come to you with the trays? How is it done in a church of that size. In my last church we had 10,000+ members. Now granted we didn't have 10,000+ people sitting all together at one service and I think alot of those members were C.E.O.'s Christmas and Easter Onlies, but we still had a good thousand or two in the chapel during a service. Lakewood has more people in the audience than we had in a service, so the logistics of how Communion is carried out is interesting to me.

 

[Zecryphon]

Good, no, excellent points that need to be said. It seems like some here just can't wait to condemn themselves as per Romans 2.

This thread is SO UNREAL. How can these people trash someone they may or may not have even watched who is helping people to find their way to God? It's UNREAL. No, more like a nightmare.

I feel so sorry for these people. My stomach turns to see what they are doing to themselves trashing this person who is bringing people to Jesus.

Thank you for your excellent post. To bad many will ignore it and condemn themselves further. You got to let go and let God, but I sure wouldn't want to be them come Judgement Day.

God Bless.

"Good, no, excellent points that need to be said. It seems like some here just can't wait to condemn themselves as per Romans 2."

It seems to me that Romans 2 deals with hypocrisy. People who condemn one person for an act, but they themselves do that act as well, so they are a hypocrite. I'm speaking out against Osteen because he does not present the gospel in a way that makes sense. When I witness to someone I do present it in a way that makes sense, so your attempted use of Romans 2 to convict those with whom you personally disagree falls flat here and has no oomph with me.

"This thread is SO UNREAL. How can these people trash someone they may or may not have even watched who is helping people to find their way to God? It's UNREAL. No, more like a nightmare."

How is he helping people find their way to God? I don't believe anyone comes to God unless the Holy Spirit draws them. So do you believe Osteen is bringing people to God with his watered-down vanilla messages that just speak of doing good works with no mention as to what our motivation for doing those good works is?

We do good works to show our thankfulness to God for sending Jesus to die in our place for our sins. Good works are the direct result of salvation. You won't hear that from Joel. Because for him to say that he would have to talk about sin and why we need to be saved and what we are being saved from. That one's a real downer for him.

"I feel so sorry for these people. My stomach turns to see what they are doing to themselves trashing this person who is bringing people to Jesus."

The Holy Spirit brings people to God and to repetnance, not Joel or any other minister or street evangelist or open-air preacher.

"Thank you for your excellent post. To bad many will ignore it and condemn themselves further. You got to let go and let God, but I sure wouldn't want to be them come Judgement Day."

From your post I thought we had to let go and let Joel.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Joel Osteen is probably the # 1 Word-Faith pastor in the country right now, to people outside of the Word-Faith movement. To the people in it, Kenneth Copeland is your man. As a pastor or preacher of God's word I think Joel Osteen is in the wrong profession. As an inspirational speaker/comedian he's one of the best I've heard.

The problem with Osteen is that in his sermons, he never mentions the cross, sin, repentance, Jesus is rarely ever mentioned by name in his sermons. It's all about what you can do to make the world a better place. It's all anecdotal stories, I think it's a stretch to even call what he does topical preaching. One of the most recent sermons I heard by him was called "You Are Somebody's Miracle." Huh? A miracle is an event that defies all laws of nature, does not happen everyday, and does not have a rational explanation.

The examples Joel gave in this sermon of being a "miracle" to another person are common everyday acts of kindness. He told a story about how he was at an airport and the guy next to him had his cell phone die, so Joel gave him his. The guy said "oh no I can't use this, I'm calling Hong Kong." Joel said "that's okay. You make as many calls as you want." Then Joel said "from the look on that guy's face, you just knew he was truly grateful. I was that guy's miracle." Does any of that match the definition of a miracle as it's been defined here? No. It's closer to a good deed or a blessing. It's not a miracle because it has an explanation. You can explain what happened.

Joel's theology is basically this, if you do good things for others God will do good things for you. If you bless others, God will bless you. Does that sound like the God of the Bible to you? Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours? No. It sounds more like Bill & Ted's theology of "Be excellent to each other" (From Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure) than anything having to do with God.

All of his sermons are pretty much the same watered-down, vanilla, tickle the ears sermons that pack the churches full of people. Don't get me wrong, as an entertainer Joel Osteen is one of the best as a preacher he fails miserably. People have a disease called sin, God has the cure in Jesus Christ, but you'll never hear that from Joel, because he once said that talking about sin was a downer, and he just wants to lift people up and encourage them.

This rings true to me. I have had the exact thoughts. He doesn't speak of Jesus or repentance while he has the ears of thousands.

 

[tamtam92]

I've just read some excerpts of this interview with Larry King. What surprised me more was, how often he would say "i don't know", or simply contradict himself in the same sentence. For a preacher used to speak to thousands, i'm astonished that he's unable to find his words.

Then he clearly states that he doesn't even think about sin. He supposes people already know what's good and what's wrong... but how can they if they're not taught about it? Their conscience can be shut off.

Then he's not able to defend his faith. He doesn't know who's saved or not. I know that people who don't recognize Christ as their saviour are lost. That's why we have to preach the Gospel to them.

He's not preaching the gospel at all, his preaching positive thinking and happy life... I guess he talks about about God from time to time jsut because he's supposed to be a pastor.


Anyway, i'm relieved to see there are other people who see his errors.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

I don't know much about Joel Osteen...based on what I see, he seems to be a good inspirational speaker, and his messages are encouraging. Maybe God uses him to reach out to people who have been hurt by churches in the past and need to hear the positive side of Christianity.

However, I find his message a little watered down...it seems to be all about us and what we can do and who we can be...although I agree that many people need to hear such a message once in a while, I don't know if an entire church should be built around it. I'm not attacking Joel Osteen personally, I don't know him and he seems like a good genuine person. And maybe there are people who benefit from his sermons.

But I think that to be a pastor, one needs to have an excellent understanding of Scripture and a solid knowledge of our faith...it's not enough to just be a good speaker. Based on what I've heard of Joel Osteen, he leaves out a lot of important points in the Bible...he doesn't seem to want to talk about the difficult, challenging topics; but that's what people sometimes need to hear. I like my pastor because he talks a lot about sanctification, giving up yourself, living for God's glory, repentance, temptation, etc. He doesn't leave things out just because people might not like to hear them, but at the same time his messages are positive and more about the love of God than about His wrath. Joel Osteen's sermons sound like inspirational messages with a Christian perspective, but they don't move beyond that.....what about sin? What about dying to the world? What about becoming more like Christ by sharing in His suffering? I admit that some people might be turned off by these topics, but they are important for Christian growth. We can not be 'infants in Christ' forever.

If I have the wrong impression of Lakewood church, forgive me. I've never actually been there, so I don't know how it's like. Maybe it's different, after all. If it has helped you grow in your walk with God, that's good.

God bless

 

[Floatingaxe]

Monica~

I have shared your opinion and impressions for quite a while. Then I have had a re-think. These churches like Joel's are cell churches. It is during the week and in cells, that the tough teaching and discipling is going on. It is in these "home churches" that salvations are taking place.

In the corporate meetings in the church buildings on Saturdays and Sundays---that is where the celebration takes place. The exhortation, encouragement, the edifying. This is what we are seeing and getting the impression that this is where people are being fed milk only. I have come to see that maybe this is not the case.

I hope I am right! We are a cell church and this is what happens--however, our pastor shoots from the hip in his pulpit! He teaches what we teach in our cells.

 

[zeke37]

when I was new in Christ, Joel was very appealing to me.....most preachers were....


but he sticks to the milk of the Word, and really doesn't do much reading from the bible during his telecast...mostly comments on moral stories....we may get a verse or maybe two.....in a program


there are plenty worse then him, but plenty more that get to the meat of the Word better than him....


we can't drink milk forever...we need our meat....


nice guy though....saw him on Larry king....

did not have much biblical knowledge...and just smiled alot....seems nice though...non apologetic for his limited biblical knowledge....

in His service
c

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Monica~

I have shared your opinion and impressions for quite a while. Then I have had a re-think. These churches like Joel's are cell churches. It is during the week and in cells, that the tough teaching and discipling is going on. It is in these "home churches" that salvations are taking place.

In the corporate meetings in the church buildings on Saturdays and Sundays---that is where the celebration takes place. The exhortation, encouragement, the edifying. This is what we are seeing and getting the impression that this is where people are being fed milk only. I have come to see that maybe this is not the case.

I hope I am right! We are a cell church and this is what happens--however, our pastor shoots from the hip in his pulpit! He teaches what we teach in our cells.

That's a good point, I haven't thought of that..

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

No, he doesn't say everything we need to hear, and maybe -- no, definitely -- he is a Christian motivational speaker more than he is a preacher. But everything he says, we do need to hear, and there weren't enough people saying it, or saying it as well, before he came along. I think he's doing what God called him to do, and doing it well.

 

[Cris413]

I truly consider that teaching watered-down/prosperity doctrine is not only a disservice to the flock…but to God as well.

What does it teach…How we can serve God or how God can serve us?

I think there are quite a few disappointed in God these days because when they thought they would prosper…they received trial…

When they thought they were going to receive blessings…they received persecution.

Mat 13:20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
Mat 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.


Should we consider the prosperity teachers would teach something like this:

Luk 21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.
Luk 21:13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
Luk 21:14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
Luk 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Luk 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
Luk 21:17 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.
Luk 21:18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
Luk 21:19 By your patience possess your souls.


Or this:

Joh 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, "A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
Joh 15:21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Joh 15:23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.
Joh 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
Joh 15:25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, "They hated Me without a cause.'[3]


How about this:

Mar 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
Mar 10:22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Praise the Holy Spirit of Truth! Otherwise, reading through verses such as these…one might consider who in their right mind would accept Jesus Christ if it means we’ll be hated by the world, suffer persecution and GASP… called to lead lives of self-denial…

We worship Him in love and truth… not because of what God will do for us…but for what He has already done for us.

We do not deserve anything but death and destruction. We do not deserve His grace and mercy yet He freely gives it in abundance!

The trials and persecution we endure here, as we walk through this world, is welcomed as evidence we truly belong to HIM.

Mat 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


This is important stuff as we consider the choices we make regarding following Christ Jesus…

Now, I’m not saying God will not bless us…but I firmly believe God is more concerned about our inner condition than He is about our outer abundance…

 

[Nadiine]

If I put this man in charge of my spiritual diet, I'd of starved to death long ago.

And I'm 100% in agreement with Chris - the focus of his teachings is towards OUR FEELINGS rather than on important doctrines found in scripture -

God calls us "soldiers" in a battle - if this guy were my drill sargeant preparing me for Realtime battle with my enemy, I'd be a casualty right at the start!

He isn't training and instructing in service for battle, he's leading them to feeling better about life down here & how to cope if you aren't wealthy or get the job you want... how to have a happy attitude if you don't have everything you want.
*thud*

 

[Nadiine]

Thats really sad that anyone who calls them self a christian would be RELIEVED that other Christians are finding errors in other Christians.

I guarantee you that does like up with the word of God.

WHY? I'm VERY relieved when others see the errors of TEACHERS & leaders - so they know who not to be fed by or follow.
Jesus warned us about false teachers & we're warned all thru the NT to be aware of what we're taught.

We should always be happy and relieved when people have Godly discernement about teachers who promote which doctrines - ones that are harmful.
AND equally relieved and happy when we find GOOD ONES that we advise people to listen to or follow. It works both ways.

I disagree, it does line up with the word of God - I think you would have been correct if the poster had said they were relieved the man was in error.

 

[Servant222]

Wow- I heard Joel for the first time this morning on cable tv; scary.

What is unbelievable is the number of people in his church- reminded me of the parable of the narrow and wide gate.

The attendance just proves that people have an incredible hunger for spiritual food- now they just have to make sure they aren't being fed french fries and bacon.