Joel Osteen

[tamtam92]

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.

You can't correct errors when you don't see them. Christian love is to kindly tell people when they're wrong, not to tell everyone they're right...

Joel Osteen pretends to see things positively and never talks about -- for instance -- sin, supposedly because it's a "negative" point. Well, it just shows his preaching isn't biblical, since the Bible emphasizes on the fact that men must repent, turn from their sins, and repetedly condemns a whole bunch of behaviours. It is very clear, and i don't see why we shouldn't do the same.

 

[GuardianShua]

Fluff has never been my bag.

 

[IisJustMe]

The interview impressed me not one whit. He seems to be in ministry for the sake of being known, being popular, and making money. I looked at his books in a store the next day. They are all the same! There is nothing different from one book to another, they all say the same thing -- its Norman Vincent Peale revisited and repackaged into 21st Century "goodspeak."

The guy interviewing him (sorry, don't remember his name) seemed very skeptical, and from a Christian perspective, which surprised me. He questioned Mr. Osteen's failure to mention Jesus, or prayer, or repentance. He may have gotten that from hearing Christian criticism of the man, but he focused on the things I believe Christians would have liked to have heard Mr. Osteen address honestly. Instead, he skirted them with answers that were obviously designed to move on to another subject.

Joel Osteen's "ministry" is nothing but "feel-good" philosophy with just a tinge of Bible. Nothing about it attracts me.

 

[Floatingaxe]

The interview impressed me not one whit. He seems to be in ministry for the sake of being known, being popular, and making money. I looked at his books in a store the next day. They are all the same! There is nothing different from one book to another, they all say the same thing -- its Norman Vincent Peale revisited and repackaged into 21st Century "goodspeak."

The guy interviewing him (sorry, don't remember his name) seemed very skeptical, and from a Christian perspective, which surprised me. He questioned Mr. Osteen's failure to mention Jesus, or prayer, or repentance. He may have gotten that from hearing Christian criticism of the man, but he focused on the things I believe Christians would have liked to have heard Mr. Osteen address honestly. Instead, he skirted them with answers that were obviously designed to move on to another subject.

Joel Osteen's "ministry" is nothing but "feel-good" philosophy with just a tinge of Bible. Nothing about it attracts me.

I did see it, and I am afraid, I agree with you. He had a marvelous opportunity to present Jesus Christ, but didn't. It's not the first time. I can in a small way understand that his church deals with the tough issues of sin and offers Jesus' redemption on the cross during the week in their small group networks, but if it's not coming from the pulpit ministry too, then seekers will miss out.

I am just not going to defend him anymore. I cannot. We must pray for Him, this man of influence, that the Holy Spirit will get hold of Him and His wife and that they will become stronger in their convictions to minister to the LOST, and not merely the BODY.

 

[Kelly]

He was also on Glenn Beck last week and Glenn's questions were pretty light but he still avoided any real discussion. I say again, I couldn't fight those crowds every sunday for a message that is pretty much "don't feel sad...feel glad"

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

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.

But french fries and bacon are so tasty!

Would that was what they were being fed. French fries and bacon at least have nutrients. Coca-Cola and M+M's are a better analogy. Sure, they taste good, and they're nice to have every now and then, but now way can you live on them.

 

[Nadiine]

He was also on Glenn Beck last week and Glenn's questions were pretty light but he still avoided any real discussion. I say again, I couldn't fight those crowds every sunday for a message that is pretty much "don't feel sad...feel glad"

Hey, he should have a theme song playing as people filter in to hear the same rehashed message (just insert your new subject)

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4

 

[Nadiine]

I did see it, and I am afraid, I agree with you. He had a marvelous opportunity to present Jesus Christ, but didn't. It's not the first time. I can in a small way understand that his church deals with the tough issues of sin and offers Jesus' redemption on the cross during the week in their small group networks, but if it's not coming from the pulpit ministry too, then seekers will miss out.

I am just not going to defend him anymore. I cannot. We must pray for Him, this man of influence, that the Holy Spirit will get hold of Him and His wife and that they will become stronger in their convictions to minister to the LOST, and not merely the BODY.

Yes... but I hate to say this... the body GO THERE TO GET A POOR SPIRITUAL MEAL.

They like what they're hearing. This is found in the OT:

Jeremiah 5:31
29'Shall I not punish these people?' declares the LORD,
'On a nation such as this
Shall I not avenge Myself?'
30 "An appalling and horrible thing
Has happened in the land:
The prophets prophesy falsely,
And the priests rule on their own authority;
And My people love it so!
But what will you do at the end of it?​

(the prophets were soothing the people with GOOD prophecies; nothing nasty, nothing judgmental... just good blessings that God would give them.
The people loved hearing that becuz it made them complacent in their sins - then they turned against the prophets that God actually sent to WARN THEM of their sin & God's impending judgment for it.
They chose the comfortable, soothing messages and shut out any who brought a contrary message that was negative to get them to change.
And this:

Is. 30:
For this is a rebellious people, false sons,
Sons who refuse to listen
To the instruction of the LORD;
10 Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions";
And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right,
Speak to us pleasant words,
Prophesy illusions.
11 "Get out of the way, turn aside from the path,
Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel." ​

 

[UnAfraidOfTheDark7312]

It is amazing that people knowingly surround themselves with people that will just puff them up with pleasentries

Todays society rejects truth to the point one can hardly operate within it.

 

[Nadiine]

It is amazing that people knowingly surround themselves with people that will just puff them up with pleasentries

Todays society rejects truth to the point one can hardly operate within it.

Yep -- I'm the first one to say that I don't ENJOY hearing what I"m doing wrong and how I have to change it to please & obey God.
But if that's the truth, then it's in my best interest to deal with it God's way - not just find people to stroke my feathers so I can continue my sin.

This was the typical reaction from God's people when God sent true prophets to warn them of the truth:

Matthew 23:37
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!
How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.​

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. ​

 

[IisJustMe]

"You must not prophesy to us what is right,
Speak to us pleasant words,
Prophesy illusions. ​

And My people love it so!​

Isn't that exactly what the unbeliever today does if he/she hears anything that sounds remotely like convicting truth? "I don't want to hear that stuff!" "That may be valid for you but it isn't valid for me!" "Don't you preach your Jesus to me, I don't believe in Him." The world grows more hard of heart and farther away from the truth, and now Israel prepares to divide the holy city and set the stage for the antichrist. Be in prayer, and in the spirit of love go after everyone you know who needs to hear Jesus, even if they react as above. The time grows short, friends! Stand steadfast!
​

 

[UnAfraidOfTheDark7312]

Excellent scripture, excellent point Nadiine. Christianity does stone its workers doesnt it. We are told to grant the workers double honor, yet it is those who TALK the word, they are HEARERS ONLY and not DOERS... Thes are the ones who stone those who DO. Usually right along side those whose deceptions they have chosen to cling to

Then theres this

Hebrews 13
12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.




I find a lot of Irony in this passage too

 

[Nadiine]

Isn't that exactly what the unbeliever today does if he/she hears anything that sounds remotely like convicting truth? "I don't want to hear that stuff!" "That's may be valid for you but it isn't valid for me!" "Don't you preach your Jesus to me, I don't believe in Him." The world grows more hard of heart and farther away from the truth, and now Israel prepares to divide the holy city and set the stage for the antichrist. Be in prayer, and in the spirit of love go after everyone you know who needs to hear Jesus, if they react as above. The time grows short, friends! Let him who hears, understand!​

[/center]

Yes, but in EACH context it's written, it's about GOD'S PEOPLE.... that's the kicker about it.
It's people claiming to know God and who are spiritual.

Sounds familiar to what some may end up hearing from Jesus one day if they refuse to obey or repent:

Matthew 7:23
22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
​

 

[Nadiine]

Excellent scripture, excellent point Nadiine. Christianity does stone its workers doesnt it. We are told to grant the workers double honor, yet it is those who TALK the word, they are HEARERS ONLY and not DOERS... Thes are the ones who stone those who DO. Usually right along side those whose deceptions they have chosen to cling to

Then theres this

Hebrews 13
12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. 19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.




I find a lot of Irony in this passage too

YES, it's the prophets who God sends with the TRUTH that the people shut out & attack. sounds familiar?

They WANT to be in the dark, or they love the darkness - I cannot be the judge of who's naive and who's actually LOST and thinks they know the Lord.
God has to sift that out - but this has been going on for eons and God's people have suffered heavily for preaching the truth of God;
IT'S THE TRUTH PEOPLE HATE.

 

[UnAfraidOfTheDark7312]

YES, it's the prophets who God sends with the TRUTH that the people shut out & attack. sounds familiar?

They WANT to be in the dark, or they love the darkness - I cannot be the judge of who's naive and who's actually LOST and thinks they know the Lord.
God has to sift that out - but this has been going on for eons and God's people have suffered heavily for preaching the truth of God;
IT'S THE TRUTH PEOPLE HATE.

Nadiine those are perfect observations kudos.

WHY do people hate truth? Because they live the lie and the truth exposes it. Why do people stone those who bring the truth to embrace their prophets that lie? Because they choose to live in the darkness, hoping that the darkness conceals their black deeds.

We must not be intimidated or fear darkness, Darkness is nothing but the absence of light, and when we shine that light it reveals all they have hidden in the dark, so light has the upper hand and light is feared by dark, we should never fear and be intimidated

Darkness lives in misery and light is free even when its bound

 

[Vivster]

There are many televised preachers that I listen to; Joel Osteen being one of them. He is charasimatic, and I think Spirit filled. I enjoy listening to his words of encouragement -- since I seem to allow negative thoughts to reside in my head!
There is power in the Word, not in man.

 

[IisJustMe]

There are many televised preachers that I listen to; Joel Osteen being one of them. He is charasimatic, and I think Spirit filled. I enjoy listening to his words of encouragement -- since I seem to allow negative thoughts to reside in my head!
There is power in the Word, not in man.

I fear many of Joel's words are his, not the Lord's

 

[Floatingaxe]

I was stuck home in the blizzard yesterday and so I watched Creflo Dollar early in the morning--oh what a teacher! I was blessed and was left wanting MORE!

Then I watched Joel Osteen. He had a good thought, but he said it umpteen different ways, where it could all have been said in 5 minutes. Jesus' name was mentioned only twice. It left me feeling embarrassed for him. He did offer salvation, however, and did get a good response. Who am I to deny the work of the Holy Spirit?

 

[Zecryphon]

I was stuck home in the blizzard yesterday and so I watched Creflo Dollar early in the morning--oh what a teacher! I was blessed and was left wanting MORE!

Then I watched Joel Osteen. He had a good thought, but he said it umpteen different ways, where it could all have been said in 5 minutes. Jesus' name was mentioned only twice. It left me feeling embarrassed for him. He did offer salvation, however, and did get a good response. Who am I to deny the work of the Holy Spirit?

Creflo Dollar? Joel Osteen? What's next? Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes and Gene Scott? Have you hit your head recently?

 

[Vivster]

Never heard of Creflo Dollar until this morning @ 6:00 a.m. He followed Joyce Meyer. Either one didn't do much for me.
I enjoy going to Oneplace.com in the morning. Many "preachers" to choose from.