SUPER FUNNY UPDATE ON JOEL OSTEEN: Check out Joel Osteen’s super scammy books he sells on Amazon (24!!!) including his self help BS book
and his hilarious book on “Wise Choices”. If only he’d follow his own advice!
LOL! For all you Joel Osteen fanboys – remember he just cynically feeds on you to make money so he can live his fancy lifestyle. He couldn’t care less about you in reality.
Popular televangelist preacher Joel Osteen has been named the “Most Influential Christian in America” in 2006 by the Church Report, was one of
Barbara Walters, “10 Most Fascinating People of 2006 and operates an extraordinarily profitable religious scam operation that probably will one day end in scandal.
So who is this guy who has appeared on 60 Minutes, Larry King Live and has his own television shows?
Who is this guy who thinks he can share the mighty name of Joel?
Joel Osteen has not yet had major sex scandals, drug scandals or molestation scandals like the other megachurch pastors: Pat Robertson, Al Sharpton, Ted Haggard, Paul Barnes, D.E. (Earl) Paulk, Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, William Dodd and too many others to possibly mention here. What Joel Osteen DOESN’T do is the real question.
In his sermons, Joel Osteen does not talk about God. Joel Osteen instead talks about almost everything except God. He has a television ministry, a massive church, $43 million a year in tithes and another $36 million a year in mailed in donations, but he won’t talk about God. He, like Pastor Kevin Gerald, talks about more pleasant topics, such as donating money to him and positive thinking. He has written two books, the second of which sold 3 million copies, but his books don’t really talk about God either. It’s just his bland and boring advice on how to live a happy life that has been thought of by other people first, “Think positively about yourself” and other such drivel.
What does Joel Osteen say when people ask him about why he does not discuss God or Jesus Christ or sin or what you need to do to go to Heaven? “That’s not my gift.” What are you doing being a freaking megachurch pastor then, bonehead?!
If you are going to try to operate a religious scam, at least make it religious! I actually think that Joel Osteen operating a secular “Christian” church is more of a scandal than Ted Haggard and his transsexual prostitutes and meth! (Though not nearly as funny of a scandal).
Joel Osteen didn’t even found his megachurch; instead the business was handed down to him by his father. When Joel Osteen became the head pastor of his church, he had only preached ONE sermon in his entire life- and that was the week before. Joel Osteen does not have any training in the Bible (seminary, degrees, etc.), which is probably why he doesn’t want to talk about it much.
My loyal readers have pointed out to me many times that the ridiculous actions of leaders in religion do not invalidate their beliefs. They are absolutely correct on this. However, there has never been anything that VALIDATES their beliefs either. The Flying Spaghetti Monster has the same amount of evidence on his side as most other gods. Here is another question I put to you: Please find me a single megachurch pastor who is NOT a scam-running, meth-eating, prostitute-abusing criminal. Anyone?
Update March 3, 2008 on JOEL OSTEEN:
Many people have been discussing Joel Osteen in the comments and making statements about his beliefs, behavior and preaching methods that show a distinct lack of understanding of his profit driven motives. Below I have added a video of Joel Osteen on Larry King Live where he dances around the core question of the Christian faith: What does it take to get to heaven? Joel Osteen hems and haws and won’t even say that people of different religions won’t make it to heaven.
The partial transcript for Joel Osteen’s interview with Larry King is below. I have basically pulled out the most pertinent excerpts to the point I have tried to make on televangelist Joel Osteen.
Televangelist Joel Osteen Discusses Christianity with Larry King
First is Larry King’s impressive introduction of Joel Osteen:
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight, Joel Osteen, evangelism’s hottest rising star, pastor for the biggest congregation in the United States… Pastor Joel Osteen is here for the hour…. Joel Osteen is the author of the number one “New York Times” best-seller, “Your Best Life Now.” There you see its cover. “Seven Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.” There is now a compendium been published called “Your Best Life Now Journal,” a guide to reaching that full potential. Joel Osteen is pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. His father before him. He has been called the smiling preacher.
Larry King knows Joel Osteen Ministries is huge and tries to play nice with him throughout the interview.
KING: Why are you a preacher?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I never was for 17 years. I worked with my dad there at the church. He tried to get me to minister. I didn’t have it in me. I worked behind the scenes. I loved doing production and things. But when my father died, I just knew — I don’t know how to explain it, it sounds kind of odd, but I just knew down to here I was supposed to step up to the plate and pastor the church. And it was odd because I had never preached before. But I just knew I was supposed to do it.
Hmmm… either God gave him the “calling” or he was scared of losing his father’s multi-million dollar preaching business.
KING: But don’t you think if people don’t believe as you believe, they’re somehow condemned?
JOEL 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 Osteen comes right out and says that he will refuse to condemn sinners. He is too afraid, it’s not his place, he just wants to spew bland niceties… hmmm.
LARRY KING: Where were you ordained? OSTEEN: I was ordained from the church there, Lakewood, under my dad’s ministry.
LARRY KING: So you didn’t go to seminary?
JOEL OSTEEN: No, sir, I didn’t.
LARRY KING: They can just make you a minister?
JOEL OSTEEN: You can, you can.
Wow. Joel Osteen never even attended Bible school or classes for future preachers. No wonder he is so clueless about Biblical theology.
LARRY KING: Is it hard to lead a Christian life?
JOEL OSTEEN: I don’t think it’s that hard. To me it’s fun. We have joy and happiness. Our family — I don’t feel like that at all. I’m not trying to follow a set of rules and stuff. I’m just living my life.
LARRY KING: But you have rules, don’t you?
JOEL OSTEEN: We do have rules. But the main rule to me is to honor God with your life. To life a life of integrity. Not be selfish. You know, help others. But that’s really the essence of the Christian faith.
Of course its not hard for Joel Osteen to lead a Christian life. BECAUSE HE’S NOT!!!
LARRY KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know …
LARRY KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?
JOEL 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.
The last exchange between Larry King and Joel Osteen hits the nail on the head of everything that is wrong with the Joel Osteen Ministry. All it is is fluff. He can’t even defend the single core belief of Christianity- that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is a requirement to gain access to Heaven.
Below is more Joel Osteen preaching videos. Joel Osteen preaches on cheesy, transparent topics that have nothing to do with the Bible. He twists scripture around to serve his own purposes of mass produced drivel. My question to Joel Osteen is where in the Bible does it say Christians have a “right to total victory” over physical pain, financial problems and other issues? Did he completely miss the book of Job or the trials and tribulations that the early Christians had to suffer under the Romans? I don’t think that Joel Osteen has ever even read the Bible.
DO NOT LET JOEL OSTEEN CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH HIS BIBLE-CONTRADICTING, POLITICALLY CORRECT AND PROFIT SEEKING DRIVEL! JOEL OSTEEN’S SCANDAL IS OUTRAGEOUS!
Jesus once went into a temple and threw out currency traders and salespeople…. WHO WILL THROW THE SCANDAL CREATING JOEL OSTEEN OUT OF GOD’S ASTRODOME TEMPLE?
Further discussion: Joel Osteen megachurch building – Joel Osteen paid the city of Houston $90,000,000 to remodel the former home of NBA team Houston Rockets and an additional $14,000,000 to lease the building for 30 years. Preacher Joel Osteen’s megachurch does not even own the building! Pastor Joel Osteen doesn’t care though- he’ll be dead by then and this church is all about him. The most interesting thing about the new church is that there is not a SINGLE cross in the whole building! Want to know why? Joel Osteen says that he wants to remove all “stumbling blocks” from the way of people coming to his church and being comfortable. Since when has Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross been a STUMBLING BLOCK for faith?! The scandal here is that the Joel Osteen is doing and saying blasphemous things… and no one is calling him out on it. The pastor of the largest church in America won’t even follow the basic tenets of Christianity!
Visit the Prayer Helpers site here to buy prayers for sale.
Joel Osteen is unable to even keep his own family under control. Pastor Joel Olsteen’s wife, Victoria Osteen, has been fined $3,000 and is being sued for assaulting a flight attendant on her first-class trip to the playground of the rich and famous Vail, Colorado.
Bible Verses that Condemn Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen
I have had quite a few people post in the comments asking what does it really matter what Joel Osteen believes if he’s helping people? If Joel Osteen teaches nice things, isn’t it okay for him to be a Christian pastor? I understand that my opinions of right and wrong should not sway you, but I ask you to consider what the Bible says on the matter. First, let’s take the Bible verses that are the standard definition of who is a Christian:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
To summarize, the only way to be saved and go to heaven is by the grace of Jesus and by faith in God. These are the basic verses that every Christian who has accepted Christ knows. Now for the verses that clearly state that only Christians who believe the above will go to Heaven:
-John 3:3: no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
-John 3:15: everyone who believes in him [Jesus] may have eternal life.
-John 3:18: whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of Gods one and only Son.
-John 14:6: Jesus answered: No one comes to the Father except through me
-Acts 3:23: And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. (ASV)
-Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved
-Romans 10:9: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
-Hebrews 9:28: he [Christ] will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him
-1 John 5:12: he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
The nine quoted verses above clearly state that only Christians can go to Heaven. Now, if Joel Osteen truly believed and was a pastor of a Bible-based church, would he preach a false message of hope to people? Joel Osteen is essentially subverting the word of God, which motivated me to write this post. I am not sure why Joel would do this, but my postulation (as above) is that he is doing it for financial gain. Joel Osteens father was a pastor and he has been a pastor for a long time now and he should know better than most people the MOST basic tenets of Christianity. Ignorance is an excuse for new Christians (as long as they work at it), but not for a shepherd of the flock.
Do you know what the Bible says about false teachers like Joel Osteen?
-2 Timothy 4:3,4 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.
-Matthew 7:15,16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
-Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves . Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
-2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
-2 Peter 3:16,17 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
-Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
-Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
The Bible is very, very harsh in its condemnation of people who change, twist or leave out parts of its doctrine. False leaders (Joel Osteen), to me, are more disgusting than someone who is a hypocrite (Ted Haggard).
For more information on mega church pastor Joel Osteen you can search Google with the terms joelosteen.com or joel osteen.com to find the man’s website. You could also use terms such as Joel Osteen Website or Joel Osteen Lakewood Church for other sorts of information on him.
Why do I care what Joel Osteen does or doesnt do in his church, especially seeing that I am not religious? People who are cheats, fakes, and phonies really bother me. I have written quite a few other posts on various community leaders who lead people astray for their own personal gain. My tax dollars go to support Joel Osteen (every church in America is exempt from taxes, but Joel Osteen is making millions tax-free teaching his Prosperity Message when he is basically just another self-help guru). I also am very wary of megachurch pastors (I used to attend one and have seen many on television)- they often seem to be some of the craziest people (Jim Jones-Want some Kool Aid?)
Jordan, I accept Christ into my heart but I am not a Christian. I also know others who feel the same way. You can accept Christ into your heart and be a Muslim.
Jordan. Well, ok then. The Bible says that women are not to talk in church and that they are to have their heads covered. Do you comply with this? If not, then you, by your own definition, would be in the same boat as Joel O. According to the Bible, Jesus said that “This generation shall not pass away until all these things take place.” (Matt. 24:34). The verses prior to that tell of what will be going on on earth when Jesus returns. Well, the generation did pass away, but there was no return of Jesus. So, how do you interpret this verse? Also, how do you interpret verses about the rapture? Churches have split over this subject.
And Anthony, I have to agree with Jordan. By accepting Jesus Christ into your heart, you are accepting all of the principles upon which Christ taught. The Bible also says you cannot serve two masters. Christianity and Islam are diametrically opposed; therefore you cannot be part of both and receive the promises of either, because you’re double minded. Accepting Christ is only the first step. It takes effort to develop a relationship, and that’s what Christianity is … a relationship with the Living God. Actually, there are no other gods. There is only one God. All the other gods talked about in all the other religions were first thought up by man. Jehovah was never thought up by anyone.
So we are in agreement on the Islam thing… The Bible is very clear that you can only have one God… You can’t accept Christ as your Lord, without violating the tenets of Islam…
And in regards to the rules that your are examining, you are ignoring the purpose of the verse- women were to be covered in church so as not to create a distraction from the teaching. Likewise, a woman speaking in church would have caused an uproar in the age when the verses were written.
Their intent has more to do with not being a distraction than anything else.
BOW BEFORE ME!!!
Bensie, If the Bible tells you to sit in church with your head covered and be quiet, why do you not do so? Are you superior to the Bible in that you can pick and choose what to believe? This is the same problem that Joel Osteen has; he picks and chooses what he likes and doesn’t. Unfortunately, Joel Osteen doesn’t pick very much of the Bible that he likes.
The Bible says that you should either believe all of it or none of it and that if you are lukewarm, God will spit you out of his mouth. You and Joel Osteen would both benefit from reviewing the following verses:
-Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
-Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Anthony, you are correct in only those people who have accepted Christ into their hearts can go to heaven, but when I said Christians, I was referring to these people. Also, you judged Benny Hinn and the other televangelists as frauds and then tell me that it is a sin for me to judge a supposed man of God like Joel Osteen. What I am doing is trying to tell you that Joel Osteen is a fraud just like those faith healers, but in a different way. His motive is the same (profit & power), but his means are different (subverting the word of God into a self-help guide instead of teaching it as the guide to God).
Jesus- I sure hope you aren’t religious… you are taking on the character of Christ. Something tells me that if there is a heaven, that is a whole lot worse than impersonating a police office on earth would be. Sounds like something Joel Osteen would do.
P.S.- Have any of you guys ever actually WATCHED Joel Osteen’s television program?! Watching him gives me shudders; something is very wrong with that man.
Well, to the dismay of many bloggers on this site, I am not hear to argue. I would simply like to make a couple of points.
1. Paul speaks of infants in Christ being fed milk instead of meat (in reference to the immaturity of the Christians at the time). This scripture clearly states that there are those who need to be fed milk and when they grow spiritually they will be ready for the meat of the scriptures. It all has to do with understanding the word of God according to your spiritual maturity. So, clearly, there are those who need to be fed in this manner. Is a “milk only” diet good? Of course not. Does it allow for spiritual growth? Of course not. It it a part of the spiritual process? Absoutely, it is.
2. The definition of a false prophet is “one who will cause people to give their allegiance to, and even worship a god other than the one true God”. In the ever-so-popular YouTube video of Joel Osteen on Larry King, Joel does not deny the divinity of Christ. He agreed that Christ is the only way to Heaven but added that he, being a man of flesh and blood, does not have the power to decide in the end who goes to Heaven and who doesn’t….that’s all he said. Never once did he say that that you can inherit the kingdom of God without Jesus Christ.
3. Paul spoke of three different positions in the process of salvation. There are those who plant the seed, those who water the seed and the one who makes it grow. Some of us, as I believe Joel Osteen is, are seed planters. This simply means that the word of God is presented in an elementary fashion for those who need to be fed milk as infants. Then there are those who water the seed, i.e. Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Andrew Womack and other pastors who focus on the in-depth study of the scriptures. And of course, there is only one who makes it grow and that’s God.
My point is this. There are different roles for different people. Each having one thing in common: they all preach the word of God. Are Joel Osteens messages milk for infants? Maybe. Are his messages a little shallow for those who require a more in-depth study of the scriptures. Maybe. But ask yourself this. Does Joel Osteen preach another god. No. Does he give the glory to anyone other than God? No. Does he use anyone other than Jesus as a starting point in a prayer of salvation? No. Paul said in 1Corinthians that when all else is gone (prophecies will cease, tounges will be stilled and where there is knowledge it will pass away) there will be three things left: faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. Now ask yourself this. Does Joel Osteen preach faith? Absolutely. Does he preach hope? Absolutely. And most importantly, does he preach love? Absolutely, and most notably all in Jesus’ name at the end of each message.
Joel Osteens place in the ministry may not live up to your expectations or preconcieved notions of what an ideal pastor should be, but then who does. And when all is said and done, the approval of man will mean very little, if anything, in the kingdom of God.
Joel Osteen.com is a wonderful man of God..
Jesus is proud of Joel Osteen because he condemns no one like Christ ..
Thats enough..
To all the condemners of Joel Osteen
“Take the log out of your own eye first”
Judge yourself first!!! Look inside yourself FIRST..Look at all your own sins and things you’re not proud of in yourself Then if you have any stones left to throw {which you won’t}} Toss away..because NOBODY including Joel will be standing there for you to throw stones at..Our Lord will have resurrected HIM home.. 😎
Where will you end up when this life ends…Do you know??
Hallelujah What a Savior!!! {Jesus Christ}} He Lives!!
Thank you for offering nothing with rationale. We all appreciate your contribution to this blog. It basically seems to amount to a big “because!”
I have heard Joel Osteen many times, and he teaches the same method that Robert Schuller from the Crystal Cathderal uses,
The Power of positive thinking, and today a lot of people need to hear that sort of preaching.
When I read some of these emails, some of you sound like if
Jesus came back today and walked this earth, you would have him crucified all over again,because you sure don’t sound very christian like.
The problem is his teaching style, and where it defers from Schuller’s, is that it isn’t soundly grounded in Scripture. Schuller teaches the ability of people to overcome with the assistance of God. Osteen seems to believe that faith is enough regardless of situation. Health, wealth, and influence! That’s what we get for being Christians- but not in the least Scriptural. And definitely he doesn’t teach the message of salvation.
So no, his message isn’t what people need to hear. And what most of us are saying, is very Christian.
How is Christ being glorified in the scrutinizing of Joel Osteen ministries? If you feel that he is wrong in his teachings, books, megachurch, or even his approach to life, then pray for him. Pray that GOD would open his eyes so that he could see that he is wrong(I mean, if he is wrong).
Think about it, when we are wrong, but believe that we are right, doesn’t Christ open our eyes to our errors? So why can’t he do the same for Osteen (I mean, if he is wrong)?
I’m sure there will be some comment, questioning, or correctioning of the phrase “if he is wrong”, but the truth of the matter is, you really don’t know. You don’t know, if in his heart, whether he wants to please GOD, or to make money, so why even waste your time debating that issue? You could be using this time praying for him, and his flock.
Cole- The scrutiny of Joel Osteen’s ministry is a way of ensuring that those megachurch pastors and others who have large influence in America are on the right track. I think it is ridiculous to claim that God doesn’t want us to ever try to correct other people’s paths. Do you ever read your Bible? Joel Osteen’s ministry is off track and if he wants to have a Bible-based ministry than he should make some changes. America is a free country and Joel Osteen’s ministry doesn’t need to change if he doesn’t want it to, but perhaps us who are pointing out Joel Osteen’s mistakes are tools of God. Or maybe there is no God and we are calling out a scam artist. No matter how you look at it though, someone needs to correct the Joel Osteen Ministry.
Yes I read my Bible, and thanks for asking. Well, you being
a tool of GOD used to “point out Joel Osteen’s mistakes” should pray that his eyes would come open to his wrong teachings (I mean, if he is wrong). Or better yet, pray that you (being the tool used to point out Joel Osteen’s mistakes)could run across his path, and with your knowledge, love, and sweet spirit, correct his mistakes (I mean, if he is wrong).
Alright- You read your Bible and seem to be a Christian.
If you believe that the Bible is absolutely right, and is the standard for correctness, then you know that Osteen’s ministry and preaching are wrong.
Secondly, it is equally important for people to warn Joel Osteen’s “flock” that he is wrong. Osteen can choose his own path, but if he chooses to take others with him, out of care and concern it is important to warn those he might take with him.
And I’m sure Joel would love the opportunity to meet Joel. And he would definitely use his sweet spirit to convince him of his error.
Joel, you seem like a nice guy, and I’ll be praying that this “Joel and Joel” meeting will take place. I’ll also pray that GOD gives you the wisdom, coupled with love, so that when you meet Osteen, you will be equipped with all you need to show him where he has gotten off (I mean, if he is wrong).
Cole, I would definitely love to be able to have a talk with Pastor Joel Osteen at some point and I would be kind, but clear on how I think he is misleading people. Somehow I doubt that the biggest pastor in America would bother meeting with a disgruntled small-time blogger though :). I appreciate your feedback on my blog and I hope that you continue to participate, you have an intelligent and eloquent way of discussing sensitive topics.
The whole issue here is not whether Joel Osteen is a bad person or whatever. The issue is whether he is a Christian and whatever it is that he is “pastor” of is a Church. Since Joel does not seem to be able to articulate even the basics of Christian apologetics, and considering that He never espouses any Biblical doctrines in his sermons, one can easily presume that he is not a Christian and Lakewood is not a Christian Church.
Jesus said it very plainly when He said that He will deny those who deny Him. Joel Osteen is clearly ashamed of Jesus. For Joel, Jesus is a stumblingblock. My question is to what? What is the ultimate purpose of His church? Jesus is the way to the Father. The cross is His symbol. If one denies that, one is denying Jesus and can not be considered a Christian!
Joel Osteen.com cloaks himself with all the trappings of an evangelical church without espousing its traditional beliefs. Most people that believe in him do so because they assume that he believes as a typical evangelical does. They ascribe beliefs and doctrines to him that he never espouses. The real danger of Joel Osteen.com is how he is changing the definition of what an evangelical Christian really is. Many that follow him only offer simplistic drivels that are not Christian at all and in fact contradict the teachings of Jesus.
Well, to the dismay of many bloggers on this site, I am not hear to argue. I would simply like to make a couple of points.
1. Paul speaks of infants in Christ being fed milk instead of meat (in reference to the immaturity of the Christians at the time). This scripture clearly states that there are those who need to be fed milk and when they grow spiritually they will be ready for the meat of the scriptures. It all has to do with understanding the word of God according to your spiritual maturity. So, clearly, there are those who need to be fed in this manner. Is a “milk only†diet good? Of course not. Does it allow for spiritual growth? Of course not. Is it a part of the spiritual process? Absoutely, it is.
2. The definition of a false prophet is “one who will cause people to give their allegiance to, and even worship a god other than the one true Godâ€. In the ever-so-popular YouTube video of Joel Osteen on Larry King, Joel does not deny the divinity of Christ. He agreed that Christ is the only way to Heaven but added that he, being a man of flesh and blood, does not have the power to decide in the end who goes to Heaven and who doesn’t….that’s all he said. Never once did he say that that you can inherit the kingdom of God without Jesus Christ.
3. Paul spoke of three different positions in the process of salvation. There are those who plant the seed, those who water the seed and the one who makes it grow. Some of us, as I believe preacher Joel Osteen is, are seed planters. This simply means that the word of God is presented in an elementary fashion for those who need to be fed milk as infants. Then there are those who water the seed, i.e. Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Andrew Womack and other pastors who focus on the in-depth study of the scriptures. And of course, there is only one who makes it grow and that’s God.
My point is this. There are different roles for different people. Each having one thing in common: they all preach the word of God. Are Joel Osteens messages milk for infants? Maybe. Are his messages a little shallow for those who require a more in-depth study of the scriptures. Maybe. But ask yourself this. Does Joel Osteen preach another god. No. Does he give the glory to anyone other than God? No. Does he use anyone other than Jesus as a starting point in a prayer of salvation? No. Paul said in 1Corinthians that when all else is gone (prophecies will cease, tounges will be stilled and where there is knowledge it will pass away) there will be three things left: faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. Now ask yourself this. Does Joel Osteen preach faith? Absolutely. Does he preach hope? Absolutely. And most importantly, does he preach love? Absolutely, and most notably all in Jesus’ name at the end of each message.
Joel Osteens place in the ministry may not live up to your expectations or preconcieved notions of what an ideal pastor should be, but then who does. And when all is said and done, the approval of man will mean very little, if anything, in the kingdom of God.
I did not read all of the comments posted, but the one that gave me a lot of comfort was Seans at the end here (March 30, 2008 @ 7:41am). I recognize the arguments made by the Joel (the one posting the original blog) and I also recognize preacher Joel Osteen’s view, however different from my own that it is. All of Sean’s points that were made were completely right and I agree with him 100%. Joel (poster), I believe you made valid points and some that were in error or at least not as full as they could have been.
It seems, instead of attacking Joel Osteen and Joel Osteen’s ministries, you should be warning your brothers and sisters in Christ about misconceptions or flaws in Osteen’s teachings. Dont attack Osteen, protect your spiritual siblings that may not see his teaching flaws. The one thing I want to say that Sean didnt is that it sounds like you are forgetting the 2nd most important commandment given to us by the one you are so zealously trying to stand for (which I respect fully) and that is that you must love you neighbor as you love yourself. This post does not sound like one posted in love, it sounds like anger, spite or whatever emotion that was driving you at the time. I pray that this helps somehow and I pray for all who have participated in the commenting (and Joel’s) well being.
God Bless
Interesting statement I thought I’d share;
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We are to keep the meaning when reading the Bible. We are to read on in the chapter to see what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us. Preach the Word and read the Word– the whole Word– not pick and choose verses. The Bible is a book that is to be read completely– Old and New Testament. We cannot pick and choose. God intended us to read ALL of it. This is how we will know when someone is not preaching the whole Word of God. We need to know the Scriptures. If we do, then we will recognize those who preach falsely. We need to be on guard because the devil knows Scripture too and will try and twist it if we are not careful and watchful of his devices.” Im sad to say Joel is not following the rules……People pleassseee ask questions, seek the truth, and READ your bible..GOD BLESS you all.