Is he a feel good preacher? Or do you like his encourgment? Is he just diffrent and missunderstood?
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What do you think about Joel Osteen?
- Thread starter Jedi Knight
- Start date
He is a very bad influence and does not preach the gospel.
I listen to him from time-to-time. Basically since he is becoming the "Billy Graham of the 21st Century, I want to be able to intelligently express my views.
All I have heard is a "good-feeling gospel". I don't here him preach against sin. Not saying it has to be every week, but we need a balance of all doctrine. And that is a word (doctrine) that may preachers stay away from. Their answer is "We just believe in the Bible. " Well the Catholics believe in the Bible. Also, he gives an invitation at the end of the service - if thats what you call it. Joel will say "just say this prayer...". I don't think that is sufficient for most seeking salvation.
I just brought up the Lakewood Church Doctrine Statement. There are only seven articles. I can't say, I disagree with any of them, but there are several doctines they don't touch with a 10 foot pole. I suppose thats why so many attend the church - there is so little to disagree on.
Also, Lakewood Church - the name tells me nothing.
And here is a quick look at their church history.
All I have heard is a "good-feeling gospel". I don't here him preach against sin. Not saying it has to be every week, but we need a balance of all doctrine. And that is a word (doctrine) that may preachers stay away from. Their answer is "We just believe in the Bible. " Well the Catholics believe in the Bible. Also, he gives an invitation at the end of the service - if thats what you call it. Joel will say "just say this prayer...". I don't think that is sufficient for most seeking salvation.
I just brought up the Lakewood Church Doctrine Statement. There are only seven articles. I can't say, I disagree with any of them, but there are several doctines they don't touch with a 10 foot pole. I suppose thats why so many attend the church - there is so little to disagree on.
Also, Lakewood Church - the name tells me nothing.
And here is a quick look at their church history.
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He needs a haircut. :thumbsup:
Of all of their core beliefs, I only hear him preach on the last one.
saturneptune
New Member
Generally I do not like threads that single out one pastor, but in this case, there is nothing there to hear that reflects the truth of the Gospel. There is much more to the Christian walk than a positive outlook. A positive outlook for a Christian is a result of being saved, not the object. The object is Jesus, not bubblely feelings.
I was thinking the same thing!:wavey:
.................:thumbs:
Marcia
Active Member
Osteen is technically Word of Faith (his father left the Baptists to become WoF) although he hides it somewhat under his "think positive" and "be positive" self-improvement type messages.
However, in his first book, "Your Best Life Now," he writes that one must say God's blessings out loud in order for them to happen. This is classic Word Faith teaching. I also heard him in an Easter message several years ago say that Jesus went to hell to fight Satan (another Word Faith teaching).
Go here for more info:
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/234-joel-osteen-research
However, in his first book, "Your Best Life Now," he writes that one must say God's blessings out loud in order for them to happen. This is classic Word Faith teaching. I also heard him in an Easter message several years ago say that Jesus went to hell to fight Satan (another Word Faith teaching).
Go here for more info:
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/234-joel-osteen-research
I do hear a tad here and a smiggin there of some truth. Trust God for His best...nothing wrong with that. Jesus said Have faith in God! BUT this come with Rehma"illumination" of Gods will for me..... not name it and claim it. But the flip side is not challenging unbelievers to turn from their rebellion and making it clear that Jesus is more concerned about your character not your comfort. Claiming healing rather than if its Gods will is another messed up presumtion.
Tom Butler
New Member
Joel's mother Dodie said on TV a few years ago that Joel doesn't tell people that they're lost, that he only preaches positive stuff.
His gospel preaching is summed up at the end of each of his TV programs with "if you prayed this prayer, we believe you got saved."
His gospel preaching is summed up at the end of each of his TV programs with "if you prayed this prayer, we believe you got saved."
He's way out of balance regarding preaching on God's love vs. God's justice. He doesn't emphasize sin nearly enough.
As Marcia says...he is far too comfy with the heretical "word of faith" teaching. His wife, even more so.
Could someone hear enough from Osteen to learn how to be saved? Yes, IMO. But he also leads many more astray, and some of his teaching would stunt the spiritual growth of Christians that would listen to him.
Salty, it is my hope that he is never considered the "Billy Graham of the 21st Century." BG is far less errant in his theology than Osteen. But I know what you mean, with regards to public perception.
As Marcia says...he is far too comfy with the heretical "word of faith" teaching. His wife, even more so.
Could someone hear enough from Osteen to learn how to be saved? Yes, IMO. But he also leads many more astray, and some of his teaching would stunt the spiritual growth of Christians that would listen to him.
Salty, it is my hope that he is never considered the "Billy Graham of the 21st Century." BG is far less errant in his theology than Osteen. But I know what you mean, with regards to public perception.
Thinkingstuff
Active Member
He's got big teeth........
I'm not certain I'm a fan of mega churches. In fact, I wonder if they are more often than not a detrement to Christianity. Let me give an example. Near where I go to church there is a church called E-Free or Day Spring. Basically it's a very large Church that's comprised of members from other churches around that are discontented with their own churches. They teach a very liberal view of the faith and require no accountability. But there are always "big" events like having a circus, etc... People instead of trying to follow scriptures in dealing with their church body are "recruited" by members of this Church and just leave. A friend of mine was very involved in the teenage youth ministry but felt that he was being taken advantage of because he was always the first to be called on for certain things with the youth. But he never felt like he was thanked. Instead of telling the Youth pastor how he felt he just went to this other church and quit the fellowship that he was already a part of. Now it doesn't fall under a "mega" church but it seems to me there are similarities. Are these churches really temples to easy - believism? (its actually a question) My definition of easy-believism is simple I can say I have faith must still live like the world (no change no evidence of being born again).
I'm not certain I'm a fan of mega churches. In fact, I wonder if they are more often than not a detrement to Christianity. Let me give an example. Near where I go to church there is a church called E-Free or Day Spring. Basically it's a very large Church that's comprised of members from other churches around that are discontented with their own churches. They teach a very liberal view of the faith and require no accountability. But there are always "big" events like having a circus, etc... People instead of trying to follow scriptures in dealing with their church body are "recruited" by members of this Church and just leave. A friend of mine was very involved in the teenage youth ministry but felt that he was being taken advantage of because he was always the first to be called on for certain things with the youth. But he never felt like he was thanked. Instead of telling the Youth pastor how he felt he just went to this other church and quit the fellowship that he was already a part of. Now it doesn't fall under a "mega" church but it seems to me there are similarities. Are these churches really temples to easy - believism? (its actually a question) My definition of easy-believism is simple I can say I have faith must still live like the world (no change no evidence of being born again).
Marcia
Active Member
False teachers -- and I have no compunction about labeling Osteen as one -- always have a smidgin of truth in their teachings - sometimes more than that. That's the nature of the beast (pun intended).
"Trust God for His best" -- that could mean a lot of things. What Osteen means by "best" is not what the Bible would necessarily call "best." "Best" might mean suffering for Christ; the Bible says to consider persecution for the sake of Christ a blessing. But Osteen and other WoF teachers mean money, good health, good jobs, being happy, etc. as "God's best."
Osteen's message is so tainted with false teaching that I would never recommend him to anyone, and I would tell anyone listening to him to quit. Where he's coming from means everything because that orientation casts his message.
Thinkingstuff
Active Member
Did you mean to post this on the Catholics don't believe the bible thread?
Marcia my Sister..if ya going to quote me..please use my whole statement. I didn't just accept all what He teaches. I do believe you can trust God for the Best....according to HIS WILL not ours. Charles Stanely is a great pastor and He says "God gives His very best to those who leave Him the choice." I agree with Stanley and waiting,seeking,and discerning Gods will is NOT the same as Joel's "Name it and claim it". 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
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