Posted on 06/23/2005 6:41:22 AM PDT by wallcrawlr
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight, Joel Osteen, evangelism's hottest rising star, pastor for the biggest congregation in the United States.
(snip)
KING: But you're not fire and brimstone, right? You're not pound the decks and hell and dam nation?
OSTEEN: No. That's not me. It's never been me. I've always been an encourager at heart. And when I took over from my father he came from the Southern Baptist background and back 40, 50 years ago there was a lot more of that. But, you know, I just -- I don't believe in that. I don't believe -- maybe it was for a time. But I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm there to encourage them. I see myself more as a coach, as a motivator to help them experience the life God has for us.
KING: But don't you think if people don't believe as you believe, they're somehow condemned?
OSTEEN: You know, I think that happens in our society. But I try not to do that. I tell people all the time, preached a couple Sundays about it. I'm for everybody. You may not agree with me, but to me it's not my job to try to straighten everybody out. The Gospel called the good news. My message is a message of hope, that's God's for you. You can live a good life no matter what's happened to you. And so I don't know. I know there is condemnation but I don't feel that's my place.
KING: You've been criticized for that, haven't you?
OSTEEN: I have. I have. Because I don't know.
(Excerpt) Read more at transcripts.cnn.com ...
See this thread for other info on the show:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1427026/posts
People are different, Christians are different....thats what I always say. Seeing this guy answer these basic questions was a bit disheartening (and thats putting it mildly). I do not feel comfortable giving Joel Osteen the wallcrawlr approval.
Did anyone else watch this??
I found very disturbing that he points to increased church membership as proof that faith is increasing or that he must be preaching the truth.
It is disturbing. Unfortunately, that is the prevailing opinion among most denominations.
Didn't see it, but I have watched Osteen preach. Felt a bit like an Amway seminar.
Every time I come across this guy obn the TV I am expecting him to push a contract through the TV screen and say something like "Just sign right here, sir!"
Ah yes, the latest character in the Health & Wealth movement.
I watched one of his 30 minute sermons on TBN on the subject of "Emotional Bank Accounts". 22 minutes into it, he finally mentions God, and quotes ONE piece of scripture (taken entirely out of context) to back up his point.
His sermons are largely on the power of the individual, and not on the power of the Almighty. "Me-ology" and not Theology. Osteen apparently glossed over "Apart from me, you can do nothing", and "My strength is made perfect in weakness" during his Bible readings, assuming he does any at all.
If you look at his Easter sermon that was posted on his website, he doesn't even believe that the death of Jesus on the cross was sufficient. He thinks Jesus had to go down to hell and drag the devil around and humiliate him like a WWE Smackdown before our salvation was complete. I'm from Houston where his church is, and there is a lot of churches that find conflict with his teachings that hint at positive confession.
Power of Positive Thinking false gospel BUMP!!!
Someone gave me his book for Christmas. (Last year's selection was Rick Warren). I made it about 40 pages. It's mosty "If you believe, you will get it. Doesn't matter if it's a house, a parking space or special priviledges on an airline." More name it and claim it.
I find him very unsettling. I know several people who have left their churches to traipse over to Lakewood or the Summit to follow Joel.
I believe that Jesus was a positive thinker, in the sense that He always had assurance of the right and blessed outcome of things. I believe we're to have that too, and we get even more assurance in knowing that God is for us, and NEVER against us.
I feel the same way. He smiles so much. It just looks and screams Fake!
Can you please relate that to salvation.
Sure, no prob. God is for me, who gave His only Son for my salvation, and, He who delivered up His own Son for us, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM GIVE US ALL THINGS FREELY?
Thank you, thank you, have a great day! ;)
We are not promised that we will prosper just because we are Christians. We go through trials and tribulations just like everyone else. Look at Paul. Do you think he was any less of a Christian because of the hardships he endured?
Besides, you preach a false gospel, which some may not know about you just based on an isolated comment, so....
You are awful quick to portray me as a false teacher. Why don't you let others make that call for themselves.
You are a false teacher with a false gospel. I'm a person just like the "others" you're talking about, and that's the call.
You are free to label me as you please. However, I will stand by my beliefs, since they are based on the Word of God.
God bless.
I spoke with someone who stated that the increase in size of their building and the number of members at their church was proof that God was pleased. I then commented that God must be tickled to death with Playboy as they continue to grow market share.
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