Posted on 12/09/2004 6:22:31 AM PST by Always Right
HOUSTON, Dec. 8, 2004 — A new generation of television ministers — with a much subtler, decidedly more approachable style than televangelists of old — is finding an audience in both "red" Republican and "blue" Democratic states.
Joel Osteen is senior pastor of the 30,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston, the largest church in America. His book, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential," is on The New York Times best-seller list. He says there is an enormous demand for advice that includes the perspective of God.
"People are just hungry for hope," he said. "To be built up, to know that God is good and he's on their side."
Missouri-based minister Joyce Meyer, whose "Enjoying Everyday Life" broadcast draws millions of viewers worldwide every day, says much the same thing.
"If you've got inner strength, you can stand anything," she said during a sermon.
T.D. Jakes — who pastors The Potter's House, a nondenominational megachurch in Houston — fills stadiums across the country, teaching families how to improve their lives by using the Bible.
All three have audiences that are widely diverse — people who live in both red and blue states, but who seem to have in common a real concern that American society is pushing God out. It is a concern that prompted millions of people of faith to help color the presidential election map as red as it is, primarily in the Midwest and South.
"I do believe that's what people did at the election, absolutely," Meyer said. "I don't see how we can look at it any other way. I believe they're saying, 'Look, we don't want all this stuff that you're trying to push at us and cram down our throats. We want morality. We want good things. We want God.' "
By mentioning morality, they also mean much of what they don't want is what they see as the growing coarseness of today's media.
"All the dirt and violence and the bad language and the hatred and the murder and just everything that's coming at us every place we turn," said Meyer. "I think people are just, in general, getting fed up with it."
It is a frustration not so strongly expressed in years past. "I think people of faith have been a little intimidated," said Jakes.
But with the results of the 2004 presidential election, they are sending a message loud and clear.
"There's this real scourge of secularism that's hitting us, and they're trying to pull out anything that has to do with God," said Fr. Francis Mary on a recent Eternal Word Television Network broadcast. "And it's gotten absurd, really."
It's a perspective millions are tuning into — media that addresses what they want to hear.
Lots of false doctrine around. If these "prosperity" preachers really believed what they teach, they wouldn't need to go on television to beg for money. "Physician heal thyself!"
Yup.
This was a good article by ABC's Foreign Correspondant reporting from Jesusland, Erin Hayes.
Why? Have you ever watched Joyce Meyers or Joel Osteen? TV is the most powerful media available to get the message out. Why shouldn't Christians use it? Besides, they don't beg for money. Before you condemn someone for preaching false doctrine you should watch.
People's ears itch and love being scratched...
Prosperity gospel is what they wanna hear and they will pay through the nose to hear it.
"Give to Get" & "Give to Rebuke".......... "The Devourer"
Really shakes the coins loose....
Greed and Fear....very powerfull motivators...
That have nothing to do with Christ or Salvation....
The only honest preacher I ever heard preach on that subject said "God requires you tithe 10% of your gain...the only thing I can guarantee you is that after you do...you will have 10 % less"...
You will have been obedient to his command so what's that worth to you?...
You want to listen to pure poison listen to a woman preacher.....
Before you endorse TV evangelists, you should study them and their teachings, read their books, know what they really believe -- not just what they say on TV. There are many wolves in sheeps' clothing on the religious programs.
"Sanda-deeda-do-ba-basa"
I think that's Haitian for "I'm gonna necklace you, white boy!"
LOL
Really, I have never seen Joyce Meyers teach that.
Where is the scriptural support for that?
Paul made reference to Phoebe, and Priscilla, and Mary (probably Magdalene) who were active in the early church.
And Jesus Himself held women in great esteem.
I wonder how the prosperity message would go over in say Calcutta?
I have watched him also and disagree.
I found that he preaches about the self and what God can do for you.
I think the Truth is about our serving God, not what's in it for us.
I stand corrected...thx.
Oh, so you are familiar with each of these ministries? Could you point out, with specific examples and biblical references, the false doctrine you claim they are teaching?
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