[TBP]

Osteen heads the largest church in America. They recently took over the Compaq Center, former home of the Houston Rockets. Their slogan is "Discover the Champion Within."

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

On a more reflective note, the melding of practical spirituality and Christianity may not be good for the long-term "brand" equity of Christianity. If you can watch presentations by Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson and Joel Osteen side by side and see little difference in the teachings other than terminology, what will be the outcome of the loyalty to one particular religion? All of these teachers are offering a similar message in different packaging. The real outcome of Osteen's rise is yet to be seen. The present conclusion is that he is greatly helping to uplift humanity by teaching self-empowerment, negating victim-hood, and relieving people of the propensity for guilt in striving for prosperity and abundance. Joel Osteen is definitely a mover and a shaker of the highest nature. His charm and charisma packaged with a succinctly delivered message will only propel him to even greater heights. Expect his to be a household name around the world in the coming years. Whereas Billy Graham delivered a powerful sermon and saved millions of "sinners," Joel Osteen is sure to uplift and elevate the lives of many millions more.

Genuine Christianity is about self-denial, not self-empowerment.

[Sam's Army]

I will never understand the charismatic movement. It's really quite a cultural phenomenon.

[Colin MacTavish]

I was recently taken to task by some posters here who were evidently embarrassed by Osteen representing Arminians. Your article is interesting and I think that Osteen represents a very large segment of current non-Denomination Arminian thought.

Colin.

[american spirit]

"When interviewed about gay marriage and other liberal ideas, he replied....he doesn't get into that".......that one phrase speaks much louder than anything else in the article. What he's saying is that "I'm another blow dried, odorless pastor who refuses to take on the flagship issues of the anti-American movement such as homosexuality, abortion, humanism in the schools, etc. because I don't want to "offend anyone", especially the IRS who might yank my 501C-3 tax status from me..........in other words, just pay attention to the current message vs. what's NOT being said and by the way, is your tithing up to date?

[BibChr]

Gig me, gag me.

If you had any doubts about Joel Osteen....

Dan

[pro610]

Think about what you are posting.
Rising Star!
What rising star !
This man is preaching half the Gospel.
He is preaching the Human Potential Movement
Olsteen,s message is not Biblical.
Show us where the Bible tells us of the rising star in the later days?

[maestro]

sad