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Dr. Michael Horton will appear on 60 Minutes this Sunday, October 14, to discuss the ministry of televangelist Joel Osteen and whether or not Osteen's motivational message is more about self-help than a true representation of the Christian faith. 60 Minutes airs on CBS Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT (check local listings).

When the producers of 60 Minutes asked Dr. Horton about the amazing success of Osteen's ministry, Horton replied, "The Christian gospel is not determined by success, but by faithfulness to the original message of Christ and him crucified. That may not fill stadium-sized church gatherings, but it's the message that true Christianity is centered on."

The Rev. Dr. Horton is professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, the host of the nationally syndicated broadcast of The White Horse Inn radio program (Salem Radio Network), editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine, and a minister in the United Reformed Churches of North America.


1 posted on 10/12/2007 8:57:42 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
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To: Alex Murphy
Osteen says he's just keeping a complicated subject simple. "Sometimes you have to keep it simple and not make it so complicated that people don't understand," he says. "I think you need to talk on the peoples' level, not dumbing it down, but just saying, 'You know what? ... I could get up here and try to impress you with Greek words and doctrine.' And there are people that need that. They want to study deeper. But I know what I'm called to do is say, 'I want to help you learn how to forgive today. I want to help you to have the right thoughts today.' Just simple, simple things."

It doesn't matter how simple you make it or how many people think you helped them. If your message doesn't help people recognize their need for a savior, then it isn't much of a gospel.

2 posted on 10/12/2007 9:04:22 AM PDT by VRWCmember (Fred Thompson 2008! Taking America Back for Conservatives!)
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To: Alex Murphy

Simple simple things indeed for simpletons, I think. The most shallow person I know is a dedicated follower of Olsteen. If something isn’t nice, nice, nice, she says it’s “of the devil.” What she gets to do with this pseudo philosophy is condemn everything and everyone who is having even a slightly bad day. It’s not nice to have a bad day, you see. Must be your fault. Bad you. No one needs friends like that.

If you suggest she should buy health insurance, she says you’re being negative and under attack by “the enemy.” How stupid is that (especially after she ran up a $15k medical bill)? It’s essentially New Age thinking at its worst disguised as Christianity. Olsteen is a self-serving conman imo, with no principles nor regard for his “sheep.”

Lord save us all from these dangerous idiots. They’re giving Christianity a bad name. IMO of course.


3 posted on 10/12/2007 10:47:48 AM PDT by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: Alex Murphy
"eschews doctrinaire interpretation of the Bible"

In other words, he waters it down so that anyone can accept the Gospel without having to really change anything>

4 posted on 10/12/2007 1:08:07 PM PDT by LiteKeeper (Beware the secularization of America; the Islamization of Eurabia)
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To: Alex Murphy
We had some relatives here this past weekend who said they wanted to go to Osteen’s church. When they called to inquire about times of the worship services they were informed that they would have to *BUY* a ticket. Did anyone here know you had to BUY A TICKET to get in there?
5 posted on 10/12/2007 1:14:19 PM PDT by Ditter
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