Posted on 04/06/2008 3:29:36 AM PDT by Gamecock
YBPDLNPL Ping
I like to watch Joel’s show BUT I don’t care all that much for the books. Seems like the same stuff repeating itself from the same advice rockstars. There’s a lot of good free stuff on the Internet to read.
This is my Bible: I am what it says I am; I have what it says I have; I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I'll boldly confess. My mind is alert; my heart is receptive; I will never be the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living Seed of the Word of God. I'll never be the same - never, never, never! I'll never be the same, in Jesus' Name.My, my, my. Sounds nice until you remember what the Reverend Donald Barnhouse once said when describing what would happen if Satan took over a city :
Joel Osteen
All of the bars and pool halls would be closed, pornography banished, pristine streets and sidewalks would be occupied by tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other. There would be no swearing. The kids would answer ‘Yes, sir,’ ‘No, ma’am,’ and the churches would be full on Sunday, Bibles would be open, and Christ is not preached.
Joel Osteen’s God given “gift” is to encourage people. I do not see a reason to criticize someone for doing what they are “gifted” to do.
He brings people to know God, be thankful, and be the best they can be. He also teaches responsibility, forgiveness, and humility. He ends every program with, “get yourself in a good bible-based church, and put God first place in your life”.
There are two things he NEVER brings up: asking for money or anything dealing with politics; and I think that’s a very good thing.
Where is sin and Christ died for sinners?
Osteen admits he doesn’t know about those seemingly minor details.
“...Christ is not preached.”
Pierces my heart. It’s an ongoing battle, isn’t it? The people were getting sidetracked even in the early church, when Paul wrote:
‘For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified’
1 Corinthians 2:2
Lakewood Church:
We are committed to making a positive impact upon the world by continuing to serve as a world-wide Christian outreach center helping millions of people in over 150 nations experience the “perfect peace” that comes from faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
*********************************************************
This is something to be criticised by other Christians?
If Joel Osteen pulls ONE person out of depression, without drugs and therapy, by finding faith in God, then I think he has accomplished something to be applauded.
I have no intention of debating Christian practices with you, and I have no intention to offend anyone, but pardon me for perceiving these type of articles and comments as hypocritical coming from other Christians, and more likely sour grapes.
Yes!! Your insight/comment is absolutely right!! Thank you!!
“My, my, my. Sounds nice until you remember what the Reverend Donald Barnhouse once said when describing what would happen if Satan took over a city :
All of the bars and pool halls would be closed, pornography banished, pristine streets and sidewalks would be occupied by tidy pedestrians who smiled at each other. There would be no swearing. The kids would answer ‘Yes, sir,’ ‘No, ma’am,’ and the churches would be full on Sunday, Bibles would be open, and Christ is not preached.”
I’m no bible scholar, but I just googled up Osteen’s ‘Our faith is made effectual...’ quote of scripture that is challenged in this article.
It looks like it’s from Philemon 1:6, but with Joe going back to what this commentary reports is in the ‘oldest manuscripts’, which end with the ‘in us’ phrase, rather than more recent translations that use ‘in Christ’, ‘in Jesus Christ’ or some such. It doesn’t seem as if Joe’s interpretation is really so off from how it is commonly read:
“Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. That-The aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee is, in order that the, &c.
the communication of thy faith-the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts of love and beneficence: as Heb 13:16, “to communicate,” that is, to impart a share) to others; or, the liberality to others flowing from thy faith (so the Greek is translated, “liberal distribution,” 2Co 9:13).
effectual by-Greek, “in”; the element in which his liberality had place, that is, may be proved by acts in, &c.
acknowledging-Greek, “the thorough knowledge,” that is, the experimental or practical recognition.
of every good thing which is in you-The oldest manuscripts read, “which is in US,” that is, the practical recognition of every grace which is in us Christians, in so far as we realize the Christian character. In short, that thy faith may by acts be proved to be “a faith which worketh by love.”
in Christ Jesus-rather as Greek, “unto Christ Jesus,” that is, to the glory of Christ Jesus. Two of the oldest manuscripts omit “Jesus.” This verse answers to Phm 5, “thy love and faith toward all saints”; Paul never ceases to mention him in his prayers, in order that his faith may still further show its power in his relation to others, by exhibiting every grace which is in Christians to the glory of Christ. Thus he paves the way for the request in behalf of Onesimus.”
http://bible.cc/philemon/1-6.htm
pippin2k4 (9 hours ago)
“As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” proverbs 27:17. Is anyone here correcting Joel or making him look bad? If we can’t correct him intercede on his behalf. “...I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of ALL men, for KINGS and ALL who are in authority...” 1 Tim. 2:1,2. Joel has a big church and is leading alot of people... so we need to PRAY for him and not attack him.
sara1997 (16 hours ago)
The Bible says:”GOD Himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it.And so there is no division in the body,but all its different parts have the same concern for one another.If one part of the body suffers,all the other parts suffer with it;if one part is praised,all the other parts share its happiness.All of you are CHRIST’s body,and each one is a part of it.”(1 Corinthians12:24-27)Please think about these words.
sara1997 (18 hours ago)
It’s true that Osteen’s sermons aren’t balanced.But the Bible Says:”There are different ways of serving,but the same LORD is served...The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of ALL.”(1 Corinthians12:5-7)I think Osteen is a servant used by the LORD(and yes he’s not perfect),we believers should pray for our brother instead of criticizing him!
____________________________________________________________
I really cannot add anything more to these three replies, in a row, to the video. His gift is “encouragement”. Encouragement to put God and Jesus Christ first place in your life. Encouragement to have faith in God ALWAYS.
Bravo, thanks for posting this. It is the most lucid analysis of Osteen’s message I have ever seen.
There is strong disagreement amongst many in Christianity regarding Osteen. I have yet to go to a service at Lakewood but am told there is an invitation to accept Christ as your savior at the end of every service. I have spoken to many pastors in Austin and have been surprised to hear many defend him, saying they are glad Christ is preached. In fact, the What We Believe section at their website is solid:
“WE BELIEVE…the entire Bible is inspired by God, without error and the authority on which we base our faith, conduct and doctrine.
WE BELIEVE…in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to this earth as Savior of the world.
WE BELIEVE…Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. We believe that salvation is found by placing our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. We believe Jesus rose from the dead and is coming again.
WE BELIEVE…water baptism is a symbol of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ and a testimony to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE…in the regular taking of Communion as an act of remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross.
WE BELIEVE…every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying God’s Word, yielding to the Holy Spirit and by being conformed to the image of Christ.
WE BELIEVE…as children of God, we are overcomers and more than conquerors and God intends for each of us to experience the abundant life He has in store for us.”
For my tastes Osteen spends a disproportionate amount of time on the last paragraph of their doctrinal statement. And, living an abundant life should be a life full of Christ’s grace and agape love, not a life dedicated to consuming all we want.
That said I’d much rather somebody go to Lakewood or watch it on TV than not go anywhere at all. Tough topic for discussion, but the fact that many are confused because of Osteen’s prosperity emphasis is an indication that his message is slightly off. It’s my experience that when Christ’s redemptive love is preached properly there is no confusion about our righteousness (rags) compared to His amazing grace.
And what are preachers supposed to preach?
Encouraged people will go to hell.
People who cling to Christ because the are sinners will be in the Kingdom. The tax-collector beating his chest pleading for mercy would not find it in the Osteen-dome.
Here is my obligatory post against the prosperity false gospel.
This hereby fulfills my “Why don’t you denounce THIS group” post for this thread.
That is all.
Otto
No, I don't believe Osteen is New Age...I believe he is a TOOL of the worst kind . He personifies 1 Timothy 4.
And the sad part is, the REAL BELIEVERS have failed this massive crowd with itching ears. I have failed them ! Because now, the NEW GOSPEL that Oprah and Osteen are preaching, is just like God's Word said it would be. Could the Apostasy have begun ?
He is a old-school Pelagian.
I watched his show once.
Ya did?
What did you think?
I watch it every once in a while. Even my 10 year old can pick out Osteen’s errors.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.