Posted on 04/17/2008 6:12:14 AM PDT by e.Shubee
I would personally like to thank those Seventh-day Adventists who have adopted the Joel Osteen version of Christianity. Finally, Seventh-day Adventists now have a popular message that appeals to the mass of humanity. Who in the Adventist church of the 19th or 20th century would have even imagined that the most important message in the world today is that we need to pursue feeling good about ourselves and just love everybody?
There is no question that many Seventh-day Adventists are following Joel Osteen's lead and happily dismiss every teaching of the Bible that creates argument and controversy. Giving credit where credit is due, we may call this group the Joel Osteen faction of Seventh-day Adventism. Defined simply, Osteen's message has been described as "cotton candy" theology – tastes good – but no substance. Who doesn't like cotton candy? Thankfully, Seventh-day Adventists no longer need difficult doctrines.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml
(Excerpt) Read more at everythingimportant.org ...
Lot’s of people criticize Joel, but his message has a place.
Seems that Mr. Osteen is one of these “feel good about yourself” preachers. There’s nothing wrong with that, its just not what the Bible teaches.
He shouldn’t be called a “pastor”. He should be called a self-help “expert”.
Where?
I have been a Bible teacher for 30 years. I have never found Biblical warrant for twisting the Scriptures to say what I want to make people feel good. People need to re-read (or maybe read for the first time) Jude.
Well the gospel literally means 'good news'. If you can't find anything in the Bible which makes you feel good, I think you are missing something. Joel's place is in bringing people to Jesus. If you are looking for a deeper teachings, look elsewhere.
Deeper teaching from somewhere other than the Bible on matters of this kind? I believe the issue here is that Mr. Osteen needs to read the Bible himself and find some deeper teaching so that Mr. Osteen doesn’t twist God’s Word and warp it to fit Mr. Osteen’s beliefs. If his goal is to “lead people to Jesus” all he has to do is lead them to God’s word — that is the good news.
Hoss
At the end of each service, Osteen admonishes people who might know him only through their TV sets to find themselves a "Bible-believing church." "I'm throwing a wide net," Osteen said of his aim. "I'm trying to get them to start thinking about God, but I know to really grow they need to get in a Bible-believing church." .....
I believe that it is anti-Christian and unholy for any Christian to live with the object of accumulating wealth. You will say, “Are we not to strive all we can to get all the money we can?” You may do so. I cannot doubt but what, in so doing, you may do service to the cause of God. But what I said was that to live with the object of accumulating wealth is anti-Christian.
Yes, and the "good news" can be summed up thusly: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". (Roman 5:8). That's it.
'That's it'? You say that like eternal salvation isn't enough.
No. I mean it is enough. The fact that sinful man is saved when he does not deserve to be saved is cause for rejoicing and worship. However, I do not think the good news refers to financial prosperity and first class airline seats.
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