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Victoria Osteen Chides Critics: Chides Critics: I Didn't Mean Parishioners Shouldn't Worship God ...
Christian Post ^ | 09/06/2014 | Leonardo Blair

Posted on 09/06/2014 10:55:34 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

After weathering a blistering week of scorn and ridicule for controversial comments she made during a worship service at the popular Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, including a declaration that worship is not for God, co-pastor Victoria Osteen now says that's not what she meant and dismissed the notion as "ridiculous."

"While I admit that I could have been more articulate in my remarks, I stand by my point that when we worship God and are obedient to Him we will be better for it," she told The Blaze in a statement Friday. "I did not mean to imply that we don't worship God; that's ridiculous, and only the critics and cynics are interpreting my remarks that way."

She further explained that her congregants at Lakewood Church knew exactly what she meant and there was no confusion among the flock she co-pastors with her New York Times bestselling author husband Joel Osteen.

"Every Lakewood member knows what I was talking about because they have experienced firsthand the joy and victory of a Lakewood Church worship service, and the honor, reverence and gratitude we show God," she said.

In the last week, Osteen sparked a firestorm of withering criticism after a 36-second clip of her controversial comments on worship and adoration for God went viral.

"I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we're not doing it for God—I mean, that's one way to look at it—we're doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we're happy," she said in the 36-second clip posted on YouTube, with her husband smiling at her side. "That's the thing that gives Him the greatest joy …"

"So, I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy," she continued. "When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy. Amen?" the clip ended as congregants cheered.


TOPICS: Charismatic Christian; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture; Worship
KEYWORDS: joelosteen; victoriaosteen
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To: Rides_A_Red_Horse

41 posted on 09/07/2014 8:23:04 PM PDT by narses ( For the Son of man shall come ... and then will he render to every man according to his works.)
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To: metmom

42 posted on 09/07/2014 8:23:29 PM PDT by narses ( For the Son of man shall come ... and then will he render to every man according to his works.)
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To: narses; metmom

Exactly. I have faith. You have silly pictures.

You can’t even state whether YOU believe Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient.

Do you plan to show silly pictures when you stand in judgement?


43 posted on 09/07/2014 8:27:04 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: Rides_A_Red_Horse
Do not make the thread "about" individual Freepers. That is also a form of "making it personal."

Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.

44 posted on 09/07/2014 8:28:19 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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Comment #45 Removed by Moderator

To: Rides_A_Red_Horse

Pffftttt....

You about owed me a new keyboard.


46 posted on 09/08/2014 5:27:15 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: narses

“That IS what Sola Scriptura becomes. Eventually you get Joseph Smith or L. Ron Hubbard, since we can all make up whatever we want, choose whatever “Holy Books” we believe in and cut out those parts that trouble us. Islam started that way.”

Take your hateful and uninformed drivel elsewhere.


47 posted on 09/08/2014 5:31:02 AM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Obama lied; our healthcare died.)
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To: HereInTheHeartland; narses; metmom

Eventually you get Joseph Smith or L. Ron Hubbard, since we can all make up whatever we want, choose whatever “Holy Books” we believe in and cut out those parts that trouble us. Islam started that way.”


The phrase “Solo Scriptura” means “by Scripture Alone”. It is the premise that Scripture is the only source for faith beliefs.

In other words, only the written Word of God and no man made traditions or strange extra-Biblical rituals.

John Smith claimed Jesus and Lucifer were siblings. That is not found in the Bible. L Ron Hubbard claimed all kinds of crazy stuff including alien “thetans.” That is not found in the Bible. Catholics claim Mary ascended into Heaven. That is not found in the Bible.

Anyone else see the trend?


48 posted on 09/08/2014 3:53:33 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: Rides_A_Red_Horse; narses; metmom

“That is not found in the Bible. Catholics claim Mary ascended into Heaven. That is not found in the Bible.

Anyone else see the trend?”

Well I don’t want to want to take the bait and start attacking Catholics as narses seems to be baiting us to do. I actually see Catholics as our allies and brothers in the fight against the radical forces lined up against Christians.

I really am disgusted by the vile attacks I see posted here on this issue; and I see them from both sides. That kind of discourse is most definitely against what Christ taught us and what He stands for.

We have radicals in the middle east who are attacking and killing Christians. Those people are the ones to fight against; not other Christians.


49 posted on 09/08/2014 4:04:59 PM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Obama lied; our healthcare died.)
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To: HereInTheHeartland
Thank you for taking the high-road. I only wanted to point out his flawed logic and hypocrisy.
50 posted on 09/08/2014 4:26:53 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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