Joel Osteen - Prosperity Prophet for Profit (not a devotional)

http://www.svchapel.org/resources/articles/22-contemporary-issues/620-joel-osteen-and-the-prosperity-gospel ^

[BereanBrain]

There are a lot of megachurches out there based on bad theology.

Joel's is a very nice looking one. However, don't fall for the bad theology.

Faith is not a force you can harness like Harry Potter by saying the right words.

Check out the link for a review on Osteen's flavor of "word faith" movement.

[ducttape45]

Wow that’s freaking me out. I didn’t know they maintained a listing of churches affiliated in some way with the WCCA.

[allmendream]

“And a preacher on the old time gospel hour
Stealing money from the sick and the old
Well the God I believe in isn't short of cash, mister!” U2

When channel surfing, whenever I come across one of these charlatans, I watch just long enough to hear the call for MONEY MONEY MONEY - the god they truly worship.

It doesn't take long, over 50% of the time they are already engaged in a rambling request for donations of their one true god.

[BereanBrain]

How about the fact that they are all “supposed” to use the dame “training” material? And in MANY churches, members of the church find out they are in a WCCA controlled church by someone telling them from the outside!

The local congregants are intentionally kept in the dark about the WCCA membership, what it means, and even how much money WCCA is getting!!!

Also, WCCA supported Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Obama. They gave then “cover”.

[TropicanaRose]

Yikes! My church is on the list. Do you have any info on the negative aspects of WCCA? I skimmed the statement of faith & didn’t see anything offensive. Thanks.

[ducttape45]

Most of the time the congregational members are never told. Their Statement of Faith may not change but it's not adhered to either.

That's why the other posters are saying that you have to do the research and discover who's really in Christ's camp and who is not.

Worldview Weekend is a good place to find out more about this kind of deception, though you have to grit your teeth every show when Howse repeats his phone number about a dozen times!

[ducttape45]

You got it. That kind of deception that is one of the worst ones for the Christian church because it's so hard to spot to the casual onlooker. Thankfully I can now spot it pretty quick.

Case in point: I tried going to three different Wesleyan churches in my area. But I could tell from the first service they were influenced by the likes of WCA, Dominion Theology, Rick Warren and others so I didn't stay with them.

I finally started going to a small church of 12 members and I love it so much more because they aren't influenced like the bigger ones are and their spirit is genuine.

[WorldviewDad]

“Worldview Weekend is a good place to find out more about this kind of deception...”

I would agree. I have several resources from them.

“grit your teeth every show when Howse repeats his phone number about a dozen times!”

I have never seen or heard his show...have only seen him in person or on DVD of live events, but I could see him doing that. I haven't seen him since they changed their format from a full weekend to just one night “Code Blue” events. Even though they tend to get good speakers, the events are normally to far away to justify the trip for a two to three hour event.

[WorldviewDad]

Thanks for the profile search page...I recognize several of the churches on the list in my area. I am surprised that my old church is not on the list...but they might not yet know about the option, but they were heavily influenced by the teachings...

[Bruinator]

WCCA or WCA? Just for clarification

[BereanBrain]

willow creek church association.

WCCA

[ducttape45]

When I listen to his radio program, I usually stand by on the mute button when he gets about half way through his program. That's when he starts repeating his telephone number. He'll usually repeat it 4 times in a row, 3-4 different times throughout a 10 -15 minute time period.

Drives me absolutely crazy but he usually has some good guest speakers so I bear it.

[TropicanaRose]

I meant the WCCA statement of faith didn’t seem out of line, not my church’s. I was hoping for a website/source on WCCA that would list their beliefs/practices that are problematic, & especially would like to see backup for their support of prog politicians. I went to the Worldview Weekend site & entered WCCA in its search engine & nothing came up. Thank you!

[TropicanaRose]

Spoke too soon, I re-did the search using “Willow” instead & got several results. I will read all of them.