[melsec]

From the little I have heard from Joel Olsteen I am not that keen on his message. A gospel that does not enforce the need for repentance from sin does not really have the power to change - change from what? would be my question.

I do take to task the writer's assertion that somehow educational qualifications are a prerequiste for good or reliable preaching. Being able to preach is really a gift from God that may be honed through good religious education. It is also a gift that can be destroyed through a lot of what passes for Seminary or religious education nowadays.

Mel

[GreenHornet]

I do take to task the writer's assertion that somehow educational qualifications are a prerequiste for good or reliable preaching. Being able to preach is really a gift from God that may be honed through good religious education. It is also a gift that can be destroyed through a lot of what passes for Seminary or religious education nowadays.

Joel Osteen has stated many times during his broadcasts that he did not complete the seminary and does not have a theological degree. I see him as more of a motivational speaker than anything else. I don't find anything about his weekly messages to be negative or objectionable. Yes, he does plug his latest book at the end of his broadcasts, but he doesn't shill for contributions unlike people such as Tood Kootz, Mike Murdock, or Rod Parsley ("God wants to bless you, but he can't do it until you send me your seed check for $300., and the check clears.") As far as looks go, I always thought he could pass for Tim Allen's younger brother.

[BipolarBob]

There is no catalyst in his message for one to feel and know how loathsome our behavior is in Gods eyes. How close we are to eternal damnation. The “positive reassurance” and “prosperity” gospel are poor substitutes for the real substance. The command was to “Feed my sheep”. The sheep are underfed and malnourished on the Osteen diet.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

-— I do take to task the writer’s assertion that somehow educational qualifications are a prerequiste for good or reliable preaching. Being able to preach is really a gift from God that may be honed through good religious education. It is also a gift that can be destroyed through a lot of what passes for Seminary or religious education nowadays.-—

Yup. Education is NOT the same thing as schooling.

Schooling may or may not be educational. Sometimes formal schooling is antithetical to education.

Regarding preaching or good example, St. Francis and Mother Teresa did pretty well without much formal training.

[stars & stripes forever]

It is also a gift that can be destroyed through a lot of what passes for Seminary or religious education nowadays.

Pastors should read the Scriptures with an open mind and not rely on their 'religious training.' They would be surprised what the Bible actually says.