Posted on 12/17/2014 4:32:23 PM PST by Gamecock
Not a shock: megachurch celebrity tv star preacher Joel Osteen doesn’t know the Bible, reports the clever and energetic Tristyn Bloom of The Daily Caller. (The story’s several weeks old but I just saw it so pass it on for those of you who hadn’t.)
In a Monday post to his verified Facebook page, Joel Osteen ministries, read: “God said in Numbers 11:23, ‘Moses, is there any limit to My power?’ He was saying, ‘Moses, you saw Me part the Red Sea, stop the sun for Joshua, keep three Hebrew teenagers safe in a fiery furnace, don’t you realize that I can bring water without rain?’ There’s no limit to God’s power.”
As of Friday afternoon, the post had over 317,000 likes and 52,000 shares.
One normally hesitates to criticize ministers from another tradition, but Joel Osteen perverts Christianity in a way that will keep people from Christ. He preaches a Christianity without a cross. As one commenter put it:
Joel Osteen is a motivational speaker who pretends to be Christian in order to make money. He and his wife live in a multimillion dollar mansion, and in return sell a gospel of false promises, bad theology, and gross consumerism. It is unsurprising that he fails to quote Scripture accurately, because adherence to Scripture has never been a priority of his.
What is truly unfortunate about him and his operation is that through their false teaching they mislead millions. I hope and pray for his repentance, before his final judgment and damnation.
I don’t know about “pretends.” I have no idea what Osteen thinks he’s doing. He does not speak as a Christian preacher but as a motivational speaker who exploits Christian language and Christianity’s continuing cultural authority to bring people (and their donations) in. There’s nothing like the message to the rich young ruler in his preaching, no take up your cross, not even a watch with me.
The Christian life is a constant struggle to move closer to Christ, against the flow of our natures. We’re swimming upstream. With God’s help, making progress, but only because He helps us keep pushing against the current. Osteen offers a pleasant ride on a warm spring day down a wide slow-moving river lying on a well-stocked raft. He presents this as if it were grace and not the easy choice of our fallen natures. “God wants you to do what you want to do” is not the Gospel.
Interesting that you would go back and choose the 5:1 after reading 5:8 and not read 5:9, which is what completes the concept being given....amazing how you take things out of context. Maybe you didn’t pass the test.
I think you may be the one who refuses to understand the Bible, or you might have to change your ways.
I’m not sure what you find so funny.
maybe some weird editing
I’ve heard liberals defend Obama by saying “That’s not what he meant”.
All one needs to do is look at the title of his book. "Your Best Life Now."
As opposed to when? Most every Christian I know believes his or her best life will take place in Heaven.
Context
James 5:8,9,10...people went back to vs 1 and ignored the following scriptures after vs 5, that completed the instruction...interesting.
Patience in Suffering
…9Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.…
9Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
He had just been talking about waiting for the blessings. Now in verse 9 he says don't grumble against one another. Basically saying don't grumble because the "harvest" or rewards haven't come yet.
Context
3 John 1:1
Greeting to Gaius from the Elder
1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth
“Harvest and Rewards” Yes, those come and to those who give...and obey God.
Context
3 Johm 1:1
Greeting to Gaius from the Elder
1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth
And Osteen says “get it NOW” you deserve it NOW. If you get it NOW you’re doing something wrong. If your faith is right you will get it NOW.
“I think you are a false teacher, who rails against God’s word in a sanctimonious way, and who actually thinks he is doing God a service...NOT.”
NOPE! Wrong again, gamecock is not a false teacher he/she only wants people to know there is a lot more to Jesus than what The Reverend Osteen simplifies in his daily feel good about yourself supposed devotionals. I have never heard Osteen one time say a person needs to reborn, and what it means to reborn . To recognize you are a sinner apart from God, and that you need Him as a savior. Until you have confessed the Jesus is Gods only son, died on the cross in your stead, believed that he arose on the third day because of His sin less ness, and the uniqueness that Jesus is the only one who can forgive your sin. Now can you tell me a time that Osteen preached or taught this?
“if you get it now” should be “if you don’t get it NOW”
Maybe some scripture about God’s blessing will help you see that God does want you to be blessed:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/blessings
One thing I have to say about you, is at least you are not like any of the other Osteen followers, who are afraid to get involved in the debate. Someday I will hope you will see what most of us are trying to tell you.
“people went back to vs 1 and ignored the following scriptures after vs 5, that completed the instruction...interesting.”
You started your quoting mid-chapter and ignored the context yourself. People were quoting you the beginning of the chapter to point out how the context eviscerates the “prosperity gospel” itself.
You basically handed your enemies a full magazine of ammunition, now you wonder why there is incoming fire?
Osteen. Denied. Jesus.
Why wait until heaven to enjoy the blessings God promised to all who love him; it’s Biblical:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/blessings
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