[spetznaz]

Thanks for this Vision, and a happy new year. My opinion on this issue is simple ...I care about the message. I know some people on FR don't like Osteen, but my main focus is the Word and not the messenger. It could come from a donkey, but the Word is the Word. Too many people focus on the vessel and miss out on the Word.

Another point is that people are at different stages in their faith. Some are mature Christians that require more 'meat,' while others are just getting started and require more 'milk.' While some would be okay with 'stronger' messages (like Chambers), others would be okay with Osteen. It would be a great disservice for JR to ban milk based on meat being better, in the same way it would be a disservice to do away with Grade school because Doctorate degrees are available.

Finally, even if I am in the minority, I hope the Osteen messages continue. Why? It starts with a Bible verse, a short inference and a prayer at the end. At the very least it is a daily Bible verse. Yes, there are deeper 'doctorate level' alternatives out there, but not everyone is at PhD level.

[GeronL]

removing the “no debate allowed” tag doesn’t ban the Osteen posts

[GeronL]

Too many people focus on the vessel and miss out on the Word

That is what Joel Osteen does, he has so little actual religion in his message that many people might be shocked to hear him to say "Jesus saves".

[GBA]

Good post. Joel Osteen, worst case, reminds me of this conversation:

John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’

But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us.'
Mark 9:38-40

Vision, I think this describes you and your efforts:

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9

Thank you both for your helpful and informative posts here. You've made this a better place.