Joel Osteen

[MorningGlory]

The answer to King should be simple.

Jesus said that no man comes to the father except through Him. However, in Romans it talks about those outside of the Law being judged outside of the Law.

That's it - you state what the Scripture says, no attempts to interpret it, just state it as is, and then move on. Let the word speak for itself.

I didn't remember the passage about those outside the Law being judged outside the Law. I'm not sure who is referenced by that sentence. What does it mean?

[nebula]

Romans 2: 11-16

[EricH]

Anybody here watch any of his preachings on TV? I strated watching him a few years ago and have read both of his books. He always has uplifting messages and stories to share. Iv'e heard from a few people that Joel doesn't preach from the bible, but I havn't ever heard him misuse a quote or anything...

I like Joel Osteen too. I believe he is doing God's work.. even if you aren't a christian and hear his messages it makes you want to get to know the God that he speaks of so lovingly... Sometimes we don't need to be beat over the head with religion, we need to be shown the love of Christ.....Like Jesus did.........the woman brought to Him in adultery........he didn't beat her up. He showed her love and mercy

It seems like a lot of people forget that Jesus also called people " a bunch of snakes", hypocrites, fakes and so on. And when He comes back He will bring His wrath with Him. I am not saying that Jesus isn't love. I am saying that there is more to Him then love. We need to believe in all of what Jesus was and not just the parts we want to pick and the words of Christ are a testament to who and what He is. He was just like His Father. A God of love and a God of wrath.

Yes, Jesus did a lot of things. But He was God and could read people's hearts. We can't

[alljoy123]

There are 2 transcripts of interviews he has done. He has said, when questioned ...

well see for yourself.

KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?

OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?

OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

Google osteen and larry king, then google fox, mormon, osteen and you will get transcripts of 2 interviews in which he says things that are not sound.

I've also seen one where they did Billy Graham the same way...................made it where he didn't say Jesus was the only way

[nebula]

About Billy Graham -

Whatever criticism anyone has to say about his theology or things he has said or the fall-out rater from those who came forward during the crusades, there are two things that I do not believe can be denied:

1. He called people forward who wanted to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

2. More people have genuinely come to the faith through him than probably all of us on the Board combined - probably several times over.

Billy Graham is an evangelist. An evangelist's job is simply to call people into the Kingdom.

Joel Olsteen is a pastor. A pastor's job is to shepherd the flock. Evangelism is a part of that job, but not the primary job. Shepherding the flock means leading, guiding, training, nurturing, and disciplining.

Pastors like Joel can be beneficial for new believers. But if you want meat and potatoes . . . you probably need to look elsewhere.

(No offense to anyone here who likes him; getting back to basics is beneficial on occasion, as are reminders of grace and mercy.)

My concern from what I've seen and heard are what kind of training and disciplining he does or does not do.

[Massorite]

He is a great motivational speaker, sharing the encouraging promises of God. Sometimes I prefer the whole truth, though... even the not so encouraging stuff

Yes I agree.

[Massorite]

Anybody here watch any of his preachings on TV? I strated watching him a few years ago and have read both of his books. He always has uplifting messages and stories to share. Iv'e heard from a few people that Joel doesn't preach from the bible, but I havn't ever heard him misuse a quote or anything...

Osteen denies Christ is the only way. That's not the gospel.

In what way does he do that and when did you hear him say that?

Take a few minutes and listen for yourself. Ignore the host, just watch the video clips.

Larry King put him in a tough situation with some of those questions. It is a little confusing that Osteen was afraid to admit that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. I did find that a little strange but I just dont think he wanted to offened other religions, he isn't a people basher...

Yes but the truth is the truth and any time a called by God preacher shrinks back from speaking the absolute truth to a few people or a million people it is an insult to the calling of God and to God. Telling the truth is not people bashing. It is telling truth. As I have said already, the only people who get angry or offended at the truth are those who have corrupted the truth. There was no real reason for him not to say "Jesus is the only way". The fact that he wouldn't say it speaks volumns about his faith on a personal level. Put me up there on Larry King and I will say it loud and clear. How about you? Would you speak loud and clear?

[Massorite]

By not saying that Jesus is the ONLY way, Osteen is preaching a false gospel; even if by omission. He is one of the 'feel good, prosperity and everyone do their own thing' kind of preachers.

exactly

That is called "The Emergent Church".

[paul1149]

I watch JO occasionally and really enjoy him. I read his first book and really enjoyed it, but didn't get far into the second book because it seemed overly repetitive and me-centered.

Joel is an encourager, like bar Nabus. And he functions in his gift, which makes a lot of sense to me. If he tried to conform himself to someone else's profile, it would be like David wearing Saul's armor.

Some say Osteen shies away from preaching on sin. I get plenty of sin preaching from him, but it's implied. Every time he points out God's way of dealing with the issues with which we're confronted in life, it's implicit that our natural way of dealing with them falls short of God's way.

Now, maybe that's not the best way to deal with sin all the time. I would agree with that. That's why I don't just listen to Joel, but get plenty of other POV's as well, and do my own study.

In all my listening, I've only heard one minor thing that I disagreed with. I think he's pretty Biblically accurate.

One thing that thrills me is that his broadcasts are satellited around the world. I think his love and compassion for people is a reflection of God's, and that that is exactly what so much of the underprivileged world needs. In particular the Muslim world is steeped in fear and coercion, and I rejoice that they can see an expression of the love of Christ for them.

CBS.com has a clip of the 60 Minutes segment on Joel, in which he is overcome with emotion thinking about the privilege of helping people. Very compelling viewing.

One other thing I admire about Joel is how he stepped up to the plate when his father died. He was about to give up but realized that, especially for a college dropout like himself, he was facing a once in a lifetime opportunity. Reminds me of others who similarly took the same challenge, such as Moody and Spurgeon.

As far as I've seen, Joel does preach Christ as savior, though maybe not as deeply as many would like. But that doesn't mean he's in error (also see Rm 4.15 et al). In sum I think he definitely has his place in the Body, and I think he does it very well.

bb,

p.

[Dennis1963]

I love Joel. He has said something more than once that has been just what I needed to hear. The Lord is using him, even if he was wrong.

Anyone can say something that could help, this does not mean they are preaching the gospel. A tree is known by its fruit.