Joel Osteen

[Guest kivsa]

The holiness of God and the sin-nature of man is the very core of the Gospel. In order to be saved a person MUST be convinced of his own sinfulness, and the utter impossibility of pleasing God in that condition. As long as he tries to bridge the gap between himself and God through his own efforts, he cannot be saved. Everything that a non-believer does is like filthy rags to God.(Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, if J. Osteen is not preaching man's SIN as opposed to God's holiness, then he is short-cutting the Scriptural message and trying to enter by another door. John 10:1-2 says "...he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep." People don't like being called sinners, so they will seek out preachers who make themselves feel good. The Bible says that this is typical of the last days: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." 2 Tim. 4:3 Whether he preaches 1) God's holiness 2) man's sin 3) the sacrifice that Jesus made to provide atonement for our sins 4) Jesus' resurrection which showed that God accepted that sacrifice, should the platinum yardstick by which to measure Mr. Osteen and any other preacher. Conviction of sin and the way to peace only penetrates a person's heart through the preaching of the Word of God. So, it is good to examine the content of a preacher's messages. Does he use a lot of Scripture in its proper context? Does the message point to Jesus as Savior...or is it a man-pleasing, ear-tickling, feel-good sermon?

[ruah brit]

I am very wary when watching tele-evangelists. After seeing and hearing some of the strange things that come from various preachers, I have started trying to be more careful who I watch and listen to. Over the past two weeks I have been watching Joel Osteen and was wondering what are the opinions you have of him?

If Joel were asking this question. Then my answer would be worth something. But to everyone I would say that "the teachings of Christ are sufficient and everyone should seek Christ and His righteousness. Not any man or woman."

Denise

[Guest spiritchsr1]

I am very wary when watching tele-evangelists. After seeing and hearing some of the strange things that come from various preachers, I have started trying to be more careful who I watch and listen to. Over the past two weeks I have been watching Joel Osteen and was wondering what are the opinions you have of him?

Raven. i watch Joel Olstean on Daystar Network. I think he is pretty good and very down to earth. It amazes me how he can draw such a large crowd. His church is the largest church in the state of Texas. He draws at least 50,000 people per service and his church holds every last one of the people. I'de hate to try to get out of the parking lot afterwards.

I've noticed many of these TV Preachers always draw extremely large crowds. But when I go to a small storefront church in my neighborhood, your lucky to get 5 people to come, and that's a crowd. I don't know how they do it, or if it's the Holy Spirit moving on large crowds of people.

I think Olstean's techings are sound. I haven't heard anything that he says that goes against scripture that He says. He takes a common sense approach.

Spiritchsr1

[Yahsway]

Good analogy ruah brit! That is the "recipe" I spoke of earlier. Shalom

[ayin jade]

Everyone DOES realize the WOF message is witchcraft with a 'christianized" label, right?

Im not into the WOF thing at all, and I believe the whole name it and claim it prosperity doctrine is in error, but this statement is a bit inflammatory. Can you explain why you call it witchcraft? I would like to understand your reasoning.

[TEXASGRANDMA]

Joel Osteen says he does not like to use the terms sin and sinners because people find them offensive. Funny, Jesus did not have problems using those terms.

betty

[IreneM]

when a preacher won't call sin sin and won't call for repentence Won't preach anything but feel good messages is he really doning the Work of God???

I heard him once and saw him on Larry King He made me feel ashamed for me

The World will flock to any one who does not convict of sin

In Christ

IreneM

[Yahsway]

Very good Irene! The world will flock to anyone just to have their "itching ears tickeled" as scripture says.

[WayneB]

I've noticed many of these TV Preachers always draw extremely large crowds. But when I go to a small storefront church in my neighborhood, your lucky to get 5 people to come, and that's a crowd.

Funny thing? I live in an area where there are Casinos (Tunica, MS). Those draw a much bigger crowd than any church in the area... all combined. Numbers don't mean a thing except that the message or the messenger is popular. Jesus had many followers who when the teaching got tough, deserted him. In the end, how many were at the cross?

[yomotalking]

Everyone DOES realize the WOF message is witchcraft with a 'christianized" label, right?

Im not into the WOF thing at all, and I believe the whole name it and claim it prosperity doctrine is in error, but this statement is a bit inflammatory. Can you explain why you call it witchcraft? I would like to understand your reasoning.

witch