Is Joel Osteen A Christian ?

[Guest yod]

OSTEEN: You know what, I'm going to let someone -- I'm going to let god be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell. I just -- again, I present the truth, and I say it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with Jesus. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going to be their choice. God's got to look at your own heart. God's got to look at your heart, and only god knows that.

I don't know what you guys want him to say but I think he did a great job of saying what he believes while not being judgemental or critical.

No one is stopping you from blasting everyone to hell if you want...and anyone can spew guile from a computer keyboard....but I appreciate that Joel was sensitive in this particular live TV forum. Larry King is a jew and the host of this show. I believe Joel was being as respectful of his host as he could be...and left room for respectful dialogue to continue if someone has an honest desire to know more.

To answer as you have suggested was exactly the trap being set for him. The secular world would love to paint him as a critical religious zealot because that is how they discredit the message of "good news".

I do wish Joel would preach a little more fire and brimstone but luckily for him, he doesn't answer to me or you.

It is a much greater sin for us to speak evil of him than anything he has been accused of here.

[nebula]

It is a much greater sin for us to speak evil of him than anything he has been accused of here.

[darski]

Joel Osteen inherited the family business. He is well into the fuzzy wuzzy Jesus theology and telling jokes. yeah that gets you to heaven.

How much education must an average adult have to know that Hindus do not believe in and love God they believe in hundreds of gods. If someone comes to you and says, I reject your Jesus Christ (as Ghandi did) you can know (for that moment) where they are headding for eternity. God's word makes that a clear call.

To the poster who believes it is evil to question the motives of a preacher - we are required to do so by scripture and if he fails the test we should warn others.

It is interesting that a secular Jew knows the message more clearly than a 'preacher".

[ray]

I guess I can see what your saying now as I did not see it before. However, I guess before we get the meat that God has to offer us we go from milkly preacher to the cotton candy preacher to preacher who preaches the whole meat and nothing but the meat.

[darski]

It is best to begin with a preacher who can present the meat in a way that anyone can receive it. There are many today who can engage newbies without leaving the mature behind.

[terter]

guess you guys haven't read anything lately about judging?

[Guest yod]

And there is nothing wrong with discussing how Joel might have better answered these questions.

But he did not "preach" any heresy....yet the first couple pages and the title of this thread is judging the authenticity of his salvation because he didn't blast all jews to hell when that pitch was thrown at him.

When one speaks to such a large international audience that watches CNN, it is always best to err on the side of available grace instead of critical judgement.

Yeshua didn't usually speak to large crowds...but when He did it was done in parables. His real teaching was done in small groups.

Would He also stand up to the same kind of criticism Joel is getting here? I have my doubts

[Guest yod]

yod said:

But he did not "preach" any heresy....yet the first couple pages and the title of this thread is judging the authenticity of his salvation because he didn't blast all jews to hell when that pitch was thrown at him.

When one speaks to such a large international audience that watches CNN, it is always best to err on the side of available grace instead of critical judgement.

No, Joel did not blast all Jews, and atheists to hell when confronted with the question, nor did he answer the question. He avoided the issue, and went around it. It is much better for a minister of the gospel to speak the truth in love according to the scriptures, rather than beat around the bush and leave the audience to believe a "mixed message". The church is already in trouble for their prosperity, feel good, water-downed gospel, and we don't need any more tele-evangelists sending a wrong message that makes all of Christianity look phoney.

My Web Blog

OK...I agree that it seemed rather gutless to avoid the question to the degree he did.

However, he DID say that he believes salvation is through a relationship with Jesus.

What he DIDN'T say was that anyone who doesn't also believe this is going to hell. Yeah maybe you could have found a graceful way to say that on TV looking Larry King in the eye but it wasn't you. So it's easy to be critical.

However that isn't the issue...

This thread by it's very title implies that Joel Osteen might not be a believer and that is crossing a line we shouldn't cross on the basis of the quoted interview texts. If you want to call him a spiritual coward go right ahead...but c'mon...let us not imply dishonor of his motives or question his salvation in such a public-forum of insinuation that resembles gossip.

[eric]

YUP, You are right, yod. It's always good to gid rid of the plank in you own eye first, before you try to to remove the speck from someone elses.

[Christian]

The other thing that makes me feel weird about his program is the major emphasis on "JOEL", his logo is everywhere, constantly in your face. A ministry needs to have a major emphasis on Jesus. But I may be a little too critical here, I don't know.

I don't think you are being too critical. I drew the same impression from the "Super Joel" logo.

My personal opinion of Joel Osteen is he is a politically correct preacher. I have also read recently of some comments he made regarding homosexuals, and he would did not take a stand on this either. He sells alot of books, tho.

I'd also have to agree with this assessment and feel that he is in the money making business these days (prosperity doctrine). But without any reference material about his neutrality on homosexuality it's difficult to draw a conclusion. Can you provide that info?

Sadly Joel is another modern day telepreacher who is struck by the lights of world acceptance. He, like others before him will make a fatal error and he will join the others who sold out to the God of this world.

Sadly, it does seem to appear that way.

-C-