-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Joel Osteen?
- Thread starter MaddLlama
- Start date
In my opinion, any preacher who goes against the mainstream finds a following, at least for a period of time. I think it is because there are so many people out there dissatisfied and looking for a magic panacea, that they glom onto any ray of hope and any explanation of their possible destination.
Furthermore, there is a strange phenomenon in the Christian religion that is almost a social behavior. People buy "Christian" books and other christian-based items like music, figurines, etc. for what I feel are to keep up appearances. Thus, if a Christian book is published, a certain, fairly large segment of that population will purchase it.
Furthermore, there is a strange phenomenon in the Christian religion that is almost a social behavior. People buy "Christian" books and other christian-based items like music, figurines, etc. for what I feel are to keep up appearances. Thus, if a Christian book is published, a certain, fairly large segment of that population will purchase it.
People are finding negative things to say about this guy? That comes as a surprise to me. From what I've heard, he preaches a very positive, uplifting message and I believe this is why he's such a success.
I'd be interested to know why other Christians don't like him and what their criticisms are.
joeboonda
Well-Known Member
I watch Joel from time to time. I do not know all of his beliefs so I cannot say too much. To me, he has the gift of edification, of building people up and reminding them that as born-again Christians, that they have God's favor and blessing in their lives if they simply believe the promises of the Bible. His message brings hope and encouragement to many, and restores a sense of confidence and optimism to those who have become weary or may wrestle with self-asteem problems.
Some have spoken against him because on Larry King Live, when Larry asked him if Christ was the only way and what about all the other people of other religions, Osteen did not come right out and say Jesus is the only way, but instead explained that his ministry was not about condemning others but of encouraging and lifting others up. I think that is just the nature of the gift and calling Joel has. He is not an evangelist to the outside world so much as an edifyer of the Christian community. Again, I have not done research on Joel, there may be other things I may not go along with, but I have learned to take the idea that unless every ministry believes or says exactly what I think they should and pull it out of my head and wad it up and toss it in the waste basket. I always enjoy listening to Joel, he seems to be a warm, loving and caring man who only wants to see people realize their full potential in the Lord. That's all I know for now.
Mike
Some have spoken against him because on Larry King Live, when Larry asked him if Christ was the only way and what about all the other people of other religions, Osteen did not come right out and say Jesus is the only way, but instead explained that his ministry was not about condemning others but of encouraging and lifting others up. I think that is just the nature of the gift and calling Joel has. He is not an evangelist to the outside world so much as an edifyer of the Christian community. Again, I have not done research on Joel, there may be other things I may not go along with, but I have learned to take the idea that unless every ministry believes or says exactly what I think they should and pull it out of my head and wad it up and toss it in the waste basket. I always enjoy listening to Joel, he seems to be a warm, loving and caring man who only wants to see people realize their full potential in the Lord. That's all I know for now.
Mike
MaddLlama
Obstructor of justice
I heard that he was a popular "Word of Faith" gospel preacher, and that Word of Faith itself is really just New Age metaphysics with a Christian window dressing. A bunch of Charismatic Christians I know are also quick to criticize the WoF idea that if you're poor, it means that you've made God angry (or, something similar to that. Maybe it was "God wants you to have a ton of money").
joeboonda
Well-Known Member
Yes, we are promised trials, tribulations and persecution in this life. But we have many promises of God that we will have peace and victory in our trials. Jesus said we can have abundant life. This is not riches, power and fame on earth. The poor of this world are rich in faith. The Bible says if we obey God he will bless us. These blessings come in different shapes and forms. Its definetely not always money, but if we follow God's principles for living and stewardship he will pour out his blessings upon us in whatever form that takes. Basically if we trust and obey everything will be okay.
Hmmm....I know he talks a lot about God wanting you to be sucessful in all aspects of life (with emphasis on the financial). I was always under the impression that he preached that God wants you to take advantage of what he has to offer though as oppose to people being poor because they made God angry. I guess there are some people who view being rich/succesful as a bad thing, and he is trying to preach otherwise.
The way I heard him put it was that you bought a ticket for a cruise but you're eating the cheese and crackers that you brought along because you don't have any money for the food that is being served on the ship....when the reality is you don't have to buy the food because it was included in your ticket....or something like that.
Being somewhat poor myself, I personally found Joel to be quite uplifting and a great inspirational speaker.
Quiddity
UndertheInfluenceofGiants
I can't say I'm as cynical as some of my Christian friends regarding Joel. If he deviates one tiddle from their perspective doctrines, he is a false teacher. I don't share that view.
The way I see it, every person is a conglamoration of ideologies and expressions. I take each one individually and run with it. That's why I am able to say that Joel has a gift with people. He is very motivational speaker with some New Age stuff. I don't agree with him completely, but I think some of what he says is good for the spirit.
The way I see it, every person is a conglamoration of ideologies and expressions. I take each one individually and run with it. That's why I am able to say that Joel has a gift with people. He is very motivational speaker with some New Age stuff. I don't agree with him completely, but I think some of what he says is good for the spirit.
Hope
Princesinha
Overall I don't care for the guy. I'm sure he has good intentions, but he "tickles" people's ears and gives them what they want to hear. That's why he sells so many books. While there's nothing wrong with preaching about the positive aspects of the Christian faith, to do so without balancing the positive aspects with the more difficult aspects is misleading people. As people have pointed out, he's also very "new agey," and I personally don't believe New Age ideas mix with Christianity.
If he went and preached his message to all the suffering Christians in other countries, many of whom live in poverty, and daily live in the fear of being killed or tortured for their faith, he wouldn't be given the time of day. It's only here in the spoiled, materialistic culture of the United States, and other rich nations where freedom of religion exists, that he and other "prosperity" and "positive" gospel preachers have any kind of influence. His "gospel" would be a slap in the face of a Christian who truly knows what suffering is, who knows that the positive message of Christianity is not dependent on circumstances, and yet whose faith is much stronger than that of us who live relatively easy lives.
If he went and preached his message to all the suffering Christians in other countries, many of whom live in poverty, and daily live in the fear of being killed or tortured for their faith, he wouldn't be given the time of day. It's only here in the spoiled, materialistic culture of the United States, and other rich nations where freedom of religion exists, that he and other "prosperity" and "positive" gospel preachers have any kind of influence. His "gospel" would be a slap in the face of a Christian who truly knows what suffering is, who knows that the positive message of Christianity is not dependent on circumstances, and yet whose faith is much stronger than that of us who live relatively easy lives.
slabbey06
Bond-Servant of Christ
Well put. I agree with you.
athanasius
Well-Known Member
Joe is a good salesman and yes a good motivational speaker. But yes, his theology is lacking alot.
*Paul*
Jesus loves you
From what I have seen of him , i would agree with this analysis, but i haven't watched him too many times as I end up turning his program off now because the other hours I spent listening to him i'll never have back again and it was not time well spent.
UnityNow101
Well-Known Member
I agree with Hope. He preaches a message that can only work in rich nations such as ours and would never be accepted in the third world countries. It is the 'health and wealth' or prosperity gospel that is being preached today by so many that turned me away from Christianity for some time. It is something that cannot be found in the Bible. Jesus tells us that the poor are the ones that are blessed, not the rich. Paul lived a life of a very poor man, broken in the flesh, but alive in spirit. This is what we Christians should be. We should despise the materialistic preaching so prevelent today. We should be uplifting the poor, not telling them that they are in that position because they are not in God's good graces. Was Jesus and Paul not under the good grace of God because they were not wealthy?