Comments on: Osteen Redux

By: Sue Ann

Sue Ann — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:17:38 +0000

I sat down last night tormented by who said they me loved but not my daughter.then i was called upon to watch Osteen.The message that was delivered gave me strength.i dont watch much of those shows.But when i do there is always a message and gift from GOD.Not all messages are ment for you.Patients ,Listen, and learn!

God Bless,sue ann

By: Sophie Shih

Sophie Shih — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:24:51 +0000

In his speaking and writing, Osteen continues to be a positive thinking guru and motivational speaker who uses the trappings of a Christian pastor and preacher to tap into a gullible, compromised audience whose great commonality seems to be their agreement that Joel is personally charming and “Your Best Life Now” sounds a lot more interesting than “take up your cross and follow me.”
My concern about Osteen is centered in Osteen’s refusal to articulate the Gospel, but to instead give a positive thinking philosophy of motivation and success framed with a few Biblical references.

While Osteen claims that the cross is the basis for his faith, his messages and books have no more of the cross in them than the messages of a Muslim or a Buddhist.

Doctrines such as the incarnation, depravity, repentance, faith in Christ alone, the atonement, and taking up the cross are invisible in Osteen’s ministry. This is not an accident.

Osteen appears to be continuing on his chosen trajectory to become the most influential preacher on the planet by abandoning the Christian faith in favor of a very American and very Christless message of salvation from a bad life by positive thinking and behavior change. Osteen’s charm and good looks have won over millions …

most evangelicals are too mired in the materialism and “good life” pursuits at the root of Osteen’s message to effectively challenge him.

Conservative evangelicals are strangely silent about Osteen, even though he outdoes liberals, mystics, the emerging church and many outright apostates in his abandonment of the Gospel.

One of the reasons I am a post-evangelical is that I see little evidence that evangelicalism has the ability to separate itself from a successful minister who threw the Gospel … away in order to be popular. Osteen is the present and the future of evangelicalism. If this is where we’re going, you can have him, and the whole movement.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:25:15 +0000

Caren,

I’d have to wonder if you even read what imonk said? His comments are accurate and well stated. They are no an attack on Osteen , but rather the concern about twhat he teaches! Osteen may be a lot of things, but he is no Orthodox Biblical preacher. He does not teach the Word!

Might I suggest that you read the works of C.H. Spurgeon and/or Jonathan Edwards for about a year or so. Gain some perspective on Biblical exposition.

I’m not sure how you support your belief that the ” the church has been unbalanced for years”? Exactly where in scripture do we find Jesus teaching about “balance”?

One cannot come to Christ without first understanding their depravity and need of a Savior. Without the Gospel being presented, how can anyone receive Christ?

By: Anna A

Anna A — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:45:31 +0000

Caren,

Jesus also came to call sinners to repentence. And He was hardest on the religious leaders of the day.

By: caren

caren — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:09:32 +0000

joel oslsten… has given somethimg to the christian world that has been greatly needed….bALANCES…. i believe the church has been un balanced for years.. jesus came to give to life… balance and love..and most of all forgiveness..

By: ted

ted — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:29:43 +0000

Im curious what you think of the lady on tbn with pink wigs? I think this would help me understand your critique of joel osteen

By: Brian P

Brian P — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:42:37 +0000

Interesting how someone who can interest so many people in religion without ramming down their throats, ‘you are a sinner, you are a bad person etc’ is now condemned ? instead making people feel good with hope, why is that a bad thing. Since when does someone need years of biblical training to pass the word, surely guiding someone to find their own path is a better way, than some pretentious righteous minister spouting as if they and only they are ‘right’ because of years in a seminary. Is that not a little arrogant. many people would look at and consider religion if it weren’t forced down their throats, now someone has been sucessful with this softer more humane approach and is being condemned for it, ‘ careful those who cast the first stone ??’
different route, same result.

By: Janet C

Janet C — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:10:43 +0000

John MacArthur has not shied away from addressing the Joel Osteen problem in the church, and has called him a heretic in a recent sermon. But yes, most OTHER so- called evangelicals are strangely silent–don’t want to ruffle feathers or be unpopular themselves, I guess.

By: she-she62

she-she62 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:44:35 +0000

To all commenters’:
Lets talk doctrines for a second. The whole old testement letters of pauls never mentions the hell that is preached today as burning people for all etenity. When was this hell created and why was’nt Adam and Eve not warned of this etenal burning place? Also has anyone really went into great research on the beginings of the kjv of the bible. I myself read out of the concodant literal new testement and it makes alot of sence to me.It is translated from the greek vocabulary as it should have been done. And the word Hell is a lot different place translated right then a place of eternal torment. I think the reason that most people can’t take the smile of Joel Olsteen is because he is truly happy in his travels with Christ. If this were the same for all who disagree then maybe you should search yourself and stop worrying about how these people get along.Love one another and let God do the judging. Lets just assume that God will save all in the end, how will you be judged for the judgements you gave. I happen to believe that my Lord came here and died for all. The path you take in this world is your own and hell will follow you all your days without Christ. I say it this way. I am forgiven of my sin And I was saved from the foundation of the world.

May god bless all.

By: possum-10

possum-10 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:19:43 +0000

well done on pulling back the curtain on Joel, great snake oil from that guy — in church the other night, a woman nearby noted that a flyer for an upcoming concert by a well known Christian music artist showed a dour look on his face. (great solid guy by the way) Perhaps she said he simply had no joy, and on her part, how sad, how could he present Jesus to people. Maybe he is missing something she said — but….wow, how about Joel! (I wanted to gag) she shared that she had seen Joel Osteen recently, and boy howdy what a man of God, he had a wonderful smile and was certainly a great ambassador. Remember Harold Hill? We’ve got trouble right here in river city and it’s in many parts of the Church among those without discernment.