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Thread: What's the Problem with Joel Osteen

  1. #1
    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    What's the Problem with Joel Osteen

    A couple of years ago Joel Osteen was preparing to have a "Night of Hope" at Dodger Stadium. Since the Dodgers are in our home city, Los Angeles, I wanted to support the effort. I mentioned to our congregation about the upcoming crusade and helping out so we could be a part of reaching thousands of people who would make decisions to follow Christ.

    A few days later someone said to me,
    "We're supporting Joel Osteen? He is pretty controversial you know."
    I was surprised.
    I thought to myself, "Joel Osteen, controversial? How could that be? He preaches the most clear and simple gospel message a person could hear."

    I had not been keeping up with what people and other leaders were saying on the Internet.

    One local pastor said to me later, "I hear you are supporting the Joel Osteen Crusade."
    I said, "Yes I am. He reaches thousands of people for Jesus Christ, he's in our city, I want to be a part of it."
    The pastor responded, "I'm not going to, I can't go for all that positive gospel stuff."

    I don't even know what that means!??!
    Are we supposed to be preaching the negative gospel?
    What is the "positive" gospel?
    Our sins are forgiven? God loves us – just like we are? God has something special for each of us to do?
    Just sounds like the 'regular-amazing-outstanding-full of mercy- gospel' to me! You know... 'Amazing Grace' ...and all that.

    In the last year I've discovered there are many outspoken Christians and leaders who don't seem to like Joel Osteen.

    Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion – even if it is ill informed.
    The disappointing thing to me is that Christian leaders feel the liberty to publically attack those whom they don't really understand or know. There are always such attacks and slanderous public accusations against the most well known of American pastors – Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Bishop TD Jakes and others. Leaders are encouraging other Christians to think it's appropriate – even spiritual maturity – to disrespect or doubt the authenticity of genuine preachers and to publically express that opinion.

    Frankly, it's embarrassing.

    As a Christian, I'm discouraged by the behavior of leaders who criticize, attack or diminish the significance of other Christian ministers.

    This critical behavior and attitude is why many people do not want to be a part of Christianity or go to church because they feel that when they go to church they will be criticized the way our leaders do to each other.


    For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:14-15 NIV

    I believe the main thing leaders should be "called out for" is the arrogance and the divisive example they promote by publically dismissing the relevance of another person's ministry in order to exalt their own.

    Have leaders who take the liberty to bring unfair assessments of Joel Osteen spoken to him or one of his pastors in private about their concerns? I may be wrong – but I don't think they have.

    I love the insights brought to us by Pastor Phil Munsey in an article, "The Joel Osteen Most People Don't Know" in which he points out that over one million people have received Christ through Joel's "Night of Hope" events and that Joel pastors the largest church in our nation's history – 45,000 in one building.

    Look at this situation that the disciples brought to Jesus and notice His response.

    "Master," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."
    "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."
    ...Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem ...but the people there did not welcome him... When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? But Jesus turned and rebuked them and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of "– NKJV) Luke 9:49-55 NIV

    So, what's really the problem with Joel Osteen?

    Critics say,
    "He's shallow." "He's a phony." "He's a liar."
    "He's not really a pastor." "He presents an easy, feel-good gospel."
    This reminds me of being in the 8th grade.

    I know Joel Osteen.
    I consider him a friend.
    I'm not a 'Joel Osteen fan' – I'm a friend.

    I know him to be a genuine man, a humble man and know that he has a desire to lead people to become followers of Jesus Christ. He believes the same fundamental truths about the Bible and Christianity that main stream Christianity teaches and preaches from the pulpits of America.

    The problem is not with Joel Osteen –the problem is in the hearts of the 'Christian critics' (sounds like an oxymoron) and 'the haters' –the newest gift in the body of Christ. They speak without thinking.

    Joel is focused on reaching lost and unchurched people. He does it really well.

    In interviews with Larry King, Piers Morgan and others, they always try to get him into controversial or divisive topics, (homosexuality, politics, Mormonism, who's going to hell, etc.) and Joel avoids answering those questions with much detail. His focus is reaching those who have been alienated and are not being reached for Christ with the message of God's grace. He tries to stay on point.

    Why is this so hard to understand?

    http://www.philipwagner.com/blog/wha...th-joel-Osteen

    This is a very well written piece about those that criticize Joel Osteen. It's long, but well worth the read: and hopefully those that take issue with Pastor Joel, will have a change of heart.
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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  3. #2
    Desperate for something to watch, I watched Joel on tbn Monday night. His topic was standing in the gap in prayer for others. It was a wonderful message. He also offered the opportunity for people to make a decision for Christ.

    I still can't stand what tbn has become but all of a sudden we are getting perfect reception of Daystar! I've enjoyed several programs on Daystar the past few days. Prayer seems to be the subject everyone is teaching on right now.

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    "The problem is not with Joel Osteen –the problem is in the hearts of the ‘Christian critics’ (sounds like an oxymoron) and ‘the haters’ –the newest gift in the body of Christ. They speak without thinking."

    Interesting terminology....was Paul and Jesus 'haters' or the 'oxymoron Christian critic'?

    I don't watch Joel...or any TV preachers for that matter..... I take issue with this author taking this liberal term 'hater' coined to apply to conservatives politically and even Christians who preach what sin is....and use it against any who disagree with Joel's theology...

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    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quest View Post
    Interesting terminology...

    I take issue with this author taking this liberal term 'hater' coined to apply to conservatives politically and even Christians who preach what sin is....and use it against any who disagree with Joel's theology...
    "If it walks and quack like a duck..." The term "hater" was not coined to apply to Conservatives. It is a term that was coined by black hip-hop & Gen-Xers to describe jealous and envious people that hate on those more successful than themselves.

    Unfortunately there are those in the body of Christ who act like "haters". Hateful books have been written about Osteen and there's even a "Christian" preacher that has a radio program who hardly ever fails to say something against him.

    So although you may "take issue" with this author using what you describe as a "liberal term", their are many believers who publicly degrade not only Joel Osteen, but other well known preachers as well. It's even been done on this Forum many times over the years.

    So whether you like the term or not, there are believers that behave like haters.

    All you have to do is enter any well known preacher on YouTube and watch the hate speech come from these so-called "watchers on the wall."

    They are nothing but heresy hunters that need to judge themselves before trying to judge God's servants.

    The message in the article can apply to ALL that take issue with ministers who they deem "unfit" to preach the Gospel. There are certain ministers/preachers I can't stand to listen to, but I will NEVER denounce them or publicly speak evil against them. I may not agree with some of their teaching, but as long as Christ is exalted and their theology is sound, I will keep my mouth off of them or pray for them.
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Valiant Woman View Post
    "If it walks and quack like a duck..." The term "hater" was not coined to apply to Conservatives. It is a term that was coined by black hip-hop & Gen-Xers to describe jealous and envious people that hate on those more successful than themselves.

    Unfortunately there are those in the body of Christ who act like "haters". Hateful books have been written about Osteen and there's even a "Christian" preacher that has a radio program who hardly ever fails to say something against him.

    So although you may "take issue" with this author using what you describe as a "liberal term", their are many believers who publicly degrade not only Joel Osteen, but other well known preachers as well. It's even been done on this Forum many times over the years.

    So whether you like the term or not, there are believers that behave like haters.

    All you have to do is enter any well known preacher on YouTube and watch the hate speech come from these so-called "watchers on the wall."

    They are nothing but heresy hunters that need to judge themselves before trying to judge God's servants.

    The message in the article can apply to ALL that take issue with ministers who they deem "unfit" to preach the Gospel. There are certain ministers/preachers I can't stand to listen to, but I will NEVER denounce them or publicly speak evil against them. I may not agree with some of their teaching, but as long as Christ is exalted and their theology is sound, I will keep my mouth off of them or pray for them.
    True, it did originate with Hip Hop...as this article states. But then evolved...

    http://www.npr.org/2011/12/30/144384...ate-this-story

    The implication though use of the term implies anyone who disagrees with Joel's theology is a hater...

    The word is used now, an was then regarding the industry, in the context of dismissing dissent or disagreement.

    The implication though choosing to use that TERM is anyone who disagrees with Joel's theology is a 'hater'.

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    No one with confidence in their position should use the term 'hater' to dismiss anyone who disagrees.....

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    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    The implication though use of the term implies anyone who disagrees with Joel's theology is a hater...
    No, that's not the implication. It's the public denouncing of any minister who in our opinion is not preaching the Gospel properly. The subject of this piece just happens to be Joel Osteen, and I have no problem with him using the pastor because he is the main preacher many Christian ministers take issue with, and publicly denounce.

    It's not about disagreeing with Osteen's theology, it's the level of hate directed at him because he doesn't satisfy the heresy hunters desire that he conform to how or what they think he should preach. If you can't see that in this article, then maybe there is some bias in your mind against pastor Osteen. IJS
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
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    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quest View Post
    No one with confidence in their position should use the term 'hater' to dismiss anyone who disagrees.....
    Again, you keep using the phrase "anyone who disagrees". I've read the article thoroughly, and never does he mention disagreement. He's referring to minsters that publicly denounce and question Joel Osteen's doctrine which is displaying hate IMHO. Calling him "phony", "liar", shallow, etc., if that doesn't display hate, then praetel, tell me what does?
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Yes I keep using the term because that is how 'hater' is used in our current culture...heck I am pretty sure YOU have been called one. I know I have just because I presented Biblical truth regarding sin...

    My point was it IS used to intimidate and dismiss distention and disagreement...and IMHO the author did their article an injustice by using it...

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    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    Can you find a video where Joel Osteen talks about sin ?

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