-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
B
Joel Osteen is good for making people feel encouraged... that's about all he talks about though. Never a word about God's justice. Heaven is okay to talk about but never death, hell or salvation. And like a lot of other tv preachers he teaches the "health wealth, prosperity gospel" which is extremely dangerous to Christianity. It assumes part of God's love is to give us everything we want. The Holy Bible teaches that we will have what we NEED not what we want (Philippians 4:19). Note that this passage is in the context of giving away one's money for the purpose of God's Kingdom. (If live a lifestyle of a person in a third world country you have a better perspective of what a need is as compared to a want.) He basically tells people they are meant to live a life full of worldly success, and wealth. The Devils message equates success with earthly wealth. So yeah. He's teaching what the Devil would. Jesus teaches in the Holy Bible teaches that we do not store up our treasures on earth, but in heaven where no one can steal it (Matthew 6:20). Also from Philippians 4, I bet you've never heard the context of that verse that says we have strength to do all things through Christ who strengthens us. He was talking about being wealthy OR POOR. "11 For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. " Also, he doesn't say that Muslims will go to hell, rather he'll say it's up to God to judge. It's on youtube, not that hard to find.
The health wealth prosperity gospel puts an attitude of entitlement to a Christian, or anyone else who listens. If I don't get what I want then there must be something wrong with God, because He isn't doing His job. And many people lose faith because bad things happen to them when the Bible says in Hebrews 12:6 "For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."
The health wealth prosperity gospel puts an attitude of entitlement to a Christian, or anyone else who listens. If I don't get what I want then there must be something wrong with God, because He isn't doing His job. And many people lose faith because bad things happen to them when the Bible says in Hebrews 12:6 "For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."
Last edited:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwL1DThtxYg[/youtube]
Preaching a false-POSITIVE
Preaching a false-POSITIVE
This is interesting. The pharisees said the same thing about Jesus.
No, I'm not saying that Joel is Jesus. But as far as I can see, he has a heart for God and he does in fact use scriptures in his sermons. People like to distort his message by saying that he preaches everyone will get rich. He never says that. He merely says that everyone who honors God greatly will be greatly blessed in the areas in which they need blessings.
No, I'm not saying that Joel is Jesus. But as far as I can see, he has a heart for God and he does in fact use scriptures in his sermons. People like to distort his message by saying that he preaches everyone will get rich. He never says that. He merely says that everyone who honors God greatly will be greatly blessed in the areas in which they need blessings.
Last edited:
Show me an example where Joel says that God will make you rich and I will admit I was wrong. People say that is what he's preaching but he is not. Granted, he probably has a big house and drives a nice car, but David was a king, does that make David a sheister?? No, of course not. Was the proverbs 31 woman not a godly woman because she dressed in fine clothes and surrounded herself with expensive things?? No, she was still a very godly woman. If anyone can show me where Joel actually says that worshipping God will make you rich and not just BLESS you when you need it, then I will stop defending him. Until then, I see nothing wrong with his preaching.
U
He's a false teacher. Check out the book Christianity In Crisis by Hank Hanegraaff. Osteen is a Word of Faith teacher. His teachings are all about creating your own life and reality through positive thinking, and throws a scripture in there to 'christianize' it.
Also, no forgetting the Larry King episode where he refused to say Christ is the only way to God and heaven. That alone should send people running. Its amazing how people follow heretical teachers just because the call themselves pastors or christians. The bible warns us of false teachers and false gospels, yet so many Christians are afraid to 'judge' a preachers messages. So the bible must be wrong if all these non-biblical teachings are ok long as they call themselves a Christian.
Also, no forgetting the Larry King episode where he refused to say Christ is the only way to God and heaven. That alone should send people running. Its amazing how people follow heretical teachers just because the call themselves pastors or christians. The bible warns us of false teachers and false gospels, yet so many Christians are afraid to 'judge' a preachers messages. So the bible must be wrong if all these non-biblical teachings are ok long as they call themselves a Christian.
I know you didn't mean me, but I just want to say that I'm not afraid of judging anyone's message. I will be the first to point out heresy when i see it. I've been watching Joel's broadcasts for years and I know the bible and the criticism of him just doesn't stand up. People who criticize him mix his words and take them out of context to make him seem like he's saying something he's not.
Anyway, I don't think I want to continue this discussion because I know its one of those controversial subjects that don't get resolved.
Anyway, I don't think I want to continue this discussion because I know its one of those controversial subjects that don't get resolved.
Last edited:
H
Man, joel osteen....
I have posted my thoughts about him many a time. I am not a fan of him at all. He is kinda the Dr. Phil of christianity, but a lot harder to take seriously. If i wanted to hear how great i am, i would read a self help book. If you claim to be a preacher, then preach. I don't want to hear bumper sticker christianity.
I have posted my thoughts about him many a time. I am not a fan of him at all. He is kinda the Dr. Phil of christianity, but a lot harder to take seriously. If i wanted to hear how great i am, i would read a self help book. If you claim to be a preacher, then preach. I don't want to hear bumper sticker christianity.
I understand We have no room to judge... But he won't even come out and say, "Jesus is the only way!"
Joel Osteen on CNN - YouTube
Joel Osteen on CNN - YouTube
C
Thanks for all your replies everyone! I was just wanting to see what you guys all thought of him. I agree with most of what all you guys said. Cause I consider him a false preacher. All he does is make you feel good in his sermons and if he does use scripture, its a very tiny amount. I had watched Oprah's interview with him a few days back so thats why I just thought of posting this thread to see what you guys thought of him. And not that it matters, but Oprah is all into this new age crap now. I heard she grew up as an evangelical Christian or something like that. So the questions she asked him were like, " what!? really?" But then again he basically didn't have any problem answering her questions. And yea I have never heard him say anything about Christ is the only way up to Heaven.