Joel Osteen

I totally understand legacy, but I do wonder about nepotism within Christianity. Obviously it exists culturally in business models, but Joel Osteen never seemed to have been groomed for pastoral work. I believe he ran and directed the TV production aspects of the church. He has zero biblical training, by his own admission, and his motivational preaching is what they sell. I actually struggle with Israel Houghton because he is Osteen's worship arts director. I don't want to cast judgments, obviously, but I wonder how the elders of that church voted for Joel to assume headship of the church. Or, do they not have an elder board and could his position have been something more akin to a business model of assuming leadership, like a will? Anybody know if such a thing exists?

That would probably be the best seat in the house...

I'm not sure if it's a ghostpreacher or not.

Driscoll has matured a lot since ^.

@ 5:41....awesome

Many of us here appreciate how much you know "about that book". It's a shame that you admit "I know I'm mean". I'd like to remind you "...this is serious stuff." You sound like people we were warned about in the Bible and maybe you should "read that book a little more attentively."

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Please be aware of the scriptures that warn us against false teachers.
Mark 7:7 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 for such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled. they will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories. You though, keep your senses in all things...
1 John 4:1 beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God. for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
others to look up -
2 peter 2:1-3
matthew 7:15-20
Matthew 24:23-25
Matthew 24:11-13
Mark 13: 21-23
James 1:22-25
jude 4
1 John 4:4,5
Jeremiah 23:16

They were about the last 4 tickets available together. It's not till April and it's darn near sold out.

Jruiz, I totally agree with you. I cannot stand people that bash someone they don't even know. Maybe people don't like him because of two things they either feel threatened by his walk or they are being convicted of their walk.

Or maybe people don't like him because they are not fans of false teachers. Osteen is a public figure whose beliefs are displayed clearly all over the place, it doesn't require knowing him personally to know what he teaches and to use the bible to scrutinize his message and realize how off it is. The bible tells us we should be doing this, not blindly accepting every man that comes along with a smile and a bible in his hand claiming to know truth.

The Bible says we will know a person by their fruit, not by their media presentation. While I remain highly skeptical of Joel, I have to go see what's happening in the assembly, ie his fruits, before passing a judgment.

Joel Osteen is our brother in Christ. If he is for us he is not against us. Why do you all condemn this man who has said not one word to condemn YOU?

You can disagree with his teaching styles if you want but I haven't heard him say anything unbiblical even if he doesn't quote the bible word for word. Either way, maybe he isn't the pastor for you, in which case you don't have to listen.

Luckily, he doesn't need anyone's approval... not mine nor yours... because he has changed and affects more lives than possibly all of us put together... and if he has given the people a hope for the future, I see no ill in it. He bears good fruit, and we are known by the fruit we bear.

Joel Osteen is a False Teacher, scripture condemns him all on it's own. I highly suggest you do an in-depth study on Paul's teachings. You will find that there are so many wolves in sheeps clothing, and Joel Osteen is one of them. In fact, the majority of teachers in the church today are. It's really quite disturbing. It's going to take the Great Tribulation from The Antichrist in order to purge the pollution of heresy in the church,.. God must purify His bride before she can be suitable for the ceremony.


Oh, and just some food for thought: "even a broken clock is right twice a day". Even Satan spoke biblical Truth sometimes,..

I just watched this video, and I have the creeps! Now, maybe I just don't like snake oil salesman, or maybe his total lack of using the Bible ONCE in that portion of his creed, really upsets me.

This is the prosperity gospel at its worst! It is lies to deceive those who are ignorant of what the Bible says. Driscoll has it right, when he points out a few truths about Jesus and his life - failed relationships, persecution and pain!

He may or may not be a Christian himself. But he will be judged for this works of evil and deception he is preaching as truth.

[h=3]Revelation 3:15-19[/h]New International Version (NIV)

[SUP]15 [/SUP]I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [SUP]16 [/SUP]So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. [SUP]17 [/SUP]You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. [SUP]18 [/SUP]I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
[SUP]19 [/SUP]Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Yeah, that's my fear. Jesus talks about those who turn away in the end... That's why I want to see the assembly, forget Joel, I want to see where the people are, if they are being properly positioned in the Holy Spirit. Should be an interesting night! Maybe I should do a live chat-cast or something like that for CC!

I don't profess wisdom, I profess the scars of bumping into fallacy too often.

So who are the "many" here that you speak for?

And now that you pronounce judgement, testify then, what do I say that makes me sound "like people we were warned about in the Bible"? A shame to me if I say nothing while my neighbors walk off a cliff en masse.

If you are offended by my hatred of falicy, than that's your problem. I say I'm mean because that's what I'm told when I voice my passion for the truth.

Revelation 3:15-19
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Tell me truly, my friends, my brethren, am I too hot? Should I be lukewarm for the sake of ecumenical politics? If everything isn't nice and pretty with flowers and bunnies, then it's "you're mean".

I choose to be hated before I choose to be one of these mindless idiots who has given themselves over to the new gospel of love.

As long as you are aligned with love, then you are ok, because God is love and he loves you, and that's the whole story, there's no enemy, there's only love and prosperity, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. LOL this is the way of the day though!

I'm still a little immature, in that I don't have the ability yet to turn the other cheek. I'm praying, and I ask you all to pray for me too, that the Spirit will minister to me in my martyrdom, that I might not shame myself by crying out, or by strangling someone on the spot.