60 Minutes had a piece on Joel Osteen last night. I actually thought it was pretty good. The reporter did a good job, asking tough questions in a non-confrontational way. I learned a lot about Osteen. I don't like his brand of teaching - way too slick for me, too car-saleman-like. Nevertheless, I find it hard, personally, to condemn him, although I would make quite a few changes if he asked me about his ministry. Some of the reaction to Osteen has been pretty harsh. However, when you listen to the drivel preached in most churches today - and I mean evangelical churches! - I can understand why people flock to someone who says something they can use in their lives. If evangelicals want to rage against Osteen, they should look in the mirror; that's the problem. What think ya'll?
5 comments:
I have to be one of those "rash" responders. Osteen is not preaching the Gospel message. He is no different than a motivational speaker. In the interview he goes as far as saying that Dr. Phil gives the same "advice". I for one totally agree with Michael Horton's assessment of Osteen's "glory gospel" - that if it's not heretical it's very close. Imagine standing before Christ and you say "Lord, in your name I got wealth, health and my best life now." only to hear Him say "I never knew you." God does have a plan for our life - it's salvation and sanctification through the atonement and merit of Christ alone for those who will believe through trusting faith. And for those who choose health, wealth and prosperity, that plan will be the just righteousness of our Holy God punishing their sins in an eternal hell. In both instances God is glorified. The fact that more Christians are not seeing problems within the church further evidences the severe lack of good Biblical teaching and expository preaching in the pulpit.
I now step down from my soapbox. :-)
There are very few people in ministry who I have issues with like I have issues with Joel Osteen. Primarily that he is a self-help guru disguised as a preacher. Eisegesis would abound in his sermons (and does) if he would only USE a Bible.
And yeah, there may be other problems in evangelical churches, but does that excuse him from being theologically correct? I think not. And like you said, most evangelicals do have "drivel" preached in their services--but most evangelicals love him. I have a friend who listens to everything he preaches.
He seems slick and slimy and I have never heard anything of value come from his mouth. He uses the name of Jesus and the word Christianity to preach things that have no basis in the word of God. I have problems with him personally because anyone who can preach such garbage obviously shouldn't be preaching in the first place. He has not "watched [his] doctrine closely".
-Sarah
Hey John, I showed you this funny fake Amazon ad last year. Thought I'd leave it in your comments. http://echurch.cf.huffingtonpost.com/
I wonder which has truly done more damage to the Christian evangelistic effort as a whole: the fiery, damning audacity of Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps and the like condemning at every turn, or the quiet, seemingly apathetic complacency of Billy Graham and Joel Osteen. Knowing where, when, and what upon to take a stand is no easy issue, to be sure.
I had a tremendous experience last evening, Sun.,10,2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio. I attended,Joel Osteen "An evening with Joel" at the US Bank arena.
I have to tell you, if this man can get "ME" fired-up about being in touch with God...he really has something happening, not only with me, but a whole lot of other folks...cause the place was packed and it was rock'en!!
He's has my attention...and that's hard to get if your not saying or doing something right! Say what you may, but you have to give it to anyone who can reach this many people across the USA!
Keep it up Joel...the message is now reaching MORE people than it did before YOU came along.
TSTOCK.
Post a Comment