Well said. They have these big congregations so why then do they need to be on TV.

Here's an article about the Osteen interview and the backpedal email he rebutted with.

http://www.av1611.org/osteen.html

 

I feel just as Hearsay does. I know it's been said in several ways in this thread, but for me, he had the opportunity to simply state that Christ is the only way. Larry King didn't "set him up". I understand Larry is Jewish, but Larry is more than fair and has had more than his fair share of Christian ministers and the like sitting across from him to tell him that very thing. And if you believe the Bible as the whole truth, then Larry had better accept Christ or he will not make it to Heaven. And with regards to the "fire and brimstone" angle. I also don't believe that every Sunday you should hear that sort of message, but if preaching on Hell is wrong, I suppose that nobody told Jesus that considering He preached on Hell quite alot.

Remarkable. I had missed the part about "sin is a word I don't use." That seals it for me. This guy is a fraud.

Remarkable. I had missed the part about "sin is a word I don't use." That seals it for me. This guy is a fraud.

 

I'm your camp Hearsay. (He uses way to much hair gel for my taste too.)

Feel good sermons are very good indeed , but one needs to hear the down side of not living ones life to the teachings of Christ.

Remarkable. I had missed the part about "sin is a word I don't use." That seals it for me. This guy is a fraud.

 

I missed that too...

 

Like I said...Joel Osteen, motivational speaker? Yes. Preacher? No way, IMO.

I enjoy listening to Olsteen on occasion, but I would never even think of relying on him for all spiritual sustinence. Nor would I recommend him to young Christians or someone who is searching for the truth and in need of salvation. His message is simply just the silver lining, and that is a dangerous thing taken by itself.

 

While he is very motivational and uplifting, it is somewhat empty because that is the whole nature of his message. Like the article called it "cotton candy" message, it is all sugar with no substance. If you try to live on that, you will die.

 

And while I understand he has a policy of not preaching on the tough subjects, it greatly disappoints me that he blatantly sidestepped the direct questions outlined above that make up the foundation of the Christian faith. That is disturbing.

I'll admit I haven't read his book but from what I've been told by reliable sources in Olsteen's "Your Best Life Now" he doesn't really mention Jesus until the last page after the end of the book it is in a completely different section. Just to me it seems as a Christian Pastor every step towards your best life now should be about Jesus. I will admit one day in a book store I picked up the book and read the chapter titles then flipped to the back to see the mention of Jesus and it was more or less a speech someone would give when opening an invitation. But still if the book is "Your Best Life Now" it should include references to Jesus on every page.

I enjoy listening to Olsteen on occasion, but I would never even think of relying on him for all spiritual sustinence. Nor would I recommend him to young Christians or someone who is searching for the truth and in need of salvation. His message is simply just the silver lining, and that is a dangerous thing taken by itself.

 

While he is very motivational and uplifting, it is somewhat empty because that is the whole nature of his message. Like the article called it "cotton candy" message, it is all sugar with no substance. If you try to live on that, you will die.

 

And while I understand he has a policy of not preaching on the tough subjects, it greatly disappoints me that he blatantly sidestepped the direct questions outlined above that make up the foundation of the Christian faith. That is disturbing.

 

I'm not trying to single you out here. This sentence struck a chord with me and really made me think...

 

None of us should rely on any pastor/preacher for all of our spiritual sustenance. I think this sentence goes a long way in identifying what's wrong...too many people are too lazy to read the Bible and pray and do all the "other" things that are part of being a Christian, serving God, following Christ. Instead, they find some preacher they like (sometimes on TV, sometimes locally) and rely on that person for their spiritual nourishment. That is reason #1 why these false teaching televangelists can deceive so many people and get rich in the process...their audience doesn't read the Bible themselves, so the teaching they get on TV is their only exposure. How would you ever know someone was lying to you if you never heard or read the truth?

 

Again, just using your post, and that sentence in particular, as a springboard to make that point, so I hope you don't take any offense.

Reading the key to Learning and Understanding.

Reading the key to Learning and Understanding.

 

I believe fully that "and prayer" needs to be inserted right after the word reading.

When Larry King asked him if belief in Christ as Savior is the only way to Heaven, and Osteen say there are those who will make it "other ways", well, he falls under false teacher IMO. I agree with Hearsay.

 

If he said this then I am in agreement with Hearsay and spindoc.

I'm not trying to single you out here. This sentence struck a chord with me and really made me think...

 

None of us should rely on any pastor/preacher for all of our spiritual sustenance. I think this sentence goes a long way in identifying what's wrong...too many people are too lazy to read the Bible and pray and do all the "other" things that are part of being a Christian, serving God, following Christ. Instead, they find some preacher they like (sometimes on TV, sometimes locally) and rely on that person for their spiritual nourishment. That is reason #1 why these false teaching televangelists can deceive so many people and get rich in the process...their audience doesn't read the Bible themselves, so the teaching they get on TV is their only exposure. How would you ever know someone was lying to you if you never heard or read the truth?

 

Again, just using your post, and that sentence in particular, as a springboard to make that point, so I hope you don't take any offense.

 

Absolutely not, I agree with you 110%. :thumb:

 

It was irresponsible of me to post a sentence like that without re-reading it carefully. I didn't intend to give the impression that I would rely on any 1 man for all spiritual sustinence. I simply meant that I wouldn't want him as a "Pastor", "Elder", etc. because I do rely on them a lot for spiritual guidance along the way. But there is no substitute for study and personal application of the Word. How else are we to recognize a false teaching if we don't study, and are not ready to rightly divide the word?

 

Joel's feelgood message may be useful, but it definitely is not the "whole truth".

 

I am not exactly batting a thousand today with my posts in this forum. :creepy: But I am thankful that there are people like yourself who are willing to point out things like the above when I have a mental lapse.

Absolutely not, I agree with you 110%. :thumb:

 

It was irresponsible of me to post a sentence like that without re-reading it carefully. I didn't intend to give the impression that I would rely on any 1 man for all spiritual sustinence. I simply meant that I wouldn't want him as a "Pastor", "Elder", etc. because I do rely on them a lot for spiritual guidance along the way. But there is no substitute for study and personal application of the Word. How else are we to recognize a false teaching if we don't study, and are not ready to rightly divide the word?

 

Joel's feelgood message may be useful, but it definitely is not the "whole truth".

 

I am not exactly batting a thousand today with my posts in this forum. :creepy: But I am thankful that there are people like yourself who are willing to point out things like the above when I have a mental lapse.

 

I think that is true and a good point.

 

As for my post, the thought never entered my mind that you would rely on one person for your spiritual guidance, which is why I tried to make sure you knew I wasn't trying to single you out...I guess in going out of my way to do that, it probably sounded more like I did think you meant that and I was just trying not to make you mad. :lol:

 

I really just wanted to voice that thought while it was fresh and that sentence is what triggered it. :thumb:

He may be a motivational speaker, but IMO he certainly is not a preacher or evangelist, and shouldn't be a pastor !!

His method of "prosperity preaching" is misleading and fraudulant. God is a HOLY GOD ! There is only one way to Heaven according to God and that is through the blood of Christ! According to the Bible we cannot work our way to Heaven ,we cannot be "good enough " to get to Heaven , baptism will not get us to Heaven only believing we are a sinner and trusting that God sent his only Son to die for us and asking God to save us will ever get us to Heaven.

Joel may use the Bible but he has never shared the Gospel message ! I am pretty sure there are better ways to get a good feeling then to waste 19 dollars, jmho