Comments on: Joel Osteen’s Christianity without a Cross

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:47:57 +0000

David, what we must realize is that even though we may *like* to hear such “preaching” (as Joel Osteen’s) is to invite temptation. His “preaching” is neither the milk nor the meat of God’s word–it’s distorting Scriptures. I have seen a few of his programs, and the only time he even has mentioned the gospel was at the end where he invites watchers to “invite Jesus into your heart.” And then, who wouldn’t want to be a Christian? But they’ve not been convicted of sin–sin is something that he himself admits is woefully lacking in his message.

And with a low esteem of sin, how can Mr. Osteen give God the glory He deserves–from saving us from the sin that we could not save ourselves from? Osteen is not giving God the glory b/c he is not proclaiming the gospel in its entirety, which is the worst thing a preacher can do … which is why Dr. Burk calls him a false teacher.

God bless you. I truly hope that you have a local church that preaches the true, full, Biblical gospel. Osteen’s message is feel-good, but the Bible (and Bible preaching–not self-help messages) feels a lot better.

By: David

David — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:58:06 +0000

He is a good life coach. He helps me stay positive and he gives scriptures and praises God. He gives God the glory.

What is wrong with someone thinking positive and telling people to be positive?

If we are better people we can be better Christians.

I also like the fact Joel Osteen is Non- Denominational.

I can testify that his programs help me think more positive as a person and encourages me to open my Bible.

I’m not bashing any of you for your opinions. I’m not saying you are wrong. I’m not saying you are right either.

By: Ronald Davis

Ronald Davis — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:42:17 +0000

Don’t know much about Joel Osteen, which from reading most of these comments I guess is good. I know God will provide for his people as he sees fit. Folks our treasure is not here on earth. Eternity is a long time and living like a king for a season in this world is not worth your soul. Maybe Joel can have his cake and eat it too. I don’t know? Unless your living in real poverty be thankful for what you have. Does he understand as a pastor if he is leading his flock down the wrong road what will happen to him. If Joel is a phoney God will deal with him and I would not want to be in his shoes no matter how much they cost. God bless.

By: Tarrens

Tarrens — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:40:57 +0000

Joel is preaching the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians Chapter 5) and for that he has been vilified but Wisdom is always justified by Her children (Luke 7:35) as was said by the Master when he was being vilified.

The Christ is the “Fruit of the Spirit”

Learn from Wisdom, become Her child, next, Lift up the Fruits of the Spirit so that You May Drawn To Him. If you overcome there is a Crown and more waiting for You. (Revelations 3:11)

By: Lea

Lea — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:16:13 +0000

Hey I really appreciated you writing this blog. I am totally there with on what you wrote. One question though how do I give a good argument to the love of my life who adores Joel Osteens teachings?

By: Roland

Roland — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:23:01 +0000

God bless you all for the debate which is quite interesting and educative but I believe the Church is experiencing the End-times challenges and we need to be blessed with the gift of discernment to differentiate a false preacher from a genuine on.

Roland

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:13:01 +0000

I know it is probable that no one will see this as I am beyond late to this discussion, but I have watched some of Joel’s services on TV in the past and I noticed the same thing that Jes mentioned from his book. I remember seeing an Easter service that he did in Minute Maid park in Houston. I wish I could remember the text he was using. He put the verses on the screen and preached from the text, but he picked up in the middle of one verse and then used an elipses and picked up the passage a couple of verses further on. Which was convenient for sure, because on reading the entire passage, I found that some of the parts he left out didn’t fit well with the message he was giving. This kind of thing disturbs me greatly, as my grandmother instilled in me early the need to “rightly divide the Word of God”, meaning that we need to be willing to treat it correctly and in total. Not just the parts that fit what we want it to say.
Jeff

By: Jesica

Jesica — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 03:16:31 +0000

This past week, I had a 3 hour wait in the airport, and so decided to go into Borders and peruse Joel’s new book.

At the very beginning of one of the chapters, he quotes Nehemiah, and is trying to build a case argument that if we show up, God will show up.

He quoted Scripture, and then gave the Nehemiah reference. I had studied Nehemiah, and didn’t recall the Word saying what he says in his book that it says.

So, I pulled out my Palm Treo, on which I have the Bible in the NASB and in the ASV, and was CRUSHED to find that Joel had TOTALLY and completely misquoted the Word!

You can see it for yourself if you pick up the book…it’s at the very beginning of one of the chapters. (sorry, I don’t recall which one)

The part that scares me about that is that this is what the evil one did in the garden. He added to God’s Word, and we see this again at the temptation of Christ..satan either adds to God’s Word, or takes away from it, or uses it totally out of context.

That was all I needed to see…besides the fact that without carrying our cross, without denying ourselves to follow Him, there is no Christianity. Joel teaches we can have our best life now, but that’s not what God’s Word teaches.

We are told we will suffer. We will lose friends and family. We will be persecuted.

The rich young ruler was told to give all he had to follow Christ, and we are asked for now less than that.

Maybe what we will be asked to give up won’t be money…but something even more important to us.

For me, following Christ has cost me a career in which I made a 6 figure income before the age of 30. It has cost me friends…and the hardest one of all, it has cost me a relationship with my mother and father.

However, I wouldn’t take one of those things back…I consider it all rubbish in comparison to following Christ.

In Him,
Jes

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:24:21 +0000

I understand the possibility that Joel is a gifted speaker, but he is not a gifted teacher …I know this by the lack of scriptural references he uses during his messages.Heb 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.if what you say is true michele, i am saddened by the fact Joel possibly reserves his truly powerful Word of God focused messages for audiences other than his Tv viewers.Above and beyond all this- the Holy spirit prompts me to feel that Joel is a danger.

Benjamin

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:01:36 +0000

I doubt that at this late date anyone will continue to post on this blog but I feel compelled to do so.
My son is a pastor on staff at Lakewood. I have been to services, met Joel, his staff and his family. What you see on television is only a portion of the service. This is a gospel centered church, I know that for a fact. My son is required to spend one day of every week doing nothing but studying the gospel, uninterupted.
I have personally spoken with people who’s lives have changed, spurred by Joel’s message of hope…and I don’t mean a new mercedes was dropped at their front door. I mean they were inspired to overcome their addictions, pick themselves out of the gutter and hungered for more…namely the word!