I won't go into my opinion, I'm more interested in hearing what others have to say.
-B
2007-07-02 10:17:04 · 15 answers · asked by The Brian 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think his church serves a certain purpose. I wouldn't recomend it for a more seasoned believer looking to be fed.
Personally, I think he stays too much out of the word. Sugar coats things too much.
Doesn't go into the fact that life won't be sunny all the time as a believer.
I really wish he would use more scripture when teaching because a LOT of people listen to him.
2007-07-02 10:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by wick7998 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Joel Osteen cherrypicks the bible and only preaches the "nice" parts that promise God's protection, provision and blessing. He says nothing about sin, wrath, the need for repentance and salvation... he attempts to attract people to Christ by preaching a prosperity gospel... "Your Best Life Now" stuff when the real point is not to store up treasures here on earth but in heaven. His message is "God has a wonderful plan for your life" rather than repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
The bible never promises that the life of a Christian is going to be easy... in fact it warns just the opposite. Osteen preaches Jesus Christ as a way to improve your earthly circumstances instead of as a way to be forgiven your sins and saved from hell.
The bible warns that in the end times people will turn away from sound biblical teaching and seek preachers who will "tickle their ears" with messages they want to hear. THAT is Joel Osteen... and Robert Schuller for that matter.
2007-07-02 10:26:03 · answer #2 · answered by doppler 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I really like Joel Osteen. I don't think that he is a well rounded preacher. But his hopeful sermons have attracted a huge audience and left them yearning to know more about God. I feel that he serves a purpose. He is a very optomistic man and he is serving the Lord in his own way.
2007-07-02 10:45:57 · answer #3 · answered by sweet_purpleiris 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
joel osteen is more of an inspirational speaker than a pastor. yes, i know his church is huge ... but he only "tickles people's ears" (like scripture says), telling what they want to hear, what makes them feel good. that's what appeals to most people today. just let them keep living the way they want to, give them a pep talk on sunday & put their money in the basket.
he even admitted that he stayed away from controversial subjects.
his tv salvation message ... "just say this simple prayer & WE BELIEVE you have salvation".
he may believe it, but that's not the way Jesus said we are to be born again.
so... who are you gonna believe???
joel osteen or Jesus Christ??
as for me & my house ... we will believe Jesus Christ.
2007-07-02 10:26:04 · answer #4 · answered by t d 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
hmmm... well, I'll first say this, I do think that he is a man of God and God has used him so I hesitate to criticize or judge him. However, some things I have noticed about his preaching that makes me a little weary. He seems to preach a "feel good gospel". What I mean is that the sermons I have heard and what I read is centered around feeling good, your best life now (the title of his book) and many times they skirt some of the important things. My belief is that to have the best life now you have to know Christ personally, plain and simply, there is really no need to write a book about it. Also, sometimes it seems that he preaches a prosperity gospel, which is so against what Jesus preached. But who am I to judge. God uses people like him to reach people that others can't!
2007-07-02 10:27:35 · answer #5 · answered by freeburd99 1 · 5⤊ 0⤋
While there are scriptures to back up some things he says (even if he explicitly does not say them presently), he also gets into personal stories in his sermons. I personally would consider him a 'cheerleader' preacher not a hard core reviewer of God's word. There probably is spiritual room for both types,plus some currently.
2007-07-02 11:25:33 · answer #6 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not for me to say, don't know him personally. Would talking about Joel be considered gossip? Just a gut check for all the Christians out there.
2007-07-02 10:21:50 · answer #7 · answered by gorillaman23 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
♥I really like Joel Osteen...
♥I watch him occasionally...
♥he IS a "feel good" preacher...
♥I feel good after watching him, esp. if I'm having a bad day, and sometimes I need that...
♥he does "ooze" prosperity...
♥he is a great motivational speaker...
♥he doesn't preach from the Word enough...
♥But...sometimes I just think we need a little "hell-fire & brimstone" preaching...I know I do...
♥Just my humble opinion...
God bless you all♥
2007-07-02 13:12:19 · answer #8 · answered by mawma7 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Doppler and T D and Opinionated are correct.
Pastor Art
2007-07-02 10:34:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Boy, can he pack a stadium. He could sell ice cream to Eskimo's.
2007-07-02 10:23:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋