Comments on: Joel Osteen…in my opinion

By: Anthony Rose

Anthony Rose — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:29:11 +0000

Beautiful heart, Dave, and I am very grateful to Don from Texas for his additional info too.
Just like to add, rather superfluously now but just for the record, that even in that first Larry King interview, Joel did not say that a Muslim could die and know God eternally… what he said was, he would not presume to speak for God to say that non-Christians are definitely going to hell. By this I understood him to mean one or both of two things:
1. He was refusing to be the authority on it: if God says it, then it is so. Not Joel Osteen.
2. Maybe God can still make a plan for them to accept Jesus before they die. Why condemn them NOW?
Obviously though he was trying not to be forced straight out on it. I’m glad he sorted it out in the end!
I can’t resist one more thought. All things being equal, i.e. being saved and fully submitted to God, I’d like to suggest thatGod would rather have our needs met overflowingly than have us want (except as voluntary sacrifice of course). That’s biblical prosperity.
Thank you!

By: Charlotte Conley

Charlotte Conley — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:13:27 +0000

I agree with Dave whole-heartedly on this one. Why is it that so many believers spend so much time criticizing Osteen, when there is a lost and dying world out there? Time is short…I just don’t get it!

By: Don in Texas

Don in Texas — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:18:59 +0000

Dave: What a good heart you have toward your fellow Believer (Osteen). Here are a couple of tid-bits that you might find interesting. Joel went back on Larry King several months later and at his request adressed the question again. Joel stated straight-out that only through Jesus Christ can one have eternal life. He called it the most important tenant of our faith. He has restated that dozens of times since in many other interviews. In fact, recently, he was asked on a national radio program, “Who is going to Hell?” His answer: “Anyone who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.” I wish people would stop beating him over the head because of that first Larry King interview. It isn’t like he denied Christ — and he certainly hasn’t done it three times like Peter did?

Also, I think it is important to realize that at the end of every TV program Osteen gives as strong an altar-call to accept Jesus as I’ve ever seen from any minister. Osteen’s invitation to accept Jesus Christ is seen thousands of times each week all over the world. Who else is doing that?

In fact, while Joel Osteen is inviting the world to know Jesus Christ, his critics — guys like Mark Driscol & Paul Washer — are spending their resources trying to make a name for themselves by attacking him on You Tube. I would bet that Joel Osteen encourages more people to accept Christ as Lord & Savior in a single week than the two of those jokers will in their entire lifetimes.

By: daveingland

daveingland — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:19:48 +0000

Timothy: Great to see you here…thanks for posting your thoughts! I would agree that in my personal opinion–through how I believe the Word of God to be interpreted–that Pastor Osteen is a little misguided. However, I affirm again that if he does preach that we can only truly know God through the saving grace of Christ, then in essence he is preaching the gospel. It may not cause people to become devoted Christ followers through his messages of God wanting us to live in prosperous conditions, but I do think it will change hearts and cause people to love others more.

In reality, I’m kind of on the fringe of Evangelicalism as I seek to do my part in bringing a relevant gospel to a world that doesn’t see it that way yet. However, it is not my intention to change the gospel as Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

I appreciate your view and thanks for sharing! As the one who first introduced me to Francis Chan, now I think I have to go check out Jason too :)

By: Timothy Lee

Timothy Lee — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:28:30 +0000

Whilst I have a couple of his books and enjoy his ‘feel good’ ministry, I have to completely disagree with you regarding Joel Osteen. I honestly believe that his message is not the one that will receive favor from Jesus. I won’t go as far as to call him a false prophet, just misguided. Mostly, this time last year I was entirely affected by a speaker named Jason Ostrander (head of Youth ministry for the C&MA church) that completely blew my mind. Though Francis Chan has inspired me with his teachings, Ostrander has completely changed my thoughts on theology. Well, that and being at Fuller.

By: daveingland

daveingland — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:51:37 +0000

Michael: Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. If you ever post your thoughts somewhere, trackback here or email me. I’d like to see your elaboration :)

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Dave,

Thank you for writing this i really appreciate it. I have my opinion concerning Joel but i will not put it here. I agree that the Lord will use him to reach people. To me that’s what matters most. Are souls being won to Jesus?! Again thank you for what you have written here. It was done very well.

Blessings