Here we are back for the second entry of week eight of this blog entitled "Who Can We Trust? Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth!" It's amazing how fast the time passes these days! We've been discussing who we can and can't trust in mainstream evangelicalism today. Today is on the negative and we'll be focusing on Joel Osteen. In case you missed the first few weeks worth of entries I do suggest that you go back and read them as well when you're finished here.
We can all agree that we live in a generation and culture(if you're in America) of easy believism where people have the ability to get their message out to millions with just the click of a mouse. With that said, there is a slew of theological information at our fingertips. One quick google search and you can get commentary and scripture interpretation from Billy Graham to Benny Hinn and everything in between. With so many choices and the deceitfulness of our own hearts we're apt to listen to whomever we "like" or whomever our friends listen to or whatever makes us feel good. In light of this reality let us be diligent in determining who we let speak into our life! Every heretic speaks some truth sometimes or no one would listen. My goal over the next few months is to do two blogs a week, both critiquing prominent evangelicals in our day, one on someone who is trustworthy, someone who rightly divides the Word, someone who doesn't twist the scriptures, and the other on someone who is untrustworthy, possibly deceived, and even possibly an apostate, who for filthy lucre, distorts the Gospel. Let me say up front that there may be some of these critiques that you absolutely agree with and some you may vehemently reject and at times you may think that I'm being judgmental, harsh, or you may even think I'm crazy but I challenge you to research the Word and the person and then decide. I will praise some of these men and I will reject others, it's not personal but as a Pastor with a Pastor's heart I feel compelled to protect the flock from wolves and to lead the flock to spiritual food that will equip them for this life and the next, that is the sole intent behind these blog entries! Lets get started!
With his signature smile and recognizable voice Joel Osteen is one of, if not the most, recognized American "Pastor's" in mainstream evangelicalism today. I can say with almost certainty that most of us have either heard a sermon by him, read one of his books, or seen quotes by him on Facebook. And as positive as he may be I personally believe he's a negative influence on Christianity today and I hope to explain why in our conversation today. I have friends, church members, and family who all like and listen to Osteen and it's concerning and a burden on my heart. If Osteen labelled himself as a motivational speaker instead of a "Pastor", if he quoted philosophers instead of out of context scripture, and if he hosted seminars instead of "sermons" I wouldn't even be discussing him today but what he has done is masquerade as a shepherd, filling helpless, hopeless, and searching individuals with a false hope and security in earthly pleasures instead of biblical truths! You'll hear him quote and "preach" on Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:31, and Jeremiah 29:11 but you'll be hard pressed to find "preaching" or exposition of verses like Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23, or Luke 9:23. Sometimes it isn't even what he says but what he doesn't say! With his beginnings under his dad(who was a disciple of the WoF(Word of Faith) movement under Kenneth Hagin along with Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, and Joyce Myer), his acknowledgement that he wasn't called of God to preach when asked to take over Lakewood Church, lack of doctrinal stances or sermons, constant quoting of scripture out of context, lavish lifestyle, false repetition of the prosperity gospel, and lack of preaching the full counsel of God in scripture I can do no other thing except testify to the truth that he himself has set forth and that truth is that Joel Osteen is untrustworthy when it come to the things of God!
Just consider some of his quotes......
With his signature smile and recognizable voice Joel Osteen is one of, if not the most, recognized American "Pastor's" in mainstream evangelicalism today. I can say with almost certainty that most of us have either heard a sermon by him, read one of his books, or seen quotes by him on Facebook. And as positive as he may be I personally believe he's a negative influence on Christianity today and I hope to explain why in our conversation today. I have friends, church members, and family who all like and listen to Osteen and it's concerning and a burden on my heart. If Osteen labelled himself as a motivational speaker instead of a "Pastor", if he quoted philosophers instead of out of context scripture, and if he hosted seminars instead of "sermons" I wouldn't even be discussing him today but what he has done is masquerade as a shepherd, filling helpless, hopeless, and searching individuals with a false hope and security in earthly pleasures instead of biblical truths! You'll hear him quote and "preach" on Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:31, and Jeremiah 29:11 but you'll be hard pressed to find "preaching" or exposition of verses like Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23, or Luke 9:23. Sometimes it isn't even what he says but what he doesn't say! With his beginnings under his dad(who was a disciple of the WoF(Word of Faith) movement under Kenneth Hagin along with Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, and Joyce Myer), his acknowledgement that he wasn't called of God to preach when asked to take over Lakewood Church, lack of doctrinal stances or sermons, constant quoting of scripture out of context, lavish lifestyle, false repetition of the prosperity gospel, and lack of preaching the full counsel of God in scripture I can do no other thing except testify to the truth that he himself has set forth and that truth is that Joel Osteen is untrustworthy when it come to the things of God!
Just consider some of his quotes......
“When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.”
“It’s God’s will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty. It’s God’s will for you to pay your bills and not be in debt.”
“If we say it long enough eventually we’re going to reap a harvest. We’re going to get exactly what we’re saying.”
“there is a miracle in your mouth. If you want to change your world, start by changing your words...If you'll learn how to speak the right words and keep the right attitude, God will turn that situation around.” (Your Best Life Now, 125)
“When you say of the Lord you are healthy, you are whole, you are free, you are blessed, you are prosperous – when you say it, God has promised He will do it. ...If you are not sharing in His favor, you might want to watch your words. Here's the key: If you don't unleash your words in the right direction, if you don't call in favor, you will not experience those blessings. Nothing happens unless we speak. Release your faith with your words.” (It's Your Time, 121-23.)
“with our words, we can prophesy our own future” (Your Best Life Now, 114)
“God wants to increase you financially, by giving you promotions, fresh ideas, and creativity.” (Your Best Life Now, p.5)
“No, God wants to give you your own house. God has a big dream for your life.” (Your Best Life Now, p.35)
On the use of the word "sinners," he said, "I don't use it. I never thought about it. But I probably don't. But most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change. There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go down the road of condemning."]
And he isn't alone, this is a quote from his wife Victoria at Lakewood Church....
"I just want to encourage everyone of us to realize when we obey God we're not doing it for God. I mean, that's one way to look at it. Were doing it ourselves. Because God takes pleasure when we're happy. That's the thing that gives him the greatest joy this morning. I want you to know this morning just do good for your own self. Do good cuz God wants you to be happy.. When you come to church when you worship him you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself because that's what makes God happy. Amen?"
What scares me with a Godly fear is that well intentioned Christians are being fed a bait and switch where desire for God's will in there life is slowly and unnoticeably shifted to their own personal lusts and desires by listening to the "seducing spirits" that are spewed from Osteen's lips and pen! That may seem harsh but as a defender of the Gospel and a lover of men's soul's and as someone who has a desire to see men reach Heaven I must take a stand against a man who holds the beautiful Gospel of Jesus in contempt by telling you the lie that you can have your best life now! If anyone thinks that their best life is now and not when they enter Heaven and eternally worship the Christ then their confession of salvation is suspect and their spiritual discernment is nought or severely carnal! I beg you to be careful, consider the foundation one speaks from, research their doctrinal and theological beliefs, and at all points ask yourself, "What does the Bible say about that?"
I pray we're being a help to the kingdom and the body of Christ and that you have personally gained wisdom and knowledge in this journey we're taking together. I look forward to being back with you next week! If you would like to suggest someone in mainstream evangelicalism for me to cover in the coming weeks don't be afraid to comment your suggestion. God bless!
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