Joel Osteen?

[mdcpensive1]

There were many good points made. I watched him last week and thought how different his talk was than what I am used to from my pastor.
He is the type of self-help kind of speaker who wants to make people feel good about what they hear. Going to Church is not about feeling good, but worship. My problem with his message is that it is mostly feeling good about earthly things.
I also believe he is a good man and sincere but I have trouble when people make a business and large profit on the faith of Jesus Christ. He definitely is not being an example of the apostles in their life style and I bet he doesn’t want to carry even a little cross. He doesn’t even dress like Rick Warren who seems more down to earth.

I listen to homilies for faith and to Osteen for entertainment.

 

[Darryl_B]

I often have trouble finding a clear message in Joel Osteens teachings. But I am only seeing his tv programs, it could be different in non-tv based teachings. The real test for any church is when the pastor retires. Does the church prosper or does the congregation drift off to the next big name. I have seen it happen with the crystal cathedral, where a church is not capable of surviving the transition to another generation.

I guess that is one way the Catholic Church is different, the succession of Popes is generally very, well, successful. There can only be one reason for that.

 

[jmj777]

I agree with a lot of the other posters here. Joel Osteen seems like a really, really nice guy who helps people feel good about themselves. Not truly centered on sound Christian doctrine. More like self centered teaching with God’s name thrown in for good measure. No talk about carrying your cross or repenting of your sins.

We must PRAY for Osteen and his followers that they learn to imitate Jesus’ humility and servitude and NOT “what makes me feel good about myself.” Living a Christian life must encompass the good, bad AND the ugly – all for the glory of God!

Peace be with you.

+JMJ+

 

[LegoGE1947]

I often have trouble finding a clear message in Joel Osteens teachings. But I am only seeing his tv programs, it could be different in non-tv based teachings. The real test for any church is when the pastor retires. Does the church prosper or does the congregation drift off to the next big name. I have seen it happen with the crystal cathedral, where a church is not capable of surviving the transition to another generation.

I guess that is one way the Catholic Church is different, the succession of Popes is generally very, well, successful. There can only be one reason for that.

In our city, Rockford, IL we have seen the same thing. There is a non-denom. assembly called Faith Center. Its founder retired, turned the pastorate over to his son-in-law, and his son-in-law is now in trouble with the government for wire-fraud. The church is also in debt over a building program which is not complete. It is sad to drive by the property and see an only half-finished project which they haven’t the money to continue with.

 

[batman1973]

He tells people what they want to hear. Makes people feel good about themselves. Personally, I think his style is dangerous for those souls who entrust him with their salvation

Agreed. He and his ilk give Protestant Christianity a bad rep.

 

[Jon_S_1]

Agreed. He and his ilk give Protestant Christianity a bad rep.

Nice to see Protestants and Catholics come together on this issue! Maybe we need to let the Pope know a good place to start ecumenical dialogue is the issue of why Joel Olsteen is misguided/dangerous!

 

[Honorius]

Anyone know what his stance is on homosexuality in the church, or has he avoided the topic to keep everyone happy?

 

[dannyboy2277]

Anyone know what his stance is on homosexuality in the church, or has he avoided the topic to keep everyone happy?

The guy has been asked that question on Larry King and Piers Morgan. He’s been wishy washy on different interviews (some of his interviews saying it’s ok and others saying it’s not ok). He gave his cheesy smile, , and said that he didn’t want to divide God’s people and that he’s here to give a positive message. In other words, Osteen wants your money and could care less about your eternal soul. A good, true shepherd would be telling people the truth of God’s word and to repent of their sins.

You can view these interviews on youtube.

#OsteenMakesMeNauseous :whacky:

 

[mdcpensive1]

Anyone know what his stance is on homosexuality in the church, or has he avoided the topic to keep everyone happy?

I have seen a lot of Catholic pastors do the same I am sad to say. It is as if they want to be liked linking being liked with being effective. If we are preaching Christ then we are preaching the truth.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I have seen a lot of Catholic pastors do the same I am sad to say. It is as if they want to be liked linking being liked with being effective. If we are preaching Christ then we are preaching the truth.

And it seems preaching the truth isn’t winning too many popularity contests these days!

 

[mdcpensive1]

And it seems preaching the truth isn’t winning too many popularity contests these days!

True. It is like running for political office. Once you pick a party you have a set of supporters and detractors.

 

[awsiukiewicz]

Im curious as to what other Catholics think about Joel Osteen. Im sure hes a good person and all but the community Im in loves him. They even quote his bible prayer everyday. ( At the moment im in a Christian program - however, it is a pentecostal Christian program. < I don’t want to say anything bad about it because it was a stepping stone that reconnected me with God. However, it also reconnected me with my Catholic Faith < Their ways opened my eyes to see what was true and what is false. They seem to idolize these millionaire pastors who profit from the word, but denounce the priests and nuns who live only for God - don’t indulge in worldly pleasures (Note: of course there are corruptions in every faith) But the “real” preists and nuns who made a solemn vow to the Lord and aren’t paid millions of dollars.

 

[awsiukiewicz]

I’m not sure how T.V. evanglists get started…I believe that it’s quite possible that they are well meaning when the start out…but money…and more money…I have listened to Joel Olsteen and it is my belief that he, like most of his contemporaries are motivational charismatic speakers…they arbitrarily pick a passage from scripture and give a powerful talk on it…what really amazes me is, if you notice . he rarely mentions Jesus…I honesly feel that “I” could do this gig…what really astonishes me is that people are falling all over themselves to hear these people…I was Catholic most during my youth and young adulthood because of my upbringing…now…I am Catholic because I chose to be…all of the self help books that amazingly sell so well…written by Protestant Preachers are ‘how to’ books on feeling better about life…people would be, in my opinion be much better served to read the Church Fathers…e.g. Thomas Aquinas, , or any of a number of books written by Catholic theologians througout hx…the ‘mystics’…St. Pio, I don’t understand how ANYONE could study in Protestant schools/seminaries whatever…and NOT at least appreciate the Trinity…Sacraments…ofcourse many have…i.e. Scot Haghn…Personally…The Eucharist…yeh…mother Church…I am so grateful for my parents taking me to Mass when I was a child…PAX

 

[mdcpensive1]

I’m not sure how T.V. evanglists get started…I believe that it’s quite possible that they are well meaning when the start out…but money…and more money…I have listened to Joel Olsteen and it is my belief that he, like most of his contemporaries are motivational charismatic speakers…they arbitrarily pick a passage from scripture and give a powerful talk on it…what really amazes me is, if you notice . he rarely mentions Jesus…I honesly feel that “I” could do this gig…what really astonishes me is that people are falling all over themselves to hear these people…I was Catholic most during my youth and young adulthood because of my upbringing…now…I am Catholic because I chose to be…all of the self help books that amazingly sell so well…written by Protestant Preachers are ‘how to’ books on feeling better about life…people would be, in my opinion be much better served to read the Church Fathers…e.g. Thomas Aquinas, , or any of a number of books written by Catholic theologians througout hx…the ‘mystics’…St. Pio, I don’t understand how ANYONE could study in Protestant schools/seminaries whatever…and NOT at least appreciate the Trinity…Sacraments…ofcourse many have…i.e. Scot Haghn…Personally…The Eucharist…yeh…mother Church…I am so grateful for my parents taking me to Mass when I was a child…PAX

My understanding of self help in getting us to heaven is called pelagianism. Good post.

 

[Et_Cetera]

Can’t stand this guy’s smug face.

 

[Honorius]

By that picture posted earlier, I wonder if they do communion. Passing it out would be difficult, and they would probably need several bakeries to supply the bread.

 

[Dorothy]

I have seen a lot of Catholic pastors do the same I am sad to say. It is as if they want to be liked linking being liked with being effective. If we are preaching Christ then we are preaching the truth.

Yes! We need to preach the whole truth!

When we, or our priests ignore certain subjects, then the whole truth of what Christ teaches is not being taught.

 

[Kelfa28]

My biggest problem with Osteen is simply he doesn’t preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He rarely mentions Him…and rarely preaches specific scripture.
He is just a motivational speaker. The problem is that he identifies himself as a minister of a Christian Church. This is problematic when even he doesn’t seem to believe that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus.

On a side note…he’s never been to any form of seminary. For me…that’s an issue as well.

By that picture posted earlier, I wonder if they do communion. Passing it out would be difficult, and they would probably need several bakeries to supply the bread.

His ministry travels around to huge arenas and stadiums to preach. They don’t just stay in one area. I doubt they ever do communion…based on both a theological standpoint and a logistical standpoint.

 

[TexanKnight]

They (televangelists) use God for money and fame.

Dangerous game

 

[KendraDZ1902]

I think of him as more of a motivational speaker than a preacher.