Joel Osteen's Theology

[MaryandJoseph]

As a motivational speaker, I would hire Joel Osteen in a heart beat. As far as bringing me closer to God, I will stick with my Catholic Faith and all the good and holy priests who bring me my Lord, Body Blood Soul and Divinity.

 

[mommy_k]

I like Joel Osteen-he is encouraging, but-
His theology is like ‘baby christianity’ not’ spiritual maturity’. This is a big flaw he has.

If someone already know God, are rooted in the Catholic faith, then he should not affect themin a bad way. A spiritually mature person would be able to dismiss the flawed parts. If someone needed encouragement or positivity in their lives then he’s fine.

For those who are struggling with faith though, he can be dangerous, as his theology is very easy to follow, (just be nice and bless others) relative, and not very sound.

 

[tskrobacz]

Why trust the teaching’s of an individual that claims to know the path to God? The Catholic church is built on the knowledge of popes, apostles, saints, philosophers, scientists, theologians and contemplatives that have through the ages guided her unfailingly to read the signs of the time…Mr. Osteens’ brand of the prosperity gospel, is just that…his brand.

 

[ltwin]

I think you missed my point in a very very major way. Billy Graham (influenced) then Jimmy Swaggart (influenced) then Joel Osteen (influenced). It has nothing to do with denomination or non-denomination as you seem to want to boundarize, but it is the generation receiving a gospel, which then their children receive a different gospel, and their grandchildren receive a different gospel again. The next one after Joel Osteen will be what? Don’t know but it will certainly be different again and probably well suited to the ears that want to hear what they want to hear.

The problem is that your neat typology does not exist. There is not a whole generation of Billy Graham clones. There is not a whole generation of Jimmy Swaggart clones (a lot of people didn’t like him even when he was at the height of his popularity, and for good reason). Finally, there is not a whole generation of Joel Osteen clones.

If your declension narrative works for you, then by all means don’t let me disturb you. However, it’s not realistic.

 

[Nicea325]

Before becoming Catholic, i was into that stuff known as Word of Faith. It isn’t Catholic or even historic Protestantism. Joel Osteen is just the latest version of it. yes, he is appealing. He comes across as a smiley nice guy. He basically inherted the Church his late father John Osteen started. John was one of the big name WoF in the 80’s when i was involved in this stuff. Joel’s appeal is likewise due to his very non-deep feel good theology. It is more akin to cotton candy, lots of fluff but no real depth or basis. There is much more to the Christian walk than God wants you to feel happy happy happy all the time. It’s a false gospel and it really isn’t based on the Bible (no matter how many verses they string to together to try a prove it) or even in reality of life. This kind of God want you health and wealthy and happy happy happy 24/7 is a set up for faith failure later on. I will stick to building my house on the rock and building on a rock instead of cotton candy fluff will result in a house that will stand the storms of life.

 

[Nicea325]

Hey everyone. I was just wondering if anyone could give me a synopsis of Joel Osteen’s theology. What teachings of his are false according to the teachings of the Catholic Church? What teachings of his are right according to the teachings of the Catholic Church?

Also, I am not sure and I could be wrong but doesn’t he teach the “prosperity gospel” and/or the “health and wealth gospel” and/or the “name it and claim it gospel”?

Dangerous!

 

[Darryl_B]

The problem is that your neat typology does not exist. There is not a whole generation of Billy Graham clones. There is not a whole generation of Jimmy Swaggart clones (a lot of people didn’t like him even when he was at the height of his popularity, and for good reason). Finally, there is not a whole generation of Joel Osteen clones.

If your declension narrative works for you, then by all means don’t let me disturb you. However, it’s not realistic.

That is not true my friend, count the thousands of Billy Graham clones (through crusades), count the the thousands of Jimmy Swaggart clones (they only turned against him when the prostitute did) and now there are thousands taking on the Joel Osteen message. The fact is Evangelical had its heyday generation, Pentecostal had its heyday generation, and now nondenominational has its heyday generation. But when I looked around, there was not really much visible difference, just new generations of new definitions. I have been to all of those styles of churches and they are all fairly much identical, just the message is getting thinner and thinner.