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Mickey
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My brother-in-law is suddenly drawn to a televangelist by the name of Joel Osteen. Does anyone know anything about him?
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Scott_Lafrance
Guest
Yes, he is a very charming, charismatic preacher of the “Word of Faith” movement. The only person I’ve ever hear speak out against brother Olsteen’s theology is another Protestant named Hank Haanegraf. I have to admit that I have been drawn in to Brother Olsteen’s Sunday Morning prep-speeches. I don’t know why he is called a preacher or evangelist though. He is more like a Christian motivational speaker. I just have a problem with groups who rely on instruction from one charming guy. Look what has happened to Robert Schuller’s outfit. He is drifting into the background as his son take over. His son, who is a less charismatic carbon copy of his father, doesn’t capture the attention that his father did, as a result, his program moves off ABC and onto the Discovery Channel. Soon, the Hour of Power will be no more. That is the way it goes with these Televangelical groups. As soon as the shepard is stuck or dies, so dies the flock. Look at Jimmy Swaggart and James Baker.
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kmktexas
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Joel Olsteen broadcasts from Lakewood Church in Houston. It is one of those mega-churches. They are moving into the building that used to be the arena for the Houton Rockets (mega). He is second generation with his father, John, having founded the church and being responsible for most of it’s growth.
My kids like to watch him on TV, it gives them a kick to see him here in Venezuela when they know him as a local guy.
His preaching seems pretty vanilla Bible protestant to me. He was reluctant to take over for his father and his earlier preaching was not very dynamic. He is fun to listen to now though.
Nothing very objectionable (not like the Keneth’s - Hagen and Copeland) but not Catholic, very Bible based. I have never seen or heard any anti-Catholic sentiment from Joel although one of the father’s books was pretty anti-Catholic. Most of the people I know who belong to Lakewood come from Baptist backgrounds.
The church has all the entertainments for everyone from infants to seniors and is very involved in community ministry (disaster relief etc). People actually move to Houston from other parts of the country in order to join the Church.
If your BIL is a protestant, he could do a lot worse than Joel Osteen. If he is Catholic, however, he should be cautious. It is definately a personality driven church and not going to help in his spiritual growth as a Catholic.
My kids like to watch him on TV, it gives them a kick to see him here in Venezuela when they know him as a local guy.
His preaching seems pretty vanilla Bible protestant to me. He was reluctant to take over for his father and his earlier preaching was not very dynamic. He is fun to listen to now though.
Nothing very objectionable (not like the Keneth’s - Hagen and Copeland) but not Catholic, very Bible based. I have never seen or heard any anti-Catholic sentiment from Joel although one of the father’s books was pretty anti-Catholic. Most of the people I know who belong to Lakewood come from Baptist backgrounds.
The church has all the entertainments for everyone from infants to seniors and is very involved in community ministry (disaster relief etc). People actually move to Houston from other parts of the country in order to join the Church.
If your BIL is a protestant, he could do a lot worse than Joel Osteen. If he is Catholic, however, he should be cautious. It is definately a personality driven church and not going to help in his spiritual growth as a Catholic.
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Mickey
Guest
Thanks for the info Kristine and Scott:
My B-I-L does not have a church. He was born Catholic, received his sacraments through confirmation, then drifted from the Church. I pray for him to come home, but he is not receptive to anything I say. (very angry toward Catholicism). I just read while searching Joel Olsteen that he preaches a message that claims God wants you to be wealthy and successful!?! Have either of you heard this?
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Scott_Lafrance
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Here are a two good articles that might shed some light for you: cultlink.com/ar/osteen.htm and discernment.org/LeavenLakewood.htm
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Mickey
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Ouch. That does not shed a very good light on Mr Osteen. Oh well, I guess I’ll keep praying for my Bro.
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Church_Militant
Guest
“Word of Faith” is also known as the “name it and claim it”, where you just tell God whatcha want and claim it “by faith” and because you’re a Christain you get all the best things in life. There’s just no downside to being a believer.
Health, wealth, and prosperity…
Health, wealth, and prosperity…
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Scott_Lafrance
Guest
Church Militant said:
Also called “blab it and grab it”, it is the same message of Kenneth Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, and John Hagee. They appeal to the least common denominator of their congregation. Noone wants to be condemned for anything. Listen to the message coming from this croud, all you have to do is speak what you want and if you have the requisite amount of faith, God is REQUIRED to do it for you? Imagine that, God made Himself a slave to the power of faith! You can command God to make you healthy and wealthy! You can order Satan to leave your family alone. If you are sick or broke, it is because you have no faith. This stuff is similar in some regards to gnosticism.
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Malachi4U
Guest
Does his church publish its finacial report? I would like to know how much it makes and where it goes.
I like to listen to this dude too. He is as generic as generic can be. No controversy to run any contributer away. My wife hates him though, well his sermons anyway.
He is great protestant entertainment at its best. Scriptural application though is another story. Christs Gospel, no way!
His church is about entertainment isn’t it? Theatre? Proffit? Beg fest?
I like to listen to this dude too. He is as generic as generic can be. No controversy to run any contributer away. My wife hates him though, well his sermons anyway.
He is great protestant entertainment at its best. Scriptural application though is another story. Christs Gospel, no way!
His church is about entertainment isn’t it? Theatre? Proffit? Beg fest?
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Scott_Lafrance
Guest
Like I said, if you want to get a free weekly dose of a charming Christian motivational speaker, watch his show. If you want to learn about what Christ requires of us, turn it off and get your boo-tay to Church and let your priest tell you wazzup.
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puzzleannie
Guest
comments about Osteen and Schuller very interesting. Billy Graham also comes to mind as a preacher with strong personality whose ministry is be taken over by his son. Would be interested in the observations of adherents to congregations founded by charismatic preachers that grew to mega-churches, and what happened after that leader died, retired, or passed the ministry along to others. Do they really depend for survival and growth on the personality of the preacher? I am thinking of the Vineyard church and its offshoots that are becoming so big. Is there something there that relies on other than personality and charismatic leadership?
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FiremanFrank
Guest
Ha, Ha!
Better be careful there Scott.
As cultlink.com/ (Christian Sentinel) also appears to have a severe problem with Catholicism as well:
cultlink.com/CathAnswers/cathaindex.htm
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FiremanFrank
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Better be careful peeps …
As you might be attacting undue attention from the “moderators”.
Warned, were you.
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geezerbob
Guest
Kinda off topic, but the Vineyard lasted here about ten years - just long enough to screw up my brother, his wife, and three of their four children. They went through three preachers, two scandals involving either the preachers or their spouses, and finally faded away completely. It was almost cult-like in the way they demanded so much of everyone’s time that families were ignored. Not at all sad to see them go.
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catsrus
Guest
My agnostic DH is quite impressed with Joel Osteen. 
I wish he’d ask me more about my Catholic faith and spend less time watching this guy.
BTW, I actually saw Swaggart a couple days ago while channel flipping. He was preaching on adultry.
I wish he’d ask me more about my Catholic faith and spend less time watching this guy.
BTW, I actually saw Swaggart a couple days ago while channel flipping. He was preaching on adultry.
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BeluvdLily
Guest
My husband and I love to watch Joel Osteen. While my hubby was raised Church of England and I grew up Protestant, we are both getting ready to attend RCIA.
When I first watched Joel, my husband was laughing and kind of mocking him. By the end of the show he was watching intently along with me and we’ve watched ever since. It really opened up a dialogue between us, got my husband much more interested in religion, dedicated to reading his (Catholic) Bible and praying regularly. I’ve seen great changes in my husband.
While Joel is obviously not Catholic or promoting Catholic beliefs, he never bashes anyone or any religion. He is extremely positive and watching him makes me want to be better, do better and work hard to maintain a positive attitude which can never be a bad thing.
Obviously we need a church to go to in our area and we’ve chosen the Catholic church for several reasons and are very excited about it. I’d say we look at Joel Osteen as a good-hearted, positive supplement to what we are doing. I do not see any harm in him at all. I think he brings a lot of people to God who might not go for other religions or churches.
Amie
When I first watched Joel, my husband was laughing and kind of mocking him. By the end of the show he was watching intently along with me and we’ve watched ever since. It really opened up a dialogue between us, got my husband much more interested in religion, dedicated to reading his (Catholic) Bible and praying regularly. I’ve seen great changes in my husband.
While Joel is obviously not Catholic or promoting Catholic beliefs, he never bashes anyone or any religion. He is extremely positive and watching him makes me want to be better, do better and work hard to maintain a positive attitude which can never be a bad thing.
Obviously we need a church to go to in our area and we’ve chosen the Catholic church for several reasons and are very excited about it. I’d say we look at Joel Osteen as a good-hearted, positive supplement to what we are doing. I do not see any harm in him at all. I think he brings a lot of people to God who might not go for other religions or churches.
Amie
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deb1
Guest
My mother watches Joel Osteen. He is a very good motivational speaker but seems to lack a lot of depth to his message. You won’t get any info on how to be a better Christian or deeper meanings to scripture. In a way he is almost too positive. Some of his sermons seem to blame a person’s problems on their inability to trust God. If you have a positive attitude, according to Olsteen, then God will reward you.
I don’t think that listening to him is bad, but I do think that a person needs to have a balance. Perhaps by reading more spiritually mature works.
I don’t think that listening to him is bad, but I do think that a person needs to have a balance. Perhaps by reading more spiritually mature works.
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auntieneeker
Guest
I used to watch Joel Osteen to “supplement” my faith too. Just saw it as a feel good, positive message of God’s love. That was until one day he said, “If your husband left you, that’s because God has a better man in store for you!” That’s when I realized that perhaps this was not a good supplement for my Catholic faith.
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Mickey
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:bigyikes:
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katesmom
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Auntieneeker ~ I couldnt agree with you more.
I used to watch Joyce Meyers, Joel Osteen, Joni, & other programming on TBN, Word, Daystar…I got rather tired of the
Name It - Claim It message.
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