Joel Osteen on Jesus Christ

I don't think Osteen is bona fide.From the Horton article you reference ..."that somehow principles, steps for victory, rules, guidelines that the preacher has cleverly devised promise spiritual success to those who will simply put them into daily practice."Horton describes what's called a "theology of ascent," that staid tradition known in the East and the West since the monastic period.Given that Horton thinks this:"even the Christian needs to be constantly reminded that his sanctification is so slow and imperfect in this life that not one single spiritual blessing can be pried from God's hand by obedience;"he isn't likely to find common ground with that ancient ascetic tradition but other contempory evangelicals (Bill Bright comes to mind) have discovered spiritual disciplines.It's trickier for those of us who allow the practice of some spiritual rule to discern who's a legitimate guide than it is for Christians who dismiss the whole business.

Preach it, sister. You speak the truth. I saw the whole interview, and was floored by it. But, yes, he is fooling many, many Christians who are not in the Word. II Tim. 4:3-4a "The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn away from the truth." I can't wait to read more of your blog!

Once again, Joel Osteen's utter failure to uphold Christian truth in an age of apostacy only further supports what is all too clear about his teaching: it is spiritually bankrupt.Here is a link to articles our ministry has created on Osteen's heretical compromise that is anointed as "Christianity" today.http://www.spiritwatch.org/behindsmile.htm

Hey, Annie, fascinating Freudian slip there .... so there IS another Jesus that Joel expounds upon that's different from other concepts of Christ? Maybe, Annie, you outa read about what the Bible says about Other Jesus' .. Interesante! Think about THAT a minute!

With all due respect, here is what Joel means when he said "...once you get past that".

I believe for Joel Osteen, who grew up completely accepting that Christ died once and for all for him, once you get past that fact...deep in your soul...you are forever changed.

What's left after you accept Christ? If you believe the Promise, you don't have to worry, you don't have to do anything else, its done! You will be saved! You have nothing else required of you. You are not even required to spread the Love of God, but isn't that impossible?

The fact is, we are instantly transformed into God's chosen once we accept Christ. Therefore, as God's "chosen", we should live a life of expectancy from our heavenly Father, just as a child expects good things from his earthly father.

Joel is one of God's favorite children in my opinion, and it shows by his fruits. He is a gift from God to those who are already saved by teaching us (those already saved) about God's goodness, and how God wants the best for us. Maybe this method is even more effective at bringing people to ultimate repentance and acceptance of Christ that the way most of us think?

If Joel passes the "fruits test" as to whether or not he is from God, then who are we to criticize his message? Do we know of a standard requirements list for someone he sends into the world to benefit all or some of His children?

Do you not believe that God has a perfect plan and that God uses individuals for his perfect plan? In my opinion, Joel is just one tiny piece in God's toolbox. Joel just does what his heart tells him to do...and I think he has a good heart. Do you really think Christ would rebuke his message?

God indeed has a very large toolbox. He causes the right person to come across your path to lead you to Jesus. For some, Joel gets the job done...for others, God sends someone else.

Let us never loose sight of the teaching found in Isaiah, Chapter 55, where the Lord declares:

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”