Just to be vague (kinda), there's a link floating around with a man, I believe who is somewhat of a Christian prominent speaker (possibly a pastor/minister as well?), sarcastically criticizing Joel Osteen. It really bothered me listening to this man speak, not because I favor Joel Osteen in any way, but because I believe he portrayed such a poor representation of Christians in general.
I have never heard a single sermon from Joel Osteen. In fact, I've never stepped foot into his church, so I've never heard from anyone associated with him. I just know he's an inspirational speaker and author, and pastor of Lakewood Church, a mega-church here in Houston. My stand is unbiased and purely based on my point of view as a Christian.
This man uses one of Osteen's inspirational books as his source of fuel. He picks out several lines and contradicts them with verses from the Bible. Basically, he's trying to steer people away from Osteen, discrediting him as a man of God.
The fact of the matter is that Joel Osteen is a seeker-friendly preacher, and there's nothing wrong with that. God calls us to minister to others in different ways, and this is apparently Osteen's way. Yes, it's important to tell people like it is, to tell them the truth plain and clear (for our lives are at stake), and allow them to make their own decision based on the Truth. It works for people like me who already know better, and it ends up serving as conviction from God to do the right thing and get back on the right path with God. But what about those non-believers who don't even realize that they don't believe? What about those people who don't even know who or what God is? And what about those people who have a skin so thick from pain and suffering, that the only thing that can penetrate through it is a message that makes them feel like they're finally at top of the world, and no longer a reject of society? I feel like Joel Osteen brings God into people's lives by revealing reasons to praise and love God, by teaching them to take the initiative to take steps to transform their lives, and eventually showing them that it was God's plan and intentions for them all along; not just by shoving Him in their face and saying, "Either take Him or leave Him." He teaches people how to change their outlook on life, in a way to prepare their hearts to receive something greater -- like God. I think this explains why his church is so big. People from all walks of life feel comfortable enough to enter, and I think the most important part is getting some random and lost non-believer to step foot into a church... after all, it IS God's house, and once you've made a decision to enter into His home, you've given Him the authority to reach out to you in a divine way. And from that point on, who knows where God will direct you? He may lead you to either find another church that's smaller, spirit-filled and more direct, or He may as well call you to remain at that same church. Either way, it's an opportunity for God to touch lives, and I see nothing wrong with it.
Certainly, this man has every right to express his ideas and opinions out of his love and faith in God, but he needs to be reminded that God calls us to conquer the hearts of the lost and unsaved with LOVE, not sarcasm, which is the opposite of love when used more often than necessary, and when used without love. We learned in our pre-marital counseling class to avoid being sarcastic with our spouse, even if it's naturally our personality. There's a point where sarcasm ends up giving off de-valuing and belittling signals to the other person, and that's not healthy, especially in a marriage, when expectations of one another are on a different, more unique level. God IS Love, and there's no question about it -- no preacher will argue with that. If this man doesn't believe Joel Osteen is legitimate and isn't doing anything to save lives and bring glory to God, well there are a million and one ways he can take his stand without pulling another brother down. The number one way would be to pray FOR Joel Osteen, and ask God to reveal the "real" Truth to him, as well as what he may be doing wrong, and then continue to preach to his church the love of Christ by BEING that example. Don't stain God's image by teaching people to publicly slander the names of our fellow brothers and sisters. On top of that, slandering the church -- any church -- is slandering the name of the Bride of Christ, no matter how you put it. I don't think any husband would appreciate that.
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Saturday, April 2, 2011
Defend God with what He defended you with: LOVE.
Just to be vague (kinda), there's a link floating around with a man, I believe who is somewhat of a Christian prominent speaker (possibly a pastor/minister as well?), sarcastically criticizing Joel Osteen. It really bothered me listening to this man speak, not because I favor Joel Osteen in any way, but because I believe he portrayed such a poor representation of Christians in general.
I have never heard a single sermon from Joel Osteen. In fact, I've never stepped foot into his church, so I've never heard from anyone associated with him. I just know he's an inspirational speaker and author, and pastor of Lakewood Church, a mega-church here in Houston. My stand is unbiased and purely based on my point of view as a Christian.
This man uses one of Osteen's inspirational books as his source of fuel. He picks out several lines and contradicts them with verses from the Bible. Basically, he's trying to steer people away from Osteen, discrediting him as a man of God.
The fact of the matter is that Joel Osteen is a seeker-friendly preacher, and there's nothing wrong with that. God calls us to minister to others in different ways, and this is apparently Osteen's way. Yes, it's important to tell people like it is, to tell them the truth plain and clear (for our lives are at stake), and allow them to make their own decision based on the Truth. It works for people like me who already know better, and it ends up serving as conviction from God to do the right thing and get back on the right path with God. But what about those non-believers who don't even realize that they don't believe? What about those people who don't even know who or what God is? And what about those people who have a skin so thick from pain and suffering, that the only thing that can penetrate through it is a message that makes them feel like they're finally at top of the world, and no longer a reject of society? I feel like Joel Osteen brings God into people's lives by revealing reasons to praise and love God, by teaching them to take the initiative to take steps to transform their lives, and eventually showing them that it was God's plan and intentions for them all along; not just by shoving Him in their face and saying, "Either take Him or leave Him." He teaches people how to change their outlook on life, in a way to prepare their hearts to receive something greater -- like God. I think this explains why his church is so big. People from all walks of life feel comfortable enough to enter, and I think the most important part is getting some random and lost non-believer to step foot into a church... after all, it IS God's house, and once you've made a decision to enter into His home, you've given Him the authority to reach out to you in a divine way. And from that point on, who knows where God will direct you? He may lead you to either find another church that's smaller, spirit-filled and more direct, or He may as well call you to remain at that same church. Either way, it's an opportunity for God to touch lives, and I see nothing wrong with it.
Certainly, this man has every right to express his ideas and opinions out of his love and faith in God, but he needs to be reminded that God calls us to conquer the hearts of the lost and unsaved with LOVE, not sarcasm, which is the opposite of love when used more often than necessary, and when used without love. We learned in our pre-marital counseling class to avoid being sarcastic with our spouse, even if it's naturally our personality. There's a point where sarcasm ends up giving off de-valuing and belittling signals to the other person, and that's not healthy, especially in a marriage, when expectations of one another are on a different, more unique level. God IS Love, and there's no question about it -- no preacher will argue with that. If this man doesn't believe Joel Osteen is legitimate and isn't doing anything to save lives and bring glory to God, well there are a million and one ways he can take his stand without pulling another brother down. The number one way would be to pray FOR Joel Osteen, and ask God to reveal the "real" Truth to him, as well as what he may be doing wrong, and then continue to preach to his church the love of Christ by BEING that example. Don't stain God's image by teaching people to publicly slander the names of our fellow brothers and sisters. On top of that, slandering the church -- any church -- is slandering the name of the Bride of Christ, no matter how you put it. I don't think any husband would appreciate that.
I have never heard a single sermon from Joel Osteen. In fact, I've never stepped foot into his church, so I've never heard from anyone associated with him. I just know he's an inspirational speaker and author, and pastor of Lakewood Church, a mega-church here in Houston. My stand is unbiased and purely based on my point of view as a Christian.
This man uses one of Osteen's inspirational books as his source of fuel. He picks out several lines and contradicts them with verses from the Bible. Basically, he's trying to steer people away from Osteen, discrediting him as a man of God.
The fact of the matter is that Joel Osteen is a seeker-friendly preacher, and there's nothing wrong with that. God calls us to minister to others in different ways, and this is apparently Osteen's way. Yes, it's important to tell people like it is, to tell them the truth plain and clear (for our lives are at stake), and allow them to make their own decision based on the Truth. It works for people like me who already know better, and it ends up serving as conviction from God to do the right thing and get back on the right path with God. But what about those non-believers who don't even realize that they don't believe? What about those people who don't even know who or what God is? And what about those people who have a skin so thick from pain and suffering, that the only thing that can penetrate through it is a message that makes them feel like they're finally at top of the world, and no longer a reject of society? I feel like Joel Osteen brings God into people's lives by revealing reasons to praise and love God, by teaching them to take the initiative to take steps to transform their lives, and eventually showing them that it was God's plan and intentions for them all along; not just by shoving Him in their face and saying, "Either take Him or leave Him." He teaches people how to change their outlook on life, in a way to prepare their hearts to receive something greater -- like God. I think this explains why his church is so big. People from all walks of life feel comfortable enough to enter, and I think the most important part is getting some random and lost non-believer to step foot into a church... after all, it IS God's house, and once you've made a decision to enter into His home, you've given Him the authority to reach out to you in a divine way. And from that point on, who knows where God will direct you? He may lead you to either find another church that's smaller, spirit-filled and more direct, or He may as well call you to remain at that same church. Either way, it's an opportunity for God to touch lives, and I see nothing wrong with it.
Certainly, this man has every right to express his ideas and opinions out of his love and faith in God, but he needs to be reminded that God calls us to conquer the hearts of the lost and unsaved with LOVE, not sarcasm, which is the opposite of love when used more often than necessary, and when used without love. We learned in our pre-marital counseling class to avoid being sarcastic with our spouse, even if it's naturally our personality. There's a point where sarcasm ends up giving off de-valuing and belittling signals to the other person, and that's not healthy, especially in a marriage, when expectations of one another are on a different, more unique level. God IS Love, and there's no question about it -- no preacher will argue with that. If this man doesn't believe Joel Osteen is legitimate and isn't doing anything to save lives and bring glory to God, well there are a million and one ways he can take his stand without pulling another brother down. The number one way would be to pray FOR Joel Osteen, and ask God to reveal the "real" Truth to him, as well as what he may be doing wrong, and then continue to preach to his church the love of Christ by BEING that example. Don't stain God's image by teaching people to publicly slander the names of our fellow brothers and sisters. On top of that, slandering the church -- any church -- is slandering the name of the Bride of Christ, no matter how you put it. I don't think any husband would appreciate that.
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