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Angela

C. Gay Joel Osteen If one were to merely glance at the ministry of Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church they would be impressed with the far-reaching effects of the ministry in bringing souls to Christ worldwide. However, because Osteens ministry is void of the teachings of the bible and scriptural support and more focused on the uplifting of people based on motivational words instead of preaching the Word of God and Gods law; Osteens ministry is false and he is condemned by scripture as according to 2 Timothy 4:1-5. Joel Osteen is a television evangelist and the Pastor (alongside his wife, Co-Pastor, Victoria Osteen) of Lakewood Church located in Houston, Texas. Statistics and viewer ship ratings shows that he ministers to over 38,000 attendees who physically visit the church and another 7 million people who tune in to his broadcast weekly. Osteen is considered one of the most watched inspirational figures in America whose broadcast is seen in almost 100 nations and touching more than 20 million lives within a month. Osteens core message, as viewable on his website, is one of inspiration. He states our God is a good God who desires to bless those who are obedient and faithful to Him through Jesus Christ. In addition, Osteen states that it is his desire that his life be an example of the principle of prosperous blessings so that through his prosperity he can be an encouragement and hope for those who are looking to accept Gods goodness and mercy. With two years of non degree earning education at Oral Roberts University and no higher levels of education in religious studies or Bible training from a seminary school Osteen inherited and was ordained pastor in his fathers church after preaching his first sermon one week prior to his fathers passing. Collecting approximately $43 million dollars a year in tithes and an additional $36 million in mail order donations, Osteen inspires based on the theology of

Angela C. Gay prosperity or what is known as the prosperity gospel. Osteen ministers to his followers by focusing on what he considers Gods goodness; stating he chooses to focus on the power of love and having positive attitudes regardless of where you are in life and not focusing on sin and repentance. All of his messages, therefore, are about thriving where you are and in your circumstances. He very rarely uses or quotes the scripture in his messages saying interpreting the scripture is not his gift so he doesnt focus on that; instead he focuses on individual happiness and self-fulfillment. It is interesting that though Osteen uses the goodness of God and evokes the image of a God who blesses he doesnt actually talk about God in his sermons. In fact, his sermons talk around God and only evoke the feeling of Gods love and Jesus sacrifice in order to speak motivationally on the importance of positive thinking and as a means to solicit donations for his ministry. His church does not hold an image of the cross and though he says he believes in Christ he says that he prefers to not talk about Jesus in his sermons because he wants to help people where they are in their lives by inspiring them with his words. The fact of the matter is Joel Osteen thrives as a motivational speaker. He does not teach the bible, though he purports himself as a Pastor and spiritual leader. Neither his teachings nor his lifestyle are biblical. He does not follow the order the worship during his services and his sermons inspire false hope to his followers, as they do not show reverence to the Lord during service; as the scripture states God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him (Psalm 89:7). In addition Osteen does not teach his followers about sin, the wages of sin, or the true gospel that offers believers salvation from their sins. As stated in Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans

Angela C. Gay 6:23). Osteen however, teaches that one can prosper wherever they are in their lives by simply thinking positively and sending love offerings to his ministry. Therefore it seems that he is taking responsibility for lives that are not in his hands. Although the scripture clearly states that it is by grace that we have been offered salvation Osteens teachings do not reflect Gods grace, but grace through positive thinking in which he facilitates in his sermons. He seems to overlook the scripture of Ephesians 2:8-10 which states, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. In addition Osteen has contradicted himself many times during his interviews. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Osteen asserts that he believes that scripturally homosexuality is a sin, however, he later resigns to say that he does support and celebrate the marriage/union of dear friends who are in same sex relationships. Also, though he believes it is important to have a relationship with Christ he states that he doesnt focus on that he focuses on motivating people with his words contrary to scripture in which Jesus states, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6). In another interview with Larry King when questioned as to whether those who practice religions which do not recognize Christ would go to Heaven he avoided making a clear statement as to whether they would go to Heaven or not only asserting that he understands that scripture states that one must have a relationship with Jesus, but that God is the judge. This again, is in direct conflict with John 3:15 which says, whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life, therefore affirming that anyone who does not believe in Christ shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Angela C. Gay Joel Osteen is by scriptural definition a false teacher of the gospel of Christ and Gods doctrine. He, therefore, will be judged more severely due to his teachings (James 3:1). The bible rebukes teachers such as Osteen who does not teach the laws and precepts of God. By refusing to teach sound doctrine Osteen is not fulfilling the task Christ charged with us in Matthew 28:1620, the great commission, to go out to teach and preach the Gospel. Therefore Osteen places his followers and all those who are not within the body of Christ (the Church of Christ) in a dangerous place as he is leading them to destruction with pretty, but fruitless words. This makes our tasks as members of the Church of Christ more important and more challenging, as it is necessary that we help non-members discern, by the Word, the difference between false and empty teachings and the true teachings of Christ. As members it is important to know what the world, including ourselves, are spiritually ingesting so that we may be prepared with the best way to show those the true beauty and sustenance of Gods love and the true meaning and power of His tender grace and mercy. Osteens message does not share the power of redemption because he does not acknowledge sin. If we are not convicted by our actions and moved to repentance we are living in sin and will not inherit the Kingdom of God. We are created in Christ to do the good works which God prepared in advance for us to do we must be cognizant and use discernment for these inspirational types of ideologies, which allow us to stand still instead of progressing in Christs work.

Angela C. Gay Sources

Mohler, Albert. Lessons From Piers Morgans Interview With Joel Osteen (Osteen refuses to take any firm stand). http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2789510/posts. 18 September. 2012

CNN. CNN Larry King Live: Interview with Joel Osteen http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html. 18 September. 2012

Joel Osteen Ministries. www.joelosteen.com. 18 September. 2012

Exact Press. Joel Osteen Scam http://www.exactpress.com/1068/joel-osteen-scam.html. 18 September. 2012

Womens Study Bible, NKJV

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