J. OSTEEN: Well, I think a lot of times it's going to divide the people that I'm trying to reach. Because not everybody, you know -- in a church like ours, with all of the diversity, you have got Democrats, Republicans, people that are for the war, people that can't stand the war. And I'm not there to solve all those issues. I'm here to give them hope and keep them pointed toward Christ.{ forehead slap! }
KING: How do you feel about Mitt Romney and being a Mormon? Would that affect whether you vote for him or not?
J. OSTEEN: Well, you know what? I look at people, their character, their values, what they stand for. And I know only Mitt from watching him on your program and reading a couple of articles about him. And I don't think that that would affect me.
I've heard him say that he believes Jesus is his savior, just like I do. I've studied it deeply, and maybe people don't agree with me, but I like to look at a person's value and what they stand for.
Joel, Joel. That thing you do with your mouth — stop it!
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Wait a minute, maybe Joel's right. Maybe he and Mitt do follow the same Jesus and have both been "saved" from the same thing (the common life, perhaps?). I dare say Joel's message would preach pretty well to an LDS crowd. I can't say that I've ever seen a shabby LDS place of meeting. Must be a sign of God's favor, right Joel? Yep, Joel and Mitt have a lot in common, right down to successful parents with coattails long enough to get them into the spotlight. Prosperity gospel = American dream. Who says religion and politics don't mix?
Dan, he's studied it deeply. Any man that can study scripture and get the message of 'Your best life now' must have some pretty fancy-schmancy study-smarts, don't you think?
I've tried, and I just can't picture Osteen studying anything deeply.
Sigh. Grrrr. Argh. After hearing/reading this type of statement, what can one say? I think Phil and John MacArthur should invite him to the next Shepherd's Conference just to sit in on some keynotes. He might learn something.
I often wonder whether Osteen, his message, and particularly his appeal are part of the judgment of God on a consumerist church.
"You want X? Here, have it! Take it! I hand you over to the desires of your heart."
(Yeah. And Israel got King Saul.)
Heh, I was reading Justin's comment, thinking, "that sounds exactly like how God made Saul king!"
Stefan -- you what they say about great minds?
Tragic, tragic, tragic...
Actually, I can't quite believe I missed the obvious - he says in one sentence that what he knows of Mitt Romney he's got from the Larry King Show and reading a couple of articles. Then he says he's studied it deeply.
I'm beginning to wonder if maybe Joel employs the same technique with his shiny books. It couldn't be, could it? I'd be so disillusioned...
Libbie,
If you are deep, studying deeply takes no effort at all.
In mathematics, it all starts out with nice formulas, solid proofs, etc. But at the doctorate level, math becomes far more like philosophy - you spend a lot of time daydreaming about what-if numbers worked this way or that way - and questioning how firm the boundaries are etc.
I think brother Osteen must have studied the word of God like that. He has gone past what the text says and means to that happy place where leprachauns come from - that takes seriously deep thought, and by deep I mean deeply misguided.
When did the "name it and claim" theology become mainstream?
Joel studied the issue deeply because he read some online blogs that showed why Christianity and Mormonism are compatible
"Mormonism - one m too many"
Ahh, studied deeply. Joel-O studied it deeply. I guess he is such a deep thinker, it's hard to get down to his level...
So here we have the fruit of the Gospel According to Joel-O. How can you tell if someone believes? By their values and their character. That's the bottom line. If they're nice and they say they like Jesus, well that's OK by Joel.
Woo-hoo!
Joel must be right. His podcast is consistently #1 on iTunes in the Religion/Spirituality category.
I disagree with Osteen on most doctrinal issues. However, we need to be in prayer for him and for his church. Whether we like it or not, he is being given an opportunity to speak for evangelicalism, and perhaps the responsibility will humble him and he will truly seek Jesus Christ!
Indeed, it would be an amazing and glorious thing if Joel decided to read Romans, was convicted in his error, and started proclaiming the true Gospel with a capital G. He could singlehandedly jumpstart a genuine revival!
I grew up in Houston. Maybe it's something in the water, because his stuff really made a lot of sense back when I considered myself a "deep" thinker too.
I've shared the gospel with a neighbor of mine before. She told me today that she's listening to Joel Osteen's "Best Life Now" on CD. She shared with me how positive he is and how refreshing it is in this negative time in which we live. She is not a believer, so of course she is attracted to his message. I tried to steer the conversation to the true gospel. But how do I proceed? Do I point out Osteen's errors, or just keep bringing the truth?
Sorry I've taken so long.
I'd say mostly stay on the Gospel. But it might be fairly clarifying to do something like this:
You: So, what does Osteen say you need most deeply?
She: He says I need X.
You: Hm. I can see how that would appeal to anyone, really. But actually Jesus said something very different from that. Can I show you?
Does that point in a good direction for you?
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