happyjoy said:
jasoncran said:
osteen is a false teacher, i'm sorry, but that is reason that the church and america is the way it is today. we forget the cross and seek material blessings.
the lost need to hear repent!
do we all have to tell them via words, no. but we can live out the calling and when they ask tell them the truth and in love.
Joel Osteen is not a false teacher. At least not any more false than any other. There is no agreement here or anywhere on what the truth is anyway. People like to hate on Joel because he doesn't tell people they are going to suffer for eternity. So if the Jesus you want to believe in is all fire and brimstone suffering and torment then Joel is not your man. He also doesn't talk about eating human flesh or drinking human blood. People don't speak in weird languages. He doesn't travel around like a circus with people planted in wheel chairs. He isn't saying women are subservient to men. He doesn't hold big conferences where men make Promises to be good during the day then go to strip clubs and bars at night. He doesn't tell you to confess anything to anyone other than God. In the end he isn't a hypocrite, and that goes a long way with me. That church does a lot of good in the world.
happyjoy, no one is going to have an impact on you and your spiritual journey other than the Holy Spirit. In the few weeks that I've been on the board, you stand out to me as someone who's trying to find the Truth. I hope I'm right. If you seek, you will find. If you're looking for the path of least resistance and a "feel good" message that you will find no conviction in, Joel Osteen is the one for you.
When I posed a question for atheists in the Theology forum, you were among those that challenged the Bible. I guess you will need to open yourself up to the Holy Spirit to be led, and not lead yourself. If you see Christianity as having no Truth and remain fixed in your bias, then I believe there is nothing I or anyone else can say. As Christians, we can only share the Gospel. Whether or not it is accepted, we move on and let the Lord do His work.
Your opinion of Christians (drinking blood, eating flesh, fire & brimstone) is a twisted way of viewing what we are all about. If that's what you believe we are all about, quite frankly you've been listening to the wrong people. "Healers" drudging up people, slapping people in the forehead and healing them is a stereotype created by people who have used honest Christianity for personal gain, in my opinion.
Christians find "happiness and Joy" in being loved by God, accepting the Gospel and loving Him enough to accept His Word. Sometimes this means accepting the Truths He has established even if they initially convict us and force us to point out our own flaws.
I might chime in if I see you making false claims of Christianity, but I will try not to make any work of changing your heart. That's a trap that I need to overcome and leave it to Him. I don't believe people "hate" Joel Osteen, but we hate the way he allows people to live however they want and doesn't challenge people to accept the Truth. And I certainly hate a message that says God will give us riches on earth if we ask for them. Our riches are stored up in Heaven and have nothing to do with worldly wealth. Wealth and "things" are not necessarily wrong, but being fixated on them is. Jesus did not say money is the root of all evil. He said the "love of" money is. We can have things and not feel guilty as long as they don't become an obsession or stand in the way of a relationship with him. Joel Osteen stands does not preach the full Gospel. He's afraid to hold people accountable to the convicting tenets of Christianity.
I'm sure we will meet again on the board. If you find that I am trying to persuade you to change your heart, please feel free to point it out to me.
Jesus, I leave happyjoy in Your Hands. Holy Spirit, I ask you to speak to her. God, I pray your blessing on her. All in One, I pray for a miracle to happen in happyjoy's heart. Amen!