News-Record.com

"Cover Charge" to attend a church service? I guess the poor people are not entitled to hear this sermon. Something just seems wrong with this. I do have a problem paying the $15. Will he also get a cut of the parking and concession receipts?

I didn't have a couple of years ago, I paid to go see Joel in Charlotte. Now, however, after attending that venue, I probably would have a problem with paying to see Joel. They "pass the bucket" around after the sermon to give an offering and they also sell their merchandise and you have to pay to park. If you are truly ministering to God's people, you should do it out of the sheer joy of bringing disciples to God. The offering would be quite enough to cover expenses of travel and I know that Joel is paid a salary from his own church.

Joel Osteen's 'best life now' does not represent the truth of Christianity. Therefore, I would send my $15 to my sisters and brothers of the persecuted church. Daily, Christian believers pay the price Jesus said they would pay when they come to Him in the Middle East, in China, in Islamic African states, in North Korea, and Indonesia. Those who lose homes, family, livelihoods and even their lives for the Gospel are the true teachers of the church. Mr. Osteen has nothing to offer when compared to the witness of these martyrs. If you want to learn the truth about your 'best life', read what the Bible has to say about, not Joel Osteen, and learn about true believers at Voice of the Martyrs.

We are called to store our treasures up in heaven; Mr. Osteen is busily storing his up on earth.

"If you want to learn the truth about your 'best life', read what the Bible has to say about, not Joel Osteen,"

AMEN!!!!!

I'm in agreement with the rest who have posted so far. I wouldn't pay either. I went to see Joel in Charlotte, and I was disappointed at having to pay to attend, park, and then yes, having the bucket passed for an offering. I used to like him until I realized that he is indeed a wolf in sheep's clothing.

What would you say to those who say you pay for CDs of gospel artists and pay to bring them to your houses of worship. Or those who would counter that there are costs to renting the venue, bringing in performers.

I've read where a lot of people say he changed the way they thought about Christianity -- that he helped them to believe again, and that he made the Bible easier to understand.

I believe in God and and the Bible. Joel Osteen is a teacher of God's word not of Joel Osteen's word. I will have no problem paying to attend this event. Pastor Osteen is not the only presenter at this event. As already stated, we pay for CDs and to attend concerts whether it is at the coliseum or at a church. The majority of events at the coliseum require a fee for parking. Many local ministers sell their books, DVDs , etc. and take up a collection every Sunday. I choose to focus on the positive than look for a negative especially when the purpose is to spread peace, hope and love through God's word.

Silly superstitious rubble - I wouldn't go if it was free and you offerred to drive and pay for parking -

Kind of gives a whole new view of the exclamation "Holy crap!" LOL

nAMtaC,
i tend to agree with you. anyone who is interested in truth (i.e.scriptural) will find much of what he says - stands in opposition to Gods word. he is a prosperity preacher of the highest order and if one is looking for the wide path to follow then he is your man.
google larry king's interview with osteen - you'll get some idea of his fence sitting tactics.

"I've read where a lot of people say he changed the way they thought about Christianity"............

that is mostly likely true, however the change in these people in not for better but for worse. it is no wonder to me that he can fill stadiums, his message is that 'everyone' even atheists have the possibility of being heaven bound, his message is 'all' inclusive and easily satisfies all those itching ears - tell them what they want to hear, pat them on the back and tell them God loves them, take a bundle of dollars out of their pockets, send them on their way and invite them back next week for the next dose of a 'feel good' message.
check out part of his interview with larry king -

KING: What about atheists?

OSTEEN: You know what, I'm going to let someone -- I'm going to let God be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell. I just -- again, I present the truth, and I say it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with Jesus. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going to be their choice. God's got to look at your own heart. God's got to look at your heart, and only God knows that.

hmmmmmm, what about " Ye shall know them by their fruits" ? while we cannot be certain of another's salvation, we can see evidence of a life changed and the willingness to to follow and serve God.

this was osteens third time to answer who and how one attains salvation - he sits on the fence and does not quote Gods word, rather trying to endears all to his feel good message. if he would bill himself as a motivational speaker and not a minister of Gods word, i would not have near the issues i have with him.

so if 'change' is the only criteria for claiming he is doing Gods work - then i guess for you he is !

I love how religious people judge others so frequently. Religion is the root of much evil and the reason many do not "believe". If you are truly spiritual and have a personal relationship with GOD,Joel's message would not be so threatening. It is only those jealous of his popularity that spew such negativity about such a positive message. If you want it for free tune in on Sundays.

Posted on January 23, 2008 7:43 PM
Sick of religion said: I love how religious people judge others so frequently.

do you believe that as soon as someone professes Christ as Savior that they relinquish their rights to making judgments/discernments ? everyone everyday judges something and Christians are no different in that regard. Christian however are held to a different standard of judging, i.e. "(Jesus said) Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." scripture is replete with encouragement for believers to make good sound judgments. We see Jesus in Matthew 7:6 calling people “Pigs" and “dogs" and in verse 15 “wolves in sheep’s clothing." In verse 16 He tells us how to recognize the false prophets, “you will recognize them by their fruits." Jesus would not be telling us how to recognize false prophets if he did not expect us to judge them as being true prophets or false prophets. paul said this "(1 Corinthians 5:3) For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed."
scripture must be read in "context" and unbelievers (imo) can't do this because the bible is spiritually discerned not just read as a novel.

"It is only those jealous of his popularity" - in order for me to be jealous of him i would first have some respect for him and his message, which btw i don't.
there is nothing about osteen that i admire, he saw the opportunity to jump from behind the camera to in front of the camera because he had an epiphany that there is where the money was, it's that simple.

Buz green with envy...The wool in sheeps clothing is those that hide behind their interpretation of the bible to justify their bigotry ie RELIGION. No -I don't expect christians to be perfect. I just think there are too many judgers among the heard. What's the harm??? people finding a stronger sense of self and motivated to spread positivity or is it that Osteen doesn't spread your exact interpretation of the good book. Ever heard of freedom of religion? It means all christians among others do not have to believe the same or share the same interpretation. By your description of him I am not sure how he differs from any other pastor they preach to get others to follow and the followers to tithe so they can spread their message to get more followers. Same model as every one else I have ever heard. Oh one HUGE difference... his message talks about the good god can do in your life if you believe instead of a punishing god. I think it is refreshing that the message is positive instead of focused on sin and redemption. I feel it takes a gift to attract people with positivity instead of repel them with fear. And since I believe in the power of GOD to do good I believe his gift was god given. Why condemn others is that your christian way? Mine and yes I am christian is to spread the word through positive actions and testimony not bible beating.

Very simply, Mr. Osteen is a successful motivational speaker with a quasi-Christian glaze. (Good quotes, Buz - that interview pretty much says it all). His "theology" is shallow and distorted; but he has a great smile, sincere demeanor, a winsome way and a simplistic, felt-needs message - a sure sell in modern TV consumer-religion America. I liken his type of "preaching" to Starbucks: you have a real buzz when you leave; but a few hours later you're back in the same old deflated condition - same with most all charismatic fluff on TV. He offers only a bare minimum of doctrine, and that very poorly.

I wouldn't voice my criticism in the crass manner of Namtac and Holden, but I also wouldn't think of paying to go hear him. Five minutes on TV is more than enough - when we so desperately need doctrinally sound, Scripture-based preaching and teaching. Except for a handfull of esceptions, TV has proven to be one of the worst things that has happened to modern American Christianity.

I pray God will open Joel's eyes to what sound Christian teaching is, and give him the courage to change his ways.

"I think it is refreshing that the message is positive instead of focused on sin and redemption.".........

just so happens that i believe the the message of avoiding sin and the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the redemption of our souls is a very positive one. the great liar (satan) would have us do just as you stated, he would shift our focus off of God's redemptive work through Christ and distract us from believing that sin separates us from His love and desire for our lives, the liar would want us to feel all warm and cozy and especially he would want us in our comfort zone - just the place osteenites find themselves.

"Ever heard of freedom of religion?"............

i've not denied anyone their right to choose what or who to believe. osteen can't find the courage to repeat Jesus own words " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me "....... not allah, not buddha, not islam, not anything but simply by ME he states ! what needs to be interpreted in His own words???
if you find comfort and encouragement in osteens teachings then i say had at it - it's just not very berean if you ask me.

being Christian is not what we say we are - it is what we do that defines a us as Christians.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb. 4:12

I must say that if anyone wants to like Joel Osteen, then yes, that is their business. But I can't read these posts without pointing out that Joel is not preaching the "entire" Word of God. How can you preach some of it and not all of it? The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Every word in it is necessary, put there for purpose beyond making everyone feel warm and fuzzy all the time. If someone doesn't preach much about sin, where's the conviction? You can't just ignore the parts of the Bible you don't like or want to hear. You believe it all or you believe none of it. You can't sit on the fence when it comes to God's Word. In Romans 11:22 it says, "Behold the goodness AND the severity of God." God wants you to know Him intimately, you can't know Him if you don't want to hear but some of His word. God uses the word to judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. It's supposed to expose our sin and bring it to light, so that we can carry on in His goodness, mercy, and grace. So Joel focuses on the positive, that's good, but he's misleading others into believing they should too. God wrote the Bible, Joel Osteen didn't. Who is he to pick and choose? Is he wiser than God? I think not!
It's okay to listen to Joel, but I wouldn't want him to be the only spiritual food in my life.

One side note, I think it's shameful to see others get angry and call our brothers and sisters in Christ "bigots" and "judgmental." Don't you think those words are judgmental as well? Not to mention hurtful. Remember, what Jesus said in Matthew 7:3, "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?"

good post pfloWer74

Mr. Osteen preaches prosperity. He does not preach the gospel. I bought his book after being intrigued by a few passages. As I got deeper into the book I realized that he is leading people astray. I was saddened and disappointed, and I threw his book away. I pray for him and for those who are deceived by his message.

Jesus Christ died for us to pay for our sin, so that we are able to spend eternity with Him, his Father and the Holy Spirit. Christ did not die for me to have a new car.

Mr. Osteen's teaching parallels the "law of attraction," lies that are being sold to the world. As various pastors have said on programs available on 830 AM (WTRU), this false teaching does not address the problem of evil.

God wants us to love Him above everything else, He wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves. I pray that God will help me to do that. I ask that you pray for me also.

As Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the Truth and the Way and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, confess your sins and follow Him, you will be saved and can look forward to an eternity of unimaginable joy. It is worth the wait.

God bless.

John A,
"I realized that he is leading people astray"...
i believe many people don't mind being lead astray, especially if they are hand fed a liberal portion of feel good advice and are left in that 'comfortable" place where they feel secure. scripture is not osteens strong suit, in fact he stands against much of it. he scratches the itch of many and no doubt there will be many more who flock to his temple of rhetorical feel goodness. Christians have every right to feel good and have positive attitudes but not to the extent that we leave behind Jesus' teachings concerning self denial, loving others and deeming others as better than ourselves, not to mention the cross He ask each of us to bear.
osteen mixes just enough scripture into his message to catch many (untaught/unlearned) up into his world of prosperity. if you want to be a mechanic, study a book on mechanics - want to be a faithful Christian, study the bible (for yourself, while asking the Holy Spirit to reveals its truths). if we leave our most important decisions (i.e.faith decisions) up to others and expect them to tell us what the bible says, then we must be willing to be led around like sheep.