Are The Critics Right About Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen has a new book out titled "Become A Better You".  Osteen has been under fire by critics suggesting that he is more of a motivational speaker than a preacher.  Critics also suggest that he has joined the prosperity theology movement.  I have not read either of Joel's books and I don't know him personally.  I am sure we have crossed paths at various conventions over the years, but I have never met him.  Here is a link to a CBS interview where Joel gives his side of the story and defends his preaching style Joel Osteen Answers His Critics  This was all prompted tonight by an interview I saw tonight with Osteen by John King on CNN. King put up a quote from Rick Warren which seemed to offer a rebuke for some of Osteen's teaching.  I was not aware that Osteen was this controversial.  I have seen his TV show and actually have enjoyed what I saw, but perhaps there is more to all of this than I know.  In fairness to our readers, and since this is our topic (Christians and Money), we want your input and opinion on the Osteen controversy.

Here are some other interesting links:
Critics Hammer Preacher Joel Osteen: Is it Envy?

Preaching Success: Joel Osteen Teaches the Power of Positivity

For Joel Osteen, Theology is Optional

Joel Osteen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joel Osteen: True or False?

What are your thoughts on Joel Osteen?  Is his teaching biblical or not?  Click on comments below and also vote in our online poll.

My main website is www.christianmoney.com

James L. Paris

Comments

[Daniel]

Yes, Joel Osteen preaches cotton-candy, feel-good Christianity messages. Again his messages are uplifting and the real-life stories that he shares are also very inspiring. But, I would like to hear him speak on the blood, forgiveness, sin and confession; if not always, at least on certain Sundays. Again, we have men like John Hagee, Jack Van Impee, Hal Lindsey, R.W. Schambach, Perry Stone and Rod Parsely to preach such messages. In closing, if God’s calling for Joel is to preach with this current style, then hats off to Joel, he is doing a wonderful job.

[Jay Gillies]

I too have only seen Joel Osteen's broadcast occasionally and each time thought him to be inspirational and uplifting. Like Jim, I don't know Osteen personally so I can't vouch for his character and integrity in his ministry or his personal life. While it would be of greater benefit for all to have more scripture references and less personal experiences in his sermons, I've heard nothing unbiblical from him so far. As long as he continues to stay in line with biblical teachings and points people to Jesus - even if it's mainly through motivational speaking - then let him inspire people to live positively while seeking the Lord. Osteen has a great responsibility as a pastor and will be held accountable in measure, but it's the responsibility of each of us individually to seek God's wisdom and discernment through daily personal devotions and prayer. God will reveal truth and direction.
If Osteen is a charlatan/fraud his sin will find him out. With that said, those that follow him should fervently pray for Osteen to remain humble, speaking only what God would have him say keeping him a righteous man so that he would not fall under temptation. The enemy would use him as a stumbling block to possibly hudreds of thousands hurting the body of Christ as a whole giving the media a reason to say "Ha, see! We told you so".

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (New International Version)
2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.