Joel Olsten

[Guest]

Hey Brody,

I've watched Joel twice since this thread came up. I wasn't that impressed; I still don't understand what fills the arena. One of the sermons was prosperity teaching pretty outright (maybe that's what brings in the people?) That said, if his most of what he says is just meant to be encouraging -- which the other sermon certainly seemed to be -- maybe God can use him to help people like Rick and Steve7150.

During this same period, I listened to Drew Marshall when he interviewed Mike Warnke and then David Di Sabatino about Lonnie Frisbee. Drew made the point that both of these men, although deeply flawed, were used by God. Sometimes God uses people that none of us would ever choose. Drew even made a comment that perhaps God uses Benny Hinn, a man that Drew Marshall has little patience for.

So, I personally don't care for Joel Osteen. I find his programs shallow and his message simplistic; but if for some reason God uses him to encourage brothers and sisters, I don't want to argue with them about it.

[Guest]

Hey Brody,

I've watched Joel twice since this thread came up. I wasn't that impressed; I still don't understand what fills the arena. One of the sermons was prosperity teaching pretty outright (maybe that's what brings in the people?) That said, if his most of what he says is just meant to be encouraging -- which the other sermon certainly seemed to be -- maybe God can use him to help people like Rick and Steve7150.

Hi Michelle!
Good to hear from you.

I think for the most part you are right. And I must say, I find Osteen pretty harmless. His message is nothing new, it has been around for sometimes, although his is packaged a lot nicer. I to do not see what fills the arena, but then again I don't understand how rap artist can fill arenas either.

During this same period, I listened to Drew Marshall when he interviewed Mike Warnke and then David Di Sabatino about Lonnie Frisbee. Drew made the point that both of these men, although deeply flawed, were used by God. Sometimes God uses people that none of us would ever choose. Drew even made a comment that perhaps God uses Benny Hinn, a man that Drew Marshall has little patience for.

I totally agree with you here. Perhaps God can/is using Osteen and others like him, but such a line of reasoning as this opens other possibilities to. For example, God has used many mediums to bring about a certain end, but that doesn't always justify the actions of the medium. I think of Joseph's Brothers for example, they were indeed in the wrong and fully responsible for selling Joseph into slavery, but God used it to an advantage. Perhaps a better illustration could be used, but that's the first to come to mind.

So, I personally don't care for Joel Osteen. I find his programs shallow and his message simplistic; but if for some reason God uses him to encourage brothers and sisters, I don't want to argue with them about it.

True enough. I like to think of T.V evangelist as "Cotton candy Christianity", that is to say this: A Christian's spiritual diet should consist of things healthy for him, i.e sound biblical teaching from men like Steve Gregg and oodles of time in God's word...but a little cotton candy from T.V preachers won't necessarily hurt you, as long as you don't make it a habit of dieting on it all the time..

God bless you