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"Take
Heed" Ministries
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Cecil Andrews, PO BOX 13, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AL, Northern Ireland. Telephone/Fax 028 9756 5511. E-MAIL - takeheed@aol.com WEBSITE - http://www.takeheed.net |
An
Evening with Joel Osteen is a chance for you to be encouraged by one of
America's leading pastors. You will be able to celebrate God's goodness through
worship and praise music…, you'll learn more about Joel's ministry and family,
and Joel will have an inspirational message from God's Word. At the end of the
event, Joel will proclaim a special blessing over everyone in attendance… You
don't have to be a Christian or a member of any particular church. The only
requirement is a ticket. [Cost £11.50].
So, who is Joel Osteen? We find these brief biographical
details in a Dial-The-Truth Ministries report that I will make further
reference to several times in this article –
The latest "star" among the
Christian world is Joel Osteen, pastor of nondenominational
Obviously the compiler of this report is not too
impressed with Mr Osteen’s ‘preaching’. Does he elaborate on his concerns?
Well, in his report we read this –
The Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew
So what did Joel Osteen say during his interview with
Larry King to cause this researcher to describe his comments as being ‘the most
disturbing words publicly coming out of a mainstream, accepted preacher. Bar
none?’ A few brief extracts from this report and from another also compiled by a
faithful ‘watchman’ may serve to sufficiently alert people not to even consider
paying £11.50 to hear ‘an inspirational message’ and to receive a ‘special
blessing’.
Returning to the Dial-The–Truth Ministries report and
Joel Osteen’s June 2005 interview on the ‘Larry King live’ programme we
read –
After Larry King opened
the phone lines, a concerned Christian asks Joel to clarify a previous statement…Osteen
could easily clear this up.
CALLER: Hello, Larry. You're the
best, and thank you, Joe -- Joel -- for your positive messages and your book. I'm
wondering, though, why you sidestepped Larry's earlier question about how we
get to heaven? The Bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and
the light and the only way to the father is through him. That's not really a
message of condemnation but of truth.
OSTEEN: Yes, I would agree with
her. I believe that…
KING: So then a Jew is not
going to heaven?
OSTEEN: No. Here's my thing,
Larry, is I can't judge somebody's heart. You know? Only God can look at
somebody's heart, and so -- I don't know. To me, it's not my business to
say, you know, this one is or this one isn't. I just say, here's what the Bible
teaches and I'm going to put my faith in Christ. And I just I think it's
wrong when you go around saying, you're saying you're not going, you're not
going, you're not going, because it's not exactly my way. I'm just...
KING: But you believe your
way.
OSTEEN: I believe my way. I
believe my way with all my heart.
KING: But for someone who
doesn't share it, is wrong, isn't he?
OSTEEN: Well, yes. Well, I
don't know if I look at it like that. I would present my way, but I'm just
going to let God be the judge of that. I don't know. KING: So you
make no judgment on anyone? OSTEEN: No. But I...
Larry really tosses Joel
a softball. How about a God-defying atheist? Again, Osteen will not confess
that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way of salvation.
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…and only God knows that.
In the wake of these comments and the criticism they
received from faithful Christian commentators Joel Osteen posted the following
‘apology’ to his website –
Dear Friend,
Many of
you have called, written or e-mailed regarding my recent appearance
on Larry King Live. I appreciate your comments and value your words of correction
and encouragement.It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as
to what I believe and Whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it
is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and
sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have
dedicated my life. Jesus declared in
John 14; I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father but by me. I believe that Jesus Christ alone is the
only way to salvation. However, it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to review the
transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having
a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven. It’s about the individual’s choice to follow Him. God has given me a platform to
present the Gospel to a very diverse audience. In my desire not to
alienate the people that Jesus came to save, I did not clearly communicate the
convictions that I hold so precious. I will use this as a learning experience
and believe that God will ultimately use it for my good and His glory. I am
comforted by the fact that He sees my heart and knows my intentions. I am
so thankful that I have friends, like you, who are willing to share their
concerns with me.Thank you again to those who have written. I hope
that you accept my deepest apology and see it in your heart to extend to me
grace and forgiveness.
As always, I covet your
prayers and I am believing for God’s
best in your life,
In response to this
‘apology’ the Dial-The–Truth Ministries report continues –
We learn more about Joel Osteen’s style and approach
to preaching from this exchange –
KING: But you're not fire and brimstone,
right…not…hell and damnation?
OSTEEN: No. That's not me.
It's never been me. I've always been an encourager at heart. And when I took
over from my father he came from the Southern Baptist background and back 40,
50 years ago there was a lot more of that. But, you know, I just -- I don't
believe in that. I don't believe -- maybe it was for a time. But
I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm there to encourage them.
I see myself more as a coach, as a motivator to help them experience the
life God has for us.
Friend, the greatest "fire
and brimstone" preacher that ever lived was the Lord Jesus! He
preached about hell more than any other subject. If you don’t believe in
proclaiming "fire and brimstone”, as Osteen openly confesses, you
do not believe the Bible! It’s that simple…
I mentioned earlier Joel
Osteen’s unwillingness to identify homosexual practice for what it is in the
sight of the Holy God of Heaven. These are the relevant exchanges –
In the interview, Larry King tossed Osteen another "soft-ball," asking Osteen about the wicked and vile sins of abortion and homosexuality. Even lost people take a stand on these blatant "sins."
KING: How about issues that the church
has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?
OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what,
Larry? I don't go there. I just ...
KING: You have thoughts, though.
OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I
just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended
it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you
know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people.
I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody.
Again, Larry appears surprised at Osteen’s waffling. Larry allows Osteen to clarify his confusing position. And again Osteen blatantly contradicts the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
KING: You don't call them sinners?
OSTEEN: I don't.
KING: Is that a word you don't use?
OSTEEN: I don't use it.
I never thought about it. But I probably don't. But most people already know
what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that
you can change. There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go down
the road of condemning.
Whilst here on earth the
Lord Jesus told His faithful followers “In the world ye shall have tribulation”
[John 16:33] and Paul wrote to Timothy “and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution” [2 Timothy 3:12]. Is that how Joel Osteen
envisages the faithful Christian life. The Dial-The-Truth report continues as
follows –
The following conversation during King’s interview displays how far Osteen and the Bible differ.
KING: Is it hard to lead a Christian
life?
OSTEEN: I don't think it's that
hard. To me it's fun. We have joy and happiness. Our family -- I don't
feel like that at all. I'm not trying to follow a set of rules and stuff.
I'm just living my life.
KING: But you have rules, don't you?
OSTEEN: We do have rules. But
the main rule to me is to honour God with your life. To live a life of
integrity. Not be selfish. You know, help others. But that's really the
essence of the Christian faith.
As far as Joel Osteen is concerned it’s not ‘hard’
to be a Christian and in fact ‘it’s fun’. Recently I wrote a report on
the brutal slaying of 3 Christians in Turkey – the article is called ‘Faithful
unto death’. In it I quoted some sections from Pastor John MacArthur’s latest
book ‘The TRUTH War’. Bearing in mind Joel Osteen’s ‘it’s fun’ comment
let me repeat what Pastor MacArthur wrote –
‘Much of
the visible church nowadays seems to think Christians are supposed to be at
play [having ‘fun’?] rather than at war…Contemporary
Christians are determined to get the world to like them…the thought of even
identifying someone else’s teaching as false (much less “contending earnestly”
for the faith) is a distasteful and dangerously counter cultural suggestion…Does
anyone really imagine that many of the entertainment-hungry churchgoers who
pack today’s megachurches would be willing to give their lives for the TRUTH?’
The Dial-The-Truth Ministries report
concludes their assessment of Joel Osteen with these words that merit inclusion
under the Lord’s warning of ‘Take Heed’ [Matthew 24:4] -
Stay away from Joel Osteen and his no condemnation, self-esteem, false-gospel. Warn others.
The full Dial-The-Truth Ministries report
can be viewed on http://www.av1611.org/osteen.html
I mentioned that I would
quote also from another report on Joel Osteen and Pastor David Cloud compiled
this and his report neatly sums up all that has ‘gone before’. Pastor Cloud wrote
–
HOW TO BE A POPULAR PREACHER TODAY
(Friday Church News Notes, December 8, 2006)
Joel Osteen, pastor of America’s
largest church, is a living example of how to be a popular preacher in this
apostate age. The key is to preach a positive message that doesn’t deal plainly
with sin, repentance, and judgment. About 38,000 people attend his Sunday
services in Houston, and his sermons are broadcast in more than 200 markets in
the United States as well as on major networks in Canada, Europe, Australia,
Asia, and the Middle East. He fills massive arenas throughout America, and his
2004 book Your Best Life Now has sold 4 million copies. Recently he was
in Tampa, Florida, and the St. Petersburg Times ran a front-page report
on the meetings entitled ‘God’s Cheerleader.’ There is no way that a major
secular newspaper in America today would run such an affirmative report on a
preacher who is faithful to the Word of God.
Notice how Osteen’s message is
described: ‘Osteen’s easy-going, all-inclusive gospel has made him a
spiritual rock star. He’s unrelentingly positive, more Norman Vincent Peale
than Pat Robertson. His deliberately non-judgemental sermons ... have made him
into a best-selling author who is even popular among agnostics and atheists.
Osteen’s positive messages--recent sermon topics include ‘Having Confidence in
Yourself’ and ‘Stop Listening to the Accusing Voices’--have helped make him a
religious everyman. He touts a loving God. There is no condemnation. No talk of
judgment or damnation’ (‘God’s Cheerleader,’ St. Petersburg Times, Nov. 26,
2006, p. 10A).
Osteen is no doubt sincere in what
he is doing, but he is sincerely and terribly wrong. The Lord Jesus Christ was
a fire and brimstone preacher, and every God-ordained preacher is commanded to
preach the Word with ‘reproof, rebuke, and exhortation’ (2 Timothy 4:2). The
Scriptures warn that ‘many will turn away their ears from the truth in the last
days and after their own lusts will heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears’ (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Sadly, that is exactly what America’s favourite pastor
is doing. He is scratching the itching ears of those who have rejected the
plain teaching of the Bible and desire, instead, a new type of Christianity,
one with a smiley face, one that allows them to live pretty much as they
please, to follow their own lusts, and still feel that they are right with God.
Significantly, Osteen’s nickname is the ‘smiling preacher.’
Pastor David Cloud’s report can be
viewed on
http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fridaynews/news/2006/fridaynews061208.html
Earlier
in the report I highlighted some comments by Joel Osteen in red – they were –
‘when I took
over from my father he came from the Southern Baptist background and back 40,
50 years ago’
Joel
Osteen’s father was John Osteen who pastored the
church that Joel now pastors. Joel’s comments may mistakenly lead people to
think that for all his pastoral life that his father was a typical ‘Southern Baptist’
pastor. That is not the case. I have in my ‘library’ a number of booklets
authored by John Osteen.
One of
those (1981) booklets is entitled ‘Four Principles In Receiving From God.’ On
the back cover we read this –
‘John Osteen has
served as pastor, evangelist, author and teacher for some five decades.
Ordained as a Southern Baptist he received the baptism in the Holy ghost in
1958, an experience which revolutionised his ministry into a worldwide outreach
for Jesus Christ…taking the message of God’s love, healing and power to
people of all nations. Today John Osteen pastors
Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas…John Osteen holds a
Bachelor’s Degree from John Brown University, a Master’s Degree from Northern
Baptist Seminary, a Doctor of Letters from Indiana Christian University and a Doctor of
Divinity from Oral Roberts University.
Oral
Roberts was of course identified with the unscriptural ‘Word-Faith’ Movement
championed by amongst others the late Kenneth Hagin Snr. So what does John Osteen reveal
and teach in his ‘Four Principles In Receiving From God’ booklet?
Herewith are some extracts from it –
‘Are you
in need of a miracle today?…you can receive by following four basic principles
from God’s Word… [1] FIND A BIBLE VERSE ON WHICH TO FIRMLY BASE YOUR FAITH…If
you are praying for physical health, God says “I have made you healthy
and whole”. As it is written, “With is stripes we are healed” [Isaiah 53:5] [Cecil - This verse does not deal with “physical health” but
with healing from the spiritual consequences of “transgressions” and
“iniquities” that are mentioned in the verse]…Whatever you need,
this is your blank check “As it is written I have made you __________”. Just
fill in the blank with whatever it is you need. If what you need is written in
the Bible, you can receive it…You say, “I want to pay off all my bills”. God
says “I have made you free of all debt. I have made you prosperous…God makes
alive dead bodies, dead limbs, dead minds, dead pocketbooks, dead emotions…He
can make your pocketbook that has died a natural death rise up and wave green
hands [dollar bills?] saying
“I’m alive”…[2] WHEN YOU ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED, BE SPECIFIC…Do not just ask
for general, overall blessings of God. Be specific!…Do you want God to bless
your pocketbook?…You must be specific…If you say, “Oh God, bless me
financially,” that’s no prayer. Ask for the specific amount of money you need.
You must know exactly what you really want…[3] YOU MUST HAVE A BURNING DESIRE
FOR THE THING YOU ASK OF GOD…On one occasion our church was believing God for
two cows for an upcoming convention…I had my verse to stand on, Psalm 50:10…So
I claimed that scripture and asked God specifically for two cows…As time passed
without any apparent results in my spirit I really gave up my desire…God gave
me a dream...I noticed that two snakes had swallowed something and had huge
bulges. I began to examine one of the snakes and discovered there was a cow
inside it. I looked at the other snake and there was a cow inside it too. God
said to me, “You let the devil eat your two cows…If I’d held on to my
confession and resisted the devil all the way, I would have gotten those two
cows…if you continue to believe God for those one or two specific things that
burn within you, then they will be constantly unfolding to you. You will
continually experience God’s blessing and provision [4] SEE YOURSELF AS ALREADY
HAVING THE THINGS YOU’VE ASKED OF GOD [occult
visualisation] AND CONFESS THAT YOU HAVE THEM…You have to
see yourself with those things for which
you have prayed…You have to believe on the inside that they are yours
already…You have to receive on the inside before you can receive on the
outside…You see you must get what you desire inside your heart and in your mind
before you will ever receive it from God. You must see yourself with it!…You
have to VISUALISE God’s promises to you…You must see yourself with whatever you
want from God…What is it you definitely, specifically want? WRITE IT DOWN. Then
find a scripture in God’s Word that promises you that thing. And then receive
it as a VISION on the inside. VISUALISE everything as though it were already
that way…Now the second part of this principle is to call things that are not
as though they are…you have to start speaking and talking as though what you see
in your vision is an actual reality…You must start calling and talking as
though what you see in your vision is ALREADY SO!…Whatever you need to receive
from God begin to see yourself with it in your possession right now…Then talk
like it is already so…You can have anything you want’.
This
then is the type of preaching young Joel would have sat under for most if not
all of his life – a far cry from traditional ‘Southern Baptist’ preaching and
teaching. I examined this matter of ‘guaranteed physical healing’ in an article
I wrote some years ago called ‘Joyce Meyer and Healing’ and that article can be
viewed on -
http://www.takeheed.net/SEPTEMBER2003.htm
Pastor
Ken Silva of ‘Apprising Ministries’ [one of our
website links] has posted the following link to a YouTube
excerpt from a sermon preached by Joel Osteen that encapsulates virtually all
that this article is seeking to warn people to ‘Take Heed’ of. The link on Ken
Silva’s website is -
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2007/04/joel_osteen_sai.html
Please
pray that the people of Northern Ireland will exercise Biblical discernment
when deciding whether or not to attend this meeting at the Belfast Odyssey and
pray also that God would truly enlighten Joel Osteen to the truth of what it
really means to be a Christian
Cecil
Andrews – ‘Take Heed’ Ministries – 20 May 2007