http://theblazingcenter.com/2015/05/im-glad-jesus-doesnt-take-joel-osteens-advice.html

I fear for him when judgement comes. It won't be pretty...

He knows what he does. It's his followers I'm sad for.



 

His worth is over 40 million. A good Christian would give most of that away to those in need.

Being well off isn't a sin.  Preaching his feel good, non biblical everyone is great, no one deserves hell message is. He clearly distorts ( that's a strange thing to say) what the Bible says, leaves out the parts that would offend people, and makes money off doing this.  He preaches false hope and is leading many people to believe they are saved, when in fact they are not if all they do is listen to and believe his message.  He is a false teacher who we all need to pray will find and accept the true gospel.

My opinion

How can you be a Christian & even remotely believe this? Jesus actually wants us to seek out those that don't like us & pray for them! Wow.... I will pray for Mr Osteen.

My Catholic kin folk all like him. I think it reflects on their bible knowledge.

This is one of the crazier posts I've seen.

 

It probably also reflects how much they want to actually get a message out of a sermon. Rather than the highly ritualistic Catholic masses where the priest doesn't say much or actually connect with the audience.

Isn't the objection to Osteen's wealth based on how it was acquired, rather than an objection to wealth in and of itself? On the Prosperity Gospel itself and on misappropriation of funds?

I suspect that behind the curtain Joel Osteen doesn't take his own advice.

Adam4d.com is a pretty good comic.

Just waiting until the feds charge him with embezzlement or kiddy porn. He's a creepy motherfucker.

 

Obviously, you haven't been to many masses...

 
"Creepy" is definitely a perfect adjective for him.




He makes used-car salesmen look easily approachable...


 

It would be both in my estimation.

As others have said, what he and others do flies in the face of what is the intent of biblical teaching.  Obviously, there are a ton of different theories as to how best to interpret the bible, and then to practice.  But this guy and others are way off the mark, I think.

If you look at all the scriptures in sum and I'm not an expert, I think the logical conclusion is that the Prosperity Gospel flies in the face of it all.

They will tell you, if you listen to these types of preachers and others defend it, that it is not that at all.  They decry the derogatory names such as "Name it and Claim it," "Prosperity Gospel," etc. to their brand of preaching.  Then say they are just using verses and Gods word  to justify.  They counter by saying that "regular" Christianity teaches a "Poverty Doctrine"  which is just silly.  

So, the thing is when you listen to the language of a sermon, not always but often, people like Joyce Myers, Olsteen, Prince (not the artist formerly known as but he's an Indonesian or Filipino guy, or Creslo Dollar (NOW that's friggin ironic right?), it's a soft message but quickly becomes glaringly obvious what they are doing.  But you don't even have to between the lines in their sermons.   They basically says that if their congregation just gave more, had more faith, just believed more they would have it too.  The bottom line is they are using greed to sell religion.  It's just plain bad.

They literally tell you they lined their pockets claiming it is through having enough faith and then God gracing them in return.  False prophets and all that.

In terms of objecting to him having wealth, I don't think most Christians would object to that quite as much.  But many of these people could probably do more "good" with their money if they set up more programs, set up college funds, and helped more people instead of buying a huge house or new car.  At some point, at least for me, you look at it and say, "I don't think that's what Jesus/God would have wanted."  Live comfortably, live well, be healthy, have some stuff, go some places, enjoy life, but maybe forgo the million dollar(s) mansion and private jet?  I don't know, maybe it's just me.

It's funny because I used to scoff at the WWJD stuff; I don't anymore.  

I guess I try to look at it simply - I don't think those guys are very WWJD'ish.  

 

Ouch.



Yeah, and don't forget the "pastor" in Georgia who wanted his congregation to chip in for a Gulfstream for him to fly around in...

Or we have just had different experiences.

Doesn't have a clue what 'mass' actually is, and yet is willing to display this ignorance and attempt to defame both the Mass and the Catholic church publicly.



In the world of non-denominational fundamentalism, worship=connection with pastor.





 

It's funny, but even having been raised Catholic, this is something I never fully appreciated until I had left the Church for many years as a non-denominational, then returned.


I remember one of my gripes about Mass being how boring and repetitive it was, especially in comparison to a good pastor thundering away about the Word of God. In hindsight, it is true that most people confuse "being fed" with how well their chosen pastor preaches rather than receiving God.


Even in our own Parish, our priest is, frankly, a lousy public speaker but a wonderful person. I have, in fact, even dozed off during one of his homilies. But I have realized that we are not there for HIM, we are there to receive CHRIST in His physical form here on Earth, and that changed EVERYTHING.


With all apologies to our Protestant brethren, what you call "Worship", we call "Bible Study".

 
It is not about "connecting" with the pastor or attending mass. It is about having a relationship with Jesus Christ/God, seeking the wisdom and teachings of Christ through that relationship and study of the word, and trying to live your life according to the those teachings. Christianity is not a religion or denomination. It is a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.






 

Attending Mass is central to the belief, because you can get no more personal a relationship with Christ on this earth than to receive Him physically as he instructed us to do.

While many Catholics believe in transubstantiation, if that is what you are referring to, most protestants do not. The "Body of Christ" is not a physical church, but comprised of all those that have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. However, we can agree to disagree since this thread does not need to turn into a Catholic vs Protestant debate. I still love and consider Catholics to be my brothers/sister's in Christ just as I do other Protestant denominations.

 
Ditto.


Even if you're mistaken.

See, it's this kind of arrogance that puts me off when it comes to Catholicism.



 

I apologize if it came across as arrogant. No such feeling was intended. If anything, I am GRATEFUL to be a part of the Church, and THANKFUL that I was led back to it. Not arrogant in the slightest.

I know you didn't say this, but think back to how many times the Mass has been called a false sacrifice, canibalism, Roman pomposity, etc. IOW, those who do not subscribe to the RCC haven't always been exactly meek and humble, either.


So, with that said, is there anything in particular that I could explain better for you than I did?

Yeah, why does the priest we call a Chaplain at my unit, think it's okay to curse, scream at his assistant in front of formation, and generally be a shining example of a bad Christian?



In a Protestant denomination, his church would fail, and he'd no longer be a pastor. In Catholicism, no accountability?



 

Sadly, all men are sinners, even priests. Some more so than others. I don't like it, but there it is.




To your earlier point, I HAVE seen examples of Catholics who actually crowed that "We have the Eucharist". I had to politely remind them that WE  don't HAVE ANYTHING. We are BLESSED to have it, and we're not more special than anyone else because it is offered by Christ to ALL. Boy, did that bring that discussion to a screeching halt!




Anyway, if a priest is behaving in such a manner, we are able to make our concerns known to the Bishop. I  am not fully versed with how priests who are serving as Chaplains in the service report up into the Church, but they do.




If this priest has not been spoken to already, I would do so in private. If that doesn't work, bring a friend. If that doesn't work, go to the Bishop or the CO.




I can assure you that there is accountability for priests, despite all the selective headlines. Sometimes it takes longer than we'd like, but not always. Either way, please don't let the behavior of one person dissuade you regarding Catholicism in general. We're only human, too.


 

I would just like to point out, although I'm sure that most here already know this, that a particular flavor of Christianity is not going to save you.



Following Christ. That is what you must do. We all must do.



 


I believe if you pray, God will lead you to the church you should attend. There are many false teachers in the world today. What did Jesus say about them?


 

Don't' get me wrong, I don't have issues ministering along Catholics, unlike others. I just don't think it's the one true church. Christ is what matters, not the church.



Now when you get into false teachings about Christ, that's where I get into the weeds.



 

Several reasons.
A: poor leadership skills. definately authoritarian.
B: poor interpersonal skills. can't find another way to communicate?
C: poor faith.
D: being a military chaplain does require endorsement from a church (major, not a specific), but not required to be a pastor, minister, etc at a civilian curch. He may not have a church to fail. Likely does not.  Worst chaplain I ever had was a Navy Lt Cdr protestant. showed no compassion for the troops, relieved of duty for shenanigans in AFG.

17 years in uniform. Lots of chaplains, good and bad. My wife is currently in seminary to be a Navy chaplain.  I say this only to show that military life, and religious life are not foreign to me.

#osteendon'tneednobookofrevelation

I realize that not all are bad, in fact, this is the first bad one I've seen. Our CoC is handling it. The prior Chaplain was a priest and he was awesome.



 

People don't realize that priests need prayers,  too. It has to be a very hard job. Without prayer, we get the priests, pastors & preachers we deserve.

Yeah that makes no sense to me.



A unit that he's only been in a year is not responsible for his failures.



Anyways this thread has been derailed.
 

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to derail your thread. It makes sense because Priests & chaplains, come & go. I am just as at fault for a priest that I may dislike @ my Church. But, I should pray for him & all religious for their guidance. So, they can guide us.

Do not put your trust and faith in men. Remember what Jesus said about the Pharisees?





Matthew 15:13-14 Jesus replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.

Luke 6:39-40 Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."

The Holy Spirit should be your guide. Here are several verses that explain it clearly.

 


 

I respectfully disagree. It is about attending Mass. 'Do this in memory of me.' (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24). It's a command, not a suggestion or relationship builder.



If Jesus Christ asked you to step into heaven and witness the once and eternal, ongoing sacrifice, would you (Rev 13:8, John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:20)? If you were allowed to participate in that sacrifice, would you (1 Cor 10:16)? That is the Mass. There is no closer 'relationship' that you can have have with the savior.



Just sayin.



 

Christians practice communion also. Just sayin'.



 

LOL. Protestant communion is a whole different thing.



Your phrasing, does that mean Christians are something different than Catholics?

 

Interesting choice of word

The rest of it is pretty far off, that word may as well be too.

Yeah, but "audience" is telling.  "I'm here.  Now you'd better entertain me."

yup.

Are you not entertained in Mass?!?!

Thread has almost come full circle...

Entertained?

No.

Fed spiritually?

Definitely!