What’s God Got to Do With It?

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  • Posted By: Tommy3R @ 10/15/2008 4:08:07 PM

    Apparently all of these people who have had their lives "changed" by Osteen or Hinn or Robeson or whoever are only looking for financial freedom instead of true spiritual freedom!!! Why does the word "financially" always pop up in these adoring comments?????? I certainly don't remember Jesus offering financial rewards when He said "whatever you ask of the Father in My name, it shall be given". Jesus spoke only about our spiritual rewards - our rewards in heaven - and heaven on earth - through Him! Mr. Osteen, Mr. Hinn, Mr. Robeson and all of the other "evangelists" are nothing more than what remains of those cast out of the temple by Jesus when He declared it a "den of thieves"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus is the example by which we are to live - not any one of these men or anyone like them!

  • Posted By: Tommy3R @ 10/15/2008 4:04:04 PM

    Apparently all of these people who have had their lives "changed" by Osteen or Hinn or Robeson or whoever are only looking for financial freedom instead of true spiritual freedom!!! Why does the word "financially" always pop up in these adoring comments?????? I certainly don't remember Jesus offering financial rewards when He said "whatever you ask of the Father in My name, it shall be given". Jesus spoke only about our spiritual rewards - our rewards in heaven - and heaven on earth - through Him! Mr. Osteen, Mr. Hinn, Mr. Robeson and all of the other "evangelists" are nothing more than what remains of those cast out of the temple by Jesus when He declared it a "den of thieves"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus is the example by which we are to live - not any one of these men or anyone like them!

  • Posted By: Tommy3R @ 10/15/2008 4:03:23 PM

    Apparently all of these people who have had their lives "changed" by Osteen or Hinn or Robeson or whoever are only looking for financial freedom instead of true spiritual freedom!!! Why does the word "financially" always pop up in these adoring comments?????? I certainly don't remember Jesus offering financial rewards when He said "whatever you ask of the Father in My name, it shall be given". Jesus spoke only about our spiritual rewards - our rewards in heaven - and heaven on earth - through Him! Mr. Osteen, Mr. Hinn, Mr. Robeson and all of the other "evangelists" are nothing more than what remains of those cast out of the temple by Jesus when He declared it a "den of thieves"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus is the example by which we are to live - not any one of these men or anyone like them!

  • Posted By: queenie @ 10/15/2008 3:53:27 PM

    A lot of these posts illustrate exactly why I don't call myself a "Christian" any more - so much judgment about how others should believe, or live their lives. Seems that "Christians" give Jesus a bad name! And - Jesus wore a gown of one continuous piece of cloth, very very expensive and special. Given to him by an admirer. All good things are here for us to enjoy and there is no holiness in denying yourselves the comforts of the world. Everyone does not receive the message in the same way, why criticize what works for others? Peace and love to all of you!

  • Posted By: floridagirlchristina @ 10/15/2008 3:31:58 PM

    Negative talk about someone who is trying to do good in the world...so wrong. Joel Osteen changed my life. I was truly down and in complete despair financially and emotionally. I heard the tv one Sunday morning, and it was Joel Osteen, and my life has never been the same. I learned from him, that through God all things are possible. I am now a new person in every way, and life couldn't be better.

  • Posted By: floridagirlchristina @ 10/15/2008 3:27:05 PM

    This article really bothers me. I am a changed person because of Joel Osteen. I was down and in despair, and happened to hear his words one Sunday morning. I felt the Lord speaking to me through Joel Osteen. I used to be the cynical one. Joel Osteen is not only a preacher, but a motivational speaker to me. He taught me, that through God, anything is possible. That was 6 years ago, and I am a happy and more devout Christian because of Joel Osteen. People need hope and love, and to remember that good things can come your way.

  • Posted By: burdieboo @ 10/15/2008 2:24:22 PM

    It is really interesting to me the jealousy that pops up whenever religious people talk about Joel Osteen. It must be because he actually has a relationship with Jesus and many religious followers are so tied up in their education, ritual, and legalism that they are jealous of those who are filled with the grace and freedom of Christ Himself. Jesus came to give us life in abundance until it overflows!!! If you are really worried about people getting the wrong doctrine or something like that don't worry. Gods word does not return viod, no matter who preaches it.

  • Posted By: INDEED! @ 10/14/2008 10:01:57 PM

    Please I have a question, Which one would have been better? If Joel would have decided from the begining just to become a motivatitional speaker and get a check cut at the end of the day without no spiritual impact like others are doing everyday. Because the bible says it is what you know shall set you free, If it is a spiritual freedom or finacial freedom, IT IS WHAT YOU SHALL SET YOU FREE. Also just to add, A man's gift maketh room for him, so what gift do you have that will make a finacial room for you. JUDGE NOT, AND YOU SHALL NOT BE JUDGE. Please make sense with your responds.

    • Posted By: susieq76 @ 10/15/2008 1:57:49 PM

      INDEED - what Bible are you reading?? It says "The Truth shall set you free" not your truth, Osteen's truth, my truth, but God's Truth with a capital T. It also does not say knowledge will set you free. In terms of gifts making the way for a man, what verse is that? I have found an interesting rebuttal to that statement in Matthew 23:19: "You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?" The only thing I can think you are referring to is Proverbs 18:16 which says: "A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great." But I can't even figure out why you are using this. You also misquote another very important verse in the Bible - both in Matthew and Luke: Judge not LEST ye be judged. And God is speaking about minor judgement here and judgement as to whether someone else is better than you, will get into Heaven, etc. We are to hold our leaders and teachers accountable. If Joel Osteen doesn't want to personally mention God, really teach the Bible or mention how people can be saved then that is his issue with God. But since he has decided to do that in a very public arena, under the guise of running a church and pretending to be a pastor, then he is absolutely to be scrutinized by others - it would be the same if I were pretending to be a doctor. I would expect people to hold me to a high standard if I were calling myself a doctor. In the same way, pastors are in the business of saving lives as well, eternally, and they ought to be held accountable for what they say and do and know and teach.

      At any rate, please, if you are going to use the Scripture of our precious Lord Jesus, do so correctly and do not add to the disinformation out there regarding the Word of the Lord. That after all is how Satan tripped up Adam and Eve in the first place, by getting wiggle room because they couldn't quote the Word of God but instead paraphrased it.

  • Posted By: vrob125 @ 10/15/2008 12:36:26 PM

    Why, when Joel and Victoria seem to ofter nothing but love (and no one is forced to accept it) are they receiving mean comments in return. What are they guilty of? They continued a successful ministry when his father died, and increased it fivefold. Is that really a crime? And who are you to call anyone a spiritual midget? That kind of arrogance is astounding, and sad.

  • Posted By: TryEachDay @ 10/15/2008 12:35:40 PM

    My hope is that Joel trys each day to move the message of Jesus out to more people. My hope is that we all pray more and care more. Take a look at yourself today as I will and see what type of shadow is following you around. I hope all of us want good but stuff gets in the way and it is difficult to keep itfocused on Jesus. I will pray for the Osteen's. I have mother who is a big new age person but she likes Joel. My hope is she sees Jesus ther some place so she can move away from the lies and the truth of Jesus Christ.

  • Posted By: weblogic @ 10/14/2008 2:36:54 PM

    Wow on two accounts! First, the saying ???practice what you preach??? comes to mind with the Osteens. Second, your article reads like a personal attack on the Osteens and possibly Christianity as a whole. Ultimately this attack takes away from your message: service is about service to others not yourself.

    • Posted By: tolson14 @ 10/15/2008 12:31:56 PM

      this may be an attack on the osteens, but it certainly is not on christianity! the osteens are a self help book that tries to throw in a couple references to the bible, so people think its a "church". Have you watched one of his so called "sermons" I dare you to count the number of times he mentions god, and i would guarentee that it would be contained on one hand.

  • Posted By: TryEachDay @ 10/15/2008 12:30:10 PM

    Joel does do some good. We should all look at what we don't like about other and use it to reflect on our selves a bit. Do you want the love of God in your life? Do you need God in your life? If your upset at something then please for the sake of yourself get on the solution side of the issue. Spend some time today on your knees talking to a God that loves you more than you could ever ever imagine. I will pray for the Osteen family knowing that I nned your prayers because I'm always droppong the ball.

  • Posted By: prophet831 @ 10/15/2008 12:22:20 PM

    You know, being a spiritual Giant doesn't require readin the scriptures - it requires undertsanding their message. If they were truly Christian examples, wouldn't they have been flying coach and not using their ministry to make themselves a small personal fortune at the hands of believers? Really, what do these people think Christ's message was? Christ was anti-religion and we made a religion around it! I just have this feeling that nearly every preacher with fame is a self-serving hypocrite

  • Posted By: Bacalove @ 10/15/2008 11:39:31 AM

    We are all human and none of us are perfect. Joel plays a very positive role in today's world. He teaches love, kindness, forgiveness in this increasingly cruel world. He teaches people to believe in God's greatness and goodness and that that belief will eventual materialize especially when you follow God's laws.

  • Posted By: jimarush @ 10/15/2008 11:15:44 AM

    The Olsten???s' both of them seem to be hollow plastic people concerned only with the material aspects of life. God is nothing more than the vehicle they use to live their materialistic lifestyle. The people who are completely devoted to these two charlatans amaze me. They remind me of impressionable two year olds who are totally dependant on mom and dad. So sad.

  • Posted By: jimarush @ 10/15/2008 11:15:24 AM

    The Olsten???s' both of them seem to be hollow plastic people concerned only with the material aspects of life. God is nothing more than the vehicle they use to live their materialistic lifestyle. The people who are completely devoted to these two charlatans amaze me. They remind me of impressionable two year olds who are totally dependant on mom and dad. So sad.

  • Posted By: DianaCY @ 10/15/2008 8:26:32 AM

    If ministers make you feel better what is the problem. Are we always to believe that Christians are a bunch of sourpusses? In the words of a famous poet/song writer 'don't worry, BE HAPPY" and don't Criticize. I am not a Christian and I love Joel and Victoria they make my Sunday morning better. He is very uplifting. Why put it down in any way. I guess since I am not Christian I just don't understand. Oh well. DCY Kennesaw GA

  • Posted By: alliance905 @ 10/14/2008 9:11:21 PM

    Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.

    For those of you who are speaking negative words about Joel and Victoria, including the author, you are fully entitled to your opinion, thus the reason some people get paid for their opinions, thus the reason some people pay to read those same opinions .... but all of you just dont get it.

    I actually just met Victoria and Joel tonight at a book signing on Long Island in NY. They are both wonderful people, doing the work of God, preaching a Word of God that might not be to "your" liking, but is to the liking of millions of people all over the world. Joel preaches a "simple" word of God that many people can relate
    to. Yes, he is not my fathers pastor, my grandfathers preacher or my great grandfathers priest, but he is the pastor for many who search for a way to connect to the Lord in "his" way .... his way may not be your way, may not be the road you are traveling down in "your" walk with the Lord, each person might have a different road to travel down, but it doesnt make it the wrong road .... the Lord uses many to communicate his word .... recognize your way and follow it towards your glory .... but while on that road it is not looked on with good favor that you throw stones because you dont agree. John 12:47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world". May God bless all who are in search of the Lord regardless of who the messenger is, for your journey is "one" with the Lord.

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