I've heard, seen and read many things which attempt to either debunk or expose Houston pastor Joel Osteen and a supposed "prosperity gospel" which he and others are said to teach and promote.
Now, if you listen to the popular radio broadcast "The Bible Answer Man" lately, you know that Hank Hannagraff, president of the Christian Research Institute, has written a new book which is called "The Osteenification of American Christianity.". I know from listening to Mr. Hannagraff's show that many of the questions he receives have to do with Joel Osteen and what he teaches, and whether or not it lines up with scripture. The consensus is that it certainly does not! With this in mind, one could see what would prompt Mr. Hannagraff to write such a book, based on what he believes.
Now, I've not read Mr. Hannagraff's book, which might cause some of you to stop reading this entry right here. That's okay. If you're still with me, however, let me just say that I wonder what sort of an emotional affect this book, and all of it's publicity may be having on Osteen himself. So, oddly enough, this has made me want to look further into Joel Osteen's teachings and also at some of his various critics...
The first claim I'll explore is the claim leveled at Osteen that he's teaching people that they can get anything they want if they simply speak the right words into their life. Well, at the beginning of each message, Mr. Osteen makes the following statement:
"This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same!".
An interesting study, I think, is to just take the phrase apart piece by piece.
1. I am what it says I am.
The Bible says that as Christians, we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12). Now there are many definitions as to what the phrase "work out" means. In my personal opinion, for a Christian to "work out" their salvation means to investigate God and his word and see what he is all about so that we may be assured that our salvation is real, and our affections have now changed from what they once were to what God desires them to be (day by day).
In other words, we are now a new creation in Christ Jesus (2nd Corinthians 5:17-21). Only in this way does a person then BECOME what the Bible says they are. In other words if a person is not born again in Christ and being conformed to the image of Jesus everyday, they are not what the Bible says they are, they do not have what scripture says they have, and they cannot do what scripture says they can do.
Okay, so Joel Osteen is speaking to Christians in one way, and non-Christians in another way. The simple truth is this, in order for Osteen's opening statement to be true, we need to be a born again Christian who is working out our own salvation. If we are not, then Osteen's statement does not apply to us, but we are invited by Osteen at the end of every message to pray the sinners prayer to accept Jesus and then encouraged to get into a Bible believing church. So he addresses Christians and non-Christians, but in different ways.
Osteen speaks at length on attitudes and emotions, which may be why many accuse him of lying to people and giving them false hope. I do not believe personally that Joel Osteen is trying to tell people that the words they speak can either get them anything they want from God, or take away (deny them) things that they could've had if they'd just thought better or had a better attitude. I'll use a quote from Nancy Leigh DeMoss to illustrate my point:
"your appearance and your actions and your attitudes will never MAKE you a Christian. They cannot earn you salvation. You can't say 'I'm a good Christian cause I dress like a good Christian, I act like a good Christian, and I have good Christian attitudes'; but if you ARE a Christian, you absolutely will have appearance and actions and attitudes that CONFIRM your profession of faith.". Now this quote from Nancy does not involve Osteen, or any other teacher. But interestingly enough, I think this sums up both what Joel Osteen is...and what he isn't. In my opinion, Joel Osteen is all about appearances and actions and attitudes that CONFIRM a Christian's profession of faith. I believe what he's saying to us, is that if we ARE in Christ Jesus, and our foundation is in HIM, then our attitudes, what we set our minds on, and the words we speak, will either bring us closer to Jesus, or distance us from getting to know him, not in terms of salvation itself, but in terms of the quality of our closeness with him.
2. I have what it says I have. What does the Bible say that Chritians have? We have intimacy with Christ. (John 17:21 & John 17:3). We have access to Christ always. (Deuteronomy 31:6). We have the privilege of praying and seeking Him. (Revelation 3:20; John 14:13-14). We will have all our needs met (as opposed to wants). (Philippians 4:19). And we DO have the privilege of petitioning our Heavenly Father for things that we WANT...and without worrying. (Philippians 4:4-8). This follows right into...
3. I can do what it says I can do. What does the Bible say that Christians can do? We can petition God (ask) for things we would like. (as is mentioned above, with scripture). We can (and should) seek God with our whole being. (Deuteronomy 30:6). We can trust God in everything. (Isaiah 30:20 ; Psalm 32:8). And we CAN walk through life without worry. (Psalm 84:11-12) (Luke 12:32).
Now these are just a few examples which back up Osteen's opening statement in each of his messages. There are obviously many more. But in every single one of Osteen's messages, he seems to be asking: "What's in it for me as a Christian IF my heart attitude in Christ is correct? But I think many people believe that Osteen does not seem to give God credit where credit is due (which would be in all things,)or include the second part of that question. To many, he seems to be giving the impression that anyone can ask God for anything they want and they can get it, based on their attitude (whether it's good or bad).
I would like to suggest that Joel Osteen encourages Christians to be bold with God based on their correct position in him, and what the Bible says they now have, as the result of that position. We as Christians have a responsibility to RESPOND to what we KNOW concerning God, based on what he teaches us about his word, and what we learn about him as we work out our own salvation. With all of these things in place, would it not then be appropriate to petition God expectantly, knowing that the outcome is ultimately His to decide? (James1:4-6).
Another criticism leveled at Osteen, is that he either doesn't teach about suffering, or, that he teaches that if our attitudes are right, and our words are positive, then we WON'T suffer. Having listened to a few of Osteen's sermons, I have just one word in response: Wrong. It is simply not a true statement to say that Joel Osteen teaches that we won't suffer. Perhaps what bother's Osteen's critic's, is his light hearted,"shake it off" approach to suffering. I think this bothers many because it might seem to suggest that our suffering as Christians is no big deal. However, if we really think about it, doesn't the scripture say that these afflictions are only temporary (in comparison with all eternity)? Doesn't scripture say "my yolk is easy my burden is light?". Now a yolk, is something that's designed to keep an animal in control of it's handler. A "yolk" put on us as Christians does not mean that there will be no discomfort, because in obedience we must bear up under it; but the scripture says that He gives power to the weak, and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Might I suggest something else? Our attitude through suffering can either hurt us or help us. I believe this is what Joel Osteen teaches. Our choice of words through a time of suffering can either be negative or positive to our mind, which can either give a "boost" up, or knock us down emotionally and cause us to feel defeated, which can in turn have an affect on the outcome of the suffering we experience. But how to back this up scripturally? Well, let's see...." A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.". "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.". "We Christians can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord, and as the spirit of the Lord moves in us, we become more like him." (1st. Corinthians 3:18).
These are simply suggestions of verses that deal with our words and actions. Perhaps Joel Osteen is criticized because of a lack of scripture references, but examination of his sermons will show that he does in fact back up what he says with scriptures. The simple question is, are we sowing to the flesh or sowing to the spirit? I know that many believe that Joel Osteen encourages people to sow to their flesh as much as they want to and that they will "receive" as long as they speak the right words, which gives Osteen an appearance (to many) of extreme inauthenticity.
In my opinion, a closer look is in order. I once heard John MacArthur mock Joel Osteen's book "Your Best Life Now" by saying that the only way this title could be true is if we are going to hell. Really? Why is that? If that were true then Osteen would be talking about the AFTERLIFE, not our life here and now, day to day. So the remark seemed unnecessary in my view. Besides, what does the scripture say about removing the log from our own eye first.? Now many think that Joel Osteen has the log in HIS eye. I get that. But it is my personal conviction that we as Christians can always choose to live our best life now, day to day, and it is helpful to remember that much of Joel Osteen's outreach deals with professing Christians who simply live as though they are still stuck in the mirey clay that Jesus died to get them out of. Joel Osteen is simply saying: "You don't have to live that way.". To take it a little further: Our attitudes and words do not have to be negative even though our circumstances are. This does not mean that we will get everything we want, and it does not mean that we will not suffer.
As I said, Joel Osteen does not teach either one of these things, in my view. Instead, he teaches the Christian to view their set backs as set-ups for something better. He teaches us to use our difficulties as periods of preparation for God to eventually get us to where he wants us to be. Now the Christian who is working out their salvation knows that the undertone of this teaching is not greed...it's gratitude! It's gratitude because of what Christ has ALREADY DONE! AMEN? And does this attitude not glorify God? When we are suffering but our words are gentle and we praise him anyway? When we make the choice to speak life (deliberately) into a situation that seems dead? This is not ignoring difficulty or trivializing pain, or doing away with all suffering; it's simply choosing to be of good cheer because Christ has overcome the world, in my view. Isn't this what Bible tells us to do?
Viewing several interviews with Osteen, it is my opinion that many have tried to pigeon hole him on many issues, and sort of ask questions in a way that the answer's could be matted and framed to suit their views, rather just allowing Osteen to share the joy he wants to impart to others.
We must never forget that the media (secular) does NOT like to acknowledge the holiness or exclusivity of Jesus; and they particularly do not like to acknowledge that Jesus is the only way to the father. Joel Osteen has been pigeon holed by Larry King, Peerse Morgan, and Oprah Winfrey just to name a few, on issues such as homosexuality, loving those who are not Christians, and the death penalty. The poignant answers Osteen gave so as to not be "boxed in" to attacking someone, have caused certain people to misquote Osteen, saying that he believes there is more then one way to be saved, and the like. References of each video will follow so that you can check for yourself. We must remember, in my view that ultimately we are accountable to God himself. That being said, it would seem to me that to ask anyone to begin assigning certain penalties to certain sins would be unethical and unfair...but this is the way the secular media treats Christians.
On that note, I've read Joel Osteen being called demonic, of the devil and a false prophet. I'm sure that Mr. Osteen himself would agree that he is no prophet. He's flesh and blood just like any other person, with a MEGA ministry that carries with it major responsibilities. With these responsibilities probably come the burden of the continual scrutiny of the media and the public. Every person has feelings and opinions, and they can choose whether they will respond to what is said about them. Joel Osteen has been called a prosperity preacher... and faulted for it. Now, there is a book out there about his negative affect on American Christianity.
Perhaps if we as American Christians decided to honor God by working out our own salvation and we began to read the Bible for all it's worth, as Mr. Hannagraff says, more of his questions from callers might be about the Biblical text itself and not about Mr. Osteen or another spiritual teacher.
It is my opinion that prospering in this life materially ought to be one of the fruits of being obedient to God and abiding in him., rather than something we seek to obtain from God without any love or devotion. But ultimately this is an individual responsibility of each person. If someone does not have a relationship with Jesus and a Biblical foundation, then yes, Joel Osteen's teachings can be dangerous, because what's left is a bunch of smooth talk in order obtain stuff to satisfy a person's lusts. I do NOT believe that Joel Osteen wishes this on anyone. I think he would probably agree that each of us prospers because we are loved by God, and are eternally rich even if we are not what the world calls rich.
Perhaps because Osteen's matter of fact approach can seem more like self help, then Biblical teaching...it is frightening to some. My advice would be, don't be afraid of it and don't be afraid of Joel Osteen. Put on the full armor of God, and always be ready to give a defense for YOUR faith. Read the Bible for all it's worth, and you may even be able to appreciate Mr. Osteen's teachings and use them to live your best life. In any event, pray for Mr. Osteen, and pray for discernment, to work out your own salvation.
Links:
YouTube... Joel Osteen "Don't Fight it."
"Freedom From Wrong Mindsets"
YouTube... Exposing Joel Olsteen "Joel Osteen Denies Jesus" (Larry King)
"John MacArthur Rebukes Joel Osteen"
"Joel Osteen. Gays get into heaven (Oprah)
"Joel Osteen--I would go to a homosexual wedding. I'm not against anything. (Peers Morgan).
