A Touchy Subject
I was watching the Larry King show earlier this week (or was it late last week?)…oh well…recently. It featured Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria. I admire the man’s outlook on life and was kinda impressed with the way he handled many of the questions thrown at him about his life and his church and preaching methods. Personally I think the Bible is the source of religious foundation but Mr. Osteen seems to focus on life issues and how we deal with those practical situations and how we live or lives in relation to others. He has been criticised as being ”theology lite” among many other things including his wealth and lack of Crosses in his church…and the list goes on.
I raise the point of theology lite and I wonder if this is a fair accusation in view that his church has moved over the years from a membership of 6000 to close to 50,000 on a regular basis. Just thinking that maybe some persons need this type of simplistic view of Christianity to be able to accept the fundamental teachings of the Bible, which, when you come down to it, is really and simply put…LOVE. Maybe some persons really can’t or don’t need to comprehend the situations and applications of eros, phileo and agape. Maybe they just need directions on what to do and how to do it acknowledging that there is a God and that they are charged to live their lives a certain way.
Technically speaking a life of love (not making love or sex) should cover all the biblical requirements. Where I will move away slightly is that I believe that the Bible is God’s word to us and through reading we are able to develop a much closer and fuller relationshipship with Him. It leads me to my other point, can we have one without the other? Yes reading the Bible and knowing it is one thing but if not applied to life then….? On the other hand living your live according to a standard that is unknown may be just as pointless. Maybe we need the balance…
Do I agree with Mr. Osteen? I have no idea. I guess his works serves a purpose that draw people closer to God and I don’t think we are called to complete the full circle. So in that respect he has a very valid point. The fact is 50,000 people find peace in his church.
You’re so right. The whole message of the Bible can be explained in one word - LOVE - for God and each other.
I enjoy listening to Joel’s messages, because he speaks plainly and simply, and shows how to apply Bible principles to daily life. I don’t need theology or religion. Just show me how to have a close relationship with my Maker and Saviour, and peace in this stressful, sinful world. I think that’s what those 50,000 folk are seeking as well.
As for his critics…well, you can’t - and shouldn’t try to - please everybody.
Sounds too simple? Sometimes, less is more.
What U’ve just written re “Theology Lite” is analogous to de discussion of whether gospel and reggae R mutually exclusive (ergo gospel-reggae might B unnatural). Me agree wid de whole concept of preach however U can mek people listen. If this theology-lite that yu write about can reach people like how reggae reaches them — genuine Godly messages — then it’s fine by me.
Hey Scratchie, I’m not familiar with Mr. Osteen’s messages but I do agree that the Christian message at its most basic is about love.
The fact that his church has grown does not necessarily mean people are getting what they need there. They might be going to hear what they want to hear.
I too saw a portion of the Larry King interview and I was appalled at one statement he made: Christians need to hang around successful people to ensure that they too will be successful in life. That is the exact opposite approach to life than the one described by Christ and Paul in the New Testament.
I completely agree that Christianity is based on love. But Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 3:2 when he states that Christians need to grow up in their understanding of their faith. I fear Joel Osteen is feeding his parishoners milk every week when they need to start moving towards solid food.
Mark V welcome and your points are duly taken. I missed that part of the interview so I can’t comment.
I’m not familiar with Mr. Osteen, in fact I do not watch the TV religious programmes. However, I think that the Bibles principles are applicable to everyone, especially in these critical times. And yes, I too believe that a lot of the principles in the Bible are based on love. Nice post Sr. Scratchie.
I tend to not be a fan of dumbing down the message. maybe its a good way to introduce the concepts but i think you need to delve deeper into the message if you want to stand strong in christ.
i’m more a fan of the hell and brimstone preachers than the everything is going to be alright type of dudes.
Not familiar with osteen but no doubt love is the basic thing.
Jdid,the problem with hell and brimstone is that it’s all you get.
I also saw the interview on Larry King. I used to be a regular listener/watcher of “Pretty Boye” my affectionate nick name for Olsteen. He has a very charasmatic message, hence his popularity and massive numbers in his church. But recently my friend pointed out something in his message that I didn’t quite get before. He only preaches the Good News message. Everything is going to be goog, Everything is going to be OK…Just smile, brush it off, whatever “it” is and keep on going.
My problem with that message is everything is not always going to be OK, or good, and therefore we have to learn to deal with the curve balls that life throws at us. those curve balls that make us question our Heavenly Father. We have to daeal with the bad and the good and the inbetween, Life is more about grey shadows than strictly black and white.
I agree with Mark V!! Through God’s grace we are saved, Mr. Osteen puts too much emphasis on “us” having the power to change our lives (as oppose to God) as we see fit! God put us here for a reason and it’s not about our will, but his will for our lives!
Proverbs 3:5-6 reads; Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take!
Nuff said!
It would seem that there are several points of view as it relates to this topic. In very much the same way there are varying outlooks on this man’s ministry. People see things really differently and I honestly can’t say right or wrong. I believe that the Creator meets us where we are. Some people live on the fluff some live on the meat of the matter. As Camp said although we hope for bright sparkly days we need to expect and survive the cloudy ones as well. I will leave this one saying to each his own.
I think there are many texts out there, which can help us understand this life, and what I support is peoples ability to read all of them, whether it be the bible, the koran or the The Prince.
Full knowledge brings us closer to God.
But that’s just my opinion
Great post.
I’ve heard of him. I like his church. It doesn’t deal with crap like denominations, scaring people with threats of death and hellfire, and shoving what you should and shouldn’t do down people’s throats. It just focuses on God’s love for mankind.
I used to live in Houston and got caught in the Lakewood Church traffic quite a bit because I worked nearby. While I like Joel Osteen I really do view him as a motivational speaker rather than a minister. Life is not one-dimensional and neither is the Bible, but people are drawn to messages that emphasis what they want to hear not necessarily what God has to say.