If you’ve watched this video, did you notice Joel’s opinion of Mormons?
Joel believes Mormons (in general) are true Christians. Yes, you read that correctly. You have to see it to believe it. Watch the video. He accepts Mitt Romney as a “true Christian” because Romney says “Jesus is my Savior.” Joel may want his primary work to be motivating people to live better lives, but he must not focus on his moralistic message at the expense of evangelism and defense of the faith. To accept Mormons as true Christians just because he doesn’t want to be the one saying negative stuff about others is utter unfaithfulness to God.
When will modern evangelical Protestants regain their discernment? Turn this guy’s tv show off, brethren!
For a little more biblical bloviating on this issue, see Steve Camp’s post, “How wide is the narrow road at Lakewood Church?“on the subject which was written on the heels of Osteen’s FoxNews interview itself.
The Misadventures of Captain Headknowledge 
John-
You are being awfully generous calling Joel Osteen a shepherd, I prefer to call him, what was it? Oh, yeah, a pagan.
Why, thank you for noticing my “scholarly restraint.” 😉
But the metaphor wouldn’t work if I said “Here’s what it looks like when a pagan lays down and rolls over for the wolves.”
I prefer to call him what I believe he is, DECEIVED.
Consider this verse in light of his published known wealth:
Mat 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
Obvious to me he is quite deceived by the deceitfulness of riches, something, mind you, Mormons are seeking, earthly wealth too.
There is nothing wrong with wealth when it is of God, given to man for the advancement of the Gospel among the poor.
Here’s how the Apostle Paul treated wealth:
Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Act 20:33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
Act 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
Act 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Osteen commends “his” hearers to God. The problem is, it’s not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but, some lesser god described in the Word of God by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Let the Light of His countenance rise upon us and let God give His Light through our life:
Mat 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
When I listen to Osteen, I get the idea that it’s all about me and what I get out of this relationship.
Well, only my flesh and soul will settle for that. When I settle for that, I say, “don’t rock the boat”. Things are fine now, I have attained, don’t disrupt my good thing.
Unfortunately, when you cow down to wolves, you get more than fleas!
There is so much more that can be said here, but hopefully this is enough from me for now?
michael
Quite a mouthful, Michael.
I agree that once we get ourselves committed to that which is off the narrow road, we do become deceived in many ways (and riches is one of the greatest).
Reminds me of one of Luther’s famous quotes about how “reason is a whore,” because you can convince it (or, rather, deceive it) to believe whatever you want it to. And it’s easy to talk yourself into that which can benefit you, especially when it comes to abstract, theoretical, propositional, theological, spiritual things.
It’s really pitiful. And guys like Joel need our prayers as much as his hearers need the warnings of the discerning. May we be diligent to do the latter, without leaving the former undone (kind of has a ring to it, doesn’t it? It’s not original, as you know).
Cap’n,
You know I read my post and then I read your post about Osteen and I just couldn’t help but think that it will be a terrible thing in that day when God says to some of those who prophesied in His name…”Depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” It will be horrific.
“Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” 1 Cor 5:11
May we press on as those who are brands plucked from the fire.
Gage Browning
Post Tenebras Lux
Good words, Gage.
wow, pretty bad!
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