Ben Cotten - Latest Comments in Joel Osteen Bashing

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

BenCotten — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:39:38 -0000

First, let me say that I can see that Christians have hurt you and for that I am truly sorry. I don't suppose to know you from one comment on a blog, but please don't let your bad experience keep you from looking for true community a Christ-centered fellowship somewhere in the Church. It does exist!

Second, going to church doesn't save you. That's a silly idea that holds no grounds in the Bible. Only faith in Jesus Christ as the one and only Messiah can save you. This is not to say that being a functioning part of a good church isn't important. In fact, I'd say it's vital. However, it doesn't save you.

If you were told that if you didn't go to church you would go to hell then you were told wrong.

As for your "American God" question, I'm not totally clear on what you mean. I think the best answer I can give is to say that (obviously) Jesus is not American. He's God. So, it's Jesus that saves you, redeems you, cleans your heart, and leads you forward. He is the difference between heaven and hell, not the country of your birth.

So, in light of that, your friends in India do not need to be culturalized into western, American, culture in order to meet Jesus and be saved by Him.

Does that help at all?

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Vela_girl — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:20:55 -0000

I fell away from the whole thing. I accepted the Lord as my personal savior. Then I was told since I didn't attend church I was going to burn in hell. I wasn't really saved if I didn't go to church. Well all the threats didn't save me/couldn't save me. Maybe Joel can. But only if he doesn't say my friends in India are going to hell for not believing in our American God. Is he saying that?

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Man of God — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:19:21 -0000

I second that!

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Jossher7000 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:09:01 -0000

But alas, from researching Joel Osteen online, I stumbled upon a very powerful, Bible-based, Christ-centered, heart piercing preacher in Paul Washer: http://www.heartcrymissiona...

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Jossher7000 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:06:12 -0000

I notice that Joel Osteen's authority is "the scripture." Law school taught me that if you cite authority always cite the specific authority. Pastors who study their Bible could cite specific scripture verses so that the listener can always check it with the Bible. I have a hard time distinguishing Joel Osteen from Norman Vincent Peale or Tony Robbins. Vauge general principles, even if seemingly positive, is suspect. And people who get deceived by such "prosperity gospel" are the people who do not check their Bibles to discern whether the speaker is coming from God or coming from somewhere else.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Joe Miller — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:51:17 -0000

This week I am teaching and leading a conversation on Acts 13. Paul here confronted the false teachers of false Gospels and brought people back to the person of Jesus...

I would not paint MD as the "Paul" in this scenario, but not all gospels the THE Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Josh Reed — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:03:50 -0000

Joel Osteen's ministry seems to focus on making people feel good about themselves. I don't believe that his mission is to preach the Word of God or lead souls to Christ. Obvisously, I do not know his heart. However, I watch his "tv show" praying that he would prove me wrong. Instead, I leave with a greater sorrow.

No one wants to preach obedience, sacrifice, or the wages of sin. Why? Because those topics do not sell books or fill offering plates.

When will we stop trying to make people feel good about themselves? When will we stop preaching to the flesh and start preaching to the soul?

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Sarah (Real Life) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:53:30 -0000

Terry, Well-stated!

"What is not in doubt is that the church (the body of Christ) will be built and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Tommy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:28:24 -0000

Yes we could be making ourselves to comfortable in the world. We can not follow the path of the worlds system. We need to embrace the principals of the Word. I have been a missionary so I don't think its just America. But America does take things for granted and we have become numb to the goodness of God and people get caught up in the World. There is truth in that. Thats why I said we need to be Kingdom minded and that has to be our mission to advance it. Slothfulness is what is keeping people back and following the worlds system.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Terry Henry — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:25:24 -0000

I think we have entered an area of communication and understanding that is actually the infrastructure of what most blogging about the Christian life revolves around.

What is not in doubt is that the church (the body of Christ) will be built and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

What it means to be salt and light is still being discussed in forums around the world. I have been a Christian since 1979 and still don't fully comprehend the mission statement to go into all the world, etc., etc.

I truly believe at this very moment that if the church
would truly be the church, what Joel Osteen does or doesn't do would not be much of an issue.

Movements are born and movements die everyday. The ones that remain are those that God allows to be built.

Walking in the spirit, with one another, means to me that just like that grain of corn, I must die in order to find fruit and life or I will remain alone.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Ben Cotten — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:54:40 -0000

It's funny that this thread has found new life again...

What do you guys make of John 17:6-19? Jesus' prayer here indicates to me that we are necessarily living in a tension between living in the world and not being of this world. I think many of the problems all of us here see in the American church stem from either not being in the world at all (sectarianism) or making ourselves too much at home in the world (syncretism).

Am I right?

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Tommy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:29:08 -0000

I believe it is the churches job to advance the Kingdom of God that will influence the culture around us. The church sometimes adapts to the culture of a white church or a black church so on and so forth. We must be Kingdom Culture in the church where we are about the Kingdom of God. In regards to different preaching in different pulpits its pretty awesome that I can go to a church that shares my views. There may be another preacher who I may not agree with but with my Kingdom culture attitude I embrace him as my brother and pray for him in private where he may be off. I will not bash him because what I sow I reap. The one thing I can respond to is that persons fruit. If its damaging people thats one thing but if its just that my beliefs are different then is it becomes an opinion and I need to be careful from bashing another brother.
Why is that?
Because thats what the pharisee did to Jesus. They weren't Kingdom Minded. They were looking at the outward appearance and from a biblical sense they did not agree with Jesus teaching and they tried to bash him to everyone and Jesus told them they were hypocrites. Thats why we need to be careful. You may not like Joel Olsteens preaching but there is fruit in his ministry and people are getting saved. His message may not be your cup of tea but are you right and he is wrong. Why is he right and you are wrong?
At the end of the day we called to love, to have the mind of Christ and we should stay out of debates that brings division to the Body. Kingdom Culture is advancing Gods Kingdom and thats what its all about, method and message is different for everyone but are you personally doing it should be our focus.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Dino — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:34:36 -0000

i agree with that Sarah... but i think its quiet opposite these days ..."Churches dont influence culture its the church which is being influenced by the culture"...
which is a very very pathetic state.
I dont know about others neither am being judgmental but i cant show love to a person who is leading my friend,family or even a foe to slaughter house.

Preachers dont realize its a matter of Life & Death of each every individual seated in their church. Churches should'nt sound like locker rooms were awesome motivational speech is delivered, believe me i can remain in the same old sinful state & yet be successful, i dont need a guy in Tuxedo to get on the stage and tell me that i can be a Victor.
instead of that what I wanna know is ...
How to get off this sinful state of mine ??? am an addict to Greed,Power,Lust,Envy & Hatred... Tell me who can set me free ??? Tell me who can wash my slate clean & give me a new start ??? Tell me how can i get over these sinful fleshy instincts of mine... teach me how to lead a God fearing Holy life ...The right answers for these Questions can redeem my soul from the Highway to Hell... The problem is who is going to give me the answers ???

its way better to hit your Gym rather than attending the church which dos'nt have answers for these ... believe me sunday church is not a weekly ritual

My buddy found a webpage which i would say is a "Treasure Chest" for christians

sermons of Mr.Zac Poonen
http://www.cfcindia.com/web...

listen to him & lemme know how is he different from our modern Celebrity Preachers

Christ be with u.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Sarah (Real Life) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:49:10 -0000

I just found this post again via Tommy's new comment. I read Terry's comment, and it made me think. I'm not sure the purpose of the church is to change the culture around us. Anyway, it might be a good topic for a post.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Tommy — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:11:48 -0000

I know this an old post but I am new to your blog. I am deeply taken back when I see one Christian bashing another one. Mark Driscoll is always bashing other people. He does not have to agree with Joel Osteens beliefs but when you keep attacking other Christians for there beliefs then are you truly walking in love. My friend and I have different beliefs in many areas in the Bible but we never argue with each other or criticize each other. We love each other. I don't know who Mark Driscoll thinks he is but there is a slippery slope when you constantly go after other Christians. He can share his beliefs about a subject without attacking people. I don't agree with him on many, many subjects but I will never bash him. If I met him I would walk in love. As a Pastor you have to be responsible to lay a good foundation. People imitate your walk in the sense of the principals you teach they are going to live them out. If you teach the principal of bashing others what will the others in his church do.
Love is something that needs to be displayed and responsible preaching and teaching.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

H. — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:28:48 -0000

Joel Osteen is a Tony Robbins the Second. He is a positive speaker not a pastor. Some churches try to change Christianity to include everyone and these folks are called false prophets. Joel is one of them. He is misleading his sheep and those who listen to him on the radio and see him on television the wrong idea of salvation. Has you ever heard his sermon on hell? I haven't and one of you will either because he doesn't speak on the topic.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Dino — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:07:15 -0000

Christians who are able to discern "Thank God" & pray for others who are being led astray... even though am an avid listener of Bro Paul washer's preaching yet i truly believe its not intentional with Bro Joel Osteen to conceal the truth,i dont want to term Joel with other Prosperity Preachers who mean business bcuz I can see love for Jesus in him, However inexperience & fame is taking its toll on the young preacher... Pls pray that the Lord works with him and brings him on track ...

Above all brethren we must realize that we should come to jesus for jesus not for money & for best life now. People can have the best life what they think is best life even without realizing the need for Jesus & go straight to Hell after death... Jesus laid the emphasis on repentance & turning away from sins so that by accepting his sacrifice we can inherit eternal life... but now Preachers are more concerned about the worldly life which totally underrates the sacrifice on the cross.
As followers of christ we shud intercede for others ... Remember Lord Almighty spared israel cos Moses interceded for them. SALVATION IS OF THE LORD. Our Lord says "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" Yet he accepted what Moses said.. What a lovely God we have. as a son calmed down his angered father Moses calmed down "The Almighty" by saying for your namesake have mercy on these people
All we can do is to pray for them so that the lord might have mercy on those souls who accept jesus expecting to gain earthly possession.... God Be with Us

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

David — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:44:22 -0000

Hello all,

Ben, you have converted me. I am now an anti-Osteen-basher!

I wrote a blog on it here: http://bigham.wordpress.com...

I am struggling with the tension between disagreeing with Joel's "message" and not knowing what to do about it. However, Ben, I agree with you that "Joel Osteen Bashing" on blogs is not the answer. For one, I doubt it will have much effect. I think Osteen supporters will just be defensive, and those who already oppose Osteen will say "Amen!"

More importantly, I think that Osteen bashing by his fellow Christians is an example of a kingdom divided against itself. I believe Joel truly is my brother in Christ, and as such believe I should take the route that Jesus prescribes in Matthew 18:15-16.

I live in Houston, so I am considering making some sort of an effort to contact Joel. I plan to at least send an e-mail with my concerns. If any of you would like to do so, they have an abundance of e-mail addresses for different parts of the church. I'm not sure which would be the best, but you can find them all here: http://www.lakewood.cc/site...

As for me, I'm planning to go for the general@lakewood.cc
I'll pray about it, get my thoughts together, and fire off an email, and hopefully it can accomplish much.

"The effective prayer of the righteous man can accomplish much" -James 5:16

I pray that the Lord will consider me righteous once again as I come before him. Not that I have any righteousness of my own merit, but that the perfect righteousness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been credited to me. And I pray that the living God would make my prayers effective, for His name and His glory, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Roberta — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:52:04 -0000

I use to watch Joel Osteen all the time until I heard him on Larry King. Why did I watch him? I often ask myself that. Like everyone else...it's nice to have someone that makes you "feel" good. Isn't that what we all want?

I was upset to hear that he does not represent the Cross because he doesn't want to offent anyone. (????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????) If you don't/won't represent the Cross then, in my opinion, you don't represent Christ and that would be considered "false" teachings.

Jesus did not go around trying to make everyone "feel" good. He taught about love and forgiveness. Which, by the way ,He spoke to me in 2005 and said there were only two things that we had to do here(other than putting God first) is to love and forgive. Look how many times that appears in the bible! Amazing! Why do we overlook things that are so important?

BUT WHOA! Look at this world. We cannot even do something so simple. I have forgiven myself for falling for Joel Osteen and I forgive Joel Osteen; I simply no longer watch him. The bible says if something offends you then pluck it out. I did and I thank God for awakening my spirtit w/ the truth.

The bible warns us of "false" teachings and we do need to educate others of such teachings. The bible also says that in the latter days, men will be lovers of themselves. Think about that. Again, we all want that "feel" good feeling and will do most anything to achieve that. AND the bible also says that many will fall away from the truth.

We are not here for ourselves. We are here to serve the Lord. Remember what Jesus said? I came not to be served but to serve. We are to be Christ like.

Haven't you heard WWJD? Again, Jesus would not go around telling/teaching people what to do to "feel" better. Does Joel Osteen every quote any scriptures? I don't know because I no longer watch him. He never did the time when I "use" to watch him.

In my opinion, most of the TV teachers/preachers are no more than gloified salespeople with a hefty salary! Read up on some of them. You will be ever amazed. One stated that Adam flew in space (????????) One has bodyguards (????????) Did Jesus have a bodyguard?????? My bible never mentions that fact. One will not allow you to "join" their church until you have shown them your income tax statement, i.e. how much money you make.(????????????????)

What about ATM's in churches now?????? Were is all of this scripture???? AGAIN, the bible warns us of all of this. In case you haven't figured it out yet, WE ARE in the latter days and we should be preparing our spirit,our soles, and lead others to Christ or otherwise the blood will be on on hands.

Again, several things to re-mention: Love and forgive one another as Christ has you. If something offends you pluck it out and finally go unto/into the world and preach to all nations. That's all scripture(-sorry it's not directly quoted)

So, if we follow the bible, then we should be able to control our tongue and get busy trying to serve God rather than throwing stones. Time is ticking away, quickly.

Are you perfect? Without sin? Do you have a stone to throw?

Love and forgive and see how things change.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

John — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:31:01 -0000

Ben,

I agree with you - Joel is being bashed. Joel is off track theologically. I assume and trust that Joel is a Christian.

And Mark is off theologically if he has not attempted to communicate to Joel personally. I think that Mark's message is "bashing". More important than what I think about Mark, I think Joel would feel "bashed" by this video if he saw it - not edified. I think we need to be more careful of what we communicate as christians. We are know less about our love and more about what behaviors we are against.

Do we really need to gather in our "holy huddles" and finger point? I don't know. I know this, God has called me to love Him with everything and love my neighbors myself. Lord, hear my prayer: give us the ability to call on You so that we can bring glory to You.

May God bless us in our thoughts, words and actions,

John

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Martha Margaret — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:22:52 -0000

See, Mr. Hamilton is saying what I'm talking about. I would never bash Joel's personality or his "way" of doing church, but when he crosses over into inaccuracy, he MUST be judged by us, his brothers and sisters in Christ. Our world is so PC today, it's hard to remember what our responsibility as Christians are sometimes.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

David Hamilton — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:26:19 -0000

I would agree with you about Driscoll being wrong here, IF Joel Osteen did not have the impact and the following that he has.
I did a blog in response to an article I read about Osteen, and I was critical of Osteen in the blog. Driscoll's video actually convicted me. I think that he did it the right way, and I might have done it the wrong way. I did not take into account that Joel is my Christian brother. I think that I should have at the very least prefaced my blog by saying something like, "Joel Osteen is my brother in Christ, but..."

Still, I think that Joel Osteen, and other similar prosperity preachers, are a big issue in American Christianity today. I think that the worst thing about Osteen and his message is that I can see how a lot of people could come into contact with his message, agree with him, and think that they "have it." When they really don't. And I fear that if somebody shared the Gospel with that person, they might react something like, "Oh I don't need that, I've got what Joel Osteen says and I like his way better."

And I don't necessarily agree with the comment that Jesus died on the cross so that we don't have to suffer. I think that Christianity promises suffering, and there are passages in the New Testament that explicitly state that. I'm pressed for time right now, or I would add a couple of those here.

One just came to mind- I don't know the exact verse, but I'm pretty sure its in 2 Timothy, its definitely in one of the Timothy's:
Don't have the exact verse, but the gist is that if you strive to live a godly life, you will be persecuted.
I don't think that we should necessarily seek out persecution, but we definitely need to be living more godly lives. Even if means that persecution is promised. Paul "boasts" in all of the beatings he received for preaching the Gospel.

Oh that I had such boastings!

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Ben Cotten — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:18:23 -0000

Just so we're clear... I'm not defending Joel Osteen so much as I'm saying that we need to get better at criticism. I have some of the same problems with the Osteen message as you guys do. I just take issue with criticism that isn't done in humility and crosses the line into mockery.

I wish Mark Driscoll had given Joel Osteen the same treatment that he gave Doug Pagitt and Brian MacLaren at the Convergent Conference recently. Humble, direct and sincere.

Here's a link to it. Scroll down to his session on Sept. 21.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Brently Church — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:41:50 -0000

Oh no, Joels the antichrist! Mr. Driscoll better be carefull or Big O will send out his thugs and break his legs!

I like Osteen, he has a nitch and is doing a good job at being warm and fuzzy. He's no John Hagee or Billy Graham and definitely no Ben Cotten! :) There's alot more to serving GOD than the "warm and fuzzy" though. Thats just to easy and, oh yea, we are all guilty of it. As americans ascetic living isn't our strong point and Joel Osteen isn't any help.

To me it sounds like Paul and James are at it again.
Throwing stones, causes a nice dynamic though, makes you think. Whoosh, hey! sorry gotta go, stone almost got me. Oh you wanna play huh, it's on now.

Re: Joel Osteen Bashing

Heather Cotten — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:35:07 -0000

Ok. I really do agree that we shouldn't bash Joel Osteen in a public sermon. I really don't know much about the guy to be honest with you. From what I can tell he is void of sound theology and doctrine. It is so important to not build a ministry simply around personality. I listened to Joel's most recent sermon from their website and he said something that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

He said that he isn't called to teach "any kind of deep theology or doctrinal stuff" but just wanted to encourage people. People who criticize him are only jealous of his success. He doesn't listen to his critics because they bring him down.

Ok... so if he isn't teaching theology or doctrine, what is he teaching instead?