Comments on: My Take on Joel Osteen http://www.brianandrewdodson.com/my-take-on-joel-osteen/ the official blog of nothing terribly important Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:51:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Alex http://www.brianandrewdodson.com/my-take-on-joel-osteen/#comment-572 Alex Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:52:54 +0000 http://www.brianandrewdodson.com/?p=631#comment-572 This just about sums up Joel's call to ministry: In the 2004 Charisma article, -it stated, “With his father sick in the hospital, John asks his son, Joel, to preach for him that Sunday. Initially Joel balked at the idea and said “no.” He then relented and here are Joel’s own words concerning his preaching that day: I just got up there and told stories. I was so glad when it was over, I said, ‘I’ll never do this again in my life” (Charisma, June 2004, p.44). After his father died in 1999 Joel Osteen reluctantly stepped up to become Lakewood's minister. Since then, some things have changed while other things have not. He has become Americas perfect model for the mega-church, and is now among the most known TV teachers, having gained the admiration of millions who watch him every week on television. He cannot be categorized among the TV evangelists, nor would he want to be. Part of the reason for Lakewood Churches success is the charming style of Osteen’s personality. You will never hear a discouraging word; being positive is what his ministry is all about. He is well-dressed, very expressive in his delivery and at times has some practical wisdom. If Joel Osteen was dragged "kicking and screaming" into the pastorate, how strong can his convictions be concerning his calling to sustain him in ministry? Probably about as strong as his anemic theology. Don't get me wrong, if I could find a nit of truth upon which to commend Osteen, I would. However, he is not only "Gospel Light", he is Lakewood's version of the handsome, well-groomed face of "Chicken Soup for the Spiritually Searching (Albeit Ignorant) Soul." Interestingly, his father, John, was ordained a Southern Baptist minister and, to be fair, was more concerned with evangelism than his son. He could bring simultaneous truth on health & wealth and the reality of sin and hell--intriguing, to say the least. Yet, even after Lakewood Church prayed for him, claiming healing from God, john Osteen died of kidney complications at the age of 77. Check out this link and read the entire article to learn more about John & Joel Osteen: http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm This just about sums up Joel’s call to ministry:
In the 2004 Charisma article, -it stated, “With his father sick in the hospital, John asks his son, Joel, to preach for him that Sunday. Initially Joel balked at the idea and said “no.” He then relented and here are Joel’s own words concerning his preaching that day: I just got up there and told stories. I was so glad when it was over, I said, ‘I’ll never do this again in my life” (Charisma, June 2004, p.44). After his father died in 1999 Joel Osteen reluctantly stepped up to become Lakewood’s minister. Since then, some things have changed while other things have not. He has become Americas perfect model for the mega-church, and is now among the most known TV teachers, having gained the admiration of millions who watch him every week on television. He cannot be categorized among the TV evangelists, nor would he want to be. Part of the reason for Lakewood Churches success is the charming style of Osteen’s personality. You will never hear a discouraging word; being positive is what his ministry is all about. He is well-dressed, very expressive in his delivery and at times has some practical wisdom.

If Joel Osteen was dragged “kicking and screaming” into the pastorate, how strong can his convictions be concerning his calling to sustain him in ministry? Probably about as strong as his anemic theology. Don’t get me wrong, if I could find a nit of truth upon which to commend Osteen, I would. However, he is not only “Gospel Light”, he is Lakewood’s version of the handsome, well-groomed face of “Chicken Soup for the Spiritually Searching (Albeit Ignorant) Soul.”
Interestingly, his father, John, was ordained a Southern Baptist minister and, to be fair, was more concerned with evangelism than his son. He could bring simultaneous truth on health & wealth and the reality of sin and hell–intriguing, to say the least. Yet, even after Lakewood Church prayed for him, claiming healing from God, john Osteen died of kidney complications at the age of 77.

Check out this link and read the entire article to learn more about John & Joel Osteen: http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm

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