Is joel osteen a true christian ....

in this article i want to examine an interview that Oprah Winfrey conducted with Joel Osteen .. even though many have done video responses to this in the last 10 month ... i feel there is still a great need to correct this type of thinking
as it is being promoted as christian belief around the world

it is important for us as christian to recognise a sheep in Wolf skin, as we go along bare in mind Paul's words to timothy  in 2 timothy 3 "having the appearance of Godliness but denying its power" ... a false preacher when one comes up .. and this interview provides us with this opportunity .. Oprah starts with

did it take a while for you to find your voice? 

it did, it did it took me a while but then i got comfortable and said okay, i don't have to quote several scripture or a really long one to feel like i am doing the right thing

i felt like like i got into my groove when i started to encourage people, telling stories and apart of the scripture and making it applicable like today just stir up your gifts

you get criticism from both sides his doing too much of this, not enough of that .. but when i got comfortable from growing into the person God wanted me to be 

i think that's when it began to take off

Immediately a true christian who is familiar with all the new testaments teaching on these matter must recognize how unbiblical such thinking is : a pastor has to meet a set of standards found in the letters of Paul especially 1 and 2 timothy and Titus .. these give us much of the important point for a pastor to follow but one thing which needs to mentioned here is Paul constant warning of proclaiming the word of the lord in season and out of season (2 timothy 4 : 2 -3)

this is the most important focus of a pastor who has been given the awesome responsability must be able to show a love for Gods word by preaching it fully

as a brother in the lord has correctly stated on this issue "I have become convinced that nothing less than the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at stake when we speak of the Gospel in preaching" to which i only add one thing ... although the authorr of the above quotation is aimed at a wide range of different types of pulpit crimes .. nevertheless Joel's type of preach comes directly in this line of thought     

we need to see that Joel is self help, prosperity, name it and claim motivational teach who makes reference to the bible to make a false application

now we need to consider a few points in the above answer 

Firstly ... in these words "i felt like like i got into my groove when i started to encourage people, telling stories and apart of the scripture and making it applicable like today just stir up your gifts"

a pastors role is not to feel good about his own inclination but to be faithful in preaching the word the lord.  Also consider the terms "encourage others"  and "tell stories" in this we need to note that the only encouragement a christian actually need is spiritual food (the gospel is the only thing in view), personal stories are not the words christian need to hear          

Secondly ....   in these words "but when i got comfortable from growing into the person God wanted me to be, i think that's when it began to take off" 

Note the theme in these words is based on a feeling; how does he know that this role he has assumed is truly from God ...  the moment one gets comfortable in his style of preaching this is when pride and ego takes control ... especially if yo do not know the God of the bible as it is evident with Joel.

lets make a final point in this section .... Joel states that he does not feel need or see the importance of preaching the bible with consistency and clarity in these words "it did, it did it took me a while but then i got comfortable and said okay, i don't have to quote several scripture or a really long one to feel like i am doing the right thing." The only voice that a pastor must be faithful to is that of his lord; who said that we should be preached the spiritual food which is found in the bible alone.

                                                   

some of the Christians are saying you are preaching prosperity 

i was reading some of the critics and i was thinking "well why would any body criticize you for preaching prosperity because what kind of God wants you to be poor and miserable 

That's the way i feel as well, i don't know who would say your suppose to leave your children better off than before.. so prosperity is not just material gain, it is peace in the mind and health in the body and so there's  belief  that your suppose to suffer but i don't see the bible that way

i see that God came, that Jesus came to die that we may live an abundant life .. a blessing to others

i can't be a blessing to others if I'm poor, broke and depressed

Here is a classic case of evading the real issue of the bible, and raise a non - related issue in its place. But nevertheless we shall see that it can be answered 

we first note that we have an agreement be reach between the host and the hostee  that they ""well why would any body criticise you for preaching prosperity because what kind of God wants you to be poor and miserable" 

In this we see a general misplaced understanding of what the bible and Christianity is all about, and it is not surprising as neither are true Christians. What we have is a spiritualist, new-ager who denies Jesus being the one and only true path to God the father and a false teacher of prosperity.

let us dispel these two points in Joel's answer 

a)  "i don't know who would say your suppose to leave your children better off than before.. so prosperity is not just material gain, it is peace in the mind and health in the body"

so we see in these words  a possible truth in it that prosperity is not just "material gain, it is peace in the mind and health in the body," while what is being stated is potentially correct, there is still a very dark and engulfing evil lurking in this belief.  Since it leaves people in physical term-oil (debt and so forth) and even worse spiritual term-oil as it is a spirit of the world that makes one bankrupt and lead them to reject the truth of the gospel for a lie

b) "so there's  belief  that your suppose to suffer but i don't see the bible that wayi see that God came, that Jesus came to die that we may live an abundant life .. a blessing to othersi can't be a blessing to others if I'm poor, broke and depressed"

This is completely missing the point; it is not that your suppose to suffer.. but that suffering is inevitable when your in Christ 

Note just two scriptures of the many on the subject at hand 

*    “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

* If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you

 So it is clear that to be a follower of Jesus means that you are not your own person but totally belong to him; and one of the many things that comes from being his: is those who hate him also hate you.
Then we see in the last second a complete misunderstanding of john 10 ... Jesus word abundant does not refer to a rich and successful life with all you desire, no, it refers to the life of a christian dedicate to the lord and have full assurance of his salvation in Christ

when you were being criticized by the Christians who were more fundamental or more into their faith by saying "there was not enough doctrine, not enough of Christ in the messages

well you know, again Oprah .. i try to get up in the mornings and just search my own heart and say "God am I doing what you want me to do" 

and i feel if i can be pure and feel good before God then i don't have to, you know always have to listen to other people .. however if i receive good criticism

 but i feel i don't have to answer to anybody but God 

here lies the problem in Joel answer,  "I try to get up in the mornings and just search my own heart and say "God am I doing what you want me to do." This answer reveals a common humanistic view that we can know our own heart and whether it is good in God sight or if it is bad. 

The bible is very clear on this point unless you are in Christ which means preaching the bible to those who are classed as Christians in his church

lets consider some texts of scripture in understand why this answer is not commendable.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things,

    and desperately sick;

    who can understand it?

¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart

    and test the mind,

to give every man according to his ways,

    according to the fruit of his deeds.”

And also 

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds,

    there is none who does good.

² The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,

    to see if there are any who understand,

    who seek after God.

³ They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;

    there is none who does good,

    not even one.

Above we see Jeremiah 17 : 9 -10 and psalms 14 :1 -3; this is just two scriptures that form the basis of the truth that man is dead in sin and can not do what is right in the sight of God. 

On top of this, we have Paul's 3rd chapter of Romans which take a similar approach to the second passage, though there is more to it  than this one old testament scripture (psalms 14 . 1-3, 53:1-3, psalms 5 :9 psalms 140 :3 , psalms 10:7, proverb 1: 7, 3:15-17, Isaiah 59 :7-8, psalms 36 :1). So we see that Joel's comment is not in line with the scriptural truth on this matter ... you can search you heart you want but the self deception that you are dwelt in will only allow you to see thing in the manner you are accustomed too

think about this information as it means no man on his own merit can come before God ... the only path is through Christ and the work of the spirit in regeneration and this is only for those who God has chosen  .. it is called regeneration of the elect

and clearly this whole argument reveal you are not one of the elect as you think your own good is what allows you to be good in Gods sight

the question of "not answering to any one but God" .. is only partial correct .. in that the final judgement is God ... but all Christians are answerable to one another just think of the following scriptures 

  Brothers if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ² Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

Here is one of the many scriptures which teaches us the importance of supporting the body in times of trouble .. and this is just one aspect of it ... since in Paul's letter and other it is seen that we have the duty to call people out on error

while Joel says he is open to friendly criticism ..... but not harsh variety ... to this we simply say that the use of being deceived and kept in deception by those you deceive does not produce spiritual fruit ... we have to take good and bad criticism in our teaching Good in the area that strong, bad in area that needs to reformed or strengthened to be right

The big question ... are there many paths to get to the one God 

Well I believe Oprah that there are, there, Jesus is the way to the one God  .. I believe there are many paths to Jesus 

you don't know how Jesus would reveal himself to somebody .... so im not into excluding anyone 

Jesus can reveal  himself to anybody

This is such an interesting statement for the few points it doesn't state so clearly in word but is nevertheless seen in the content of what is stated

1 ... in these words "I believe that Jesus is the way to the one God," this may sound like he is speaking the biblical truth but the problem lies in the last few words of this statement "to the one God" this seems to indicate something that is not anywhere seen in the bible namely that CHRIST IS NOT THE ONE TRUE GOD; though his not the Father nor the Spirit but still he is biblically revealed as being GOD.

Even more important to note this TV personality never mentions anything biblically related to the key issues; the seriousness of man in sin, Jesus being the atonement for that sin through his shed blood on the cross, his resurrection to vindicate his claims of deity, and that by the work on the cross he truly saves those who are entrusted to his care.
Such important focus' are amiss in his sermon based "self help" styled motivational speeches that passed off as sermons, and he is like wise seen as a pastor which he is not.

2 ... in these words "but I believe there are many ways to Jesus" it would appear that a Jesus is the goal of his thoughts. It is almost like a race for the gold medal, but note the key phrase "many ways to Jesus" ...
We are not even given a indication what these ways, paths actually are
biblically their is only one way to Jesus .. by the triune Gods sovereign hand in the event; this being that the Father draws man to Christ .. this come by the hearing of the gospel and the work of the Spirit in making man acceptable to God, this is regeneration.
And once this all occurs then our lives are steadily transformed to the image of Christ through sanctification.

While this response is a good one in some manner; there is one point that keeps resurfacing "why does Joel not speak on such important issues in his services" all true christian needs to hear the biblical truths. 

And not have this continual message self centered hope that Joel experience and claims others can experience, if they try harder, aim higher, have some worldly goals. This is not biblical it is anti biblical pet talk ... to follow this means you are not following Christ and hence you are not a christian

The second point to how Jesus reveals himself; I do not need to consider as it is a true point but i need to refocus attention on how man comes to CHRIST.  The FATHER draws the elect, through the SPIRIT and the WORD unto CHRIST.
This is the only truth that a christian needs to hear; the bible takes the stronger priority not selfish talk on ones own life. It is Christ.

does that mean all people (all races ) obviously in your church we saw people of all races ... i can't, i can't imagine how you have 16,000 people and none of them are gay

so do you believe people who are gay will be accepted in heaven 

absolutely.... i believe they will, because i believe you have to have forgiveness for your sin sometimes we look at being gay as if its a bigger sin than being proud or not telling the truth .. i don't think God categorisezes sin  

This question seems to suggest that being gay is a civil issue and not a sin  .. let us dispel this confusion.

In recent years the gay movement has high jacket the civil right movement which is a race based movement that concerned the rights of the black people in the world through 40's to 60's. And the idea that the gays can claim a similar right to exist is to deny it being a sinful perversion .. there is no true parallel in these areas. 

God does not condemn people for being a different skin color; he condemns people based on mans preference to commit a sin and be alienated from God. 

To further prove this point we will go to the bible and show the difference in Gods sight,

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Here are two passages which effectively put this mix up to rest in the christian life there is no distinction of colour .. racism is something that belongs to the old flesh and has no place in the christian living

but this also apply to homosexual lifestyle it is something which is seen as being unregenerate lifestyle (1 Corinthians 6 :9)   and is clearly a violation of God moral law

at least he had the opportunity to state that he does not see homosexual living as godly life style by saying it is seen as sin, but then double tracks by saying absolutely to the idea of homosexuals going to heaven ...

the answer is if they repent of the wickedness and turn to God then yes... but if they insist on living this perversion, then there is no hope of it


conclusion 

as we have seen in this examination of this interview Joel osteen is not a christian nor is he a pastor since a pastors role is to teach and preach the bible inside out, in and out of season .. which he does not at all .. he uses self help, motivational methods, and a demonic overview such as new age philosophy, and the law of attraction, and selective citing of bible verses (which in context contradicts the other thoughts in the whole system he is apart of) 
take the following words for example

"our words have a creative power and whenever you speak out either good or bad -- we are giving life to what we are saying" the scriptures say "we are going to eat the fruit of our words" that means we are going to get exactly what we are saying  - here's the key you gotta send your words out in the direction you want to go -- a man who spoke negative and this attitude brought his life to an end

and also

you expectations is your faith at work --- when you expect all things to go in your favor -- your faith is being released -- and that allows God to bring it too pass

 in this small example of Joel talks we see a few common themes arise from it .. firstly the misplaced understanding of what faith is  in the idea of "speaking faith into existence" this lead to a fault biblical application of faith as biblical speaking faith is a gift and a work that God does in the elect. secondly God is not some puppet on a string that you can manipulate into doing things for you ... it is his choice in what he does with us thirdly joels biblical appplication and understanding are faulty as well as seen in the article i wrtoe on him in march this year
called "joel osteen and the law of atraction" also consider  "examing joel osteen style of preaching .. the above qoutation can be found in the first
so the answe to the original question "is joel osteen a true Christian"  is a resounding and truthful NO