Posted on 01/24/2024 1:38:12 PM PST by Morgana
I’m not a follower of him or Joyce Meyer and others.
I realize the “prosperity preachers” rub the other people the wrong way. Either from jealousy or from sincere concern for those who could be fleeced of money and falsely led astray from genuine Christian teachings.
There is an interesting book Health, Wealth and Happiness —Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed to the Gospel of Christ? by Dr. David W. Jones and Dr.Russell S. Woodbridge (both professors at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary).
They show specifics of such things as Joel Osteen cutting off part of a Bible passage in order to highlight the nearly magical results of faith but glossing over examples of Jesus telling followers to be prepared to accept being the target of enemies and having to sacrifice.
The problem I have is that such books as both produce nearly one a year or so, contain hope for hopeless people. Anxiety, loss, lack of self-confidence and other topics for people who need help from somewhere. Sadly they will not prosper and have all the best outcomes any more than non-followers but maybe it gives them a little happiness. As long as no one signs over their worldly goods for the cause.
Your pastor is a multi-millionaire fraud, living in a multi-million dollar mansion who doesn't preach the gospel nor know the first thing about the bible.
What has you pastor done to advance Christianity both domestically and abroad?
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks".
"Though Lakewood Church has full attendance each week and Joel even streams his 90-minute services for the public to watch, he doesn't take the $200,000 salary he could as a pastor there. Instead, he makes nearly $55 million each year from his book career and speaking engagements." - Re: https://www.distractify.com/p/how-did-joel-osteen-make-his-money
I've listened to Joel's preaching on TV from Lakewood church a number of times. I never felt compelled or coerced to send an offering. Just because a church is a mega-church doesn't mean it doesn't have a place or purpose in the body of Christ.
For you to say that members of Lakewood are following a cult is just wrong. If anyone wants to know what Lakewood church teaches and believes, I suggest you check out their website: https://www.lakewoodchurch.com/about
Chill. He's not MY pastor; I've barely heard of him. If he has some money and a nice house, that is none of my business. The attack dogs like to take cheap shots, so your opinion that he is a fraud is just your opinion. Others disagree, I guess. It is no skin off my back. If others admire him and donate to his church, that's none of my business. Or yours.
All I know is that I have been repeatedly ripped off by beautiful, successful, rich, “found myself / found Jesus” evangelicals.
My favorite was one who took me and my enterprise for a massive sum. He actually said “my word is my bond” and kept waiting to sign a contract while work began, and continued.
We worked almost a year... Then he walked, leaving us high and dry, having done all the work to build what he presently profits from. I remember the “my word is my bond” line, thinking of Jerry McGuire. It was a red flag.
I ignored it. I believed.
I remember he gave me a crucifix as a gift. Me, a Jew. That was creepy, but I didn’t see the red flag. And I will always remember a year’s work, and the heartbreak, and the loss... And I will never trust such a person again.
In any case, he is “forgiven,”right? And I am an idiot for not getting a signed agreement FIRST, right? But I trusted, and believed.
He was not the first but will be the last such person I work with without an ironclad agreement.
Too bad.
Oh well. All he did was rip off some Jews, so I am sure he doesn’t lose sleep over it.
And that was just one of maybe five nightmare business stories with this certain type of self-righteous “Christian.” Not to mention unpaid bills, which seem countless looking back.
Nope... They all consider themselves “forgiven.” It is a daily absolution, and the victims? Well, we’re just part of the routine.
Lets talk about that Pope shall we. Lets talk about your fake piety
What you mention is how Boys Town does it with xx number of kids at a residence and house parents.
It’s pretty hypocritical for Catholics to condemn prosperity preachers in light of their own church’s wealth, holdings, and lifestyle of their clergy.
How is he a charlatan? He asks people to send him money and they do.
The congregation is a mix of older and younger people. It is in Bellevue, WA which has a LOT of wealth, but also more and more poverty as it grows.
The church does LOTS of great work in the community and partners with other churches. The churches are actually allowed to run the sports programs in many of the middle schools, with more and more schools trying to get in the system. They obviously can’t preach, but they do show by example God’s love - and teach good sportsmanship, etc.
“I’ve got 15-year old boys on my team, and most of them didn’t know how to shake a man’s hand! We do that now before and after every game.”
The grades and school performance of the kids on the sports teams is unbelievable compared to those not on the teams.
Sadly - they became more and more woke after George Floyd. The last straw was having a transgender person be elected to the regional denominational board. Everyone from our church voted no, but the other churches still elected him. That was too much. Sad because it really was (and still is in many ways) a great church.
Heh - when I first wrote “denominational” I spelled it “demoninational”. Maybe I shouldn’t have corrected it.
Are you talking about Lakewood Church where Osteen is pastor? Lakewood is located in Houston TX.
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