Thank both of you for your enlightening posts. I usually pass by Joel Osteen when I am flipping through the channels on Sunday Morning, but next time I think I'll stop and take a look. Everyone seems to paint horns and a tail on Joel, but I suspect he is sincere and I have no reason to doubt his salvation.
Doctrinally he may be a bowl of mush and maybe he's better suited as a motivational evangelist than the pastor of a church, but as a pastor of a church that I don't go to, Joel is not accountable to me, he is accountable to God and to those to whom he has been called to lead.
It is refreshing to see some postive comments here. I'll be sure to catch a glimpse of his sermons next time I'm channel surfing. I'm sure he's more orthodox than the leadership of many of today's traditional denominations. That's not saying much, but like his apology, it is a step in the right direction.
Well, since he has such a national following, we have every right... actually a responsibility... to examine his teaching and offer refutations.
Everyone seems to paint horns and a tail on Joel, but I suspect he is sincere and I have no reason to doubt his salvation.
Sincerity is not an excuse however. Like I said, time will tell. The initial note is promising. If he continues in the direction that note sets, I will 'rejoice and be glad' -- but for now I just have hope that he will do that, until he proves me wrong.
Osteen isn't worth the effort to listen to unlewss you simply want to confirm that he is way off on some pretty important doctrines that even Neeners and the GRPL bekieve in.