Wow you guys really sparked a nerve...
A whole 9-10 responses in this thread.
I am just wondering how many people he has brought into faith by being ultra accessible and running his church successfully.
While he may not be perfect.. Are YOU?
That said, Romans 6:1-2 is quite instructive in dealing with those who have come to faith without proper instruction on the value and importance of repentance.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" - Romans 6:1-2
So, let's go back to the question at hand:
"When asked directly if people whom are openly practicing homosexuals are accepted into the Kingdom, Joel Osteen responded with “Absolutely, anybody is.”
If that's the kind of faith Joel Osteen is preaching -- supposedly based in the Word and divinity of Christ but not in adherence to His teaching -- it's the wrong faith. Is that the kind of success God wants for Osteen's ministry?
I'm far from perfect. I'd fry in Hell without God's grace, but I am very glad I have it. But you need to make the effort to distance yourself from sin, and the question Osteen was asked seems to have dealt with those who do not make the attempt.
How can he “bring people into faith” when he doesn’t preach the gospel???
Well, he bought the Compaq Center, former home of the Houston Rockets, when the Rockets got a new arena. Reportedly, he draws over 16,000 to a service. If there is one thing Joel Osteen clearly knows about, it's church growth.
I atteneded one service in the old location prior to their move to the Summit. Nothing like having to park 1/2 mile away and walk. When one got to the sanctuary, the parking lot of was full of high dollar luxery cars. THese belonged to the those employed by the church.
The service started out fine. 20 minutes of the Praise Band, a very good production. Then the offering, but before the offering I was thrilled to listen to his wife for 30 minutes extol the virtues of giving to church. (sarcasm). Then there was the 20 to 30 minute motivational speech (not a sermon), and bam - Service over. Interesting the offering call was just as long as the (sermon).
This was not to say who is perfect or who is not, but when a person decides that taking the Word out of the Word is indeed correct, then it is time for him to examine their lives and get right w/ God. No one is perfect, but as Christians, we are called to be like Jesus..Christ like to be exact. We are also called to reach out to people and bring as many to God as we can.
Brought into faith of what? That is what is so sad about what he is doing. He is not leading people to repentance of sin and a saving knowledge of the blood sacrifice of Christ. People are being fooled by this man and his false teachings. He is dangerous.