A New Generation Of Ministers

We begin with some important background information to help us understand what Osteen's really all about. From the Lakewood Church website under "Pastor Joel Osteen" we are told that he is:

a native Houstonian, has committed his life to serving and helping every person, regardless of background and economic status, to achieve their fullest potential. Having started Lakewood's television outreach ministry, Joel Osteen worked side-by-side with his father, Pastor John Osteen, for 17 years,... (http://www.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=abt_joelosteen, emphasis added)

One can already see Joel Osteen's derailment from the function of the pastoral office. While it is certainly noble that he “has committed his life to serving and helping every person achieve their fullest potential,” this is not exactly what Christ has sent His pastors to do. Our role for the Lord is to proclaim His Gospel and to feed and nurture His sheep when God the Holy Spirit brings them to the Great Shepherd as the Father draws them. Our Lord must decide whatever their “fullest potential” may be, and this will not always lead to success as measured by the corrupt standards of this evil world system.

And then over at Osteen’s own personal website (this should already send up a red flag) we read:

Joel Osteen has quickly become a leading voice for a new generation of ministers. After becoming Senior Pastor in October of 1999, Lakewood Church has more than quadrupled its weekly attendance and is one of America's most diverse churches. According to Forbes.com and Outreach magazine Lakewood is the largest and fastest growing congregation in America with over 28,000 in attendance each weekend. (http://www.joelosteen.com/site/PageServer?pagename=AboutJoel)

However, this "new generation of ministers" is not really so new as they have already been forecast when the Bible clearly says – For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). You are about to see how Joel Osteen is doin ghis part to fulfills this passage of the Word of God, smiling all the while as he spreads his not so little lies (and who is the father of lies).

I Don't Know What Christ Sent Me To Preach

What I'm going to show here is a disgraceful lack of biblical understanding for someone who is a senior pastor, and who also "worked side-by-side with his father, Pastor John Osteen, for 17 years." You would think that during his time working with his pastor father, Osteen might have learned more than just how to open his mouth in order to exchange feet. Many of us have already seen Joel Osteen's appearance on Larry King Live, and you probably know that he has "apologized" (somewhat) for his being "unclear" in what he was saying (not saying) about the way of salvation. I'll share a little bit of it Osteen’s letter of apology here even though for some reason it is no longer accessible on his own Site:

It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as to what I believe and Whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life.

Jesus declared in John 14; I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. I believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation. However, it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to review the transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven. It’s about the individual’s choice to follow Him.

God has given me a platform to present the Gospel to a very diverse audience. In my desire not to alienate the people that Jesus came to save, I did not clearly communicate the convictions that I hold so precious. (http://www.joelosteen.com/site/PageServer?pagename=LarryKingLetter)

While all of us make mistakes, what is missed here in this instance is that someone truly called by Christ to be a pastor would be keenly aware of what he has been sent by his Master to say. He's not going to have to "review the transcript" to see that he "was unclear on the very thing" Christ has sent him to preach. And if Joel Osteen is too afraid of "the people that Jesus came to save," that he is not able to "clearly communicate the convictions that" are held as "so precious," then he needs to read James 3:1 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Upon Further Review

Let's look at a couple of things from the transcript of that Larry King Live appearance as it relates to the little lies told by man-pleasers like Joel Osteen, even as they smile.

KING: But don't you think if people don't believe as you believe, they're somehow condemned?

OSTEEN: You know, I think that happens in our society. But I try not to do that. I tell people all the time, preached a couple Sundays about it. I'm for everybody. You may not agree with me, but to me it's not my job to try to straighten everybody out. The Gospel called the good news. My message is a message of hope, that's God's for you. You can live a good life no matter what's happened to you. And so I don't know. I know there is condemnation but I don't feel that's my place. (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0506/20/lkl.01.html)

What is really nauseatingly pathetic here is a supposed minister of the Gospel, who as such would be sent forth by the Creator of the universe Himself, cowering there before someone who-as a Jew-is even one of his Lord's chosen people; and yet a another great opportunity to evangelize Larry King was squandered. But this is the problem with the pastor by personality approach of the Evangelical community today. Couple this with a healthy dose of armininian acquiescence to placate the self-esteem of sinners and you have Osteen's version of Rick Warren's "stealth" evangelism, which the Pied Piper of Purpose Driven in turn picked up from the heretic Robert Schuller.

Why you'd think at least Osteen would go into the seeker sensitive pastor's favorite verse John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Oh, and let's not forget verse 17 – For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Now, before you send me all kinds of nasty letters I am in no way denigrating God's Word here, what I am doing here is making a point about of the severe twisting of it by the false prophets of the modern Church Growth Movement.

These verses are almost always presented in a way to take God's love out of context, when this critical subject should be balanced with Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Be that as it may, you’d think that Joel Osteen could have shared these Scriptures with Larry King. Of course it would have been even better to read all the way through to verse 18 of John chapter 3 – Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This would have been a great opportunity to say to King:

“Larry, you need to understand that these words were spoken by Jesus of Nazareth Himself. Christ’s Apostle John is our eyewitness and he recorded for us that God in human flesh said that He hadn't come to condemn the world because all of us are already condemned by our own sin. But Larry, the Good News is that by placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord, you will be saved from that condemnation. Isn't that great?”

Although he probably wasn’t aware of it himself, Larry King was really asking pastor Joel Osteen to confirm what he knows deep in his own heart: I'm not right with God am I? But instead Osteen lied when he said: "And so I don't know. I know there is condemnation but I don't feel that's my place." It's not your place as a pastor to tell the truth? Then is it your place as a minister of the Gospel to at least share the Scriptures? Osteen could have said: I know there is condemnation due to our sin, but the Good News is when you surrender your life to Jesus, the Bible says – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

The Lies Of The Man-Pleasers

Here are a couple of other examples of the lies of the man-pleasers as Larry King asks “Pastor” Joel Osteen:

KING: What is the prosperity gospel?

OSTEEN: I think the prosperity gospel in general is -- well I don't know. I hear it too. I don't know. I think what sometimes you see is it's just all about money. That's not what I believe. It's the attitude of your heart, and so you know, we believe -- but I do believe this, that God wants us to be blessed. He wants us to be able to send our kids to college, excel in our careers. But prosperity to me, Larry, is not just money, it's having health. What good is money if you don't have health?

Osteen is being very misleading and disingenuous when he says – "Well I don't know. I hear it too." Yeah, you've heard it too all right; from your "daddy" Pastor John Osteen whom you worked side by side with for 17 years! The senior Osteen was clearly known as a Word Faith teacher, and regularly preached this aberrant prosperity "gospel." Oh and then there’s this little bit of information from Osteen himself:

Sometimes it is hard for us to grasp that God wants us to prosper in every way...God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us. One of the most important Biblical principles that shows us how to prosper is the principle of sowing and reaping...

People tell me, "Joel, He is God. If He wants to bless me, He can." Friend, God works by laws. You can't expect to reap a harvest without first planting your seeds. If you will be faithful and do what God is asking you to do, God will do His part. Don't let the enemy deceive you into holding on to your seed--get it into the ground!

As you read this, God may be speaking to your heart. Trust that He will direct you how and where He wants you to sow your seed. If you are moved to send a seed gift in the enclosed reply envelope..." (Joel Osteen, letter from his ministry 2005 as cited at http://www.myfortress.org/JoelOsteen.html).

Busted; anyone remotely familiar with the Cult of the Word Faith Movement recognizes this blatant pitch for money, but apparently, when you smile a lie becomes less of a lie to the Evangelical camp. When are these fools going to wake up? Do we really think this idiocy is from the Lord? If not, then can take a guess as to just where it is actually coming from?

Then as the host turns up the heat a little bit, we see the human weakness of the seeker sensitive man-pleasers begin to more fully emerge. Larry King asks Osteen:

KING: How about issues that the church has feelings about? Abortion? Same-sex marriages?

OSTEEN: Yeah. You know what, Larry? I don't go there. I just ...

KING: You have thoughts, though.

OSTEEN: I have thoughts. I just, you know, I don't think that a same-sex marriage is the way God intended it to be. I don't think abortion is the best. I think there are other, you know, a better way to live your life. But I'm not going to condemn those people. I tell them all the time our church is open for everybody.

A Pastor Must Stand For God's Word

As a pastor you "don't go there"; you "just...?" Pastor Osteen, you just what? It looks to me that while "Pastor" Osteen has "thoughts" in general, he obviously hasn't given these critical issues much thought. You don't think "abortion is the best," then apparently you aren't bothered by the slaughter of thousands of innocent human lives in abortion mills. The Bible clearly calls this murder! All one needs to do is to look at Psalm 139 to see an Old Testament reference to God’s complete and absolute sovereignty.

Bringing us forward to the New Testament, Christ–the Creator God himself in human form–talks further about the sovereignty of the God of the Bible (He’s not the same one as in many Evangelical churches) using the lowly sparrow as an example. This bird was looked upon as being of no worth in this first century culture, and so our Lord asks – Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father (Matthew 10:29). Why do we suppose He points this out; it wasn’t just to tell us the lowly are important to God. This is where the seeker sensitive man-pleaser–ever so anxious to protect the self-esteem of degenerate sinners stops–but Christ also told us this truth to let us know the supremem magnitude of God’s infinite power.

And then for the man-centered spiritually challenged “pastor,” God the Holy Spirit clearly tells us in Acts 17:26 – From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. So much for Open Theology and Dominion Theology and the inflated self-importance of man; the Lord doesn’t need us; as Christians He chooses to involve us in His work that we may share His joy as His children come home to Him, not to exalt us, but because of our Lord’s wonderful other-centered love. When will we return to the correct biblical understanding of just how opposite we as mankind are to God?

And I suppose we should be glad that ol’ smilin' Joel thinks that there is "a better way to live your life" than the abomination of homosexuality; it’s only a lifestyle that will send someone to the eternal fire of Hell! On the plus side, it’s nice to see that Osteen tells people his "church is open for everybody," because it should be. However, if the message one gets there is this seeker sensitive purpose driven mumbo-jumbo of the Emergent Church, and the true Gospel is not preached, one could argue they'd be better off looking for a different church. I've often told my local church that "sinners are more than welcome here; they sure aren't going to be comfortable while they're here–but they're not supposed to be left comfortable in their sin.

The Word Faith Lie About The Atonement

We shift gears here to one of the most important lies of these Word Faith man-pleasers who have been gathered by people today to scratch their itching ears. Here is one of the huge myths they have turned aside toward, and it is a very serious heresy concerning Christ's atonement on the cross. One of God's true pastors, Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel , has pointed out:

Four atonement-related errors on the part of the Faith teachers can be documented:

1) Christ was re-created on the cross from divine to demonic. To put it in Faith vernacular, Jesus took on the very nature of Satan himself.

2) Your redemption was not secured on the cross, but in hell. In fact, many Faith teachers claim that Christ's torture by all the demons of hell was a "ransom" God paid to Satan so that He could get back into a universe from which He had been banished.

3) Jesus was reborn (or born again) in the very pit of hell.

4) Christ was reincarnated through His rebirth in hell and that those who (like Christ) are born again can become "incarnated" as well.

Thus, Faith teachers take Christ, the spotless Lamb, and pervert Him into an unholy sacrifice on the cross (Christianity In Crisis, p.153) (http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/char/more/w-f.htm).

Space allows just one example of how this doctrine is expressed within the Word Faith camp. In their excellent article “Doctrinal Ambiguity Of A Wandering Star” on the very ebullient Joyce Meyer, another of the more prominent ear-tickling man-pleasers, G. Richard Fisher and Paul R. Belli of Personal Freedom Outreach inform us of the "atonement ambiguities" common with Word Faith teachers:

Meyer can be classified as a Word-Faith teacher and as such has shown an inclination to waffle on major doctrines. In her 1991 booklet, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make, an evangelistic work aimed at nonbelievers, she resounds the Word-Faith view of Christ’s atonement:

“During that time He entered hell, where you and I deserved to go (legally) because of our sin. He paid the price there ... no plan was too extreme ... Jesus paid on the cross and in hell” (pg. 35, underlining in the original).

“God rose up from His throne and said to demon powers tormenting the sinless Son of God, ‘Let Him go.’ Then the resurrection power of Almighty God went through hell and filled Jesus ... He was resurrected from the dead — the first born-again man” (pg. 36, underlining in the original).

“His spirit went to hell because that is where we deserved to go. Remember in the very beginning of this, I said, ‘When you die, only your body dies. The rest of you, your soul and spirit, goes either to heaven or hell’” (ibid.).

“There is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth I am presenting. You cannot go to heaven unless you believe with all your heart that Jesus took your place in hell” (ibid.).

“Jesus went to hell for you” (pg. 38, underlining in the original) (http://www.pfo.org/wan-star.htm, emphasis in original).

The Smiling Face of A Liar

Before we look at Osteen himself smiling his way through this classic lie of the false teachers of the Word Faith heresies, let me tell you that the historic orthodox Christian position on the atonement is that Christ finished His work on the Cross. And it's vitally important that you understand how a wrong view of this key doctrine ends up subverting the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his insightful article on Joel Osteen called “Preaching a False-Positive with a Smile” apologist Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries is right when he says:

For this heresy we need to take the time to explain the biblical position so no one is left thinking that what Osteen has done does not affect the gospel, this same gospel that Satan hates and wants to corrupt. Osteen does not come out and say what others do- that Jesus became sin on the cross but the implication is evident by his going to hell under Satan’s jurisdiction. Hebrews 9:14 tells us that he offered himself “without blemish to God” Paul wrote of Christ’s “offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). Sin is not a beautiful aroma to God (http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm, emphasis in original).

The following is from an Easter sermon preached by Joel Osteen. It is no longer available on his website and this is from a copy on file at Apprising Ministries:

And the third thing, because of all of what Jesus accomplished in the Resurrection; you and I have power and authority over the devil and demon forces. I can imagine when Jesus bowed His head and died on that cross, that Satan and all those demons they gathered in Hell for a great victory celebration. I can imagine it looked something like the victory party in the locker room after the Super Bowl. You can see them giving high five's and jumping around. Shouting with great excitement, We did it! We did it! I told you we could defeat Him! Now we're in control. Now we can do whatever we want. And can't you hear Satan laugh sarcastically and say to his demons, Aren't you glad you followed me now? Aren't you glad you revolted out of the heavens? I told you it'd be worth it.

Can't you see Jesus looking right into Satan's eyes and saying, “Satan, I hate to spoil your victory party, but I think you're celebrating a little bit too soon”? You may have knocked me down, but you sure didn't knock me out. And it's not over until I say it's over. Satan says, Listen, Jesus, you're on my turf now. You don't have a chance down here. You're surrounded by my demons. We're going to tear you apart. And Jesus just smiles and says, “Go ahead, Satan, make my day!” (Congregation applauds) Jesus says, “Look, Satan, I'm down here to take care of business. I'm ready to do battle. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to be because it stinks down here.

The Bible indicates that for three days, Jesus went into the very depths of hell. Right into the enemy's own territory. And He did battle with Satan face to face. Can you imagine what a show down that was? It was good vs. evil. Right vs. wrong. Holiness vs. filth. Here are the two most powerful forces in the universe have come together to do battle for the first time in history. But thank God. The Bible says, “Satan was no match for our Champion.” This was no contest. (Congregation applauds).

Jesus crushed Satan's head with His foot. He bruised his head. And He once and for all, forever defeated and dethroned and demoralized our enemy. One translation says, “He paralyzed him and rendered him powerless”. But thank God. He didn't even stop there. He went over and ripped the keys of death and hell out of Satan's hands. And He grabbed Satan by the nap of his neck and He began to slowly drag him down through the corridors of Hell. All beat up and bruised because He wanted to make sure that every single demon saw very clearly that Jesus was indeed the undisputed Champion of all time! Amen?

The Bible says in Colossians 2:15 that God "disarmed the principalities and powers ranged against us and he made a bold display and a public example of Satan's defeat." (JOEL OSTEEN SERMON #CS_002 -4 - 23 - 00, http://www.lakewood.cc/sermon_listing.htm#, copy on file)

The Lord’s Hand Is Raised

Notice the importance placed on–one might even say glorification of–Satan in this story here. Hmm, I wonder who might have authored this myth originally? Also, if you have studied Comparative Religion you will notice the yin-yang of dualism. But in stark opposition to this fallacious fairytale is John 19:30 where Jesus says – It is finished. And this is where the orthodox view of the atonement begins, and ends, on the cross of Golgotha. As a matter of fact, "it is finished" – tetelestai – in the original Greek is better rendered "paid in full." It was the word found stamped on Roman tax receipts in the first century after one had paid their taxes. Christ died on the cross as the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, and that whole ridiculous and blasphemous scenario Osteen described above never happened!

Let me also remind you God the Holy Spirit has already warned us to expect things like this – But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up . Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping (2 Peter 2:1-3). And “Pastor” Osteen would benefit from reading the rest of that chapter as a way to take a good long look at his future if he doesn’t get off the path he is currently on.

And it is important to note that Osteen would end with Colossians 2:15; don’t you just love God’s sense of humor? For here Joel Osteen is absolutely right; Christ did make a public example of Satan's defeat; on the cross, and not in Hell! Here is the whole of Colosians 2:15 - And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Interestingly enough with the Holy Spirit having Osteen quote this Scripture at the end of this “story that has been made up,” Osteen refutes his very own position. Can you see the hand of our Lord in this?

And Oppenheimer brings out the key point when he says:

The word of faith teacher’s do not believe in his victory the on the cross but that it was not completed on the cross but in a battle in hell with the devil. This imaginative battle actually brings destruction to the gospel where Jesus REALLY conquered Satan crushed Satan's head on the cross not in hell. Colossians 2:15: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it.” This victory happened on the cross (v.14), so what is Christ doing suffering in Hell by these same principalities and powers, as claimed. This doctrine is dangerous and affects many others. If Jesus went to hell, then Jesus did not speak the truth buy saying IT IS FINISHED. The death of Christ on the cross is then insufficient, not having the power by itself to save anyone and Paul could not have said what he said about it that he preached Christ crucified for salvation (http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm, caps and emphasis in original).

It isn’t pleasant to point these things out, but it is a large part of a real pastor’s job–and especially as we see the sky grow ever more red each morning. Brother pastors, do you not remember what the Apostle Paul said to the elders of the churches in Ephesus? Acts 20:18-21 – When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

However, Mr. seeker sensitive pastor, when is the last time you wept; when is the last time you were tested by the plots of unbelievers? I tell you in the Lord, try declaring the full Gospel of Jesus Christ as you tell people they must turn to God in repentance, and you will soon begin to experience the truth the verses that follow the above: And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me (Acts 20:22-24a). How about you brother; are you man enough to stand in this age of Laodicea as the Lord raises His hand in judgment, even knowing that hardships are facing you?

If so, you’d best grow a stronger spiritual backbone than we’ve seen from Joel Osteen. Don’t you understand that there are many men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5) and who are simply using the Church as a means for their own self-ish gain? I don't recommend you watch TBN, but if you happen to, take a close look at the red faces of many of these so-called prophets. Do you really think they are drunk with the Spirit?

Just A Smile Instead Of A Kiss On The Cheek

And no, I’m not saying that these are the things Joel Osteen is doing as he smiles so politely when he lies. I don’t know why he lies, it’s not for me for me to judge his motives. But I sure can spot a lie when I see it; and now you’ve clearly seen that Osteen has not been truthful when he says he didn't know what he should have told Larry King about Christ. And when Joel Osteen says he doesn’t know about the prosperity gospel of the Word Faith Movement he is clearly lying. But today people are foolishly buying these lies from a wolf in sheep’s clothing just because he smiles while he slides the knife into the back of our precious Lord Jesus. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord Who bought them – 2 Peter 2:1. Don’t you finally see it?

A.W. Tozer was speaking the heart of the Lord to this apathetic generation when he said:

The laws of success operate also in the higher filed of the soul–spiritual greatness has its price. Eminence in the things of the Spirit demands a devoiton to these things more complete than most of us are willing to give. But the law cannot be escaped. If we would be holy we know the way; the law of holy living is before us. The prophets of the Old Testament, the apostles of the New and, more than all, the sublime teachings of Christ are there to tell us how to succeed...

The amount of loafing practiced by the average Christian in spiritual things would ruin a concert pianist if he allowed himself to do the same thing in the field of music. The idle puttering around we see in church circles would end the career of a big league pitcher in one week. No scientist could solve his exactig problem if he took as little interest in it as the rank and file of Christians take in the art of being holy. The naiton whose soldiers were as soft and undisciplined as the soldiers of the churches would be conquered by the first enemy that attacked it. Triumphs are not won by men in easy chairs. Success is costly (Tozer On Christian Leadership, October 18).

I guess the real question is: Will the Evangelical community finally wake up from this seeker sensitive purpose driven word faith self-centered nightmare in the emergent church before it's too late?

He who has an ear, let him hear...