Why Joel and Victoria Osteen matter

Joel Osteen pastors the largest church in America, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.
The best-selling author has a weekly TV audience of more than seven million people in more than 100 countries around the world. God has given Joel one of the largest Gospel platforms in human history.
Joel and his wife, Victoria, offer million-dollar smiles with positive, encouraging stories. The polished preacher has stated he wants to “build people up, not tear them down.” Today, more people are listening to Osteen than any other preacher. What he says matters.
Recently Victoria made a controversial statement about our relationship with God.
In her message, Victoria Osteen tells their massive congregation to realize that their devotion to God is not really about God, but about themselves.
“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we're not doing it for God – I mean, that's one way to look at it – we're doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we are happy.... That's the thing that gives Him the greatest joy…” She continued: "So, I want you to know this morning – just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy…When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy. Amen?"
Victoria responded to criticism by saying: “While I admit that I could have been more articulate in my remarks, I stand by my point that when we worship God and are obedient to Him we will be better for it,” she said. “I did not mean to imply that we don’t worship God; that’s ridiculous, and only the critics and cynics are interpreting my remarks that way.”
Osteen continued, “Every Lakewood member knows what I was talking about because they have experienced first hand the joy and victory of a Lakewood Church worship service, and the honor, reverence and gratitude we show God.”
One of the problems with Joel and Victoria’s messages is God’s will for your life amounts to happiness – there’s no mention of sin, very little mention of Jesus and no clarity of the need for repentance (Matthew 4:17). It’s truly a “me-centered” Gospel – you do what’s best for your life, and God will be pleased.
We can’t reduce the impact Osteen has had on Bible-believing Christians in our churches today. His “God is happy, when I’m happy” messages have infiltrated Christians into believing the prosperity Gospel – which proclaims that God’s will is to bless you.
If you or if you know of someone who’s reading or listening to Joel and Victoria Osteen – here are four “warnings” you need to know about.
First, our lives are supposed to revolve around God, He doesn’t revolve around us (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Second, positive messages don’t provide answers to sin and suffering. The woman diagnosed with cancer, the rebellious teenager or the persecution of Christians in Mosul, Iraq – how does the prosperity Gospel work in these cases?
Third, Osteen doesn’t preach through the whole Bible. One of the greatest responsibilities of any pastor is to teach what the Bibles teaches. Al Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said Osteen’s messages, “aim for so little.”
When Christians don’t know their Bibles, they don’t know what God wants for them. By not preaching through the Bible, it’s easy to avoid controversial subjects such as abortion, divorce and homosexuality. Osteen avoids them, but God has addressed them.
Fourth, Osteen neglects the mission of God. Jesus came to save sinners. If a preacher fails to tell people they’ve sinned, there’s no need for a Savior. Christians are supposed to be God’s ambassadors to the nations (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Christians, make sure you’re not listening to a false Gospel. The preachers you listen to on Sundays and on the airwaves should be anchored in God’s Word – there’s a difference between holding the Bible and opening the Bible.

Source:
Times Herald