They don't!
They might call themselves JEWS
or HINDU
or BUDDHIST
or who knows what else.
You think only Christians are going to heaven?
I used to have a dear friend who believed this, but she's has since:
1. Moved to California
2. Changed her mind.
Are Joel Osteen and his wife really Christians?
- Thread starter Soverign Grace
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
They might call themselves JEWS
or HINDU
or BUDDHIST
or who knows what else.
You think only Christians are going to heaven?
I used to have a dear friend who believed this, but she's has since:
1. Moved to California
2. Changed her mind.
That's where weaving the entirety of Scripture gets tricky.
Just to give a bit of context to this discussion , Joel Olsteen does not accept his salary !
Now that's an interesting fact !
Rita
Now that's an interesting fact !
Rita
It didn't prevent Joel from going on TV later and saying that very thing … WHEN HE WASN'T BROADSIDED IN A TRICK INTERVIEW THE WAY LARRY KING TRIED TO DO.
Nancy
Well-Known Member
Yet you DID say "Nancy....
Not every Christian believes Jesus is the only way." <--- which prompted me to say that THEY should not call themselves Christian. And, there is still no other way BUT Jesus for Jews, Hindus, Buddhists either. The Gospel is hard for ANYONE to swallow in parts yet, there we have it. Nobody get's to create their own God and NOBODY get's a do-over. If that is the case, where are the scriptures pertaining to this?
He makes millions anyway on books and other things that are sold.
Personally, I have no problem with him making millions.
Aren't millionaires allowed to be saved?
LOL
Nancy
Well-Known Member
You're right...
Very bad wording.
I meant that no everyone who is a REAL CHRISTIAN believes that ONLY Christians could go to heaven.
Makes sense?
Our bible is for us.
For Christians.
But I like Romans 1:19-20 a lot. It explains how person could be saved even without the gospel being preached to them.
Try watching more than just cleverly edited videos, and you will see a lot more than only what someone plans for you to see.
Hidden In Him
Well-Known Member
I've heard that before, or that he received only a minimal salary from his church. The problem for me, however, is that he is certainly receiving a lot of money from somewhere (mostly from book sales I heard), and that money is not being put back into ministry or to help the needy. It's coming to him as a result of ministry (or what one could questionably call ministry), and with that money the example he is setting to the hundreds of thousands who watch him is one of squander and waste on earthly pleasures and luxury.
I just don't see it as mere entrepreneurism when he is selling books to the church of Jesus Christ and then turning around and spending the money they sent to him on he and his wife's extravagance. There is a doctrine he preaches that goes along with it to justify it, but I don't think it actually does. It's Old Testament heavy, and New Testament light.
Hidden In Him
Well-Known Member
Btw, don't get me wrong. I actually like Jesse Duplantis, and he believes in much the same message. Only for whatever reason I see him as being a little more genuine and sincere in what he is doing.
I think much of the prosperity crowd's judgment will come down to what the motivations of their hearts were, and where their consciences were regarding what they were preaching and everything they were doing. And since only God knows these things, in the end I just leave it up to Him.
All people are flawed sinners. It's not our place to judge another, but to encourage them to walk along the path with Christ, no matter where they are currently on the path.
This is the crux of the matter. A genuine preacher will keep what he needs to live reasonably and totally avoid any obscene display of wealth, since there are major needs all around the world for Christians who are suffering in various ways. Prosperity Gospel preachers are basically self-centered and manipulative. On top of that they have many false teachings.
We know that Christians will not be sinlessly perfect. But that is not the issue. Those who choose to become public figures and ask for money publicly must be held to a higher standard if they also claim to be preachers.
God is no respecter of persons: all men all sinners and held to the same standards. And God alone is the ultimate judge.
All people are not under grace. That is a universalist error.
There are two standards that God will judge by.
Holiness...and righteousness.The church will be judged against holiness (Be holy for I am holy) And the world will be judged by how they treated (loved) their neighbours. (The royal law)
All you need to do is look into that. The bible is clear on this....although one must dig a little.
But people like to tailor their beliefs to what seems right to them.
@Episkopos neither of us believe that being disciple of Christ is a license to do whatever un-Godly thing you want. We also agree that all men (Christian and non) do un-Godly things. I know that you define "sin" in a different manner than most Christians--we've had this discussion. I did enjoy hearing your perspective and thank you for sharing. But I don't really se the need to repeat the same conversation again here.
That Scripture is not applicable here. Context is critical.
FALSE. Christians are held to a higher standard by God. And preachers and teachers are held to an even higher standard. Check you Bible.
Yes. But in the meantime God urges us to judge those who come as angels and light and ministers of righteousness, and see if they are genuine or fake.
