Joel is inspirational!
I would have to disagree with anyone who says he is a false teacher! Granted Joel is not a teacher of in depth theological doctrine. You can listen to John MacArthur, RC Sproul or Charles Stanley for Christian theological teaching. Joel is not a professor.
What I get from Joel is a sense of happiness, encouragement and praise, adoration, wonder, thankfulness towards an awesome God who blessed and provides for us abundantly. He teaches about Faith and possessing it and nurturing it strongly. Believing what we ask God for is key ... and not just material things. Aren't we supposed to pray and believe it as if it is already a done deal? People need an inspirational coach now and then. He is right, positive thinking is required. If you don't believe you can do all things in Christ who strengthens you, you won't accomplish much.
Kids that grow up without a father, and without a positive mentor behind them, encouraging them, don't amount to much.
Robert Schuller was the same kind of preacher. Possibility thinking a d positve thinking, he taught.
Isn't the key factor of Salvation, FAITH? We are saved by grace through faith and it is a gift. Some are given little and some are given much. The Bible stresses forty times to encourage one another, we all need it.
Joel's a half-time coach that delivers a pep talk to the players before they go out.
My recommendation to all Joel listeners is to switch the channel to a more theological teaching to grow in knowledge, get the basics.
I get it, Joel doesn't even teach the basics - SO YOU NEED TO GET EQUIPPED ELSEWHERE FIRST, then turn Joel on for that inspiration. He has the joy of the Lord. He has charisma and is a good story teller.
I listen to John MacArthur for knowledge, not inspiration, not motivation, I don't find him even nice - He is serious. He doesn't seem happy - but that's John, I can handle it. I have heard him bash Joel ... he's probably just jealous of His success.
Joel is doing the Lord's work. Every Pastor has their own style and knowledge and draws their own segment of the body.
I think the prosperity thing is exaggerated. Actually it has been demonstrated in every church that thise who are givers, get it back and then some. What you sow is what you reap. So if you give with an eye dropper, you won't get much back ... whether it's love or money.
But who doesn't want to prosper? Do we all go to school, study, learn a trade, get a degree to do just that? Well, isn't a positve attitude and faith in God something that is needed ti accomplish whatever it is you are doing?
GOD wants us to live life in the full;
not to be possessed by our possessions, but to have our needs met and wants within His plan. We store our treasures in heaven but hopefully for some 80 years we are not living impoverished.
IF I remember correctly I think the wisest man who ever lived was also the richest. King Solomon was blessed with prosperity. Christians realize some will be rich and some poor. Wherever we end up, we need to be content.
