Is it wrong that some days I just hope that somebody punches Joel Osteen in the face? Not like permanent damage or anything, but I think a good sock in that smile of his might do him some good.
I would not go that far. But I know what you mean. I learned something from Jim Spence many years ago. Jim said (re. all famous Christian speakers) that he only goes to hear a famous Christian speaker if that person has SUFFERED. Jim feels that if a Christian has been through great difficulties and yet has remained faithful and grown in his/her faith, that person has something to say to him. If not, Jim said he just does not bother. Ironically, Joel's father was John Osteen. John was a fundamental Baptist pastor who was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He was flatly rejected by his fundamental Baptist peers and had to leave in shame and kind of start over as a Pentecostal preacher who was considered sort of a kook. He was a much more serious and well balanced Christian. He DID build a "successful" ministry in the Houston area, but at its height it was not even 10% as large or wealthy as Joel's is today.
I would not go that far. But I know what you mean. I learned something from Jim Spence many years ago. Jim said (re. all famous Christian speakers) that he only goes to hear a famous Christian speaker if that person has SUFFERED. Jim feels that if a Christian has been through great difficulties and yet has remained faithful and grown in his/her faith, that person has something to say to him. If not, Jim said he just does not bother. Ironically, Joel's father was John Osteen. John was a fundamental Baptist pastor who was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He was flatly rejected by his fundamental Baptist peers and had to leave in shame and kind of start over as a Pentecostal preacher who was considered sort of a kook. He was a much more serious and well balanced Christian. He DID build a "successful" ministry in the Houston area, but at its height it was not even 10% as large or wealthy as Joel's is today.
ReplyDeletei bet paul would punch him. or at least peter.
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