Joel Osteen "stays focused" with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday

I have some additional comments to make regarding Joel Osteen's interview with Chris Wallace on the Fox News Sunday Show December 23, 2007. His simplicity amazes me. His ability to "stay focused" on his "calling" and what he believes to be God's purpose for his life in ministry - "to encourage people and let God be the judge of all else". Think how easy life would be if we didn't try to figure everybody out and figure everything out all the time. Joel Osteen has demonstrated that God has given him the ability to encourage people and make God more relevant in today's society, teaching people how to live in their everyday life. This is no small thing, because it is the seemingly small everyday things that make up our whole life!

When asked about his lack of formal bible education, Joel mentioned that the disciples didn't have a formal education and they were chosen by Jesus. While it is true that the disciples didn't have formal bible education, we must remember that they walked with Jesus, himself, and if they had any questions, they could ask him directly. Today, we rely on God's word and those who are knowledgeable in God's word to guide us and help us to formulate sound doctrine and beliefs. In the book of Timothy, Paul exhorted Timothy to
"Study and show thyself approved, a workman who need not be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.: (2 Timothy2:15)
The common bond of salvation that Joel Osteen acknowledges with Mitch Romney is important but sloughing off the validity of the doctrine of the Mormons, which differs from other Christian Churches is not following in the example which was given to young Timothy as a Pastor of the early church. Paul continues to tell Timothy in 2 Timothy Chapter 4:1-2:
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the ded at his appearing and his kingdom; PREACH THE WORD INSTANT IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON: REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ANN LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE..." While Joel Osteen may have a special calling, it is important to know that he has a concern for sound doctrine as well because in our everyday life we don't want to be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men..." (Ephesians 4:14) as the bible warns. I don't think a person needs a Doctorate for that - they just need to believe that the bible is the word of God and find out what it teaches. I know Joel Osteen believes that the bible is the Word of God ...where does it speak of these things that are mentioned about the doctrine of the Mormons?

Joel says he will vote for someone who believes as he does in terms of Christianity. Since he himself doesn't want to get involved in social issues, how does he know what these others will do in terms of social issues and if it will be as he believes?

I believe God loves people, but He hates sin. That's why He sent Jesus into the world to save sinners. Joel, you may be called to encourage people, but skirting the issues of sin or doctrinal error is not going to help people to grow and change. If they don't know they/re living or believing in error, they need to be told the truth through the word of God.

As previously mentioned in a prior post, I got a letter from Joel Osteen and the thing I liked the most about it was the closing,
"Believing God's Best for Your Life", Joel Osteen. That kind of faith is what I need, not only for myself, but for all the people in my life. Believing God's best - to me that also means, knowing God's best, and His word.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105)

Jesus, himself, proclaimed, "Thy word is truth". (John 17:17)