The NEW Lakewood Church
Last night I watched the first Sunday morning service from the NEW Lakewood Church in Houston. I was disappointed, but not surprised. Here was the summary of the whole evening: "You are great, Lakewood is great, and, oh yeah, God gets all the glory."
I believe that Joel Osteen is a decent guy. But I'm not sure he really is called to preach the Gospel of Jesus, because he does not preach the Gospel of Jesus. At least I have never heard him declare the gospel. Here is the summary of his message from the "Grand Opening" of the NEW Lakewood Church: "The critics, naysayers, and negative people said we would never make it into the Compaq Center (the Houston Rocket's former home arena), but look at what God has done for us. If he can fulfill our dreams, just think what he can do to fulfill your dreams." His altar call at the end was cross-less.
Sadly, I even heard Joel's wife say, "God loves you so much he died on the cross so he could come live in you. That ought to show you how valuable you are, and how much you are worth" (not exactly verbatim, but close). Unfortunately, they just don't get it. The amazing thing about Christ's death on the cross for his people is not because of how valuable they are. It's amazing because of how valuable He is and how undeserving they are. The cross doesn't say how valuable we are; it says how gracious He is. Bottom line: it's not about our dreams, our health, our wealth, our happiness, etc. It's all about Him.
What's worse, TBN was there interviewing people afterwards. Some blond-headed pastor from California in a halloween-colored suit made this very perceptive remark: "We've come a long way in Christianity" or maybe he said, "We've made tremendous strides." It was a comment of that nature. I wasn't paying much attention, but my head jerked around when I heard the comment and I was major-league wanting to have TiVo at that moment so I could rewind and get his exact wording. So a really large "feel good" church converts an arena in downtown Houston into their new "worship facility" and that is somehow an indicator that the state of Christianity is moving forward? What planet is he from? Oh yeah, California! Hey, even Californians have access to Barna and Gallup. Our nation is in need of revival more than ever. Don't let the megachurch phenomenom fool you. If anything, the megachurch thing only serves to show us that our consumeristic mentality in the American church is worse than ever.
Oh yeah, one last thing. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California also attended the service, was officially recognized, and was interviewed afterward. She thought the service was wonderful.
posted by Brett @ 9:42 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
apparently some people just don't get what good lakewood church is doing and the things it is doing in people's lives, and if you honestly can't see that and are going to stand and write negatively about a church that God has blessed then you are the one who is blind.
I have no doubt that Lakewood is doing a lot of good things, but the best thing, which is a clear and biblical presentation of the Gospel of Christ, which is by its very nature offensive to the world, is glaringly absent.
Call me blind but I pray that the Lord would open your eyes to the whole counsel of God and not just what your tickling ears want to hear.
BTW, your comment carries very little weight to those who read it because you choose to remain anonymous. To quote Justin Taylor: "If your comment is of such a nature that you are uncomfortable signing your name to it, then don't make the comment."
Lakewood has changed my life and i bet many other peoples life. You need to stop being so negative because its bad.
I'm truly glad to hear that your life has changed. I have no doubt this is true.
However, my concern is if you have ever embraced the Gospel, or for that matter if you even know what the Gospel is. I've listened to your Pastor several times and NEVER heard him preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe I've just listened at the wrong times, but I know several other people who've had the same experience.
He gives great advice to people on how to improve (change) their lives, but that is not the same as preaching the Gospel. I truly hope you understand the difference.
To Brett, I find your negative article ALMOST amusing. I say almost because it is so obvious you have envy of Joel and Victoria Osteen, and their ministry. However, it is also sad that a "brother in Christ" would attack another brother in Christ like this.
Furthermore, I disagree with your statement "It's amazing because of how valuable He is and how undeserving they are. The cross doesn't say how valuable we are; it says how gracious He is. Bottom line: it's not about our dreams, our health, our wealth, our happiness, etc. It's all about Him." The bible says For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son".. that makes it sound like the people Jesus died for are pretty valuable to me. I don't believe in the "name it and claim it" religion that is out there, but I do not feel that Joel teaches that way.
Things like this blog are only causing a division in the body of Christ, and if you are truly a Christian, you know that is NOT what God wants for His church.
If you feel that Joel and Victoria Osteen or anybody else in the body of Christ does not do or say something to your standards, PRAY for them. Don't blog negatively about them in public in attempts to hurt their ministry. I believe God will deal with you if you continue to do this.
Anonymous #3, (To quote Justin Taylor: "If your comment is of such a nature that you are uncomfortable signing your name to it, then don't make the comment.")
I'm glad that I almost gave you a laugh. We need to laugh more.
You say it's "so obvious" that I'm envious of Joel Osteen. Now that's funny! I struggle with my share of sins, but envy is not one I struggle with much. I live a very blessed life and wouldn't want to trade places with anyone, especially Joel Osteen.
For someone who finds it so sad that a "brother in Christ" would attack another brother in Christ it's interesting how my "attack" is based on what I've objectively observed about the weak theology and lack of Gospel in Joel Osteen's ministry, while you "attack" my motives claiming to obviously read my heart, something I do not stoop to the low level to do in my critique of Lakewood Church.
BTW, I noticed your quotation marks around "brother in Christ" referring to me. Are you implying that I'm not a true Christian?
Your second paragraph reveals that you have yet to grasp the amazing nature of God's grace. God's grace isn't very amazing if you see yourself as worthy of the gospel. How can you sing the great hymn with honesty: "...that saved a wretch like me"? John 3.16 says nothing about our value and everything about God's love. Be careful about reading into the Bible something that's not there. That's called eisegesis, and if you'd find a good Bible-believing church that will teach you how to study the Bible, you'll learn what I'm talking about.
As for dividing the body of Christ, baloney. Read the New Testament (try 2 Peter 2 for starters); calling out false teaching is good and right.
As for you final little threat: I believe God will deal with you if you continue to do this. I am more afraid of facing God supporting false teachers.
One thing you are right about, I haven't prayed for Joel Osteen. In writing this and not doing that I have been wrong. I'll pray for Joel Osteen. Will you pray for me?
God Bless you, Pastor Osteen. I was so glad to hear your message this weekend regarding bloggers like this, and that you don't things like this get you down. May God continue to bless you, your ministry and your family.
P.S. Brett, you sure like to quote this "Justin Taylor" person so much. ?? You have issues.
You stoop to the level of arguing with people who DARE to have a different point of view than you, you say that their point of view doesn't carry much weight if they feel their real name is none of your business ? Please.
If you have a problem with people posting anonymously, then perhaps you should take your blog to a site that doesn't allow anonymous postings ?
How amaze I was when reading comments of people who likes this congregation. You know what happened? They hated you! And your comments too.
So, I just wonder: where is their love as Christians?
I assume they lack of it. They are just looking for commodity and pleasure in this world. That's their only "theology." Sad, very sad.
joanmenrod, You're the one that's sad. You're judgmental. Take a look in the mirror and deal with your own spiritual shortcomings before you cast stones at others.
I would also advice that you get your facts straight before you post here. I don't see one comment where someone said they "hated" anyone.
Before you post anything else that is inaccurate about people who post here, here's another tidbit of information. Most people who have defended Joel Osteen here do not attend his church, but live across the country and enjoys watching the program.
If you want to live your life as "poor me" while judging others who want to be blessed, go for it. But how dare you judge anyone in that church or that pastor.
I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but really, you don't seem to understand the true meaning of the Bible much. Why take things to the extreem? Isn't it said that we should have faith like children? Look at it simply: the whole Bible is meant to bless us- it's a gift from God. And for Mr. Osteen? He's applying the past to the present- and his sermons (however he may say it) are the Gospel of Christ themselves. Mr. Osteen is explaining HOW to receive the blessing God had planned for us (etc.). If the Bible means to bless us, and if Mr. Osteen uses present day applications so that we'd be able to acknowledge it, how is the Gospel of Christ absent?? Do you mean that Mr. Osteen should talk about Jesus dying on the cross in every single sermon?
I suppose you know about the Parable of the Lost Son. The son asked for his share of the estate even though his father was still alive (inheritance is divided when the father dies). And he stubbornly left the place. When he returned (poor and all), his dad immediately ran out to him--and HUGGED him (instead of scolding), and told the servants to prepare a feast for him. Now, did the son deserve those gifts? No. Then why did he receive them? Because he was his fathers SON. His child. He received it because his father loved him.
And so, we shouldn't think whether or not we are worthy, but that we are receiving God's blessings because we are his children- that's the amazing part- we are GOD's children!! :D
The cross is of course not about wealth and all that, but Jesus' love. We ARE valuable because Jesus died for US and because we are His children.
Mr. Osteen did twist the meaning of the Bible in any way, and God is really blessing many people through him, including me. And really, what's the point of criticizing a pastor like Mr. Osteen? Shouldn't we be loving, blessing, and caring for each others as brothers in Christ? Criticism is of no help here.
I'm not saying that you're not a brother in Christ, but please, "love builds up"- lets help one another by encouraging everyone, not putting people down. :)
it's all about our personal relationship with Christ.
oh and, referring to your first comment, i think that it's you who wants to hear what your tickling ear wants to hear. Cuz you know, Mr. Osteen doesn't have to talk about the death of Christ literally to be preaching the Gospel, but then you don't seem to understand that so...(remember, i'm not trying to offend anyone).
I hope this would help solve some confusion around here...
Thank you, Brett, I've been reminded of some important things through this.
God Bless you all :)
ps. don't be so up tight about little things like names ;)
kumbayyah!
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