by Jane Kelz

Created on: January 03, 2008

Yes, I feel Joel Osteen simply preaches to make people feel good. I watched his program on TV a few times and then I started asking myself some questions.
*Is what he is preaching telling non - Christians the way to the Lord?
*Is he explaining the benefits and downfalls of following or not following Jesus?
*Is anything he is saying telling others how to come to know the Lord and what to do for their salvation?

Sadly, the answer is no to all 3 questions. He preaches the "warm fuzzies". And although I agree that there is a place for that, it is not in the sermon, week after week. I was watching him as a Christian already secure in my salvation. But looking at his program and his teachings with the eyes of someone searching, I would get the impression that the way to heaven is by smiling and being nice.

And that is not the truth. His church and membership is huge. You can see the camera scanning the pews and every time they are filled. That's all well and good if all you want is numbers and pew sitters. But as a pastor "ordained" by God, he needs to be speaking the words of salvation, grace, mercy and forgiveness. He needs to be talking about the ugliness and eventual beauty of the cross.

You can not win souls simply by telling people to be nice. His method of preaching and his books on daily living should be on the same shelf of the book store as Anthony Robbins and other "mind over matter on the road to success" books. I would be devastated if my children or grandchildren attended his church and thought he was doing a wonderful job as pastor.

I saw him recently on Larry King. He was saying something to the effect that there are others to preach the hard line. He chooses rather to change peoples hearts by showing the kindness side. Ok, I can understand his concept, but not his reasoning. People don't learn the truth of God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus by being told to "brush off the bad mood of others" or "turn the other cheek" or "do your best and don't worry about what other people say". Those are isms we learn from our parents. I have yet to hear him say anything about the teachings of Jesus, or the quote scripture to illustrate his point. We need brave and God following pastors that will tell the hell and damnation that is to come if you don't accept Jesus. We need more pastors in the pulpit to speak to those hurting and needing to find the healing and eternal life that comes from accepting God and all He has to offer.

Jesus preached of the pain and suffering to come for believers. He told us we would be ostracized and attacked for believing in Him. But it would be worth it when we die and stand before God.

One day I will be standing there. I want to hear Him say, "I saw the times you stood up for me and the times you cried over lost souls. I love you for that." I do not think I would hear Him say that if all I did was smile and pat people on the back. Nor do I want to believe Jesus suffered and died to save us and open the door to a personal relationship with God, just to have us talk the "warm fuzzies".

He didn't. And neither will I.

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