Post by Daniel on Oct 12, 2015 9:58:58 GMT -5
Joel Osteen's Heretical "I Am" Mantra
October 12, 2015
The "Prosperity Gospel" absolutely dominates Christian television. If you have a cable or satellite connection with two or more religious channels, you can turn on your TV right now and find someone who will tell you how to use magic words to manipulate a faith-force that will bring you health, wealth, and happiness.
The most successful of these prosperity preachers is Joel Osteen. He has the largest church in North America, and his televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly. Osteen was also named "Most Influential Christian in America" by The Church Report.
I cannot stand to watch Osteen because I know what he teaches is a reprehensible distortion of true Christianity. Over the past decade, Osteen has intentionally crafted his message to appeal to the widest audience. He now rarely uses Scripture references in his sermons. He is very hesitant to discuss sin as a common part of life, and he promotes a deity that allows everyone to go to heaven.
His core message is the New Age power of attraction. If you maintain a positive confession, good things will automatically come your way.
A clear sign of error in Osteen's teachings is the continual focus on self. Most of his books have the word "you" or "your" in the title. Some of his top sellers are: Your Best Life Now, Become a Better You, and You Can, You Will.
Osteen has taken doctrinal error up several notches with the release of a new book titled, The Power of I AM: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today. Here is a blurb for the book:
Joel Osteen reveals how THE POWER OF I AM can help you discover your unique abilities and advantages to lead a more productive and happier life. His insights and encouragement are illustrated with many amazing stories of people who turned their lives around by focusing on the positive power of this principle. You can choose to rise to a new level and invite God's goodness by focusing on these two words: I AM!
The phrase "I am" is the name that God gave to himself in Exodus 3:13-14). Jesus used "I am" seven times to proclaim His divine nature.
"I am the bread of life." (John 6:35, 48)
"I am the light of the world." (John 8:12, 9:5)
"Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)
"I am the door. (John 10:9)
"I am the good shepherd." (John 10:11)
"I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11:25)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
"I am the true vine." (John 15:1)
Alarm bells should have been triggered when Osteen told his followers, "All right just repeat after me. I am strong. I am healthy. I am confident. I am confident. I am secure. I am talented. I am creative. I am disciplined. I am focused. I am valuable. I am beautiful. I am blessed. I am excited about my future. I am victorious. All right how about, amen?"
This "I am" mantra is just a flipping of Satan's "I will" declaration that led to his downfall:
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:13-14).
I'm not sure if there is enough time left for Joel Osteen to go any deeper into apostasy. The current record holder for the most messed up theology is held by Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, of Miami, Florida.
In 2005, he was telling people he was Jesus Christ's replacement and the number of the Beast was a sign of wisdom. He and his followers got "666" tattoos on their bodies. Miranda died of cirrhosis of the liver in 2013; putting an end to this insanity.
The likelihood that Osteen's book will sell millions of copies without any major uproar over its blasphemous nature just tells how close we are to the end. The ultimate lie will occur when the Antichrist comes out and openly proclaims that he is God. Gratefully, believers will not be around to witness that bombastic sacrilegious event.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1).
--Todd
Posted with permission
www.raptureready.com/rap16.html
October 12, 2015
The "Prosperity Gospel" absolutely dominates Christian television. If you have a cable or satellite connection with two or more religious channels, you can turn on your TV right now and find someone who will tell you how to use magic words to manipulate a faith-force that will bring you health, wealth, and happiness.
The most successful of these prosperity preachers is Joel Osteen. He has the largest church in North America, and his televised sermons are seen by over 7 million viewers weekly. Osteen was also named "Most Influential Christian in America" by The Church Report.
I cannot stand to watch Osteen because I know what he teaches is a reprehensible distortion of true Christianity. Over the past decade, Osteen has intentionally crafted his message to appeal to the widest audience. He now rarely uses Scripture references in his sermons. He is very hesitant to discuss sin as a common part of life, and he promotes a deity that allows everyone to go to heaven.
His core message is the New Age power of attraction. If you maintain a positive confession, good things will automatically come your way.
A clear sign of error in Osteen's teachings is the continual focus on self. Most of his books have the word "you" or "your" in the title. Some of his top sellers are: Your Best Life Now, Become a Better You, and You Can, You Will.
Osteen has taken doctrinal error up several notches with the release of a new book titled, The Power of I AM: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today. Here is a blurb for the book:
Joel Osteen reveals how THE POWER OF I AM can help you discover your unique abilities and advantages to lead a more productive and happier life. His insights and encouragement are illustrated with many amazing stories of people who turned their lives around by focusing on the positive power of this principle. You can choose to rise to a new level and invite God's goodness by focusing on these two words: I AM!
The phrase "I am" is the name that God gave to himself in Exodus 3:13-14). Jesus used "I am" seven times to proclaim His divine nature.
"I am the bread of life." (John 6:35, 48)
"I am the light of the world." (John 8:12, 9:5)
"Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)
"I am the door. (John 10:9)
"I am the good shepherd." (John 10:11)
"I am the resurrection and the life." (John 11:25)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
"I am the true vine." (John 15:1)
Alarm bells should have been triggered when Osteen told his followers, "All right just repeat after me. I am strong. I am healthy. I am confident. I am confident. I am secure. I am talented. I am creative. I am disciplined. I am focused. I am valuable. I am beautiful. I am blessed. I am excited about my future. I am victorious. All right how about, amen?"
This "I am" mantra is just a flipping of Satan's "I will" declaration that led to his downfall:
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:13-14).
I'm not sure if there is enough time left for Joel Osteen to go any deeper into apostasy. The current record holder for the most messed up theology is held by Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, of Miami, Florida.
In 2005, he was telling people he was Jesus Christ's replacement and the number of the Beast was a sign of wisdom. He and his followers got "666" tattoos on their bodies. Miranda died of cirrhosis of the liver in 2013; putting an end to this insanity.
The likelihood that Osteen's book will sell millions of copies without any major uproar over its blasphemous nature just tells how close we are to the end. The ultimate lie will occur when the Antichrist comes out and openly proclaims that he is God. Gratefully, believers will not be around to witness that bombastic sacrilegious event.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1).
--Todd
Posted with permission
www.raptureready.com/rap16.html