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Post by Daniel on Mar 29, 2016 18:48:31 GMT -5
Joel Osteen Says He's Not Cheating People by Not Preaching About Hell
By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter March 28, 2016
Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen says he isn't cheating anyone by not talking about Hell and repentance, insisting that people feel guilty enough already, and he wants to lift up believers instead of bringing them down.
When asked in an Easter Sunday interview by CBS News' "Sunday Morning" program "Do you feel like you're cheating people by not telling them about the Hell part? Or repentance part?" Osteen answered: "No, I really don't, because it's a different approach."
He continued: "You know, it's not hellfire and brimstone. But I say most people are beaten down enough by life. They already feel guilty enough. They're not doing what they should, raising their kids — we can all find reasons. So I want them to come to Lakewood or our meetings and be lifted up, to say, 'You know what? I may not be perfect, but I'm moving forward. I'm doing better.' And I think that motivates you to do better." ...
Osteen has on numerous occasions denied that he peaches a "watered-down" version of the Gospel, stating in a February 2012 message that for many years religion has pushed down people, and people have been told that they can't measure up to God.
"My goal is to make God good and let them know, hey, I tell them all the time, God's smiling down on you right now. You're his child. He's got a great plan for your life. You can overcome mistakes, and to me, that draws people to God," the Texas megachurch pastor said at the time.
read full article www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-says-hes-not-cheating-people-by-not-preaching-about-hell-160267/
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