Benny Hinn rebukes Joel Osteen??

[MissBrattified]

I think Joel Osteen's official response to his critics is very gracious and should be accepted by those who are/were upset with him:

"Dear Friend,

Many of you have called, written or e-mailed regarding my recent appearance on Larry King Live. I appreciate your comments and value your words of correction and encouragement.

It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as to what I believe and Whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life.

Jesus declared in John 14; I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. I believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation. However, it wasn?t until I had the opportunity to review the transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven. It?s about the individual?s choice to follow Him.

God has given me a platform to present the Gospel to a very diverse audience. In my desire not to alienate the people that Jesus came to save, I did not clearly communicate the convictions that I hold so precious.

I will use this as a learning experience and believe that God will ultimately use it for my good and His glory. I am comforted by the fact that He sees my heart and knows my intentions. I am so thankful that I have friends, like you, who are willing to share their concerns with me.

Thank you again to those who have written. I hope that you accept my deepest apology and see it in your heart to extend to me grace and forgiveness.

As always, I covet your prayers and I am believing for God?s best in your life,"

I will concede that, far more disturbing than JO's lack of satisfactory answer to LK, is when a man issues a heartfelt apology and Christians reject it and continue with their accusations and malice. Perhaps they feel they have to personally validate an apology before it can be accepted as sincere; regardless, I consider it a Christian obligation to accept an apology that is offered, unless there is tangible evidence to illustrate that it is insincere.

[Hoovie]

Miss bratti, I had not read that before. The apology actually does clear things up very well IMO. I can accept that.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

NOW, I don't waste much time being critical of preachers, and I appreciate that most of them are just doing their best to share their beliefs. I still have preferences, and some people's mannerisms completely turn me off. You have preferences and dislikes, and you've alluded to them before. I'm not more impressed with a show; I'm much more impressed with the Word. I've sat through a lot of boring preachers and been able to pay attention and understand and appreciate their points even if they weren't very exciting.

None of those things make me a bad person, a professional critic or part of the American Idol culture.

I didn't bash Joel Osteen, and I didn't support Benny Hinn. So what are you griping about exactly? I don't really like either one of them (as far as preachers go), but Benny Hinn is the only one whose character I would call into question.

I'm just going by what you said, which was, Joel Osteen is, "too happy, smiley, pleasant and just downright bland." Here is Osteen, who is speaking evidential truths from scripture and what does he get? Someone says he's, "Smiley and bland." I don't think it really matters.

Sure, I've expressed things that might or might not be "my style", but to analyze their performance? No thanks. I had that done to me in bible school and was forced to do it to others and it was ridiculous.

Eddie Long isn't "my style", but I highly respect what he's able to do with the spoken word. Same for Robert Schuller. My style? Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Erwin McManus, Perry Noble. But that doesn't make Long or Schuller "too anything".

My gripe? That pentecostalism becomes all about oratory and little about content. I spoke this morning and mentioned an experience I had following TF Tenney speaking. How humiliating to follow him. I've never heard such wisdom in my life. But my point is, he's not a typical pulpiteer/performer yet out of him gushes wisdom and content. But sadly, because he's not the typical crowd worker-upper, his name is rarely mentioned among great speakers.

I've listened to Joel Osteen 6 or 7 times and was really impressed by the wealth of practical life-applicable wisdom and instruction he shared. Who cares if he's too "Bland" to you? It's the fruit that matters.

And can I get some brownie points for bragging about a UPC preacher?

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I think Joel Osteen's official response to his critics is very gracious and should be accepted by those who are/were upset with him:



I will concede that, far more disturbing than JO's lack of satisfactory answer to LK, is when a man issues a heartfelt apology and Christians reject it and continue with their accusations and malice. Perhaps they feel they have to personally validate an apology before it can be accepted as sincere; regardless, I consider it a Christian obligation to accept an apology that is offered, unless there is tangible evidence to illustrate that it is insincere.

Wow, I've never seen this. While I think it's unnecessary, it certainly is gracious. And I particularly like his line about not alienating people. That's been my point about what he said...he was using wisdom to not drive away people he might be able to reach.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Berkley

Never heard him quote a scripture. Have heard him tell stories and jokes.

Then you flat-out haven't listened to him. Period. I've never seen him speak without doing so. But even if you're right.....Jesus often spoke without quoting scriptures, as did Paul. Since when does a preacher have to quote a scripture to be used of God?

Harold Camping does nothing BUT quote scriptures and he's a complete fruit loop. Benny Hinn uses a LOT of scriptures and destroys almost all of them. And according to Jesus, there will be people who did all kinds of things that sounded religious but they will have been forever unknown to the Father.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by notofworks

I'm just going by what you said, which was, Joel Osteen is, "too happy, smiley, pleasant and just downright bland." Here is Osteen, who is speaking evidential truths from scripture and what does he get? Someone says he's, "Smiley and bland." I don't think it really matters.

Sure, I've expressed things that might or might not be "my style", but to analyze their performance? No thanks. I had that done to me in bible school and was forced to do it to others and it was ridiculous.

Eddie Long isn't "my style", but I highly respect what he's able to do with the spoken word. Same for Robert Schuller. My style? Andy Stanley, Bill Hybels, Erwin McManus, Perry Noble. But that doesn't make Long or Schuller "too anything".

My gripe? That pentecostalism becomes all about oratory and little about content. I spoke this morning and mentioned an experience I had following TF Tenney speaking. How humiliating to follow him. I've never heard such wisdom in my life. But my point is, he's not a typical pulpiteer/performer yet out of him gushes wisdom and content. But sadly, because he's not the typical crowd worker-upper, his name is rarely mentioned among great speakers.

I've listened to Joel Osteen 6 or 7 times and was really impressed by the wealth of practical life-applicable wisdom and instruction he shared. Who cares if he's too "Bland" to you? It's the fruit that matters.

And can I get some brownie points for bragging about a UPC preacher?

I will give you brownie points for that, and not even begrudgingly!

TFT was my Dad's favorite preacher. My Mom gave me my Dad's copy of The Main Thing the other day. It has a special place on my bookshelf. He had the page turned down at Chapter 12, and he hi-lighted:

"Dr. Leman Strauss says he has never seen a problem with a submissive wife when she is loved by her husband in the same way Christ loves the church."

He had lots of other stuff hi-lited, too. I just thought that one was funny.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Wow, I've never seen this. While I think it's unnecessary, it certainly is gracious. And I particularly like his line about not alienating people. That's been my point about what he said...he was using wisdom to not drive away people he might be able to reach.

And this apology would be where JO gets brownie points from me--for strength. See? I can be persuaded. I appreciate a man who knows how to apologize, especially without being defensive. That's hard for anyone.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

No, Im not kidding. He gained power and kept it and built one of the worlds largest armies.

Don't confuse that with a "kind leader".

The point you seemed to miss is that, being a leader wasn't the issue MrsBrattified brought up. She did not say "he's not a good leader",

Numbers. The Mormons have numbers. The Muslims have numbers. Louis Farrakhan has numbers. Are they being successful in your view? In American Consumerism, they are very successful.

I don't view Saddam or most Muslims depots as leaders, rather madmen who stole power by murder and torture. I don't call that leadership, that is forced compliance and obedience.

Numbers when the leader uses force & fear is one thing, numbers when there is no power but love and inspiration is quite another. JO's style would generally be rejected by folks that have lived under fear and manipulation.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I will give you brownie points for that, and not even begrudgingly!

TFT was my Dad's favorite preacher. My Mom gave me my Dad's copy of The Main Thing the other day. It has a special place on my bookshelf. He had the page turned down at Chapter 12, and he hi-lighted:

"Dr. Leman Strauss says he has never seen a problem with a submissive wife when she is loved by her husband in the same way Christ loves the church."

He had lots of other stuff hi-lited, too. I just thought that one was funny.

I have that book. It's amazing to me that, THAT much material could be gathered just from what a person has said in sermons.

And SO true what is high-lighted in your dad's book.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

And this apology would be where JO gets brownie points from me--for strength. See? I can be persuaded. I appreciate a man who knows how to apologize, especially without being defensive. That's hard for anyone.

Indeed. Now, can someone please post the response of B H? Seems he immediately judged Olsteen quite harshly - even threatened him physically (albeit jokingly)... Seems like the right thing would have been for Hinn to hear Olsteen out, or at least readdress it after Olsteen apologized.