"Christless Christianity"- White Horse Inn (4 of 4)

Has America somehow found a way to 'develop' a Christianity without Christ? White Horse Inn discusses this topic on their weekly radio show.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• White
• Horse
• Inn
• Christless
• Christianty
• seeker
• sensitive
• Joel
• Osteen
• Michael
• Horton

[TheRealEReal]

When the search for worldly pleasures and having "worship experiences" loses it allure as it will, I hope that mtgd06 might consider what historic Christianity is about. Here is a simple test to see what fruits a church is producing. Christ centered worship will produce selflessness were as human centered worship will produce selfishness. What I observe at Lakewood is a very "me" centered message with very little if any reference to Christ or His death on the cross.

[ethanvjones]

Perhaps I don't understand because you're not making any sense. It's obvious that you disagree with Horton because of something he said, but instead of addressing it, you've written him off as a Pharisee because the tone of his voice discomforts you.

Tell me, how EXACTLY is Horton supposed to be behaving? Better yet, should he even be critical of Osteen at all? Or should we merely put the latter on a pedestal because he's "anointed by God"?

Someone's attitude is scary but it isn't Horton's.

[mtgd06]

My post addressed the fruits not the belief system. Its obvious you don't quite understand that concept so I'll end with this: visit the church and stop assuming about he Man of God. When you've experienced for yourself, if you still think you're worthy to sit in judgment of him, by all means... have at it and make sure you're ready for reciprocity on that day. May God bless you.

[mtgd06]

Your statement speaks for itself here. Anyone who's visited Lakewood knows this to be a lie. The worship experience at Lakewood is predicated on Jesus Christ. I salute Joel for his obedience to the spirit of God & do as God has instructed him... to make the teachings of God practical so the masses can understand God's plan for their lives. May God continue to richly bless Pastors Osteen & Lakewood Church.

[ethanvjones]

Whether you're talking about the man Joel Osteen or his church is irrelevant since Lakewood Church is predicated on Osteen's personality.

[ethanvjones]

You completely missed the point of what I said.

To be sure, it was reductionistic, but sufficient to demonstrate my point, which was this: you can't judge the verity of someone's ministry solely by its supposedly practical benefits. You MUST engage with the content of the belief system that underlies it and judge it accordingly. THAT is what Horton is doing and it does NOT make him a Pharisee for doing so.

[mtgd06]

Reading his books is NOT a fair and balanced view of the whole ministry of Lakewood Church. As I alluded in my first post, the ministry of Lakewood addresses the whole person. The word of God is studied daily. The prayer ministry has facilitated miraculous healing for believers. The music ministry touches the lives of hundreds of thousands as it exalts God. I could go on and on... They are reaching many with the message of Christ. May God bless Lakewood Church and Pastor Joel & family.

[mtgd06]

Having known many who've attended Lakewood Church... your "argument" is as much a fallacy as they come. If you're going to draw parallels, they should at least follow logic. I'm not talking about a man; I'm addressing one part of a whole ministry. The body of Christ is just that... a body... having MANY members with different callings & ministries but all exalting God & bringing sinners to the truth of Christ. Joel is about his Father's business using what God has given him.

[ethanvjones]

And another thing: even though Horton may have never attended Osteen's services, he HAS read his books and - assuming that Osteen's thoughts are faithfully represented in his own literature - has developed a fair and balanced analysis thereupon.

[ethanvjones]

You know? You're right...I mean, all we ever hear about Hitler is how he ranted and raved about killing Jews yet we forget that he built the Autobahn, saved many Germans from unemployment and established numerous charities for war orphans.

That's about the sum and substance of your argument.