The Osteenian inoculation test

 

Why do I call it an inoculation test? because that is what it is. Think for a moment what one of these jabs is supposed to do; and more than likely, it does do it. It is a concoction of the flue or virus (a small amount) and the cure for some illness; virus or some such thing. It enacts in a way that mimics the symptom and help to stabilise the system and eventually provides us with a means of fighting of the infection. 

And in a similar way, this oft repeated statement by this particular false teacher gives him the grounds to speak in God place (or so he wants his hearer to believe) what God has not given him the right to speak on. This mantra does several things: first, it makes the suggestion that what you will hear comes from God Words. Second, it hinders the hearers from doing the necessary fact checking to ensure they are in fact hearing from God.  Thirdly, it provides him with the freedom to give the appearance that he actually cares for the people he is speaking too.

But as we will see those he speaks to are in a spiritual compromise place because they lack the ability or desire to check what he said is true. We read in scriptures:

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17: 10-11)

This is a lesson which the Apostle later would recommend to all believers (1 Thess. 5:21-22): to discern whether something being said is true; and to blindly believe because you happen to like the person who said it.  This kind of thing is ripe for many dangers because it leaves a weakened church that cannot defend itself due to it being taught falsely. And in this manner scriptures are dishonoured.

No regard for the Truth

Here, then, is the first problem we run into when we regard this man's teaching as a whole; he being a Pastor (if one can call Him that) has the most awe-filled responsibility to declare God truth to those he shepherds. But instead what we find is that unlike his creed where he says that "you will be taught the word of God today"  that it never even gets an honourable mention outside of being twisted. And still more importantly, we must recognise that he continually shirk his duty to God when he does not preach the word faithfully and accurately so that the sheep of his flock can be edified by the truth. He simply has no place to edit the truth to fit his notion of what his role is; it already has been determined by the written Word. 

I have seen some interview he has given over the years to justify what it is is doing over against what he should be doing. in one interview he said: "Well, I don't feel it is my calling to preach the heavy doctrine but to simply to give encouragement." Now that may sound reasonable on the face of it. I mean: who would want to be an encouragement in these very troubling times. But the problem is that he is guilty of a false dichotomy. He is making a point of separating the aspects of preaching to the point that you can choose which you are suited too instead of recognising that each has it place in every given sermon: there is teaching the hard subjects and there is teaching the easier subjects; but there is also application where you warn and encourage them and so on. Let us notice what John MacArthur states::

Scripture testifies to its own inspiration; it is the Word of God, originating outside of man. This is particularly important to understand in a culture dominated by the subjectivity of postmodernism. Truth cannot be subjective; there is no such thing as your truth or my truth. Truth is forever fixed. Authentic Christianity has always held that Scripture is absolute, objective truth. The Bible is God’s truth regardless of whether a person believes, understands, or likes it. It is a permanent and universal truth, and therefore, is the same for everyone.

These words give us the correct balance as to what Pastor is supposed to do in this office. And in each account this man has failed his responsibility. Notice the final words "authentic Christian has always held that scriptures is absolute, objective truth." And it is to be taught consistently.  Someone might say  "what does that encompass? surely Joel could be doing that."  Let us now notice what we are told in Acts 20 where Paul lays down the charge for all pastors:  "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole council of God." (vs. 27) And he describes this as the gospel of God; preaching the kingdom; the word of His grace. A most important thought. 

How can it be expected of a Pastor to do what the scriptures tells him if he does not know the scriptures at all? And this much is abundantly clear because he does not know the difference between biblical truth and new age thought philosophy which he continually reads into scriptures as we will soon see. But for now what we need to note is there is no objective standard of truth being presented in any of his talks as we find in the sermons of any true preacher of the gospel. This man talks are permeated with falsehood; deception and lies; but in the case of a true pastor it is permeated with truth and nothing else but truth. And what is the difference? it is simply the fact that he has grounds to recognise truth but the true pastor does for he hold fast to the truth which is the Word of God. 

 No place for discernment

One of the greatest travesties connected to this whole matter happens to be the fact that in him claiming that he will teach the Word of God at the outset of each and every sermon or talk he gives; we see the ever-real danger being made manifest. it could states in this manner: "if he says that he will teach the words; and that he seems an honest man; then we sure should take him at his word." And we see the error in this thinking as it leads to a church full of spiritually deceived and spiritual underfed people. And even worse, we see that they lack the basic function of questioning what is taking place. Therefore, what we see is a form of manipulation. They are willing to accept what they hear but to never check it's truthfulness. 

But here is where this teaching and the scriptures are diametrically opposed; for they never allow us to be so easily duped. Take note of what it tells us to do when someone comes with a new message claiming it is from God. In one such passage we are told the following:

Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)

This command instructs us to be of a discerning mind-set. don't simply accept what you hear but test it to know if it is truthful (Acts 17: 10-11). Now when the people in this mega-church non church listen to this man speak. Do they test what is being said?  Are they willing to sacrifice their souls for the sake of not doing what the scriptures teach us to do in such situations?  The evidence is clear: many of them have bible on their lap; but they do not open them, let alone read them.  If these are true Christians or Christians at all; then they fall under Hosea's condemnation from long ago when he said: "My people perish from a lack of knowledge." ( chapter 4; verse 6) The chapter give a very stark picture concerning manipulative priests. But to put it in the modern context it would be men like this man we are speaking of. 

Now notice a few passages that very important at this time: 

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. (Proverbs 14:8)

The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.  (Proverbs 16: 21)

I hope that the pattern is becoming clear: discernment is required; ignorance is forbidden. Think and listen. Reason and accept. The New Testament is just as clear on this  whole point:

(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5: 9-11) 

 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (Philippians 1:9)

Do you see the value of discernment in the faith? I really hope you do.  Look even Mary the mother of our Lord, we are told in the words of Luke 1: 29,  that she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be." That is right! She tried to understand and think through this rather unusual event that was taking place. And if she did. Why not us in our every day life and more in particular, matter concerning the faith. 

                   No understanding of scriptures

Now we come to the most troubling reality in this whole matter; and that is the blatant  dismissive attitude towards what the scriptures actually teach. It in actually reality point a most dangerous truth: this man does not know the scriptures at all; even if he continually repeats his mantra and even claim in an interview that what he teaches is what he sees in scriptures. Let us notice Paul dual command to Titus, he states in the first chapter:  "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (vs. 9). That is the Pastoral duty; but the one thing clear in this is that he must never refuse to teach the truth; and speak lies. Let note two example of this:

I love the scripture, "no weapon formed against me shall prosper but every tongue raised against us in judgement, you shall show to be in the wrong." You may have to endure people speaking against you, but if you can stay on the high road and keep doing your best. You will prove criticism invalid.

 The bible says to "be still, and know I am God." Notice, you need to get still. You need to be at peace with the place you are at right now. ..... Scriptures record, "those who have believed enter into the rest of God." Being in God's rest means that although you may have a problem, you trust in him to take care of it

In these above example of what this man has spoken in his talks; and put into print, we have a very illustrative example of how this man twists scriptures to his own destruction. And whether he recognise he is doing I do not know. But nonetheless it is what it is. Notice in both case the Isaiah passage and the Psalm passage that his interpretation is not valid and does nothing to enhance the original intention. While this is not to be taken as a refutation in the fullest sense; it should still be taken in that manner for we are dealing with a a most notorious scripture twister. Let us just say that in either case we are not get a consistent exegesis of the text; but a speculative theory that has no basis in the text. The big issue here is that God is our true stronghold and defender. 

Now let us take note of what the scriptures teach on the sole place of scriptures in the lives of the believer; and in the preaching of the Pastor. 

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The labourer deserves his wages.” (1 Tim. 5:17-18)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  (1Peter 5: 1-3)

These scriptures give us the pattern of conduct pertaining to Elders conduct which  is very important in this matter. But one of the clear things that needs to be noted is this: they need to be able to teach (1 Timothy 3: 2; 5:17; Titus 9). And he must teach the scriptures in the way that the scriptures demand. Let us also note that the next scripture is used to prove one of the most central Protestant tenants. But here I will use it simply as a part of the whole issue at hand of what a faithful Pastor is and what he must do without failure. Therefore we read the following:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

The Pastor, the man of God, who has been granted such a wonderful opportunity to deliver the biblical truth to the people must look to the scriptures as the only source of truth that his congregation must hear because it is the full and final revelation of God about God given to man. 

The scriptural mandate 

If this man were a true Pastor of a church; he would of necessity have to preach the full counsel of God to his congregation; and not simply play lip-service to the idea by repeating this easily refuted false narrative which puts in the form of a mantra. The bible gives no place for fast and loose kind of self-help pablum that he has been peddling for 22 years now. As a Pastor he would be obligated to preach the hard truths as well as easy ones; the hitting truths as well as common ones. There would no room for accommodating for the public; it would patterned after Christ and the apostles; who if they could have chosen the easy root  would have. But never did. And the same goes for all Pastors who seek to emulate their master.

Now let us notice what the scriptures teach us on this vital matter:

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4: 11-16)

Paul tells Timothy else where to pass on the sound doctrine to other men who are able to teach which he puts forth here as a requirement for the office of Pastor (2 Tim. 2:1-2; 1 Tim.4: 13). But here we given something important: "command and teach these things."  what things? Sound doctrine (4:6) And as Timothy was the Pastor in Ephesus then the letter to Ephesian which is a circular letter would apply here. But Paul goes onto give us a further piece of information which a very important instruction:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:1-5)

Not only are Pastor to teach the Word;  of which Timothy was one of the first one in an official sense, but they are to preach it consistently and constantly. And they are to do so in a faithful and accurate manner to show themselves approved (2 Tim. 2: 14-15). And this means to take Pauls words in verse 2 to heart: "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."  That is the point. And as a result of this these people in this church are guilty of what verse 3 teaches about the abandonment of sound teaching and the hording of false teaches due to their desire to fulfil their own depravity.  But can we say that this man is guilty in this? I think so because he is continually teaching falsehood which feeds into their already deadened hearts. 

 So if you are under this false teachers ministry or any other like it. You must do the following thing: flee from the undeniable idolatry within it.