 |
By Ianpassion
|
A friend of mine asked what is wrong about Joel’s messages. He said that Joel is misleading and you should be careful. His message is always about blessings with less teaching about sin and repentance.
The way how my friend described Joel’s preaching somehow charged him like a false preacher. What’s wrong with Joel’s teaching? Do you think you need to stop reading his devotionals articles and books? Is there some truth in his teachings?
I believe that preachers, theologians, evangelists, and community developers are not perfect. They are still finite beings with limitations and weaknesses. They need the grace of the Father daily. For these reasons, they have disagreements in various ways on how the Scripture should be interpreted. Each preacher or theologian has strong claimed that his theology is more Scriptural, and somewhat tend to suspect others unscriptural, or charged them cult or heretics. More badly some use black propaganda to destroy others' credibility just to justify their called perfect hermeneutics and their assertion for claimed correct-theology.
Examples of disagreements among theologians, the dispensationalists interpret the Scripture based on the divine administration of a period of time; each dispensation is a divinely appointed age. They believe the literal interpretation of the Scripture as the best hermeneutic. For example, when the Scripture speaks of “a thousand years” in Revelation 20, dispensationalists interpret it as a literal period of 1,000 years (the dispensation of the Kingdom), which is a future event. When the Scripture speaks of “the mark of the beast 666” in Revelation 13, they interpret it as a literal marking on your body like what you see in the end-times movies.
On the other hand, Calvinism is known for its “reformed theology” which is actually the longtime critics of the dispensationalists. Unlike the dispensationalists, Calvinists interpret the Scripture through the grid of covenant instead on the divine administration of a period of time. The overriding covenants are the covenant of works (CW) and the covenant of grace (CG). A third covenant is sometimes mentioned; namely, the covenant of redemption (CR). I do not want to go detail with each point of this; you can do further research on them.
Furthermore, Calvinist theologians figuratively interpret the Scripture. Like for example, a thousand years reign of the Son mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6 is symbolic of the current Eklesia age, rather than a literal future event 1,000-year reign as explained by the dispensationalists. Moreover, the “666” mentioned in Revelation 13 is a figurative symbol. Seven is some completeness and is associated with the divine, which six is incomplete, and the three sixes are "inherently incomplete." The number is therefore suggestive that the dragon and his beasts are inadequate.
Calvinists and the Armenians still argue until now on the following: If sinners are totally deprived or partially deprived of obtaining salvation. If salvation is the conditional or unconditional election. If it is atonement for all or atonement only for the elects. If the Father's gift of salvation is irresistible or not. Lastly, if it is perseverance of the saints or security in the Son. What would I say, it is complicated; many theologians stuck on these topics that eventually divided the unity of believers.
Moreover, among evangelicals and pentecostals until now do not have one agreed faith-statement with regards to the doctrine of the baptism of the HS. For the evangelicals, the baptism of the HS happened when you receive the Son as your savior and lord, but for the Pentecostals, the baptism of the HS is an experience different from the initial salvation. Pentecostals viewed baptism of the HS as a second experience that enables a believer for much greater spiritual power and boldness, accompanied by such signs as speaking in tongues.
You might wonder why I started my argument with some examples of disagreement among theologians and assemblies. It is because criticism started from contention. Joel is criticized because of his preaching messages, and his style of communication which totally is different from some Orthodox assemblies or from some mainstreams established large denominations. Actually, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, and T.D. Jakes are some of the preachers almost similar to Joel.
Rick Warren was also criticized because of less doctrine about sin in his book Purpose Driven Life.
Rick Warren was also criticized because of less doctrine about sin in his book Purpose Driven Life.
Many years ago the Four Spiritual Laws of CCC was also criticized because of its message of evangelism. The tracks they use, introduce the Message beginning with the Father's love and His wonderful plans in contrary to repentance which John the Baptist, Peter and Paul preached. (See Mathew 3:2, Acts 2:38, Acts 26:2).
Evangelism Explosion (EE) was also criticized because of its method of sharing the Message which started from the two diagnostics questions: (1) “If you were to die today you would go to heaven?”, Then follow up with the second question “Why should I let you into my heaven? What will you say?” Then after that, it is followed by a systematic explanation of grace, man, the Father, and faith. However, consider this, did the Son start his evangelism in this way? See this verse, "From that time on the So began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (See Mathew 4:17). The Son did not start from two diagnostic questions or in grace. He began instead on repentance that people should turn away from their sin.
So, in my own opinion if Joel is charged with not preaching the truth and misleading people, so why to exclude Prince, Jakes, Meyer, and Warren, and more.
Evangelism Explosion (EE) was also criticized because of its method of sharing the Message which started from the two diagnostics questions: (1) “If you were to die today you would go to heaven?”, Then follow up with the second question “Why should I let you into my heaven? What will you say?” Then after that, it is followed by a systematic explanation of grace, man, the Father, and faith. However, consider this, did the Son start his evangelism in this way? See this verse, "From that time on the So began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (See Mathew 4:17). The Son did not start from two diagnostic questions or in grace. He began instead on repentance that people should turn away from their sin.
So, in my own opinion if Joel is charged with not preaching the truth and misleading people, so why to exclude Prince, Jakes, Meyer, and Warren, and more.
On June 20, 2005, Larry King of CNN, interviewed Joel and asked him if he is a brimstone or about his preaching of the torments of hell for sinners. Joel replied “most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to eklesia, I want to tell them that you can change. There can be a difference in your life. So I don't go down the road on condemning.” He added, “I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm there to encourage them. I see myself more as a coach, as a motivator to help them experience the life the Father has for us.”
Furthermore, Larry asked him whether people of other faiths who don't believe in the Son would go to heaven. Osteen replied, "You know, I'm cautious about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I believe here's what the Scripture teaches and what I believe, "I'm going to let the Father be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell. I just—again, I present the truth, and I say it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with the Son. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going to be their choice. The Father's got to look at your own heart.”
Joel’s style or way to reach the people is somehow different from what is familiar to you or the how your Pastor delivers his Sunday message. Joel has formulated his style of preaching and prepared his sermons involves his remarks and listening to himself on tape for correction. His style of preaching is centered mostly on the attribute of the Father's goodness and living an obedient life. He tried to make his preaching short and simple to be understood easily by all different walks of life.
On the other hand, some preachers emphasize more on hell, justice, sufferings, and persecutions. For Joel’ “Good News” is the Father is Good. He is the Father of mercy. So Joel thinks that people already knew people living in sin, they already knew that they are wrong and their destiny is hell. For him, he does not need to come out to say “you guys are terrible, you are going to hell." He would rather encourage people to change their lives; that there is always time for a change. "The Father is the Father of mercy, you have got to live an obedient life. For every mistake, there is the Father's mercy available, and you get to make a decision to change and live a better life," Joel added.
On the other hand, some preachers emphasize more on hell, justice, sufferings, and persecutions. For Joel’ “Good News” is the Father is Good. He is the Father of mercy. So Joel thinks that people already knew people living in sin, they already knew that they are wrong and their destiny is hell. For him, he does not need to come out to say “you guys are terrible, you are going to hell." He would rather encourage people to change their lives; that there is always time for a change. "The Father is the Father of mercy, you have got to live an obedient life. For every mistake, there is the Father's mercy available, and you get to make a decision to change and live a better life," Joel added.
Reality is, whoever is behind the pulpit, there are always people who disagree and do not like the preacher. Not because he is bad, but because he has his own mind about on certain things. There are always critics. If Peter and Paul had a disagreement with the Gentile believers on how they should behave, whether to follow the Jewish customs or not to be believers, therefore how much more of us today? The truth is, disagreement is indispensable, real harmony is not the absence of argument, but it is how differences are consolidated to achieve our common goal.
Joel's calling is different and unique. His style made him who he is as the Father wanted him to be. His messages are full of encouragement, hope, and faith. He is used by the Father in that way. Of course, not all of his teachings are applicable in our own respective contexts, but there are some which are useful for our spiritual walk and daily living. For me as long as he does not reject the major doctrines of the believers, the doctrine of the Trinity, the deity of the Son, the HS, and above all, as long as he never claimed that he is the Messiah, then he is still a reliable resource for learning and for spiritual growth.
Joel's calling is different and unique. His style made him who he is as the Father wanted him to be. His messages are full of encouragement, hope, and faith. He is used by the Father in that way. Of course, not all of his teachings are applicable in our own respective contexts, but there are some which are useful for our spiritual walk and daily living. For me as long as he does not reject the major doctrines of the believers, the doctrine of the Trinity, the deity of the Son, the HS, and above all, as long as he never claimed that he is the Messiah, then he is still a reliable resource for learning and for spiritual growth.
I would like to conclude this article with this famous idiom in our Visayan dialect “Kauna ang unod, ilabay ang bukog”, in English “eat the flesh and throw the bones”, meaning that in a package of information whether delivered through preaching or publication, it is a fact that not all parts of its content are beneficial and applicable to our each respective context. You need to be vigilant and critical with the guidance of the HS, and be able to use the Father's Word as our sole reference for a conclusion. There are always bones or useless messages that we need to throw away. Yet there are flesh or precious messages that we can internalize and apply to our lives for they are profitable.
Related Posts:
What Is A Spiritual Family?
How To Experience Real Freedom?
Fears Took Over My Life, But Now I am Free
Related Posts:
What Is A Spiritual Family?
How To Experience Real Freedom?
Fears Took Over My Life, But Now I am Free
