The Path of Truth Forum

I was just wondering if you think you are following Gods will by dedicating so much time and effort into judging (and trying to lead others to judge and discredit) Mr. Olsteen for his style of preaching and/or the subjects he preaches about. Are we not supposed to love our enemies? If you believe these things about him why aren't you trying to bring the word to Mr Olsteen himself, instead of trying to turn his listeners against him? Is that what Jesus would have done?? Did Jesus use fear, intimidation, hate, criticisms, intimidation, coersion or discouragement to bring the knowledge of God to the people? No way!

Do you not understand that the bible itself was written by man? The excerpts you used for explaining why his way is false but your way is the right was written by a human, not God himself. Besides that, how many people do you think you can reach using words and phrases from so long ago? Would it not make sense to speak in a language that ppl in this time would understand?

One more thing I don't understand is, of all the ppl in this world you could bring the word and knowledge of God to, of all the ppl who are in the dark, why would you put focus your attention on others who have it in their hearts to believe in Christianity as you do- but w/a different style? You do understand we are now in the age of technology, and regardless of whether or not we do, most of the country watches TV, listens to music on the radio etc- do you know what kinds of ideas (and reactions to) they are showing everyone? And it's not that theres a man w/the boyfriend on almost every show-its the focus and idealizing on them that's damaging. Girls watch how the popular girls w/the most attention have multiple partners and bcuz most dont have enough attention, left to watch TV a day, will seek to be promiscuous on purpose. Kids grow up watching everyone honor and admire soldiers, it's no wonder they become.e gangsters and street soldiers over territories and reputation. There are so many area in the world and people who need God, I think Joel Olsteen and his church's attendees should be the least of our worries. God doesn't need us to help him save people, I think we need to bring the knowledge of the creator and his love and righteousness and steps on getting back to him to everyone who doesn't know anything about him. But your teaching more about joel olsteen then about The commandments, and about forgiveness etc-

Anyways, please write back as I am interested in your opinion, my questions are legit, Id like to know what you think of these other issues I brought up, or you don't have to write back at all, no worries, that would be ok to. Thank you,

Trista Aquino

P.S.
If you are reading this I just wanna say thank you so much for reading my entire email-as I'm sure it has taken up much of your time! I'll try to shorten them in the future lol. God Bless

You've made many false assumptions in your letter, Trista. For example, are we “dedicating so much time and effort into judging”? You have no idea what we do with our time, or better yet, what God is doing with us.

Are we “teaching more about joel olsteen then about The commandments, and about forgiveness etc-"? You obviously don't understand what you're reading and haven't red the website responsibly.

Are we trying to turn people against Joel Osteen? You can't rightly say that either, and it's way off the mark. We're speaking the truth that makes people free, including Joel Osteen, if they believe.

Your problem is that you don't believe. You say: “Do you not understand that the bible itself was written by man?” Yes, but those men were inspired by God. In other words, the Bible is the Word of God.

2 Peter 1:19-21 BBE
(19) And so the words of the prophets are made more certain; and it is well for you to give attention to them as to a light shining in a dark place, till the dawn comes and the morning star is seen in your hearts;
(20) Being conscious in the first place that no man by himself may give a special sense to the words of the prophets.
(21) For these words did not ever come through the impulse of men: but the prophets had them from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

As for whether people understand us or not, it's not a matter of the language we use, but of the ears they have.

Matthew 13:10-15 MKJV
(10) And the disciples said to Him, Why do You speak to them in parables?
(11) He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.
(12) For whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. But whoever does not have, from him shall be taken away even that which he has.
(13) Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not; nor do they understand.
(14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which said, “By hearing you shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive;
(15) for this people's heart has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

And aren't you at all aware of the hard things Jesus said to the religious? Read Matthew 23. Was Jesus using “fear, intimidation, hate, criticisms, intimidation, hate, criticisms, intimidation, coersion or discouragement to bring the knowledge of God to the people”?

You really don't know what you're talking about, Trista, but the real problem is you're quite confident in this darkness and ignorance. That's lethal. You need to repent, which isn't our opinion, it's the Word of God.

Paul and Victor