"[Osteen] understands the importance of TV and uses the language of
contemporary American society - the language of psychotherapy."
Having preached for less than a decade, Osteen, 46,
presides over a Houston church in a former basketball arena that draws
40,000 people on Sundays. His televised sermons are seen by more than 7
million Americans a week and millions more around the world.
He's
had two best-selling books and a third, "It's Your Time," will come out
in November. He's only been preaching on the road for five years, but
is taking the stage at the new Yankee Stadium before A-Rod for what he
calls "A Night of Hope.
He appeals to conservatives and
liberals, Texas Republicans and Nancy Pelosi, Pentecostal Christians
filled with the Holy Spirit and atheists filled with none.
"I
wish I could explain it better," he said of his appeal in a recent
interview with The Journal News at the swanky Mandarin Oriental Hotel
in Columbus Circle. "I don't have an answer. I guess it's that my
message is positive and hopeful. People stop me on the street, whether
they are bikers or bankers. I've had atheists tell me that they watch
me on TV.
"It's got to be God," he said, "because it's not me."
Tulane
University's Shayne Lee, an expert on superstar evangelists, said
Osteen is young, fresh, likable and doesn't have the baggage of the
televangelists of old.
"He understands the importance of TV and
uses the language of contemporary American society - the language of
psychotherapy, the language of Americans who watch Oprah and Dr. Phil,"
said Lee, whose new book, "Holy Mavericks," profiles Osteen and four
other pastors with national followings. "Osteen understands that his
brand is not to condemn, but uplift. If the caricature of the typical
evangelist is a fingerpointing loudmouth, Osteen seems so trustworthy
that he's the boy next door."
"My message is not about doctrine.
I don't have to get 50 references from Scripture in a sermon for it to
be a good sermon. Churches that are helping people live out a Christian
life are growing and flourishing."
From www.lohud.com
[The Berean Call adds: [But the bible says]
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to
fables.]
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