7 replies to this topic

[Charles Miles]

During a discussion in Sunday school yesterday, someone remarked that Joel Osteen has/or is opening a muslim section at his church/ministry.  He did state that he has an active and growing muslim segment in his ministry.  I didn`t comment because nobody knew any details about it.  Now, does anyone here know if Osteen`s muslim group is a converted group of muslims, or does he actually have a group who worship their own god and attend church with the Christians?

 

I would assume any group that converts to christianity would be called Christians and not a muslim segment of a church.  The faith is called islam and the people are muslims, so I certainly hope the news here is that he has a group of middle eastern people who were Islamic, but have converted to Christianity. 

 

Does anyone have any information on this topic?

[Candice]

Hi Charlie,
Good to see your post. It's been too long with a great, unusual lull on the forum. Hope you are well

There's an article about this on the Christian Post website, with quotes from Osteen, which implies more outreach to Muslims than conversions. I do know there's a great number of Muslims who are growing weary of Islam and are getting sAved in the Middle East especially as Christ will do the real outreach through Holy Spirit.

I'm not an Osteen follower so can't comment beyond this.

Be well
Candice

[Charles Miles]

It is good to see that some of the forum members from years ago still stop by on occasion.  This just seems like one of my old, comfortable places to read about and talk with fellow believers.

If Osteen`s message is one of "outreach", then I suppose it could be a good thing if handled carefully.  It just concerned me that some of the "mega" churches are moving toward this "seeker friendly" thing that so waters down the gospel that it is of little or no effect. I do not think there is a place for worshipers of Islam to be included in Christian worship services....at all. The Oprah Winfrey gospel of..."it makes no difference what you believe as long as you believe something with passion", just is wrong at so many levels. To say worshipping alla, as long as you are filled with passion, is just as good as worship of the God of Jacob, David, and Moses, is TOTALLY incorrect. I hope that is not what is happening here(and at Warren`s church in Calif.).  There were many people who worshipped baal years ago, and God had some strong words(and actions) against them. 

 

 Ministering to muslims and showing them the gospel is great.  Teaching them about Jesus and who He is, can be wonderful, although dangerous in some instances. Including them in our worship with them worshipping their god and us worshipping the One we call the ONLY God, well, that can`t be. Jesus said that He was the Truth, the Way, and the Light.  He said men come to the Father by Him, the gate to the sheep fold, the door, anyone who comes any other way is a thief and is up to no good.

 

I do pray for the muslims and I do think God will give them an opportunity to see Jesus for who he is.  Islam is a classic "bait and switch" game that has led millions in the wrong direction.  I pray to God that the TRUTH will be seen and recognized.

[Candice]

Charlie:
I agree. Amen.

[Tony Davison]

I have seen the same things happening in many churches where the Christians have told you that you have to let the weeds grow with the wheat. Or in other words keep quite about your beliefs and let the weeds seek. In a good growing garden you have to pull the weeds out or else the rest of the garden crop does not grow well the garden crop is normally stunted. The weeds will force the good crop to be less productive.

Am I suggesting to kick out the non believers, never, but we have to pull out the bad seeds in their hearts and plant new seed so we can harvest a good crop.

Seeker friendly churches are doing more harm than good because we do not know when the harvester is coming and the weeds could be harvested and thrown into the fire.  

[Charles Miles]

I do agree newbie.  The weeds will most certainly be pulled up and thrown into the fire! My concern here is that in the parable, the weeds were sown without the knowledge of the farmer and then became a problem, but what if the weeds are put there with the full knowledge of what they are and that they could cause confusion and damage.  A muslim that has left Islam and is seeking truth is certainly welcome to come and hear the gospel preached with everyone, but a muslim who remains Islamic and comes to worship his own god is not doing anyone any good....  We do not need any extra confusion within the Church, especially if we know what it is beforehand.

[Julie Daube]

I also read the article in the Christian Post and it just said that Muslims are going to his church; it did not say that there is a separate section for Muslims to worship their god or that they are there to worship Allah.

[Charles Miles]

If muslims are going there to seek and find Jesus, then I am very encouraged.  I certainly hope and pray that this is the case. I do know that many people in the middle east are converting to Christianity from islam, but as I understand it, they don`t then continue to call themselves muslim.

 

Jesus is the answer to this tangled mess over there.  This includes the Jews also.  When the overwhelming love of Christ sweeps through that region, peace is the only thing that will remain.  "Love one another even as I have loved you" is a concept that can solve huge, seemingly insurmountable problems.  Why has it not happened yet?  Well, it will happen when enough of God`s people pray for it in an unselfish, holy manner.