"The Power of Belief!"
"God can do miracles in the unlikeliest of situations."
This statement aptly summarizes this biographical overview
of the ministry of Joel Osteen and his late father, John
Osteen. Having seen this man preach on TV, this reviewer
was fascinated by a preacher who speaks to thousands of
people in his church and probably thousands more on
television each Saturday evening and Sunday morning and
evening. What's so fascinating? Joel Osteen preaches the
positive nature of Christian living and refuses to focus
on hell and damnation. Sin is described as patterns and
addictions that God delights in clearing. What's behind
this ministry? Richard Young's account of Joel's father is riveting in
this book - a man who intensely searches for the truth of
God, never quits until he has not only found it but
experienced it full scale, and then begins to share in
word and deed the power, beauty, and majesty of what he
has found. You can feel the struggle as well as the
victory in this single-minded quest for truth. Very
powerful! Interestingly, when Young covers the ministry of Joel
Osteen, the tone changes to one of acclaim for Joel's
marketing prowess and his keen ability to draw together
the magnificent team that makes Lakewood Church prosper
and continue to grow. The charismatic quality of his
father's ministry is more evident in the congregant's
comments who continue to bring others to experience the
grace of Joel and Victoria's ministry. Again, having heard
Osteen speak, this reviewer thinks the author could have
been stronger here. One quality that the author emphasizes throughout this
entire book is the Osteens' message that belief in the
midst of life's challenges is so real it is
palpable. "That" is why people continue to drive hundreds
of miles to Lakewood Church, and that, despite some
controversies about Osteen, is what Richard Young conveys
so well which is sure to move readers of like mind! Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on January 24, 2007
Reviewed by Viviane Crystal
Courtesy Crystal Reviews
Posted February 20, 2007
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