Greetings everyone…

I have decided to blog about Joel Olstein.  Why not…everybody else is.  I can understand why?  Joel is very successful in his ministry.  Everything is being examined, scrutinized and questioned.  This is okay.  We are supposed to do this.  The Bible tells us to “Test the Spirits” so we can discern the truth.  The Bible teaches us that “false prophets” will come and that “wolves in sheeps clothing” will be among true believers.  The Bible also teaches that a day will come when people will desire “itchy ear teaching.”  So for these reasons and many others we should examine the fruit of Joel’s ministry. 

I will confess that I have been at least skeptical about Joel, but I have also examined his ministry and been open to God’s leadership about his ministry.  I have discovered that there are a lot of people out there, who are Godly men with Godly ministries, who will disagree with me about Joel.  These men of disagreement have some legitimate concerns, but in my opinion do not have a case to claim that Joel is a “false prophet” at this time.  Before you disagree with me or say Amen please read on.

First, my defense is not of Joel…but Christ.  Joel is a forgiven child of God like all born again believers.  So we must realize that Joel will make mistakes.  He will not always say what we would say or do what we would do.  I confess that there are things that Joel has said on public T.V. in interviews that have concerned me and even disappointed me.  But that is because I would have said things more boldly and differently…this does not make him a false prophet.

Second, the test is about what Joel beleives and confesses.  He believes in Christ…the same Christ every born again believer does.  He says over and over again that it is about a personal relationship with Christ and that he believes what the Bible teaches.  Joel is not bringing a false Christ to the people he shepherds. Nor is he denying the work of Christ.  Everytime I have heard Joel speak he offers salvation in Christ.  Calls those who want to repent of their sin and embrace Christ to do so.  Then he goes on to say that if one has been born again they need to get in a Bible teaching church.

My conclusion at this point is that Joel is on the team of Christ.  The disciples once asked Jesus about people doing works for God.  Jesus replied (paraphrase) that if they are not against us they are for us. 

So to all those alarmists out there…thank you for reminding me and others that we need to be on guard.  But until Joel denies Christ or teaches blasphemy, stop it, you are only hurting the cause of Christ.  I will remain concerned over somethings Joel has said and be cautious.  We all should do this.  He may someday prove to be a false prophet…but that is not the case right now.  We should focus on the things Joel is doing right and not on the things we think he is doing wrong, simply becasue we would have done it differently does not mean he is bad.  I defend Joel because I defend Christ.  Let’s exalt Christ and promote Christ.  Let’s not tear one another apart.  I would do the same for any brother, even those who accuse Joel of foul play.

Written with Great love and conviction about the truth,

Pastor Chris