I came across this on You Tube today. It features an interesting clash of theology.
Hinn is correct, at least, in criticizing Osteen for not being assertive in regards to the exclusivity of Jesus Christ for salvation and equally importantly, that there is no other means of salvation for humanity.
In other words, the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ must be applied to elected believers in order to spend everlasting life with the God the Father in salvation. (Implied in John 14: 6, also Romans, Galatians, Hebrews). The exclusivity of Christ for salvation is documented within Scripture and reasonably accurate Christian theology developed from Scripture.
Osteen preaches a very watered-down gospel message where at the end of his 'show' one is asked (paraphrased) to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The atonement and resurrection work of Jesus Christ is not mentioned in the call to accept Christ.
For balance, within the few times I have viewed Osteen, he has mentioned the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His theology prioritizes prosperity through faith in God with the absolutely essential doctrines of atonement and resurrection, seemingly and with great error, made secondary. His theology incorrectly assumes God will bless a person with success, eventually, if one has enough faith.
Further, from Scripture, it has not been explained in any of the shows I have viewed that everlasting blessings are only for those in Jesus Christ. Bluntly, in my opinion, to preach the fullness of atonement and resurrection, and heaven and hell, in this present era would in most cases, pragmatically, not be as good for business, so a watered-down message is provided.
Both preachers are documented as teaching prosperity theology, which is from an orthodox biblical perspective, considered heretical.
Hinn's supposed supernatural healings are of course very questionable. He supposedly heals persons in a similar way as was done, at times, in the New Testament era through Jesus Christ, his Apostles and disciples. I do not hold to cessationism or dispensationalism; but I also do not reason that miraculous healings will be dispensed, automatically in the last days based on the desires and actions of a minister that calls upon the name of the Lord, in private or in a public auditorium. These types of miraculous healings were not typical in any era and are not typical in this era.
