SUPER FUNNY UPDATE ON JOEL OSTEEN: Check out Joel Osteen’s super scammy books he sells on Amazon (24!!!) including his self help BS book
and his hilarious book on “Wise Choices”. If only he’d follow his own advice!
LOL! For all you Joel Osteen fanboys – remember he just cynically feeds on you to make money so he can live his fancy lifestyle. He couldn’t care less about you in reality.
Popular televangelist preacher Joel Osteen has been named the “Most Influential Christian in America” in 2006 by the Church Report, was one of
Barbara Walters, “10 Most Fascinating People of 2006 and operates an extraordinarily profitable religious scam operation that probably will one day end in scandal.
So who is this guy who has appeared on 60 Minutes, Larry King Live and has his own television shows?
Who is this guy who thinks he can share the mighty name of Joel?
Joel Osteen has not yet had major sex scandals, drug scandals or molestation scandals like the other megachurch pastors: Pat Robertson, Al Sharpton, Ted Haggard, Paul Barnes, D.E. (Earl) Paulk, Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, William Dodd and too many others to possibly mention here. What Joel Osteen DOESN’T do is the real question.
In his sermons, Joel Osteen does not talk about God. Joel Osteen instead talks about almost everything except God. He has a television ministry, a massive church, $43 million a year in tithes and another $36 million a year in mailed in donations, but he won’t talk about God. He, like Pastor Kevin Gerald, talks about more pleasant topics, such as donating money to him and positive thinking. He has written two books, the second of which sold 3 million copies, but his books don’t really talk about God either. It’s just his bland and boring advice on how to live a happy life that has been thought of by other people first, “Think positively about yourself” and other such drivel.
What does Joel Osteen say when people ask him about why he does not discuss God or Jesus Christ or sin or what you need to do to go to Heaven? “That’s not my gift.” What are you doing being a freaking megachurch pastor then, bonehead?!
If you are going to try to operate a religious scam, at least make it religious! I actually think that Joel Osteen operating a secular “Christian” church is more of a scandal than Ted Haggard and his transsexual prostitutes and meth! (Though not nearly as funny of a scandal).
Joel Osteen didn’t even found his megachurch; instead the business was handed down to him by his father. When Joel Osteen became the head pastor of his church, he had only preached ONE sermon in his entire life- and that was the week before. Joel Osteen does not have any training in the Bible (seminary, degrees, etc.), which is probably why he doesn’t want to talk about it much.
My loyal readers have pointed out to me many times that the ridiculous actions of leaders in religion do not invalidate their beliefs. They are absolutely correct on this. However, there has never been anything that VALIDATES their beliefs either. The Flying Spaghetti Monster has the same amount of evidence on his side as most other gods. Here is another question I put to you: Please find me a single megachurch pastor who is NOT a scam-running, meth-eating, prostitute-abusing criminal. Anyone?
Update March 3, 2008 on JOEL OSTEEN:
Many people have been discussing Joel Osteen in the comments and making statements about his beliefs, behavior and preaching methods that show a distinct lack of understanding of his profit driven motives. Below I have added a video of Joel Osteen on Larry King Live where he dances around the core question of the Christian faith: What does it take to get to heaven? Joel Osteen hems and haws and won’t even say that people of different religions won’t make it to heaven.
The partial transcript for Joel Osteen’s interview with Larry King is below. I have basically pulled out the most pertinent excerpts to the point I have tried to make on televangelist Joel Osteen.
Televangelist Joel Osteen Discusses Christianity with Larry King
First is Larry King’s impressive introduction of Joel Osteen:
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight, Joel Osteen, evangelism’s hottest rising star, pastor for the biggest congregation in the United States… Pastor Joel Osteen is here for the hour…. Joel Osteen is the author of the number one “New York Times” best-seller, “Your Best Life Now.” There you see its cover. “Seven Steps to Living at Your Full Potential.” There is now a compendium been published called “Your Best Life Now Journal,” a guide to reaching that full potential. Joel Osteen is pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. His father before him. He has been called the smiling preacher.
Larry King knows Joel Osteen Ministries is huge and tries to play nice with him throughout the interview.
KING: Why are you a preacher?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I never was for 17 years. I worked with my dad there at the church. He tried to get me to minister. I didn’t have it in me. I worked behind the scenes. I loved doing production and things. But when my father died, I just knew — I don’t know how to explain it, it sounds kind of odd, but I just knew down to here I was supposed to step up to the plate and pastor the church. And it was odd because I had never preached before. But I just knew I was supposed to do it.
Hmmm… either God gave him the “calling” or he was scared of losing his father’s multi-million dollar preaching business.
KING: But don’t you think if people don’t believe as you believe, they’re somehow condemned?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I think that happens in our society. But I try not to do that. I tell people all the time, preached a couple Sundays about it. I’m for everybody. You may not agree with me, but to me it’s not my job to try to straighten everybody out. The Gospel called the good news. My message is a message of hope, that’s God’s for you. You can live a good life no matter what’s happened to you. And so I don’t know. I know there is condemnation but I don’t feel that’s my place.
Joel Osteen comes right out and says that he will refuse to condemn sinners. He is too afraid, it’s not his place, he just wants to spew bland niceties… hmmm.
LARRY KING: Where were you ordained? OSTEEN: I was ordained from the church there, Lakewood, under my dad’s ministry.
LARRY KING: So you didn’t go to seminary?
JOEL OSTEEN: No, sir, I didn’t.
LARRY KING: They can just make you a minister?
JOEL OSTEEN: You can, you can.
Wow. Joel Osteen never even attended Bible school or classes for future preachers. No wonder he is so clueless about Biblical theology.
LARRY KING: Is it hard to lead a Christian life?
JOEL OSTEEN: I don’t think it’s that hard. To me it’s fun. We have joy and happiness. Our family — I don’t feel like that at all. I’m not trying to follow a set of rules and stuff. I’m just living my life.
LARRY KING: But you have rules, don’t you?
JOEL OSTEEN: We do have rules. But the main rule to me is to honor God with your life. To life a life of integrity. Not be selfish. You know, help others. But that’s really the essence of the Christian faith.
Of course its not hard for Joel Osteen to lead a Christian life. BECAUSE HE’S NOT!!!
LARRY KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?
JOEL OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know …
LARRY KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?
JOEL OSTEEN: Well, I don’t know if I believe they’re wrong. I believe here’s what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person’s heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don’t know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don’t know. I’ve seen their sincerity. So I don’t know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.
The last exchange between Larry King and Joel Osteen hits the nail on the head of everything that is wrong with the Joel Osteen Ministry. All it is is fluff. He can’t even defend the single core belief of Christianity- that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is a requirement to gain access to Heaven.
Below is more Joel Osteen preaching videos. Joel Osteen preaches on cheesy, transparent topics that have nothing to do with the Bible. He twists scripture around to serve his own purposes of mass produced drivel. My question to Joel Osteen is where in the Bible does it say Christians have a “right to total victory” over physical pain, financial problems and other issues? Did he completely miss the book of Job or the trials and tribulations that the early Christians had to suffer under the Romans? I don’t think that Joel Osteen has ever even read the Bible.
DO NOT LET JOEL OSTEEN CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH HIS BIBLE-CONTRADICTING, POLITICALLY CORRECT AND PROFIT SEEKING DRIVEL! JOEL OSTEEN’S SCANDAL IS OUTRAGEOUS!
Jesus once went into a temple and threw out currency traders and salespeople…. WHO WILL THROW THE SCANDAL CREATING JOEL OSTEEN OUT OF GOD’S ASTRODOME TEMPLE?
Further discussion: Joel Osteen megachurch building – Joel Osteen paid the city of Houston $90,000,000 to remodel the former home of NBA team Houston Rockets and an additional $14,000,000 to lease the building for 30 years. Preacher Joel Osteen’s megachurch does not even own the building! Pastor Joel Osteen doesn’t care though- he’ll be dead by then and this church is all about him. The most interesting thing about the new church is that there is not a SINGLE cross in the whole building! Want to know why? Joel Osteen says that he wants to remove all “stumbling blocks” from the way of people coming to his church and being comfortable. Since when has Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross been a STUMBLING BLOCK for faith?! The scandal here is that the Joel Osteen is doing and saying blasphemous things… and no one is calling him out on it. The pastor of the largest church in America won’t even follow the basic tenets of Christianity!
Visit the Prayer Helpers site here to buy prayers for sale.
Joel Osteen is unable to even keep his own family under control. Pastor Joel Olsteen’s wife, Victoria Osteen, has been fined $3,000 and is being sued for assaulting a flight attendant on her first-class trip to the playground of the rich and famous Vail, Colorado.
Bible Verses that Condemn Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen
I have had quite a few people post in the comments asking what does it really matter what Joel Osteen believes if he’s helping people? If Joel Osteen teaches nice things, isn’t it okay for him to be a Christian pastor? I understand that my opinions of right and wrong should not sway you, but I ask you to consider what the Bible says on the matter. First, let’s take the Bible verses that are the standard definition of who is a Christian:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)
For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
To summarize, the only way to be saved and go to heaven is by the grace of Jesus and by faith in God. These are the basic verses that every Christian who has accepted Christ knows. Now for the verses that clearly state that only Christians who believe the above will go to Heaven:
-John 3:3: no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
-John 3:15: everyone who believes in him [Jesus] may have eternal life.
-John 3:18: whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of Gods one and only Son.
-John 14:6: Jesus answered: No one comes to the Father except through me
-Acts 3:23: And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. (ASV)
-Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved
-Romans 10:9: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
-Hebrews 9:28: he [Christ] will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him
-1 John 5:12: he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
The nine quoted verses above clearly state that only Christians can go to Heaven. Now, if Joel Osteen truly believed and was a pastor of a Bible-based church, would he preach a false message of hope to people? Joel Osteen is essentially subverting the word of God, which motivated me to write this post. I am not sure why Joel would do this, but my postulation (as above) is that he is doing it for financial gain. Joel Osteens father was a pastor and he has been a pastor for a long time now and he should know better than most people the MOST basic tenets of Christianity. Ignorance is an excuse for new Christians (as long as they work at it), but not for a shepherd of the flock.
Do you know what the Bible says about false teachers like Joel Osteen?
-2 Timothy 4:3,4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth , and be turned aside to fables.
-Matthew 7:15,16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
-Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves . Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
-2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
-2 Peter 3:16,17 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
-Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
-Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
The Bible is very, very harsh in its condemnation of people who change, twist or leave out parts of its doctrine. False leaders (Joel Osteen), to me, are more disgusting than someone who is a hypocrite (Ted Haggard).
For more information on mega church pastor Joel Osteen you can search Google with the terms joelosteen.com or joel osteen.com to find the man’s website. You could also use terms such as Joel Osteen Website or Joel Osteen Lakewood Church for other sorts of information on him.
Why do I care what Joel Osteen does or doesnt do in his church, especially seeing that I am not religious? People who are cheats, fakes, and phonies really bother me. I have written quite a few other posts on various community leaders who lead people astray for their own personal gain. My tax dollars go to support Joel Osteen (every church in America is exempt from taxes, but Joel Osteen is making millions tax-free teaching his Prosperity Message when he is basically just another self-help guru). I also am very wary of megachurch pastors (I used to attend one and have seen many on television)- they often seem to be some of the craziest people (Jim Jones-Want some Kool Aid?)
Please tell me…how can any one in this day and age, criticize a person whose goal— is to make people see the “good”? We live in such a sad, hopeless world, filled with evil and hurt! What if a person believes…in God, Christ, Resurrection? What is there to keep one strong? Faith alone? How can one keep their faith when every day the news is filled with disgusting, dis-heartening updates on hate in our world! Let alone, the pain people endure in their very own circumstances. People doubt that there is a higher power. It can only get worse!! One surely can become depressed and give up hope!!!! BUT, a person who has decided to help bring out positives, and happiness is so “out of the NORM”. By positives, I mean within yourself. Not what others see. There is so much more to a human being, than what attention is focused on in our current world. No wonder he has sold so many copies of his books! People crave something that makes them feel good, other than alcohol, drugs, etc. Maybe he isn’t shouting GOD ALMIGHTY from the highest mountain as people faint all around him…He is attempting to help a sad, hopeless world see SOME good. I think this man is a wonderful person, with a kind, hopeful heart and soul.
The Holy Spirit brings remembrance to all the things Jesus said. Jn. 14:26
The Holy spirit does not bring remembrance to all the things Joel and Victoria Olsteen are saying.
Joel Olsteen tells us in his sermons and books, “God loves us unconditionally; that we should love others unconditionally and his congregation is eating up this false preaching like kids turned loose in a candy store.
Jesus said there is a heaven for good people and a hell for for the bad people who are lusting for love and earthly things that give them pleasure.
Just what part of God’s CONDITIONAL love
don’t the ignorant and unstable understand?
There is no such thing as “Unconditional love.”
From the Hol;y Spirit that was speaking through our one and only teacher Jesus when he gave us the sermon on the mount listen and learn then God will bless you in return.
Make your every love a selfless but Conditional virtue true; then while your blessing someone else God will be blessing you.
“Soon enough you’ll be flying high-higher than an eagle flies-above the stars and far beyond where love goes on and on.”
Osteen seems like a decent person.Could care less what religion he is or the amount of doe he makes and as for the tax exemption,the less money the goverment gets the better b/c they damn sure don t know how to spend it wisely!One message to the author:We have a sitting President who ran on HOPE and CHANGE.He raised 10s of millions of dollars on that message only to spend that money on political commercials with DEVISIVE rhetoric so it seems to me Mr. Osteen isnt as awful as YOU make him out to be
This Blog makes me SICK!!! Just Remember – Judge Not, You Will be Judged!!!
Thank God we have “some” Positive People in the world! The others spend their time trying to tear down others that are willing to do the Good Work.
Hope you are happy with the person you see in the Mirror when you wake up everyday.
You don’t have to agree and you don’t have to like Joel Osteen. I pray that you spend your time and energy towards finding good in people and promoting that rather than choosing to attack another human being who has every right to do what he enjoys doing. Maybe you should read the bible or pay closer attention to the person you choose to critique. The bible talks about enemies and I don’t hate you nor am I going to critique you. But nothing you do can stop the word of God. And nothing you do or say will hurt Joel Osteen or his followers. Give up. Good always prevails.
We need to love everybody, and God is not a hateful God, God loves you too the same way he Loves Joel Osteen,and if you open your heart ,you will be bless in many ways,Don’t point fingers,Just Love !
why doy say ,published hey are divorced while they are NOT?
The author of the blog is trying to point out to all the blind folks here that the Word of God is what is relevant. Joel does not use the Word of God in exhortation to his congregation. He spouts the positive happy things- hey that’s great but true joy and contentment comes from a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. So in a way, as a person in the media with so many thousands of followers- he is misleading them by not pointing them to the Wonderful Counselor- Jesus. And there will come a day when he like all of us will be judged based on what we did with God’s word.
The Osteens aren’t perfect they walk and chew gum like the rest of us put they’re pants on one leg at a time. Are they doing welll by all means both spiritually and financially unless you know ALL the details don’t point your finger or vocally judge. But if you read the scriptures the apostles weren’t perfect either they argued and didn’t get along and who knows what else bur only Jesus was perfect. If Joel or the rest of them are true followers of Christ they would and will repent of they’re sin or wrong but that’s between them and God not you or I. Not that I think mega churches are wrong look at Dr. Cho’s in Korea one of the largest if not thee largest in the world but some can be hazy in they’re dealings I agree. So if you know that a brother is done or doing wrong go to him or her in private then before the church, congregation, neighbors, believers, etc. BUT KNOW THE FACTS!!!!!
I absolutely applaud your blog. All of these people I have just read that are attacking YOU for exposing someone preaching a message of positive and happy nothingness are those that the scripture says will be easily fooled. The biggest lie the enemy can throw at us is for us to believe that we are all “okay”. If the Gospel is watered down to the point of no absolute then the Devil has accomplished everything he needs to do. This blogger is absolutely correct in everything he has said about Mr. Osteen. I feel like the Apostle Paul “the chief of sinners”. I am nothing but I do know that I love the Lord, I share His Gospel and I weep over the thought of those that I love going to hell. I shudder to think about Joel Osteen standing before our Creator God when this is all said and done. Osteen has very keenly tapped into what makes people respond. Pat someone on the hand and tell them that they are okay and everything is going to be wonderful is his sermon for life. There are thousands of people out there that think they are “okay” because he has told them what they want to hear. What a sad realization when those same people pass over into eternity and are absolutely clueless about missing the single simple step of trusting in Jesus as a personal Savior. Mr. Osteen is going to have much blood on his hands when he stands before his Creator. If what this man (the blogger) has written is so upsetting and enraging to those of you that are ready to tear him to shreds, then to me, that speak of conviction within because someone has brought to mind that we have a personal responsibility and are personally accountable to God for what we have or have not done with His Sons’ sacrifice on the cross. Don’t take this guy (the blogger) or Joel Osteen as credible – read your Bible and let God speak to you. God will reveal Himself to you and you will see the truth. Then you will understand what the blogger is trying to say. Don’t condemn someone who has a clear heart for what happens to other people.
Your videos have been taken down. I’d like to see them when you find the footage again.
BTW, the flying spaghetti monster doesn’t have hundreds of years of documentation. Regardless of whether Christianity is a hoax…or whatever you think is illegitimate about it, please try to use a stronger, more solid argument. If that’s the best you have, no one who is on the fence about leaving Christianity will take you seriously.
wow! jealous much?? watch it – that is a deadly sin!
and btw, I would question your arguments just because you were forced to take down a video that was copyrighted and you don’t have the sense to seek legal advice.
Olsteen and his kind are nothing but pimps. They use the word of G-d as their personal whore. They should be in prison for fraud .
You people need to get out of politics and listen to someone who will lift you up. The world is in bad enough shape without you b- fussing about someone trying to lift you up.
What happened to the scripture that tells us to touch not Gods anointed and do his Prophets no harm??? FORGET THAT ONE? I personal think Pastor Osteen is trying to use wisdom in his answers because he knows some snake is out there lurking to try and rip his words apart! And, he doesn’t need seminary…who God calls, he qualifies. it’s not our place to point fingers! If you find someone at fault, why not pray for them? Have you Been in prayer for Pastor Osteen? Maybe you’re jealous because you don’t pastor a mega church….or have money….or written books??? It’s not his place to judge, but minister the Gospel to see souls saved. AND, YES EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO GO TO HEAVEN AS LONG AS THEY’VE ACCEPTED JESUS IN THEIR HEARTS. The best thing we can do is pray, and stop trying to stir up trouble!
Sad when you think about it, every one who writes about this man just who wants to make people happy, does not seem it understand it is not his style that is wrong it is that he claims he is a Christian. He needs to inform the world he is not a christian. He needs to call himself a prophet and start his own religion just like Mohamad did. People like his happy go lucky preaching, but anyone who knows the bible, believers or not, know Mr. Osteen is not a Chirstian.
you poor soul… you have no idea what you are even talking about… you make such a big deal about the way Mr. Osteen shares the gospel with people and not on the result of how many people he has reached… it sounds like you think that “real” pastors should beat you in the head with the Bible to get you saved… God has given everyone a gift for sharing the gospel… some may share in a different way because God knows that some people can only be reached in a certain way… some people will only sit down to listen to someone who is soft spoken and shares what they might be going through in their everyday lives and others might need to be shaken in a major way… but the end result it to share the gospel and save souls… it is the end result that matters… no need for you to worry about it… it is in God’s hands either way… why bother worrying about it… God will take care of it…
Have you (The author of this post) ever met Joel osteen? Have you questioned him personally about his faith? Because if you haven’t I can not find even one iota of credibility in your words and will quickly tune you out. If you are attempting to judge, as one of faith, between brothers of the same faith. I would suggest that you read your bible again and go and speak to your brother Joel Osteen about the matter in private as it clearly instructs us to do. Truly I say to you, from proverbs 10:18 “whoever utters slander is a fool”.