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?)
I can’t believe what I just read! You have managed to turn a great person into a horrible one. Have you ever stopped to think that God loves us so much that he wants BIG things for us? He gave Joel that money and that television show so that he could spread his word to millions of people! You said that Joel doesn’t mention God in his sermons, but you must have not sat through one because that is incorrect. I feel sorry for you that you have managed to find such hatred in such a pure message. Not once in his broadcast does he ask for money, but it does say in the bible that we should tithe our money because God provides for us and we give back so that we can reach others. You should do some more research on what the bible says about being blessed, God actually wants people to be wealthy not poor. It’s so sad that someone would say these things, but we both know who is truly responsible for instilling these thoughts in your head.
Joel’s(blog)I, see you failed to answer Seans message. He was talking about what a true false teacher is in the Bible. as I see it this was very intelligent message that you whished not to respond.
I wonder how many of the folks that have posted to this site have personally listened to Pastor Olsten’s messages on Sunday? Or perhaps you simply resent his success and his demeanor. I have listened to his sermons, been to his website and here’s what I’ve found.
He preaches ‘the good news’ just as Christ did. Christ did not go around preaching fire and brimstone. He preached hope and encouragement and love. When appropriate he also told people how to ensure an eternity with God.
At the end of every one of Joel’s sermons he leads a ‘sinner’s prayer’ that allows people to confess their sin and accept Jesus as master and Savior.
I’ve been a ‘born again’ Christian for 20 years. I’ve attended many, many Bible studies and lead many more. Nothing that I’ve heard from Pastor Olsteen contradicts or refutes the Word of God.
After going thru a lot of growth as a Christian I can tell you one thing. No one, but no one, knows the true heart of a man but God. I’ve heard many, many, men and women profess Christ and profess to be ‘Christians’. They spoke the right words, they put on the right show, they told many people that without Christ they won’t see Heaven, but at the end of the day it meant nothing. The life that they led actually turned people away from Christ.
I fear that many of you are like those who criticized the message of Christ in His day. You don’t really want to hear the Gospel (translated meaning Good News!) of Christ. You want to hear that everyone but you will never see Heaven.
I never hear Pastor Olsteen pretending to be God…I do see that in the words of many who’ve posted to this site.
God Bless,
Jean
I’m not sure how old this post is. It’s very well written and intelligent. It also comes off as very objective. Great job. I used to watch Osteen occasionally but you are exactly right.
ok…um u didnt hear anything joel said…he WAS talking about God…ur dum and need to acually LISTEN before you start judging him. dnt get me wrong, i think that there is a scam somewhere with joel, but the way you are going with this web page is stupid…sry, but get the CORRECT facts, LISTEN to his sermons, THEN say what you want to say. otherwise you’ll look like an idiot.
Many of us look forward to his inevitable fall… Such a skank!
May the Lord have mercy on you.You should be afraid to do the things you’re doing just for money. The Lord will deal with you just you wait and see.
JOEL OSTEEN’S MASSAGE THERAPY HELPS!
Yes, it helps those like him who does not want to commit their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ!
Yes, it’s more of a massage that Joel Osteen doles out every week than a message from the word of God!
I wonder how people can be so blinded. There are so many secular writers who can tell you how to live a good life. Joel’s massage is no different
See what God says about priests duty:
Mal 2:7 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.
Mal 2:8 But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,†says the Lord Almighty.
Mal 2:9 “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.â€
Jeans’ post is very interesting. Perhaps missed out in listening to Larry King Live where Joel could not defend his faith. WHAT A TRAGEDY!
This is a classic example for Jesus’s famous statement:
Luke 12:8 says,” “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.”
Perhaps John the baptist and Apostle Paul also did not go around preaching fire and brimstone!
THIS IS FOR SINCERELY DECIEVED CHRISTIANS LIKE Jean. Read On…..
Developing Spiritual Discernment
By Charles F. Stanley
A friend once told me about taking her niece to see a live theatrical performance of Peter Pan. The little girl leaned over to her aunt during one part of the play and said, “Are those real Indians?â€
read the rest here:
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=dhKHIXPKIuE&b=2288445&content_id=%7B75DE8DB7-5423-4A50-B2D9-734B255186A9%7D¬oc=1
DANGERS OF FALSE TEACHING BY John MacArthur
Scripture clearly affirms that God is truth, that God speaks truth, and that God cannot lie. Scripture also affirms that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He is in the business of deceiving people. God reveals Himself as truth and Satan is revealed as its antithesis. That particular dichotomy pervades every area of the universe. There is conflict between the holy angels and unholy demons. There is conflict on earth between the truth of God and the lies of Satan…
Read the rest here-
http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/sg55-9.htm
Stop being a synical hater filled with boardum trying to scrutinize a man (so much) less worthy of condemnation and find not only the bigger picture but somthing or someone else REALLY worthy of ridicule and questioning/debating on/of their character! I’m sure you could find a worthy subject, for instance O.J. Simpson trying to sell a book based on his murderous adventure!!! Or how about the FDA not knowing where the virus/contamination of vegitables actually came from until weeks later after hundreds became sick!!!! There are much more well deserved topics and issues in this world that are really affecting people not only physically but mentally and not to there knowledge or consent! Open your eyes a bit wider there ARE SO MANY MORE IMPORTANT THINGS OING ON IN THIS WORLD!!!!
have you ever heard the phrase “he who is without sin, cast the first stone”? the only person who ever walked the face of this earth that is/was sin free is Jesus Christ. so, yes, i watch joel osteen & i enjoy his sermons. he speaks openly about God & he is, in my opinion,a very knowledgable man of the word of God. since when is going to the seminary supposed to make you a bonified preacher? you don’t think you can worship/teach/learn about God in your own way? i have taught Sunday school on many occasions & i haven’t been to seminary- so you tell me? where there is more than one gathered in my name, there is fellowship. it doesn’t say that, if you have been to seminary & are sitting in the church, that is the only way you can possibly know what you are talking about??? so, i say to you “Doubting Joel”, when’s the last time you read the Bible,did any kind of religious fellowship in the name of the Lord in or out of a church? so again, let me remind you, he who is without sin,cast the first stone….think about it….
Am sorry thou but Joel is my hero, keep on keepin on man of GOd Sanbalat’s are there to fight your faith and to put you do but you have inspired me alot.God bless you great.
You are an angry person! What is wrong with someone Enlightening people? What is wrong with someone walking away from a program feeling better than they did before? Nothing. Everything has a business aspect to it, Get Real. Whether it’s running a McDonald’s or a church. That has nothing to do with the Intention of the person behind the operation. And get your facts straight: I say Joel at one of his “A Nite of Hope” sermons, and I paid $30 for my ticket, not $360.
whats the whole point of having a mega church if you never talk about god he might as well stick to talking writing best seller books
I think people who are against Joel should think again. Jesus healed on the Sabbath and the pharisees said who does he think he is. The apostles said how can they heal in your name? You better read the good news again. Every person is called with a different message. Joel teaches a message for every day living using the Bible and the love of Christ. At the end of his message he asks people to become born again. He is not leading away from Christ but to Christ. Please think about the people who put Christ to death. Don’t judge what you do not understand like the Pharisees did. Remember The greatest of all is love.
Your jealousy is showing, sir! Have you nothing better to do than to slam a minsitry that’s helpful to millions.
Joel does talk about God and the scriptues are quoted in every message he gives.
You would be better not to judge but to follow Joe’s advice and leave judgment to God. That’s scriptural, too.
Well the times i’ve watched him preach it was always with the word of the Lord so i don’t know where you are getting your information from and he does make it clear to have a relationship with Jesus. I think what is going on here is that everyone is so acustom to religion and that’s what i don’t get.Being a christian doesn not mean being religious. We are a lifestyle not a religion so we need to stop judging people. If indeed he is doing wrong then let God be the judge of that not us because reality is that we will all be judged. Aren’t we suppose to love one another even our own enemies??? so why attack him? aren’t people comming to the Lord because of this ministry??