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?)
This grew into multi-million dollar church it was not even close to that before his dad held a good size congregation in simple church nothing to the means of what it has grown and all the positive energy that flows through it why should we question and crucify what it stands for Good and God. When we are living in a time of being invaded by terrorists on our own homeland how can we not want to let the good shine and prevail or do we really just want to live an existance where there is no salvation and only misery. Don’t doubt just love,live and accept.
God bless all and expecially Joel Olsteen
I don`t care what any of you say, you can defend your hero until the end, but if you people wer`nt so dumb you could go to the king site on this post and hear for yourself, joel said he did`nt know if people were wrong for not beleiving on JESUS. you people are brain dead, listen to the clip for your self, you can motivate people until the end, but it has nothing to do with being saved, i agree with ed on this post…..joel can get all of you fired up and motivated, then turn around and give you a bank full of money, but it still won`t save you, while it is true, i`ve never heard joel ask for money, i just tell it like it is and let the chips fall where they may, these health and wealth prosperity name it and claim it clan have people so blinded it ain`t even funny, joel says if you say something long enough it will happen, not. the BIBLE does`nt teach this anywhere, they teach poverty is a curse, hagee and the whole bunch, but my BIBLE says blessed are the poor for they shall see GOD, and blessed are the meek, for they shall inherrit the earth, put that in your pipe and puff on it a few licks prosperity teachers….joel does say comforting words, but it has nothing to do with entering the eternal city……i think alot of what joel says is b/c he is scared of the congergation, he is paid well to tell these itching ears what they want to hear, kinda like the woman ask her husband, do you love me? yep, do you think i`m beautiful? yep, do i still have my girly figure? yep. do i still turn you on ? yep, she said o darling you say the sweetest thing`s. reminds me of the people going there, being told what they want to hear…..i mean come on , get a grip. these rock star preachers have done more to hurt the body of CHRIST than anything else….go figure, people pay them big money for a healing, well i`m gonna let you in on a little secret, GOD can heal you while you are in your clothes closset rearanging your clothes if it`s his will to do it, you don`t have to go to some preacher with rock star stardom. look at benny hinn, the web says his house alone cost 10 million dollars, and that`s just a start, guess where he got all this money?
Maybe you who do not like Joel need to read the bible again and again to receive the real word. I already know about God, I don’t need a preacher to tell me about him. I need religious support to help me on my journeys through life. His message encourages people to step up, look up, hold your head up and be somebody no matter what your circumstances. He gives the encouragement that is lacking in most families these days. There are plenty of people out there telling us how bad we are, how bad we have done. That’s real encouragment! Joel Olsteen is only helping us to be better people in the long run. Now, isn’t that all God wants anyway.
Your site reminds me of exactly what the jews were saying about Jesus not following the ‘laws’ and regulations of the bible. Sounds like you must be one of the ‘other’ pastors that may be jealous of his success. He is doing more good than bad … even if he is not doing it exactly cookie-cutter like (taking hard line on suffering and redemption etc ).
I find this blog quite amazing and it lets me know that whatever you do there is always going to be someone or some force that will try to make you look bad. The purpose of this blog is to turn people away from Joel, but ok…then if it works..where do you recommend we go. See that’s when you know Satan is at work. Joel teaches us how to enjoy life and enjoy it abundantly…that is the same thing Jesus did. People, please remember…there is only one Jesus. Stop trying to make the church to be Jesus. People have to turn to their Bible or to prayer to build their own personal relationship with Jesus. Not rely on Joel or any other church to save them. Joel does a wonderful job on his preaching and he preaches just like our parents would preach, but with a little more authority from GOD. He tells us how to enjoy “our own life” and not worry about the things around us. Obviously the person who is investigating Joel has not listened to the messages he preach because while you are trying to bring him down…it says alot about you and what you worship…pure evil.
There is not a greater preacher on TV then Joel Osteen he lifes you up and never tries to bring people down, Yes sometimes he does ask for money for buying his books,etc. but he does not force you to give like some of the other ones on TV. I love to watch Joel Osteen he is down to earth and he is truly a man of God. he travels everywhere to preach the word of God, in this world today we need people like him because Satan is out to get everyone he can but if you do like Joel says,read your Bibles, get in a good church who’s members and pastors care about your needs and you will be alright I have been save for 4 yrs now and when I got saved and baptized it was like a weight feel from my shoulders,sometimes you fall but you have to get back up and ask God for forgiveness and he will forgive you as he always does and if you tell him he is Holy no demon shall stand in your way so you have to put on your Armor of God and chase the devil away. But as far as Joel Osteen he is Great and I wouldn’t watch no one else on TV but him. Amen
Joel Osteen is driven by the ultimate force of love and peace.
Instead of criticizing him, those that do need to believe in his message , as he leads us to understand what God wants for our lives, if we believe.
Those that condemn may then feel what we all love Joels’ message for.
The doubters; the bible itself tells how Jesus forgave that fear driven mentality, that is the essence of Joels messages.
In my opinion those that ridicule simply can’t find the depth of their own souls enough to realize his heartfelt nature is truth.
Truth for all humans, love and faith for our creator. If one man can bring so many together in the name of love, how egotistical and self absorbed are the other minds who would doubt that the energy of so many in the name of God can be wrong.
Seems to me god gives everyone different talents to be used. Some people (like joel) have a talent for spreading a message that just may ultimately bring people who struggle with their faith back to god.
Joel Olsteen is a sincere man. I saw him in person last night in Oakland. He speaks of Jesus bigtime…and he is a total born again Christian. On TV, he tries to draw people to a positive way of thinking…once they hear more, they will turn to things that bring up more of Jesus. He doen’t want to come across as the others have. I am truly convinced he is a wonderful man who carried on in his father’s memory. He never intended to be a preacher. I’m sorry for those of you who are judging him….you really haven’t seen him in person. His heart was evident…that smile is genuine…..yes they make money but it costs a lot to travel and spread the word as he does. He quotes the Bible…he tells you to read God’s word. He encourages you not to worry about tomorrow because as you seek God, he will direct your paths. He asked people to stand who wanted to accept Jesus as their savior….more than half the auditorium stood up. He prayed a blessing on everyone……he is the real deal. I don’t believe there will ever be a scandal about him….and that’s my story…I’m sticking to it.
May God open your eyes to His Son, Jesus.
Roseann
All we do in this world is tear down that which we don’t understand, embrace, or believe in ourselves. We have a culture that say’s it is wrong or sinful if WE don’t believe in it. How bout we just leave people do what is in their hearts and move on if it is not in ours. Leave the paranoia on the floor and get on with living the kind of life that Christ lived. One of hope, faith and love. If people want to believe that Joel is speaking the Word, let them. To those who don’t, and still believe in the Lord, then trust Him and know that the ultimate judgement is His alone.
Let us not decide who is the “better” Christian…let us just love one another in spite of our collective disagreements, and Love the Lord God with our of our Hearts.
Peace to all who read this.
he preaches on the same thing every single sermon! Feel good about yourself, everything is going to be ok, you have cancer don’t worry about it, you just think positive think positive! over and over again that is all he talks about. He and his wife both have written books, they are the same, Joels first book is called your best life now, his second book is called become a better you and his wife’s first book is called love your life. When does it end? I used to listen to him but he is just repeating himself every sermon. Heck I could do that! Just be positive! He never never never preaches anything about Jesus, tribulation or the upcoming rapture. Just be positive be positive!
And i have seen and heard him live when he came to Indianapolis a couple years ago and it cost 18.00 per person to see him and the very first thing he did was ask for money!!! So don’t anybody out ther say he doesn’t ask for money because he does! What he does with that money I do not know, I used to listen to him but not anymore because he talks about the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over! Be positive Be positive!!!
Be very careful on how you speak on the people of GOD…. The Bible teaches us not to touch , on harm his profits….. I would remain humble..andif there is any scandal, then pray for him, not harm him with your mouth….no good will comeout of it…and IF their is fault in Mr.Osteen, then he has to deal with his maker…… I Pray for you, Because instead of using your time to win in souls for the Kingdom, you waste precious time trying to get people t find fault in this man. I do not know MR. Osteen, and I have only viewed him twice, But what I can say is that, energy wasted hurting or trying to bring some one down,never ends up good. DId you know that the word DEVIL means accuser? Watch who you accuse!! He and his wife are One, so you should be careful of whatyousay about her as well, also read your word, and lead not to your own understanding, and in all your ways acknowledge him..(GOD)(JESUS)and he will direct your path. REPENT for speaking on them negatively, and jsut move on… that would be a good thing…… GOD Bless YOU…FROM… Just another sister in Christ.
I grew up in a cult church. Joel Osteen is just one of the latest of a long line of people who have stepped up to the plate to part in the game. William Miller, Charles Taze Russell, Joseph Smith, Father Divine, Jim Jones, Daddy Grace, Elijah Mohammad (Elijah Poole), Sun Ymung Moon, Benny Hinn, the Grand Rebbe Menachem Scheerson, David Koresh, and a host of popes have all preceded him in either claiming to be “the final messenger, Prophet, Messiah, Alternative Christ or chief representative of God on Earth allowing people to venerate them as such. What Joel and these others have done is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy but it’s nothing compared to what the Antichrist will do when he takes center stage. People prefer to hear and follow someone who’s telling them what they want or what sounds good; most won’t come to the Light because they don’t want their deeds reproved. (John 3:20, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11, Matthew 24:24)
Joel Olsteen’s preaching and writing SAVED MY LIFE. His words and advice lead me in the direction to change my life. I was able to forgive those who treated me wrong; and in turn, had 6 months of relationship with my dying mother. I conquered my addiction to drugs, smoking, and compulsive spending through the assistance of Joel Olsteen’s words! I think your website is insulting to my intelligence and integraty!!
I agree with Rebecca. You are wasting energy that could be
better spent on something positive. If you want to hear someone
quote scripture and be truthful then look up Joyce Meyer. And,
she posts every dollar that her ministry spends on her website.
This woman and her ministry help people all over the world.
God Bless!!
you are CONFUSED MY FRIEND…………….
Tony said:
“…he preaches on the same thing every single sermon!”
Yeah, my football coach used to drill-us everyday — same plays — over and over — just so we could games! He never even spoke about Vince Lombardi!
God Bless you! May the Lord continue to move in mighty ways with Joel Olsteen and his family. The Lord has a hand on this man and he certainly doesn’t need your approval. Are you jealous of him? Shame on you for trying to throw him under the bus. I look forward to watching his program each and every Sunday. ALL of his messages are motivational to me and my family and gives us hope! Praise the Lord! May the Lord forgive your devious intentions.
I luv john osteen so much. He inspires me. No matter wat dey say about him doesnt rily matter