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 came across these preacher Joel Osteen scandal sites while looking for tickets to Joel’s event in Memphis this weekend. My wife is a big fan and I wanted to surprise her. I’m a little disturbed about the clips from the Larry King interview where he wouldn’t say Christ is the only way to Heaven – that was bad! But, on another criticism of Joel, I can’t really condemn him for preaching positive things. Some people initially need to be fed some positive messages and learn that God is good and wants to love them.
But, more importantly, they also need to know what the Bible says about Salvation through Christ. I’d personally rather go to church to hear how I’m living wrong and be told to straighten myself up and be a good witness for God and know that I am saved, rather than hear that everything’s okay and not being lifted up from this earth when the trumpet sounds. I don’t know if this is what Joel preaches or not because I do not watch him. I’ve never been big on television evangelists. But, for the people curious about true Christianity, whether Joel preaches it or not, Salvation through Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven and that doctrine needs to be strenuously preached and defended by every Christian preacher.
I also agree that this life is not necessarily meant to be free from pain, sorrow or money. I don’t necessarily believe that you will be rich in this life nor do I believe that you will be free from pain or sorrow in this life just because you are a Christian. I believe it’s possible because all things are possible through Christ, but I don’t believe it’s probable. I believe that God will meet all of your needs and will not place any burden on you that you cannot bear. One of the earliest things I remember my grandfather telling me is that you will be tested as a Christian in this life. If Joel only preaches these good-feeling messages (and again, I don’t know if he does or not), I fear for the people who hear it and I worry about what will happen to their faith when they are tested.
I don’t mean to sound like Joel, but I can’t judge the man just by what I read on these sites and from the bits and pieces of sermons picked out by those who publish them. We all say things from time to time that, when pieced together, can be construed to mean something other than what we actually intended. Again, I can’t find any way to construe the statements in the preacher Joel Osteen – Larry King Live interview to mean anything other than what he said. I hope and pray that with a following like he has, that he has learned from that mistake and preaches something differently now. I guess I’ll just go and listen to the man this weekend and decide for myself what I think of him.
AMEN!!!
The Bible is such an amazing thing that people should read it instead of Joel Olsteen’s books. If your into positive thinking then read the bible and see how to live a real Christian life!!!
GOD bless your Ministries… I look forward to seeing you on air!
Laura…. Ummm… I’m not Joel Osteen lol
I feel this nonsense talk about megachurch pastor Joel Osteen is outrageous. I feel he has a lot to say that’s good. He brings inspiration to others and doesn’t preach hate like a lot of religious morons want him to. People like preacher Joel Osteen because he makes millions feel good about life and living. I feel it’s wrong anyone one to make judgments on someone who is an extraordinary preacher. I feel other preachers are jealous, because they don’t have the success that Joel has and people like him are better for it. Inspirational semons are what people want today. We are all tired of preachers encouraging hate. Joel should continue inspiring millions with his inspirational sermons. I don’t feel it’s anyone’s business to question why one preacher doesn’t mention God. No one wants to hear it anyone. Enough with the ignorance and encouraging hate. God is Love and we should stop being jealous of a man who is doing good and bring hope to all.
I belive that just becasue Joel do not talk about God, Jesus Christ, or going to Heven dose not make him a con artist. His words inspire a lot of people. He is doing the right thing.
i see Osteen as merely a religious motivational speaker. the people who only attend/view his teachings should realize they arent getting much of the bibles content. read it if you want to learn about christianity. BTW Joel Osteens teeth are ginormous, look-a-like Haley Joel Osment
If you say Joel Osteen does not talk about god and jesus then you are reading the wrong book!! Funny how you say he doesn’t talk about god when almost every sentence he mentions god and jesus every sermon he talks about god and jesus…U must of mistaken him for someone else
I just want to say that I realy like megachurch pastor Joel Osteen and to see such critism from a guy who calls himself a christian . We are not to judge first of all. I don’t see how you don’t get a message out of Joel’s teachings, but of course you already made up in your mind that you don’t want hear nothing good! If he wasn’t doing the right thing than God would not have him in the position that he is in. He wouldn’t have a big church or 2 books wrote. Being christians these days we have to have our eyes on the Lord at all times or we would be of the world. Christians need to know that God is love and that God can heal you and that your words or powerful! I see him as a man of God and that wants to see other reach there full potential in life . What bad about that ? Do you not want to be encouraged ? Do you not want to know you are special in God’s eyes? God is big God that can do anything! Looking at Joel life you would see that ! All I can say is megachurch pastor Joel Osteen is blessed and favored in God’s eyes!! So get your focus back on God ! Then you wouldn’t be worried about what other people or doing or saying that you don’t want to hear!
You R trying to find out something bad everything on all of God’s people arn’t you? However I found out the hard that if your judge, you will be judged….
Myrlyn
Everyone is always trying to find out something bad on all of God’s Pastor’s, However I found out the hard way that if your judge, you will be judged….I’ve been judged over and over, by how I judged other’s…”Why would you say something like, “I’m waiting for the day when I hear that he (televangelist Joel Osteen) molested a child?†Is it because it is so easy for you to molest children; therefore, you think that other’s can do it too?” What kind of person would even say something stupid thing like that? …”I’m not judging you, and I’m not saying that your are molesting children, I’m just trying to find out why you would say such a vile thing about a someone; not knowing their heart’s!” Better watch your step! It is better to put a milstone around your neck and be cast into a lake, than to offend one of God’s Children…This is written in the Bible. I think Joel is a GREAT pastor. I find Joel uplifting.
Madison Fairchild
Unfortunately, the intellectual level of discourse on this blog entry about pastor Joel Osteen seems to have decreased significantly lately. Maybe all of the intelligent people read the post and agreed and didn’t feel a need to comment. Or maybe they were just disgusted and didn’t feel like lowering themselves into the fray ;).
LaShaye- Just because Joel Osteen is rich and successful doesn’t mean he is doing right in God’s eyes. Keep in mind that Hitler was also wealthy and powerful.
Myrlyn Huffstetler- Your comment is incoherent. Are you drunk?
Madison- Modern christians continually talk about never judging others. However, the Bible doesn’t say never to judge, instead you are supposed to be judicious when it comes to other peoples behavior. If we never judged anyone Dahmer, Bundy, and others would still be roaming the streets. When someone like Joel Osteen is abusing his position of power & trust, it is not only the RIGHT but it is the DUTY of the people to call him out on it.
I am becoming more concerned by people’s fear of discussing the potentially wrongheaded actions of pastors and authority figures like those of Joel Osteen then I am of Joel Osteen’s behavior itself. Joel Osteen’s Ministries are the largest in America and his actions have a large impact, but I am more worried by those Christians who refuse to act when their leaders have gone astray. Dark times.
I think the reason that the church and the Bible are so easily argued against is because of how liberal the interpretations have become, as well as how illogical, uneducated, the arguments from “Christians” have become.
I would dare to venture that those of you who are supporting these arguments on falsehoods are at risk of your own salvation. Perfect proof that what Osteen preaches is foolishness and lies.
The best oarsman always stands on the river bank telling the person how to row the
boat. Also, just look at yourself what kind of an example are you to any
person HUMAN BEING HELLO? We are, are we not, human beings,who live on this earth for a short time some fortunate some not. What kind of college did Leonardo da Vinci attend…………????????? Yes can you answer that one!!!!!
If you go to a baseball game and they are your team and you cheer them, are you going to allow anybody to criticize you for supporting them??????? You dear lost soul, because by your own admission you are not Religious, have too much to say about this man who is trying to make the Christian religion come alive.For us as a family we have been VERY blessed by televangelist Joel Osteens ministry.Think about it if you have time….!!!!
In the mean time Ill ask God Jesus to deal with your soul… say thank you..from South Africa where people still have values.
I appreciate the international scope and the ability that Osteen has to reach others, but am concerned about what he is reaching them with.
If you choose to recognize him as a good motivational speaker, you are more honest then he is.
He claims to be a pastor and a preacher of the word of God, but I see him teaching more the word of “good”. I have watched as many of his sales pitches that I could stomach and am startled at the lack of perspective and accuracy that his Scriptural references account for.
One of the things that the Bible makes quite clear is that there is only one right way, and that trying to modify or misrepresent it is a sin. Regardless of where you are from, if you read the Bible, and whether or not you are religious or not, then you can come to the understanding that no matter how positive a message is, it can still be wrong.
I think that has been Joel’s (blog) point all along.
I think he is a great speaker, I see nothing wrong with his presentations. I am thankful that God has brought him into our lives so that we can be better equiped to handle life’s ups and downs. He is a blessing not a curse. So what if he makes a lot of money on books and such. He did the work, now he gets the rewards. God is blessing him every day.
No one is criticizing people for making money. I think that everyone here would love to make more money…..
We are criticizing people who say that money is a sign of God’s blessing (not Scriptural), who teach that money is a sign of God’s blessing or anointing (not Scriptural), or who believe that money is a sign of God’s blessing. So please, don’t engage the debate on the wrong grounds. The fact that so many of you who are supporting Osteen quote his income as a sign of his divine appointment, are only proving how terrible a leader and a teacher he is. Which we thank you for contributing, but it is a bit mindless.
hello
for what I read here seems to me that you have a issue with seeing other people doing well instead of waisting your time trying to find out when this man will do wrong be like him and encourage other to do better that’ what this world need more people with the same charisma … if you have read his books or at least listen to one of his sermons televangelist Joel Osteen does talk about God and Jesus… I would like to understand why when someone become famous everyone starts to look for the negative (if he has done wrong it will come to light and he will pay for it) and not for the good televangelist Joel Osteen person is doing right now. and for those who has comment so far I would like to know if they really believe in god or if they at least try to encourage someone in their life to be or do better…..
Please can you enlighten me on a verse in Ecc that say Wine makes you merry but money is the answer to everything
Joel, I will pray for you I think if you studied the Bible instead of taking parts of it to fit your views you would know that God uses diffrent kinds of people to spread his word in many diffrent ways. Joel Osteen uses a feel good,down to earth,build your confidence up,and a God loves you no matter what, way. I hope you will find peace in your heart and you will if you will let God help you. Don’t attack people who are helping others.Why don’t you try a little volenteer work and help someone who needs it.There are millions out there that need help.Find your own way to help and NOT try to stop the ones that are helping in their own way.