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?)
Phillip, I am from California and I have all my teeth. You sound like a throwback to the 50’s. Keep reading the word, freak,
Fair enough Marty, fair enough. Take care out there in Northern California. After reading what Phillip has to say, I regard you as a literary genius.
I bet ole ray and marty are ole hairly legged truck drivers and have green teeth and bad breath, stop chewing tobacco and your teeth will stop comming out.
Who are all of you to judge? Was it not Jesus who said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone? Let God do His work and stay out of what belongs to God. If Joel is wrong, than he will have to deal with “GOD”. What good is it going to do if all you do is throw words around and slander his name with your opinions? Leave it to God. You sound like the Pharisees when they judged Jesus for being at Matthew’s house. What’s it to you if he has helped thousands of people? Is that so wrong?! As usual the advesary is around and will continue to twist things around. is it fear because he has a huge following? It’s not for Joel, it’s for God. Why is it the first thing we want to do is judge a person when they actually get through people with the word of God? Is it so hard to believe that God can change people through a ministry? Take that “log” out of your eye.
I say, it is clear that you don`t know the BIBLE, sad to say……you have it all out of context. the BIBLE tells us clearly to study to show thy self approved, simply put, listen to the messenger to see if he is of the truth, if someone is teaching a false doctrine, GOD expects you to do your christian duty and tell others that don`t know, mr osteen was on the larry king show, he told larry king he did`nt know if people were wrong for not beleiving on JESUS, i assure you my friend GOD is not going to hold you in judgement for sounding the alarm on someone like this, if i made some out landish statement like this, GOD would expect you to warn people about me…….also larry king said of his own person, show me the proof there is a GOD, king said his wife is a believer but he was`nt, if mr osteen had given the right answer to king, who knows?, he might have won him to the LORD, judge not means don`t go around judging others for thing`s that you your self are guilty of, like jimmy swaggart, he beat up everyone on plannet earth for their sins, and in his secret life he was doing worse than the people he was condeeming, some good ole boy has a drink, swaggart condeems him, but at least this good ole boy was`nt running around with a prostitute, swaggart asked for forgiveness when he was caught with this prostitute, 3 months later in the state of california he was stopped by the hyway patrol for driving on the wrong side of the road, in the car was a woman named garcia, she told the officer swaggart wanted her servicess, this time swaggart did`nt ask for forgiveness, he said GOD told me to tell you people it is none of your business, i mean you can`t make this stuff up, it`s on the webb what he said……..but these wof teachers like osteen teach that you can create your own world just by saying word`s, health and wealth teachers, name it and claim it gang, healings, you can neither proove nor disproove that a person has a heart condition, or another medical claim, but yet when these wof teachers, osteen, benny hin and the like, these people are healed of what is bothering them, when did you ever see one of these wof teachers restore a missing arm or legg?, you have`nt, and you won`t, but that is a true healing that nobody could deny, a missing limb restored…………let me see one of these wof teachers do this kind of healing, then i`ll start sending them money, b/c i will know that GOD is in it, until then they will remain what they are, false teachers………
You can ask ole marty and ray, just ole hairy legged truck drivers, ask em i say, and they will tell you that you can`t base your life on what these wof teachers teach, i think marty is the one with green teeth.
Feeleep, what is it with you and the hairy legeed truck drivers? You sound like a geek!
Shame on you people! Are you all so perfect and rightious and so high and mighty that you can verbally bash this man in this manner? I don’t think so!! The bible says that none of us are without sin. When you point your finger at someone just remember there are three pointing back at you. The bible also states,”touch not my annointed.” Are you so sure about yourselves and so wrapped up in looking important on this blog that you will risk coming against someone like Joel Osteen? Let’s just say for kicks that he is a farce and a liar. Isn’t it up to God to judge him? If he is a deceiver then God will most certainly judge Joel and he will reap what he has sown. Of course on the other hand, so will all of you. Be careful what you say about anyone, it is sure to come back upon you.
FAITH.
Kat,
Just found this blog tonight. Read several of the posts at the beginning and then dropped down to here.
”touch not my annointed.”
There may be a question on whether Osteen is actually one of God’s anointed. Does he believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven? Does he preach that on all his broadcasts? Does he condemn sin the way that the prophets in the bible did? Since when is it OK in your belief if you are just sincere? A person can be sincerely wrong. “If the blind lead the blind then they both will fall into the ditch.” If “he is a farce and a liar”, and no one will speak up, think of the many he may be leading into hell.
I have never seen a whole program of his. I am usually at church. My wife would catch him when she was working out of town several years ago. If she wanted to “feel good” she would watch him. If she wanted some “real food”, she would would watch someone else.
Hello,
I don’t know this “preacher” at all. I don’t know the bible, I don’t go to church and constantly hit with news about the abuse of the “power” of the people in the church. I don’t believe in god or jesus as described in any organized religion. But, I can tell you that I am watching this guy on tv right now. Why? He hardly mentions jesus, god, bible and especially doesn’t lay down this god will punish you if you don’t do X. This is the kind of stuff that just repulses me. But this guy is just talking good positive loving stuff scattered with just enough god stuff. I found this appealing and started searching his name out of curiosity and didn’t find any scams but instead found this article which basically puts him down for not being more like those preachers talking that same old stuff that I cant tolerate. I must say that as someone who generally doesnt consider himself a christian- I was able to watch this guy and get a good positive message. SOmeone that was real for me- I enjoyed it. It felt harmless and inspring. I dont know for sure but I think this guy is more palatable than anyone else I have heard.
Mike,
You have completely missed the point entirely. I am not saying this man is right or wrong. I am simply saying that it is not up to ANYONE to judge another. Those who deceive and lead people to hell ALWAYS get they’re come uppings. ALWAYS! Sowing and reaping my friend.
It is not my job to judge him and spread around garbage that I do not have the facts about.
Is it a proven fact that he is sending people to hell? That’s a pretty big statement and a matter of opinion. Only God knows the heart. He speaks the love of God and his church continues to grow. Some people need encouragement. Especially this day and age. There are some ministers that I have sat under that preach if you will what they call “the meat of the bible” and that is fine and we definately need that. This man is doing what he believes God has put him here to do. If he is wrong it will not continue…God will shut it down. God blesses those who bless others.
Be careful about striking out at a man of God. You think he is wrong? Well, you better be right…you better be sure. You too will reap what you sow. “Judge not lest ye be judged.
What I see in this blog is a lot of angery, backbiting,hypocritic gossipers who are so insecure about themselves that they have to put someone else down to look more religous and educated. Who are you to sit in judgement? Get on your knees and spend time in prayer and pray for the man. That’s P-R-A-Y not
P-R-E-Y.
I have tried to unsubscribe from Joel Osteen, but it never happens. I have called the telephone number given on the web to unsubscribe, it doesn’t work either. For such a supposedly Christian site, it sure operates in a shadey manner. If I were to give him money, I imagine that conversation would go thru. GOD will give him what he has sown, more than he has sown and later than he has sown. We all need to pray for him, because he is in serious trouble and GOD is going to give him a whooping.
Whatever people,
Get over yourselves, quite judging and gossiping and let God sort it out.
PERIOD!
I don`t care who you are, or who you think you are, and this is`nt judging, read your BIBLE for GOD sake…….if you tell people, well i don` know if someone is wrong for not believing on JESUS, then you have no business preaching GODS word, end of story…….joel told the world on larry king, he did`nt know if peole were wrong for not believing on JESUS, go figure……….
KAT you don`t know the BIBLE…….how is that a preacher is anointed that goes on larry king show and tells the world he does`nt know if people are wrong for not believing on JESUS? also jude not means to not go around judging people for thing`s you your self is doing…….so you are wrong, GOD wants people to sound the alarm on guy`s like this that try to discount his son JESUS, it strange how people talk, but they don`t even know what they are talking about…..but you are right in the one sence, we are all sinners, but i`ve never told anyone, well i don`t know if people are wrong for not believin on JESUS, i never told people that b/c it would be a lie, you do have to believe on JESUS……
I think ole marty and ray are partners in the trucking industry, marty is the one with the hairy legg`s and green teeth, marty does most of the driving, just ole hairy legged truck drivers trying to make a dollar…….
I don’t know my Bible????Look who’s talking! You are one of those people who take a scripture here and there and come up with whatever fits your own beliefs. What a joke. I don’t know what bible you are reading from but mine talks about loving others. You CLEARLY have nothing but jealousy and hatred in your heart. Do you think that God does not see when someone is false? Come on! You just can’t stand the fact that this man is doing so much good and reaching people that you could not even begin to reach. At least he is trying! Frankly, if the way you act above is any example of your church and how you are being taught, I wouldn’t come near it with a ten foot pole! People like you (self righteous) who think they are perfect because they get up and make they’re presence known in a church every Sunday and look good to the public are perfect examples of why most non christians run the other way. Joel has never discounted Jesus. What did you do watch one program and pass your judgement?
Thank goodness that God doesn’t do that to us or we would all be in trouble. Get off your righteous high horse. All he was saying is that he doesn’t know what each individual has in they’re hearts and HE WOULD NOT PASS JUDGEMENT ON ANY OF THEM!!!! Again, you clearly take things out of context (which is what most “so called Christians do”. Bottom line is God will be the one to sort all of this out in the end. Not you, not me. GOD! I will say it again, pray for him NOT AGAINST HIM and if he is wrong the Heavenly Father will be the one to pass judgement. ON ALL OF US!!
Don’t believe what you hear or read about anyone. Most of all don’t “throw stones”. The universal law of cause and effect that God created is: “what you cause one to experience, you will ultimately experience yourself”; therefore do not judge anyone because truly what goes around comes around. That’s what is meant by “an eye for an eye….”. This includes words and thoughts of condemnation and negativity as well.
God’s messengers are many but the basic message God is Love and we all were created in His image; therefore we are Love. The comments on this website as well as society as a whole don’t reflect that part of each of us that is holy. If an individual can find his/her truth in any message and consequently find peace and harmony in Life, regardless of how it is delivered, why would anyone begrudge that?
Way to go Cassandra!
You said it girl! What a truly inspirational and truthful message you just entered. Thank you for for sharing that with everyone.