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 have never gone to church, pray, or even read the bible. But I do know that God exist. The way I see it, as long as you seek and trust him, that is all that matters to him. I know this, because I am living proof. Just recently, I have gotten closer to God and his angels. One night, I ask him,”Why is everything going so bad when all I am doing is good and also for others?” Then I said,” I would really like to see your Angels just like I see people here on earth.” Well the next morning, my 2yr. old wanted to see his movie,I turned on the dvd and instead of the movie, Joel came out saying his message. I didn’t know who he was,had never heard of him before. But when I heard him it was like God was speaking through him. He answered my question. Through Joel I’ve seen that the only reason why everything was going wrong for me was because I was only seeing the bad and not the good. I look back at everything that happened to me and with what Joel has said made me realize that even though I had lots of setback, obstacles and even depression, God was still there for me. I don’t know whether if he is or isn’t saying or doing what the bible says. What I DO know is that he is God’s helper. (An Angel) my Angel. My point is that whether you do or not do what the bible says as long as you do good,seek and trust God he will be there for you no matter who you are or what you are. I heard that if you do good for others, God rewards you. Have you ever stop to think that maybe that is why he has what he has here on earth? Cause he is not helping SOME people he is helping ALOT of people to get closer to God. Joel is not doing wrong at all because God wouldn’t of lead me to Joel.
Religon is a business and whomever can run the business well gets paid. Whomever can use the techinque of persuasion and getting people to believe that if they give they too can live a “rich” life can make mega bucks. I guess they have a gift of gab in a religious sense. God isn’t pleased i’m sure.
Jesus spoke about building houses, building towers, sheep, traders, lost coins, baking, farming and planting seeds, marriage, divorce, the call of God, pearls and everything was practical so multitudes followed Him.
I have worked as a youth pastor for several years and in one church where I worked evangelists were invited. I would get this reaction on several occasions, “I am 14, I have been saved since I was 3 and my family has been in the church for 11 years. I have never been on drugs or a member of a gang, I get straight “A”‘s in school. I don’t know where this evangelist is comming from.”
I found out that many people had the experience of Beatrice, that they were being told to repent and then the pastors and visiting evangelists were very weak in the word and in life skills.
In just 2007 I taught in Beatrice’s Church and the youth group grew from 12 to 55 when I taught on life skills. Another group grew from 7 to 45 in 2008.
It is very troubling to hear Mr Olsteen saying that it is up to God to judge whether or not Jesus is the only way to heaven. It’s pretty clear he has never read John 14:6, or the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John, or my personal favorite verse Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. Also, regarding Eph 1:4, Mr Olsteen quotes that because of Christ’s sacrifice, that we are a free people, not just free, but abundantly free. This is not what tha scriptures says. It states “According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be HOLY and BLAMELESS before him in love. Holy and blamless is how God wants us to live, living an abundant life through Jesus is far different from the world’s.
I have been receiving unwanted e-mails for the last several weeks and would like for it to stop. The phone no. will not work and you cannot return e-mails. I have now put it on my blocked domain, I cannot seem to get the message thru. STOP NOW…
I find it amazing that anyone can post anything that pops into their head…regardless of the sheer lack of facts. I can only assume you have never attended a service at Lakewood Church. If indeed you had actually attended, you would not be spewing such nonsense.
Regardless, God loves you anyway.
I DON’T SUPPORT IN BEING AGAINST THE MEN OF GOD OR FINDING FAULT IN THEM ITS TIME U CHANGE UR VIEWS OR ELSE U WILL FACE GOD’S WRATH.
Hmmm, This is a remarkable conversation. Lets get a couple facts straight. I find it fascinating that you are bagging on him for the cost of the church. Allow me to do the math. If the church was a 90 million remodel, and there are 40,000 members of that church, that is $2250 per member. The average sanctuary requires approximately $3600 per member to be built. So it would seem to me that they accomplished the needs of the church for much less. Ok 14 million for the lease, that is $350 per member. And the problem with that would be? I have never heard Joel be anything other than he is. He is church lite, no doubt, but i have never heard him ask for one dollar on tv and at the end of each service, he says “get yourself in a good bible based church”. A very good recommendation. I needed him to preach the way he did, I needed a softer pitch to get me in a church about 5 years ago. I was struggling with my faith. I was raised Catholic and had a huge disconnect. I now am a member of a Methodist Church in Chapin SC. I thank Joel for leading me to where i needed to be. In a relationship with Christ and seeking information and understanding of God and Jesus through a Bible. Pretty simple really. Now do I watch him now? not often, because the message is a positive but generic message and I need more spiritual nourishment than that. So to tear someone down because he had the ability to gather people to listen and become closer to God is kind of nutty. So you dont like his style, okay, i get that, but get off his leg. There are lots of people that take our money every day. With Joel, i have a choice. With Pelosi, Reid, and Obama, they just take it with out my permission. Where is that outrage. I know for a fact that Lakewood does a lot of good. His brother is a Dr. and he is constantly getting Doctors to travel to all parts of the world and help those in need. So lighten up and change the channel.
I think its unfair to judge him. Who cares about the money he has gained? Or so called “Misunderstood” interpretations of the Bible?
We all need to interpret the Bible, and each quote has more meanings than one.
And there is nobody to say weather these interpretations are true, misguided or false but only God. You have indirectly made yourself an Idol by judging someone’s interpretation.
He has inspired me, countless times when I was just a average guy with no religion. If he could buy a big building to inspire thousands of people, and tens of thousands over the TV, to bring back hope and happiness in our lives then what is the loss? I say, nothing.
What is the complaint?
“HE GETS TOO MUCH MONEY FROM PEOPLE BLAH BLAH”
Money my friend, is nothing when you die. How you ‘spend’ your life is important, and thief or no thief, Joel Osteen inspires me – He brings hope into me, and many other people that listen to his speeches.
I say, God has a seat for him in Heaven.
May God bless you all.
I think you judge without caring. Who cares if he went to Seminary or not. Did you? Did you watch everyone of his broadcast before you set out to slander him? Probably not. It does not matter whether I like Joel or not, all that matters is judging is not a Christian thing to do. I consider myself non religious, and I have to ask this question: Are you a Christian? Because you seem to judge him and it seems like you want to him harm. Shame Shame….. Post this or not I don’t care but maybe all of you people below should remember what the Bible teaches. Money is just an object, not of importance. Shame on you all for judging… Goldy Lockes… hey thats a Pagan character! and bitter much for not getting your loan? Don’t blame Joel, he was not on TV when he applied for the loan. Jealous? Not very Christian of you. God….naming yourself that is a serious head trip, huh? Shame on you all!
I don’t believe not one bit of this, God’s peoplen know who God’s people are in spirit and truth. Joel Olsteen is a great teacher and Man of God!
If i were everyone that agrees to this i would just pray about it, if you’re a real christian you wouldn’t judge, you’d let god handle it.
If i were everyone that agreed to this i would just pray about it, if you were a real christian you wouldn’t judge you’d let god handle it, it says it in the bible.
if you just google it, you will find what you need.
Joel osteen is merely a facilitator. He faciltates to people when they are at there lowest point and need help. In fact, that is what we are called to do. The word says that it is the Love of God that brings men unto repentance. That burden is not on us to do. We, no matter how hard we want to, we cannot change people. We have to be a light to the world, by the way we live our daily lives. Joel stands for the basic truths that we as Christians believe and he his there to help direct people when they feel they have no hope. The fact is, that Joel Osteen is not the Final Judge, Jury and execusioner. The Job belongs to God. Not US. And we must be very careful when we began to judge and criticise a Man of God. His methods are not traditional, and if you look at scripture, some of the most influential men of God, were not as well. Think of Jesus. He was often times called a gluton, drunkard, and a friend of sinners. I can think of times where Jesus said that the law and religious leaders condemed someone, but he said he did not. WE must be very careful. Just because the methodoligy my not be what we are used to, does not mean it is wrong and ineffective. We all have different callings and use our giftings different ways. And if we are not careful, we can become just like the relgious leaders of Jesus day, with our judgements. Everyone is entitled to thier own opinions, but we must be careful when we begin to judge a man of god, especially when it comes to unsubstantiated claims.
You have so much hatred of this man. What happened to you? There is a scripture where Jesus tells his disciples after his disciples were indignant of a man that was preaching about Jesus, ” anyone who is NOT against me is for me ”
Just because Joel Osteen preaches in the form that he does, does not make him all that you say. He has done more good for so many. He has a true servants heart. That is what really matters. Obviously you have jealousy and envy issues you need to deal with.
If ony one person’s life is changed for the better because of Joel’s minitry, he has accomplished much which is more thatn I can say about you.
i think he does talk about god he preaches that god does not want you to be broke or be depressed he preaches that god wants us all to properst don’t worry about it joel that people said that about jesus that he was not of god an he was fake keep on doing god’s will for your life
Wow, I feel really bad for you. You really need to rethink your beliefs if your thought that, and I quote, “He can
Every great leader has a few enemys who are idiots. I found Joels on this web site.
You may want to go back and read your own article and look at who is not following the Christian path. The good book has many passages speaking on the sin of judging others. Point being if Joel is the blasphemous sinner you make him out to be God will handle the situation. You job as a Chrisitian is to evangelise and lead others to Christ through you speaking and actions. Judging others is not an action becoming of a good Christian. Maybe the fact that he is not so focused on reading directly from the Bible and following rituals is the best thing to bring people to Chrisitanity. I think many folks are turned off by the Bible thumpers who want to condem every one else. I could see where if Joel makes someone happy or feel better and he says he is doing it in the name of Jesus that person is then compelled to learn more or get more involved with Religion. And you want to condem the guy for that, shame on you my friend. I hope you can be forgiven for your sins.