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?)
@prophet samuel
Not to be rude but I (and I am sure most readers) have no idea what you just said. Your “all caps” was on half the time and you seemed to ramble.
Could you explain yourself more clearly?
@ABBAN
There is a lot of confidence in what you said. I trust that you are not implying that your loving, gracious, forgiving god would harm me? Or will he treat me like he did so many in the parts of the bible that most Christians look the other way on?
Is that your job to find fault with everybody…that’s so sad. Maybe if you would stop looking around at what everybody’s not doing right…you could find a worthwhile job other that being a fault-finder…It looks like that your are jealous of successful people..that’s the image you are portraying…I don’t want to be a fault finder so Ill just say look in the mirror at what you are before blasting others.
@Glenda
You have just done the very thing you accused the author of this site of doing. You voiced your disagreement and dislike of what and how he is communicating his message. You are finding fault in what is being written on this page in the same way that the author of this page is finding fault in how Mr. Olsteen is running his modern day version of Christianity. It is the same thing. Think before you type.
I’ve received e-mail from Joel Osteen’s web sites for years. They never ask me for money, unlike other televangelists.
I’ve studied the basic principles of his ministry for years. His doctrine is sound and can be clearly supported if one studies the books of Romans and Galatians closely; particularly in Paul’s discussions on the faith of Abraham and how Abraham had two sons by two different women and what those women and sons represented.
Joel Osteen is very positive. His ministry was very helpful to me at a very sad in my life.
Even the most seasoned and learned of pastors stuggle with certain principles in the Bible. They do not always have the words to explain what they believe, they know the Bible to be true by way of the relationship they experince with Christ, and fruits of belief that manifest in their lives. The BODY of CHRIST is what fulfills what an individual cannot answer himself, because the Holy Spirit gives everyone different gifts within the Body. Some are pastors, some are teachers, etc..
Finally just because he did not go to seminary, does not make him an invalid Christian leader. Joel grew up in an incedibly Christian environment. He had much training as a matter of course.Christ himself, was criticized for “not knowing letters.” Jesus had no formal training. It was the Holy Spirit on Him that left the “formal teachers” in a state of jealousy. They could not perform the same miracles he did you know!
If you all have a question about God, pray about, go to church, study with other believers. Quit being so critical of Mr. Osteen. Instead, look in the mirror. That is really what its about. If you feel he is in error, plant a seed with a loving heart.
I do believe that making such comments about someone is just ugly, how about praying for Joel Osteen instead of condeming him, I do not watch Joel Osteen often, and I don’t agree with the fact he does not seem to preach about sin at all, but nothing good comes from fueling the fire. This is do know, we are to demonstrate the love of Christ, his compassion, I can say with assurance, Jesus would not be happy with this article. Be blessed in the Lord.
I have had to laugh during reading the interview and article. Making money is one thing. If he had not millons of church goers and TV viewers, the income would be much less. So simple is the story. He has his own special way to preach, of course. He does not go with the flow. Thanks God. – Blessings, Rose
I don’t know anything about Joel Osteen. Saw him a couple times on television, and there was just something that just didn’t set right in my spirit. I think something is usually wrong when you have such an elaborate mega church. The scriptures says in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 (New American Standard Bible)
2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4and will turn away their ears from the truth and (G)will turn aside to myths.
Many times in churches of that size they are hearing something that tickles their ears. For Matthew 7:13-15 (New American Standard Bible)
says…
13″Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14″For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15″Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Before you judge n critic Joel,i hope your are right with God bcoz it would be sad if he is truly a servant of GOD and you are first to critic him.so if you can,let the spirit of God reveal this to you.dont rush to things before you seek him.one thing is for sure,megachurches are not in the bible so if that is a point of refference,so many preachers are in it.the church in bok of ACTS was a church where everyones needs could be met.do you practise that?tax should not be an issue bcoz no one is restricted to start their church.enlighten people but dont get personal.
You are entitled to an opinion. Well, so is everybody else. Luckily for people like Joel Osteen, myself, and many others, we sleep, breath, eat, work and enjoy life wonderfully, because your opinions trying to crawl into people’s mind do only that, try. Your comments lack imagination an AUTHORITY. Which is probably why your bitterness and frustrated life is instilled in every word vomited from your mind. Which is probably why Mr. Osteen is surrounded by people, and you’re not. Which is probably why you need to get a life!!!
I dare you to walk out of the box you keep yourself prisoner in, maybe, and only maybe… then you can be FREE.
I think whoever is bad mouthing Joel is worse then what they say Joel is. I listen to Joel all the time and have no doubt in my mind that is saved. The world is like it is because people like you put a bad name on Christians and you push people away from Christ.
On the face of it! Isn’t being involved in religion supposed to be a rejection of material things and an embrace of the spiritual and physical needs of
the lost? C’mon! Don’t you people even wonder for a moment why these
“Christian TV stars” live better than presidents of small countries? If you can’t see through this than you are truly lost yourself and need to examine your motives for being a “Christian”. Is it the promise of riches, like your guru? Must be. Come down to earth and get a life. Examine yourselves.
Joel is going to have to deal with God, he does speak alot on being positive and I’ve heard him preach. He doesn’t say much about God or Jesus this is true, he’s the one that has to deal with God. Unfortunately church here in the States has become more of a business then helping people. Even Jesus got mad in the temple for them making it a den of robbers. There is some good wholesome churches out there, and remember what was said through the prophet Daniel. So many people are going through hard times they’re looking for hope, for an answer for something in there lives, if Joel wants to do something right take a portion of his income and give some people a job or buy property and home the homeless, Jesus was very clear, many are going to come to him look at all we done for you in your name, Jesus plainly says away from me I do not know you. In all do respect Joel has to answer to God, if anything maybe we should pray for him and what about our Government they have been robbing us blind for years.
GET A LIFE PEOPLE.STOP HARASSING JOEL,HE IS A PREACHER AND THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOUR DIRTY MINDS THINK.OPEN YOUR CHURCHES FOR BUSINESS IF YOU LIKE BUT DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER GIVEN TO JOEL TO CHANGE LIVES.MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH HIS ENCOURAGING WORDS AND SERMONS.WHY CANT HE(JOEL) VISIT KENYA ONE OF THESE DAYS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS,JUST MAKE SURE IT’S RECORDED ON CNN,LARRY KING AND ALL THE STATIONS.YOU’LL BE SUPRISED.SO DO NOT JUDGE HIM.LET HIM BE
In the industrial society, the church is runned like a business. And it is evident in Joel Olsteen. It’s not about God, but about making money. I heard recently the Joel Olsteen denounced the deity of Christ on national television. If this is true, then he has shown his true colors and his heart. We need to pray for Joel Olsteen, that God becomes real to him.
I believe that all mega church is like this. Willowcreek, Saddleback etc. It’s all about money and not about God. The bible is watered down to fit what culture wants to hear. And Joel Osteen is the perfect example. The church needs to arise and start proclaiming the truth from the word of God.
Nothing is wrong with Pastor Osteen, Hes right in the bible it says not to judge! and Joel does talk about God in his sermons! as for his wife Victoria? what do you mean control your wife? can Larry King control his wife?? Not from what I heard. Thier is no such thing controling a human being. Joel and Victoria love eachother and you can see it! Youre just Jealous because he doesn’t say what you want him to. He goes by the Bible and what God has lead him to do. Larry King youre the evil one not Pastor Osteen!!
My ex-husband had an affair. He was listening to Joel Osteen and standing on the premise that “God wants me to be happy”. At the same time he was having the affair, he was “praying that God will let me know what is best for me”. He seemed to have no conviction about what he was doing…..and his mistress even wrote to him, “Don’t you listen to Joel anymore? God wants you to be HAPPY”!
I know all of this because I discovered many emails between them that gave me a heart-breaking, detailed description of their affair. I wonder how many others have had their lives torn apart (with the support of Joel Osteen’s preachings)?
From this experience, it seems to me that Mr. Osteen encourages people to put THEMSELVES above all others…..instead of putting GOD there.
No one should look down on anyone that helps people feel good about ones self. Right out of the gate you know he wants you to know there is a God. Next he helps you to keep hope and faith alive and that you have the power to change and be possitive about your life and hope you can make another person smile. Watch him or not… what he says is take charge of your and be kind to you self and others… send him money or not. Just do the right thing for your self and others. Be kind..don’t be hurtful. He also helps you understsnd that no one on this earth is perfect so don’t ask of others that you can not give first and if they can’t give back that’s ok too.
“He twists scripture around to serve his own purposes of mass produced drivel.” How are you any different then what you are saying about him?
The most of the people here tear Joel apart. Why? You people seem to be frustrated and envious. He never preaches get rich and wealthy. Listen carefully to him. He means do not dwell in mediocrity and look for better, so you can reach your full potential and develop your talent that you have in you. – How can a church exist without an offering during church services? The TV broadcasts are very expensive.