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?)
Many are called few are chosen, where do these false profits get their power over the masses? They get it from the lord of this world, Lucifer the fallen! The end is near, pray for salvation and ask for redemption of sin through the Lord of heaven and earth, the one whom spilt his blood to save us all.
I have watched him many times and have never seen him ask for money. I personally think your the one who is in trouble with the Lord. Let him who is without blame cast the first stone. It looks to me like you have thrown quite a few. I also heard that he who says someone is going to hell will be there to greet him.
To say that you are doing good in the name of “God” and to not give Him and His Son Jesus the credit and the glory is a sin. To say leave Joel alone because he is doing good for people is a lie, he himself does not have to “judge” who God will condemn because he is doing the job for God. To tell people to live their best and that is enough, to not talk about the originator of tempatation, or a condemned afterlife (and from my own experience with him) talk about the afterlife at all is perpetuating the biggest impact on humanity the Devil has ever done, convincing the World he does not exist. Joel will answer for every soul that never shares eternity with God and His Son.
So I went to Joel’s big night out in Tampa with a friend who brought me, her husband and another couple. The Tickets were in the nose bleed section at the other end of the arena and they were 19.95 a piece plus fees. The place was like a rock concert and it was 1.5 hours before Joel offered up a prayer and it wasn’t even him but local supporting preachers who offered declarations. It was 2.5 hours before Jesus was mentioned.
Shawn Cont’d…
If I were lost walking in, I would be lost, but with hope in being lost walking out. There were people chanting and dancing and the music and testimonies were orchestrated to push the emotional boundaries of needy people. Remember back in the 1st Century when all that was needed to move people was the Word of God and His Son Jesus? Not anymore, now we should get James Cameron to direct Joel’s events.
My observation, Victoria’s body language was anything but loving.. she shook her head side to side when saying what a great husband he was… the singers….way to into themselves and their performance…and his daughter, who had a magnificent voice looked as if she was sad to be on stage… Joel’s brother talked about all the surgeries he performed while on a mission trip but he left the bible and the salvation to a female missionary who reported back whether the child he saved physically had met with Jesus.
Joel said “just the act of coming here tonight lets me know you have faith, and that because of that faith, you have a better life coming…” What the &^%$#!!! (because I am a Christian I can be forgiven for that outburst)… A woman standing next to me touched me and said she felt she needed to give me some of her spirit (errr is that 80 or 100 proof) or something stronger? Joel profusely sweated, strained to keep his eyes open and the invitation…the most serious part of the sermon (or should be) was trivial without mention of the impact of salvation other than the need for a better life.
I am a Christian saved March 1998 in a revival in Mississippi, my whole life I knew the Bible, God, and the theory behind it, but never knew Christ…My life has been hard, divorce, loss of friends in war, a stroke, but this life means nothing compared to eternity….Life everafter that is the hope I hold on to, not this better life now drivel….I will take this life as is, as God will give me no more than I can handle, but I will not give up eternity for this spew….
I pray Joel finds Christ while he is having all his million dollar fun…but for now he is just a soundbite photo op…..
Erika,
You stated to a poster you could see that he has not come to God’s Grace…. How could you…?
You are not God, nor the Spirit, nor the Son Jesus who grants us the access to His Father through His Sacrifice and our Acceptance and belief as in Romans 10:9…
I have hear Joel, 1st hand…I pray he will deliver a message that inspires hope in the eternal life through Jesus Christ and not this better life now….Life is eternal, this life here is not…
I would challenge you to posting the Roman Road to Salvation, if you know it here for the world to see and challenge you to find anything like it in Joel’s sermons…
I would be very careful as to tell a poster he does not know the Grace of God….I do and it starts, as the Lord tells us, with accepting you are a sinner, repenting of the sin, and living your life through Jesus our Lord…
If people grasp on to anything out of desparation let it be that hope…and not this hope in Joel…What do you tell someone who didn’t get a better life…. That God is not for him?
Asking for offerings, all churches are doing that. We give or do not give. Nothing to complain. Why writing negative here. People who do not like the Osteens okay, they should not wast a single thought about them and judge him, them. Writing negative about him is for me that this people are not content with their own lifes and have themselfs big negative points to sort out. You never think that Joel is a humanbeing like you are and never can be perfect. Can’t he be tired when he has a sermon to deliver or having some slip of the tongue. That all makes him likeable. Or shouldn’t he cray during his own sermon?! I never believe the media everything. They write as well to get attention to their articles negative untrue things, ugh! If we want we always can find something negative lurking behind every corner. That shows bitterness and leads to disease!!! Be frank with yourself…!!
Swiss Marie Rose,
I am not bashing him for jealousy sake or to say he shouldn’t be asking for offerings…I mentioned nothing about that. I believe in tithing to the church and taking care of the community the church serves and its family…
What I take issue with is standing by and watching people being given a message of propserous life now without any discussion of the life everafter. I listened to a three hour long in person night with Joel and Victoria…there was never, not once a discussion of what happens after you die…no discussion of condemnation without belief in Jesus Christ…it was simply have faith in God so that you can have a better life now. According to the Bible that is not the message…the Bible says that Jesus stated…”that I go to prepare a place for you….in my Father’s house are many mansions…if it were not so I would have told you” The Bible teaches that there will be many false prophits preaching a Gospel such as this but not being of God….and it also teaches “for many will say to me Father we have done many good works in your name, cast out demons in your name…and I will say…be gone from me you doers of iniquity for I never knew you…”
It is not enough to believe in God…The Bible also says that Satan and the demons believe in God and they tremble… I believe this because they fought God for power and were cast to the Earth.
Don’t take me wrong I am not against prosperity…but it is not God’s plan for everyone…I was saved 13 years ago and it did not save my marriage…I believe God took something from me I was not faithful in…when I was saved He did not restore it (in the way Joel says He will) but he healed it to the point that it became civil and friendly…I was not faithful and I lost something that I should have had…but I realize it and am thankful to God for what He has done…
I never said you needed seminary…or formal training….it matters not that he reaches millions…what matters is that if God puts one person in my way to witness to…that is His plan for me and Heaven will rejoice for that one lost sheep that was found than all the seats that are filled in Joel’s Church….
For him to say he does not have crosses in his church so as not to be a stumbling block to those who would come…but since when is the sacrifice on the cross of our Lord and Saviour a stumbling block… He died and rose from the dead to defeat the block between us and our Heavenly Father…what could be a more important message of hope than that? All the prosperity of this world could not give me what that sacrifice gave me…no job…no debt relief…no governmental power…I would die for that belief…but truthfully I would Live For It…which is why I posted here…no one should ever say…let him preach…if he misses the fundamental message of salvation and life eternally over the life of this world….
I know he gives hope…but hope is found through Jesus Christ our Lord in something more permanent than this world…I have read Joel’s book and listened to his sermons on TV and in person…I did not feel the spirit…I saw alot of emotion… alot of feel good… but answer me this…we as Humans are lost… a natural sinful creature … It took God coming to Earth as the Son of Man to be brutalized…mocked…hung on a cross of a tree….stabbed through the heart…and killed in a way that makes waterboarding look like a fraternity prank (and as a retired US Marine I know much about that) it took Christ taking the keys to the gates of Hell and rising Victorious over death to give our eternal souls life everlasting… that is nothing to shout over… that is nothing to dance to… that is something to humble yourself before the Lord, admit that he is your Lord… submit to Him and Him alone… and live for Him regardless of what this life brings…. He owes you nothing! YOU OWE HIM EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! Preach that one morning Mr. Osteen….but he won’t…as he said on Larry King in his own words…that’s just bad business…..
Thank you Ms. Rose
Thanks for your comment shawan! – Blessings, Rose
I just think is not true i love Joel Osteen sermons im Catholic and believe everything Joel Osteen he always gives me hope love the way he is positive about life even when you have bad times and i think thats how you should be althought it hasnt been easy for me at all. My life hasnt been fair at all but his word helps me a lot and his books too you should be the one to condemened only god can do that. I believe in god and the bible and Joel Osteen has given me a lot of hope in life i dont see anythin wrong with that
hello sir,
my name is Moses timothy i am calling from Ghana west Africa i always watching daystar programmed all time an i love it, i will be very happy if you can sen or forward some prayer point and bible study to me i will be greatly fill with joy in fact i like nothing in this world but your concern an respond, love this very organization i which i am come an leave with you there so that i will be receive it all time.
i pray may god give you long life and protection so that you can continually give this word to congregation and the family of god
thank you.
Has God spoken to your heart to be His judge of people like Joel Osteen?
Joel,
Now I know why I avoid churches like the plague, even though I know God is real. The closest thing to religion I can stomach has been Joel Osteen. I only came to this site trying to figure out which bible based church he might suggest one attend. You have helped me figure out why I like him so. The reason he never mentions any particular bible based church to go to is because, like me, he knows the bible was not written by God, but by men, and all bible based churches are full of people that believe if they just say they believe something happened that they could not possibly know, they can trick God into giving them a better hereafter. Osteen only speaks of the truth God gave all of us, and doesn’t encourage people to lie to each other or to themselves. That is why I am so fond of listening to him. Your disgust and obsession with him is unchristian anyway, not to mention downright sick. The moral of the story of Job does not mean people do not have the right to reap the rewards of living right. The bible does say that if you’re living right, you don’t need to worry. His audience is so huge because good, God loving people are sickened by the deceit of the translation of christianity in the bible, let alone the obsession with arguing, hating and proving ones self always right that has become the substitute for faith in God of most christians. What you and these hardheaded christians just don’t get is that truth, whether or not it was ever even in the bible, is for everyone, even if they never heard of the bible. That’s what real faith in God is.
Did Jesus need a certificate from a school or any class of other classes , I think Joel ,just keep on teaching what he believes because from were Im at most people just think relion is better than just beliving in what Jesus came to earth for, I think that what Joel Osteen is about is loving every one that is around you instead of just hating and not be prosper.
I am so amazed that everyone who is commenting against those who do not agree with Joel Osteen are being chastised as non-christian.
I have not said he is a bad man…there are many a good man who are eternally lost and will never spend eternity with God and His Son.
It is not enough to believe in God, as I said the Devil believes in God and he trembles and works directly against God.
Someone asked if God laid it on my heart to be Joel’s judge. I am not judging him, but rather the validity of the message.
Why are we so concerned with our life here on Earth? The original apostles and prophets were killed for their belief…where was the promise of a better earthly life there. Chinese Christians are jailed or killed for their belief, Christians in a Muslim world are killed as well. Where is Joel’s better life message for them? The point is they do not teach or deliver the word for a better earthly life but for the life eternal through Jesus Christ that follows the end of the world here and our life as we know it.
Christ paid the ulitmate price for our eternity….he owes us nothing better here on Earth. You can stick with your need to “hope” you get a better life here on Earth…I will stick with my knowing I have a better life to come….that would be a great message for him to preach.
The Bible says study to show yourself approved….that is so you can identify false teachings….
The Book of Mormon proclaims another record of Jesus Christ…it is great in family values and does much world wide so why don’t you all cling to that? Do you have the right to say if it is right or wrong? No, you cling to the earthly message of the Lakewood Church because you do not have to work for anything permanent, it is all about what is happening now….at least the LDS/Mormon church believes in Christ and working for your eternal life and not just what we do here.
That is what I take issue with and so far no one has challenged that premise….and I have examined the doctrine….and for anyone who says I am not supposed to do that I will offer Jim Jones, The Branch Davidians, and other scores of Christian based (although loosly based) cults/religions that have ended in death and disaster…they were judged….where was your riteous indignation and support for them….how do you know they weren’t right…Jim Jones was mainstream a big best life now kinda guy if you do your history…received numerous awards for civic work… Guess we should not “judge” the message.
Thanks 4 the encouraging message always and God bless you. Would like to be a speaker like you God willing.Thanks
I enjoy watching Joel I think the words that come,s out of his mouth are words of the truth;;stop and think;; don.t his work sounds a lot better than some of the stuff you hear on the tube? I for him I watch ech. sunday and it helps me thru. my day. I am saved by the grace of God, he has a special nackof talk that people want to hear ,I saythank God for him and may keep on blessing him.
I think the attacks on Joel Olsteen are absolutely ridiculous and unwarranted. By a limited perception of Joel Olsteen’s ministry one limits God. There are different administrations of the Spirit but it is the same Spirit, the HOly Spirit. Joel does not try to sell blessings like so many television evangelists have – no holy water, cloths or the like. He and his wife have chosen to establish a ministry that gives people hope and I might add, one that does a better job of reaching people of all walks of life worldwide and so called Christians sit back and pick him apart like vultures – or better yet wolves in sheep’s clothing.
My question to those that look for the negative is this: What are you doing to uplift people, to tell them that God is the same God yesterday, today and always? What are you doing to let the sinner know there is forgiveness and hope in Jesus Christ? If you dog this Christian man what in the name of the Lord will you do to the sinner, the downtrodden, the hopeless? God have mercy on you.
The Apostle Peter had denied Christ yet when he stood up to preach (Pentecost) thousands got saved. Here is man that did his father’s television ministry and did not even want to be out front in the ministry. God called him and he stepped up to the plate regardless of what anyone thought. That’s braver than most people would act. Further, the scripture clearly states in Luke 9:49 – 50 “And John answered and said “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
GET A REAL LIFE IN CHRIST. Find something else to do other than dogging your brother in Christ.
i would like to let you know, that 3 years ago i fell off a roof broke both of my legs. i was sitting in a wheel chair that i spent many months in. one day i was watching t.v. and a preacer came on the t.v. i wanted to change the channel but it was to much effort to get up crawl to my wheel chair, roll over to the t.v. change the channel , then revese the order to lie back down. so i sat there and listened the preacher then said” if you feel alone quess what your not jesus is with you and he loves you and will never forsake you” something happened to me that moment. it waas the spark that started a fire that will burn forever. your that pastor joel and i wanted to say thank you. if you dont get this messege i will tell you in heaven. since then ive grown in my walk with the lord. heard many pastors and read many books. when people hear my testimony you are a part of it. like david said. i will dwell in the house of the lord forever.
I do know a lot of “deepness” with a Christian’s walk with God is left out of Joel’s teaching. However, a lot of people are coming to know the Lord through the simple message of love that he preaches. God loves us! People need to know that. Jesus said that whoever is not against Him is for Him. We shouldn’t criticize a person if the name of Jesus and the simple gospel message is going forth. Even if a lot of people don’t go deep in their relationship with God, at least they can know His love for them. I don’t agree with everything Joel says, and, yes, I would love if he did go deeper in his teaching, but I am for him in the end because the gospel of God’s love is going forth.
I am confused….When we take issue with a person preaching and preaching a Gospel of a worldly life in this life and not the depth of eternal life in Jesus Christ, it is an attack? I am not attacking Joel, maybe the original author of this Blog was zealous in his approach, but I would ask you, which is more important, the life on this earth or the life eternal with Jesus Christ?
One respondent asked what am I doing for Christ? I witness the good news of Christ and His death and resurection for the foregiveness of sins and for the life to come, not blow smoke about how we should have our life here on Earth.
As for a limited understanding, I have listened and studied his messages, even read his books, and I have “studied to show myself approved” and found this teaching to be lacking….
As I said in my post, Jim Jones, David Koresh, and countless other “cult type” leaders all preached the love of Jesus, but did so by twisting the importance of the message.
If you are so into allowing a message of Christ regardless of its methods or depth, then I challenge you to allow the Latter Day Saints (referred to as Mormons) and the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ into your home the next time they are in the neihborhood and enjoy Christ’s love with them…..
Oh and maybe if you don’t its because it is not the Love of Christ you have but the love of the “feel good” now life message of this ministry. And before you ask, yes I allow them into my home and have a real discussion of Christ with them….
I am not guaranteed one more moment on Earth then God has planned, so the thought that I will have some super great life here on earth because of this teaching is misguided and will lead many to fall.
Just my thoughts, and not an attack….