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 guess you can’t find anything exciting or worthwhile in your own life so you have to rip someone apart that’s just trying to fulfill the calling of God on their life. Brother, whether Joel is right or wrong is God’s call not your’s nor mine. If any of you took a strong and long look in the mirror, you would see that non of you are perfect either including me. Joel leads people to Christ after every service. I would much rather listen to the positive things Joel has to say about what we can accomplish with Christ than read or listen to your’s or anybody else’s negative comments anyday. This world needs positive to shine, more than ever right now. Remember one very crucial thing about Christ my friend, he had way more people that hated him and wanted him dead than that loved him and wanted him alive. How about spreading a whole lot of Love and can the negative!!!
There are other ways to hear Joel speak other than paying for a seat! You can hear him on TV for free! So the comments about the cost of a seat are bogus. I think he is amazing and was blessed with a gift to uplift people. Just like people criticized Jesus and said he was not the son of God and he was, Joel will have his critics! Who are people to say he is in it for the money? So what his church is big and nice! Should he have to preach out of a shack to be genuine? Come up with abetter reason to criticize such a wonderful man. I believe God choose him to reach people in these hard uncertain times. That is why he is so popular! And his popularity is why people have negative things to say!
The man has helped empower many people to find their way, judge not.
I am supprised that from what I have read in this past forum, that most of the T/evangilists are biblical illiterate… I guess this is one of the reasons that I do consider myself a Christian, but have refused to join any denominational church…. there are many bible references to the simple plan of Salvation in the Bible, one of them being 1-Cor. 15: 1-6 …. this is the Gospel of Christ, and if those who profess to believe this, and still have the obsession that they are going to make a business career (financial) out of it, (the ministery) they are sadly mistaken… I will not run them down, as that comes under the area of Judging, and I won’t have any part of that… I do know that in my Bible (KGV) it says that Man cannot serve two masters, God and money, as he will love one and hate the other…. It also says that the love of money is the root of all evil…. Those who are doing this seemed to have fallen into a “Rut”, and do not even realise that they are in it…. Just like the old Cars on a country road… Does it bother me?? You bet your last dollar it does… But, we must use wisdom in our daily living, and recognise the chaff from the wheat… and act accordingly… I know that there is a day coming, and we will all have to answer for what we have accomplished here in this life span… and our works will be tested with fire… I sure hope that some of my works come out as gold and silver… and not all hay and stubble…
God Bless you all..
Hi Sir,
Good day Sir,
I am pastor kassnger from pakistan.And i want to study in bible education in your country i have no any soures becuase I belong to a very poor family. My parents cannot support me . I want to do something for my poor pepole how live in darkness and they forget to his God .they naver have bible education .After my bible education i maked a manistry and help my poor pepole. So i request you to give me free bible study visa in your country .its a great pleasure for me and our pepole.
I shall be very thankful to you
pastor kassnger aslam
Hi Sir,
Good day Sir,
I am pastor kassnger from pakistan.And i want to study in bible education in your country i have no any soures becuase I belong to a very poor family. My parents cannot support me . I want to do something for my poor pepole how live in darkness and they forget to his God .they naver have bible education .After my bible education i maked a manistry and help my poor pepole. So i request you to give me free bible study visa in your country .its a great pleasure for me and our pepole.
I shall be very thankful to you
pastor kassnger
BECAUSE YOU ARE IN WAIT TO HEAR SOMETHING , AND HAVENT.SO NOW YOU WANT TO SAY THE MAN DOSENT TALK ABOUT GOD. WELL I WILL SAY THAT WE NEED TO SEARCH AND DO INVENTORY OF OURSELVES BEFORE DOING SO FOR SOMEONE ELSE. YOU ARE WATCHING THIS MAN SO HARD WITH SO MUCH NEGATIVITY , UNTIL YOU CANT EVEN SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE OF WHO JOEL REALLY IS. CLEAN OFF YOUR OWN DOOR STEP BEFORE YOU TRY TO SWEEP AROUND SOMEONE ELSES.
I think that Joel Osteen knows what he talks about. He uses real life examples that we go through in life to explain some versus of the bible which sometimes are difficult to comprehend… I do not think that he is a phony or is going to burn in hell like somebody out there said. I think that he can turn a devil worshiper into a christian if you ask me! Just sit down and really listen to this man!!!! THANK YOU
You freaking IDIOT !! You obviously have NEVER picked up ONE of Joel Osteen’s books. GOD is mentioned on EVERY page ! All Joel talks about during his sermons is GOD ! Joel is a motivational speaker and Pastor ! You should do your homework before you go blasting someone you know NOTHING about , MORON !!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe in Joe Osteen 1000%. Joel, if you ever read this, i would urge you to charge you batteries and continue inspiring more people. If your church is making money, God will multiply it a thousand time, remember about the “fig Tree”
Hi Donna (Aug.25.’010) pls. tell your arguments a bit nicer. – For me Joel is a good person and can spread out his messages with humour. Others hate him because they see just the surface. But what I say, if somebody hates him it makes no sense for me to create a homepage and complaining about him. We should leave this man in pace. If we like his sermons sticking to them and if we do not like them walking away. – Blessings, Swiss Marie
In reality, I see Joel Osteen as a motivational speaker of God. He has this spirit of uplifting people. At the end of his messages, he says ” Put God first in your Life, Make Jesus Your Lord and Savior, He Will Take you places you never dreamed of”. Boy have this words sparked a change in my life and those around me. We have gotten into a good based Bible church, which is teaching us how to put God first in our lives and make Jesus Our Lord and Savior. “He will take you places you never dreamed of”, wow has this open my eyes to the things I couldn’t see. I used to think I was worthless because I couldn’t stand up to the 10 Commandments until I knew about GRACE. This is what Jesus brings. Now I know I AM A SON OF THE HIGHEST GOD through Jesus Christ who replaced the LAW through GRACE, Hallelujah!!! GLORY BE TO HIM FOREVER. PRAISE JESUS for by HIM Salvation COMES. Joel Osteen is a tool being used by God. The rest is up to you. SEEK and you should find! Ask and it shall be given! Do your homework, ask God. Sometimes even though I hardly see Joel as often as I used to, God answers my questions through his sermons. God will take care of the rest, let God be God. Don’t be His judge when He already is the SUPREME, full of LOVE and not of condemnation. May the Lord pour out blessings to Joel and Jordan as He has done to all of us and Joel Osteen. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Quite simply:
-Matthew 7:15,16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep
If Joel Osteen and Ed Young Jr. etc. are NOT Wolves in Sheep’s clothing than I guess God is a liar.
and God would NEVER lie. Just because someone APPEARS to be Godly does not mean that they are.
Just because someone has a bible in hand, quotes scripture, stands behind the pulpit and has the title of “Pastor” does not mean that they are Christians.
Joel & Ed fit the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing to a T.
It amazes me that people will be willing to defend people like Joel & Ed but they will not defend God and his Holy Word.
Do not be so rough with Joel and Ed!!! If you do not like them, do not care about them. Apear they on Tv, ignore them. I do the same wth Ed. Ed and his wife have some attitudes I do not like. That do not give me a reason to speak bad about them!- Swiss Marie
You are a real piece of work. Don’t you have better things to do than slander someone who provides hope for the afterlife to millions of people who may otherwise commit suicide in the pressures of today’s ecomonic and moral disasters. I started reading this blog because I thought that you may know something that has not been published. However, you contridict yourself during the first few paragraphs by stating that Olsteen does not preach about God or Jesus Christ. If you will look in the transcript with Larry King, you will see that your views are definitely incorrect, and maybe you should look at how you are commiting the same mistake that you claim Olsteen is making. Why don’t you take a minute on Sunday to listen to his sermon and maybe you will loose some of your anger at a man who actually does “good” things in the world.
When I hear Joel Osteen, I feel energized to be closer to Jesus, to be a better Christian, to worship God more faithfully, and to do the best I can in my life. I’m sorry to say that when I read your blog above, I felt discouraged and sad. I feel that you are a sad, negative person who is trying to make his mark in the world through a sad, negative blog. I feel your thoughts and writing are very, very far from the truth. Still, I bless you, even as I bless Joel and Victoria, and even as I treat all people with the dignity and respect they deserve. Can you honestly say that same? Best to you, Tom Barany
I cannot believe that you are not someone who is religious. You sound like most of these other “good christians” who disagree with anyone or thing that does not go along with their beliefs. What a jackass
Thank you for the chance to comment on the attack on Joel Osteen…
In the old testament(or covenant) God let us know whats the result of sin, through the judgment for it. Please note this ! ( old testament or covenant was before the Cross). Now that the Cross of Jesus we have been removed from the old covenant of law. When Jesus hung on the Cross. He cried out” It was finished !” Now do we, as believers really understand what Jesus really said ? Or are the followers of Jesus still with all the covenant of law… When Jesus said It is finished! Meaning all the reasons for us to choose sin all the reasons for stumbling even all the chastisement for our peace was gone and over ! Jesus is the first and the last word in all this. In a way it was good that brother Osteen is attacked like on this site. Because the world and Jesus don’t seem to click together. May the Grace Love and Faver of God our Father be with you always.
How can i talk to joelosteen?