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?)
Luke 16:15 Christ said: “You are they which justify yourself before men; but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God
I Have read Joel’s books and listen to him often, and he has helped me understand the love and the grace of God which I was constantly exposed to but not opening up to it.I really dont know all the things you have said about him, but I have read about God and Jesus in his book, my only question is why are you so angry? You know the word you refer to it but you still against it, if he is a scam like you say, dont you think its up to God to punish, what have you achieved so far after saying all this allegations, do you feel good about yourself, do you feel like you have achieved something, just think about that.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sweet fellowship of Holy
Spirit and the Love of God be with you now and forever, please do not judge for vegance is the Lord’s not ours as you have quoted we have ALL sinned and fallen short of His Glory including you, let’s build each othet up and not tear one another. God bless
Pastor Steve, I think the devil is really impressed with your comments, because now man of God is fighting the others, I am so disappointed that you can see through people’s hearts not God anymore,and you can be on TBN really if you want to, all you need is to pay for your slot and you are in. Wipe the smile on the devil’s face and shame him. Teach the word of God and study God’s word not other people. Joel have winned souls to God through Jesus, God bless.
Your comments are presented in a spiteful and hateful way. When God chooses to use someone, anyone, to present his Word and bring humanity back to church, we , certainly not I, are not equipped to judge it. Who are you? What do you mean, and I say that literally, to the rest of us? I am booked into Heaven and believe that the way is through Jesus (Jeshua in case you don’t know). I also believe anyone, anyone can be saved at the very last minute, so why would I judge others who might not yet believe in Jesus Christ? It is not given to me to judge fellow human beings – only to go forth and be the best that I can be here on Earth in the time given to me. In summary, your comments regarding Mr. Osteen’s belief (the Cross, seminary) come across as merely vicious (sp?). If your intent is to get others to believe you, you might want to think of a different approach. Seriously. All things can be remedied through the love of God. I hope you make it.
I always ask me why people come and create a www. just to judge and condame them. If I can’t agree I forget this fellows. Joel and his mega church in your case. – Blessings.
i can see your point here however we are not to judge others. its true that Mr. Osteen is mostly talking stuff kind of related to our everyday life and i think thats why he gets attention from alot of people because they can relate.
at the end of his program he informs people that they can invite Jesus to come into their heart and be their personal savior and i think a lot of people turns away from their bad habits and become christians..isnt that a good thing.
he does give us encouragement and reminds us that our God wants the best for us. he does not tell us NOT TO READ OUR BIBLE, so people can listen for his encouragement but also READ THEIR BIBLE…if you read your bible and follow all these good things he says, then you become a good christian..
I watch Osteen on occassions, he always talks of Jesus and the Father, I have never heard him
say we can do things without the power of GOD. And by the way I read the Bible and judge
everything on GODS Word. If all you people would quit wasting valuable time on blasting others,
go out and be disciples as we are instructed ,and win souls for the kingdom, and do good, than the
world would be won for Christ. I now know why I no longer attend any church, it seems that everyone is wrong, except the church a person is attending. To me this is apostacy. I Word tells me
(HE) the HOLY SPIRIT will show all truth, to let no man interrupt the scripture only the HOLY SPIRIT.
GOD BLESS
I have watched Joel many times on television and have never failed to hear him quote scripture to support what he is saying and talk about God. What you most like do not approve of is the fact he does not preach condemnation against all those people you do not approve of and he does not judge them and sentence them to hell. Maybe one day there will be a scandal, but why not wait until that day comes before you start writing and talking about it. Oh Yea! I forgot you also believe what you speak from your mouth comes to be and you hope your speaking of Joel having a scandal it will make it happen. That is what most Christians do these days. How strange Joel preaches the same thing what you think/speak comes to be. You two do have something in common.
I find it odd on all sides of this argument that the grace of God is not was is exemplified here on either side of the argument. Even my post here will serve to do nothing more than anchor people on a person rather than on God, His Son, and Salvation through Jesus Christ. Oh yes, and make Joel more popular or hated but in either case drive the revenue of the largest “Christian” based church without a cross in it I personally know of.
First of all you are all nasty, no matter what part of the argument you are on, secondly if you disagree it does not mean you are judging Joel, it means you have “studied to show yourself approved…” There are many who have preached in Jesus’s name and led their church to the slaughter….arguably Jim Jones (of cult fame) did many great works for the poor, the needy, drug addicts, and the like and well we know how that ended.
Ignoring the harsh reality of the Word of God and the impact that salvation should have on your life and that it is “ALL” about Jesus and His sacrifice is to preach apostacy….all through the Bible Christ preached of it to the people, the Pharasees and in Prophecy….He said “….for many will say but Lord have we not called out your name, taught and prophesied in your name, cast out demons, and healed in your name….and I will say to them be gone from Me you doers of iniquity for I never knew you….” So just because you feel good about it and just because reference is made to Jesus in word or deed does not make it spiritual….for just as much as you argue that they don’t know Joel’s heart….well neither do you all…. no one does…
The relationship with Jesus Christ is personal in each of our hearts….and no amount of self help dribble can lead us to it….only the Word of God and the Word is not about the hear and now and best lives now, it is about eternity……..
So stop defending a man……and condeming those that do not agree with him….and stop lashing out when the defenders don’t agree with you…..the truth of the matter is the truth is only found through Jesus Christ and has been being found in the hearts of mankind for over 2000 years without a big mega church to feed it to us……For those of you who say you find Joel inspring that’s fine but the inspiration should not be from Joel it should be from the Word of God and His Son Jesus Christ…..
Now I will wait to see how many of the defenders and the detractors judge me…..because I don’t care……because on the real judgement day it won’t matter to me a bit……
And just for the record, I have seen Joel in person….I am a learned biblical man….highly educated and trained in the ability to see through a suspects words, eyes, and deeds….but mostly I prayed about it before and after……I left the show and I mean show…..sickened and heartsick…..it was much like a rock concert where he was the star and Jesus was missing…..I am sorry but that is what I felt…..judge me on the value of my prayer and my heart if you must…..
Sincerly
Shawn
Comments:
We are told in the Bible not judge other but it seems we are judging someone specially if we can see that he is progressing and I think that is jealousy and that is the number one thing that God hates. We are very hard on others who are ahead of us. In our country the Philippines, very popular is the crab mentality. In fact I never thought that other countries have also this crab mentality which I think God does not approve or hates so much. I pray always the God opens the eyes of our understanding in order for us not to judge others for according to our Living God whatever we do, He is the best judge. More power to Joel Osteen. He has encouraged me much and we pray that more and more Joel Osteen coming up in the future.
I read all these coments and i feel the same way it must be the divine of God Joel has got my attention bigger time then then any other preacher don’t get me wrong there are aot of Godly preachers they all serve God for different purpose how ever Joel happen to get my attention and if God did’nt have a purpose for joel osteen I don’t believe God would allow Joel to continue with his purpose here on Gods earth I’ve suppport him 100% his a real man of God the man been Bless no one can take that away from joel but God almighty so far his cup is going be overflow don”t let jealousy envy get in your way brother may God continue to Bless you Joel
All of this reminds me of the quote by Ghandi when he said: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” An outsider looking in on us.
it will all come to a end for sure for all of us, joel does what he does good or bad i do think he believes in what he is doing and if it help’s 1 person in life good for him god bless us all
I think this whole story is bogus and just a bored person that can’t see the good in someone and just want to shame a name of a man that is real. Yes Joel isn’t your common preacher and he has not lied about how he has become one and nor has he ever said he is tried to sell you god, he tells you stories about how god works in his life and others and reminds you to look around and see the un-seeable! I hope the aurthor of this story finds what Olsteen found and can look at the good and not try to find the bad in everything. It is like that baptist church that protest at soldiers funerals just because they preach the word of god doesn’t make it right go talk about them and how they use the lords name for no good!
Who is this person and what is the reason for his comments…….Tearing down Joel Olsteen is way way out of line the man has one of the few religious programs that is free of scandle and hyp.
True we all have a right to our own opinons but to try to pass judgement on someone is just wrong. Read the book of Proverbs.
And every week Joel will relate to passages in the bible concerning his topics. So to say his sermons are not bible based is ignorant. And who the heck says a person has to go toa bible college to qualify as a Pastor. Theres plenty of women and men preaching the Gospal and they are winning souls for Christ too.
You are truely barking up the wrong tree. JOEL OLSTEEN IS SINCERE!
To Perva,
So just becaue there is no scandle makes it “of God”? I don’t think so. How many secular things are without scandle that doesn’t make them right. I am sure Oprah’s new church she started is without scandle too and I am sure she will reach millions, as they are ushered into Hell believing there are more ways to heaven than “just Christ”……Jesus himself layed waste to the Pharasees and the money changers in the church and did so with quite a temper….for the person who thinks no other preacher has reached them other than Joel…..so I guess all the others were wrong…..? I don’t dislike him because he is successful, I don’t believe he is teaching a Biblically correct message……I am not judging him but the message….I am not judging I am telling you what God has layed on my heart….but I guess you can judge me as to whether that is correct or not because you know me or my heart….so you do the very same thing to me you don’t want done to Joel……
Whatever……
There is one very important role that Joel Osteen fills. For people like me, an atheist for my entire life, he was the only preacher I stopped switching channels on the TV to listen to for a couple of minutes. Then I found myself recording his program. He is a FIRST STEP to get a non-believer, non-Christian, non-religious person to listen to his ultra-light religious pep talks for even just a minute.
Those happy sermons and words of encouragement planted the seed for me and although I rarely listen to him anymore, because I have moved on to reading the Bible and listening to more Bible based teaching, I would not have reached this point without the stepping stone of the Christian-light inspirational sermons that Joel preaches. So even though I know he does not ever even open the Bible during his memorized motivational speeches, I recognized that there was more to be learned after watching Joel Osteen’s program.
I thank God for using Joel and his motivational speaking version of Christianity to get my attention to start on the path to believing in the Lord and giving my life to Him. Even the weak and watered down messages have a place and I think God knows that stubborn atheists (like I was for 38 years of my life) will not jump in head first to the pool of salvation. They need to test the water with a luke-warm, non-threatening guy like Joel.
If preachers were assigned grades to teach, Joel Osteen would be teaching pre-school or kindergarten. After a while you move up in the school of Christ. I know it’s annoying to watch Joel now, but recognizing where he fits into God’s plan for some secular raised people like me, it makes it more tolerable.
God Bless you.
I only Just paid attention to this guys today actually. I have channel surfed by his show at times. After reading your blog. I think that I will stop in and visit his shows. He sounds like the kind of teacher that I would learn from. I am not sure if your blog is meant to discourage people or inspire people to learn with Joel. I know that for me you have encourage. Good Job Blogger. Some question for you, if I may. Was Jesus a Christian? and also whom did he knell and pray to? Did whomever Jesus knelled and prayed to so love the world, are only Christian? Do you think that God is single minded? Are you single minded? You show signs of jealous, are you? Do you seek the kingdom of heaven are man?
Lupe- Excellent qoute from one of my heroes.
I, Bonnie, have spent most of my life as an agnostic. I do not believe that the Bible is the ultimate “word”, just the very first “self-help” book.
Joel Osteen is the only religious figure I can listen to besides the Dalai Lama. Joel’s sermons are upbeat, positive, and tell us that God is there for everyone, in whatever way you choose to relate to him. Obviously his message “you are loved by God and is there for you whenever you need to seek him”. The “fire and brimstone” judgemental God you preach is not what many want to know.
I live in Houston and I’ve seen Lakewood’s faithful. His method obviously appeals to many of us.
Joel Osteen is an intelligent christian who knows how to get people’s attention, then how to motivate them to obey God’s word. “God has good things in store for you!” that’s true. not every one will live in paradise or nirvana or heaven or whatever, but that doesn’t mean every one has that perspective, so Joel is telling the truth. God does have good things in store for you, and me. it’s up to us to obey His word and keep having faith in His promises. I have been listening to Joel’s messages for over a year, and in short by far I prefer listening to him than to listening to some preacher that would tell me all the reason why I should feel condemned. No body is perfect anyways. There are no excuses to take God’s ways in a irreverent manner, and Joel never preaches that the most important aspect of a christian life is to just listen to him and that would take some one straight to heaven. He always concludes with keep God first place in your life, keep reading God’s word. come on!! is it not about advancing the kingdom?