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?)
There is no reason to invoke supernatural powers to explain something because it doesn’t explain it;
that only puts it in a disguise that makes it appear that no human is able to explain it. That may be fine
for some people, as comforting as the as paranormal power be we shouldn’t we just demand that the
dogmatic theology we believe in be at the very lest the correct one. Not the sermon that was instructed
to us on a Sunday as being the correct one and most defiantly, not the one finds its fidelity in the fear it
brings us if it’s not believed, to be true. You Joel Osteen are a misguided fool.
Does anyone with a comment truly believe that the “Big shots” that these comments were intended to will spend their time reading those? Really ? Is to you Christ my Lord , Teacher, Friend
Comedian, General and so many other titles and names You have. Thanks from all my being to be who You say You are. Every breath You allow me to have belongs to You. Thanks again my Lord Christ
this is by far the sickist man ive ever herd of! i hope that fucking bastard realizes that religion is a fucking joke nothing more than a fairytale that some dumbass made up!
What a Pharisee/HYPOCRITE! Be careful…Jesus withered a fig tree for pretending to bear fruit!
Get the judgement out of your heart before Jesus does the same to you! Joel Osteen is Great!
Right on, Gina! Joel is awesome! Love thy neighbor as thy self. How complicated is that? Anything less is not Love. As another wonderful Man of God said, “Love does not exclude, it embraces. If we do not love someone outside ourselves, then quite simply, we do not love ourselves.”
I believe that good old mighty GOD has used Joel Osteen in many, many lives. He is a wonderful person. I wonder if the person who wrote all of this has ever been to any worship services of Joels. If I had to bet I would say NO because you can feel God in your soul when your there. At least I can. I have seen him three times and I will one day visit his church. I believe that Joel teaches us that no matter who you are or what kind of life you have lived in the past, it is never to late to get God in your life.
I THINK JOEL OSTEEN IS SPREADING THE GOODNESS AND MERCIES OF THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD! WHEN YOU’RE DOING GOD’S WORK YOUR ALWAYS GOING TO BE UNDER ATTACK, SO NO MATTER WHAT, JOEL OSTEEN NEEDS TO KEEP TEACHING; SO THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE TORMENTED CAN REALLY KNOWS JESUS SAVES! 1ST JOHN 3:16: FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS SON JESUS CHRIST TO DIE ON THE CROSS SO THAT EVERYONE CAN BE SET FREE AND KNOW TRUE PEACE!!!!!!!
Dear Children Of God,
Why get caught up in heresies? Let your focus be on YOUR relationship with the father, not on others relationship with him. Study to show YOURSELF approved. (agreeable). So that others many see the good works in you, that they may believe in the Heavenly Father and his abilities.
More persecutiion of one of GODS children. Huh! Makes you wonder who the real culprit is and if he will burn in Hell. Joel speaks about GOD all of the time as well as JESUS. Close off your negative mind and listen and read. Joel is a positive man who spreads the word of hope, joy and happiness. If he doesn’t do it the way one person wants to hear it, then they post stories whining and complaining about nothing. The cool thing about this is GOD sees all and hears, and knows all!
Tyler, you need help! It’s scarrey when a person hears a message like yours, the first thing that comes to mind is death and the lake of fire. Sorry for your loss!
This article is just another jealous person getting upset that there is someone out there helping others. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HELPED PEOPLE OUT? Even IF Joel was a so called “evil” person as you are labeling him, do you know how many thousands if not millions of people his teachings using the bible have helped others move forward? I live a more successful amazing life because I keep God first and have the blessing of listening to such a positive person like Joel who inspires people based on the Bible.
YOU KNOW THE FUNNY PART? People like you who condem people like Joel probably haven’t given a pretty penny in your life to help anyone. How many people have you helped in your life compared to Joel? How many lives have you changed? I can GUARANTEE not as many as Joel has.
Because I have a teacher (AND I SAID TEACHER, not a God like you seem to be leaning towards, he TEACHES us about the Lord, and who said we all had to look at God’s wrath 24×7? Isn’t religion about BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO WORK TOGETHER?!?!?! TO DO UNTO OTHERS!??!?!) like Joel, I am always keeping God first and living that life of Abundance which I am so greatful to have.
I usually never write in comments or blogs or forums, heck “ART” isn’t even my real name, but i’m soooo peeved about your negativity that I just had to write something down!
I’m investing 10 minutes of my life on another lost soul like you who doesn’t get what this whole RELIGION thing is about…if it were about BREAKING APART humanity, do you really think people would follow it? I’m a converted Christian because God showed me the way…and that was in UNITY of HUMANITY…bringing the WORLD community together in harmony…I pray for you.
The author of this blog must be focusing on a few of Osteen’s words, taken out of context.
Osteen constantly talks about God and Jesus, and quotes Scripture many times per sermon.
Many thousands have turned to Christ after listening to Osteen, including me. And, by the way, Osteen has refused a salary from his church for the last two years.
i am shocked!!!pple can be that evil!Joel preaches God.he says God wants the best in us,where did you miss out?i have changed since is i started listening to him,and regarding money,we all have a choice,you give it or not..its your choice.thats the devil talking!!and if he is out to make money,its ok….i i know he has blessed me.TOTALLY!
Am kenyan living in Dubai,and God knows how hard it is..but believe me through Joel,i have become a new person,Why him??you may ask yourself?he is passing the right word.God has a way to manifest himself,i was bitter,angry but Joel told me the truth..God loves me..Thats it!
Art, great post!
I’m so happy to read all of the wonderful defenders of the Faith and those who fight for GOD and his child JOEL! Many blessing to you all!
I was at Lakewood Church last November and attended each sermon once. It was great to hear about God and the many scriptures he quoted. – After the sermon I went to meet him in the Lobby and he was standing there patienly to sign books. He seems to be a modest person down to earth. He was a bit perplexed as I gave him a hug. – I want to say he is called from God to preach the Gospel and help the people to manage their lives better. That’s never wrong! – We should not speak about him when we disagree with him, just walk away and leave him in peace. – Many blessings
Tyle said, this is by far the sickist man ive ever herd of! i hope that fucking bastard realizes that religion is a fucking joke nothing more than a fairytale that some dumbass made up! – – What is wrong with you? If you do not want to hear from the Gospel why do you listen to Joel that you can speak such nasty words?! – It gave a time my eyes have been closed, I thought church and pastors are rubbish until I awoke out of my blindness. I have to say not every church and pastor have the ability to preach and their services can be boring and you go in and out empty or it seems a paster is forbiding every action, every satisfaction, because they mean the bible is against. But we can find the church we feel comfort and feel the Godly-Spirit. – So next time pls. take care what comes out of your mouth. – Blessings
I am from kenya east africa. I want to say this to the writer. Nobody has authority to judge. The true word of God tells us that judgement belongs to God Alone. When he called His Servant Joel we were not there and so we should hold our breath till Jesus comes back. God doesnt call the elites or the rich but the humble, the weak and the available vessels. Remember what happened to Mirriam moses sister when she mocked Moses the servant of God. Joe Osteen had been doing good work, through him many people have risen up again from their hopeless life. The writer has to understanding the different type of calling in the body of christ. When you accept Jesus christ the world becomes your enemy and Joel Osteen is not exeptional. Jesus himself faced all these and He was God and if he did who are we?
Joel does mention God in many sermons and finishes many with the sinners prayer. How is that not teaching Christianity. Joel flat out states he wants people to follow Jesus.
Also, why is the bad language still up in the 3rd comment in this forum? Tyler, expand your vocabulary…!
I attend Pastor Kevin Gerald’s church and I don’t know where you get the idea that he and Joel don’t talk about God? Everything good is God and yes God is a got of Just, but I never heard my pastor contradict anything the bible says…neither has Joel…
I would like to say that Joel is a GOD sent to a country that has lost it’s way, our country was founded on chrisianity, but over the centry’s we’ve moved away from the core belives that made our country what it was, it’s ashame that in today’s society’s we are so worried about hurting someone’s feelings of another religion, or just plain stepping on their toes that we forget little by little the orginal reason that made this country so great and strong to begin with and that’s GOD. now what’s wrong with a pastor “Joel” telling us what GOD would want for us to do, talk to him, to praise him, to love him i don’t know were this guy got his infromation from but there’s some JEALOUSY going on there because he doesn’t talk about the children food drives Joel does or any of the good things only distasteful words that are filled with hatered and jealousy MAY GOD FORGIVE YOUR INGORANCE GOD bless mike