Joel Osteen: Megachurch Televangelist Pastor without Christ?! SCANDAL!

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 ofJoel Osteen Scandal Man 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.Joel Osteen & Barbara Walters

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?)

Published by

Joel Gross

Joel Gross is the CEO of Coalition Technologies.

2,056 thoughts on “Joel Osteen: Megachurch Televangelist Pastor without Christ?! SCANDAL!”

  1. I am a born again Chrisitan and have watched Joel Osteen on several occasions. Joel Osteen’s sermons wouldn’t come in to question if he was considered in inspiration speaker; however, Joel Osteen is a pastor, not an inspiration speaker. As a Christian, the most important message that we can give to the world is that there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. You must accept Jesus into your heart to spend eternity with our heavenly Father. Therefore, it is important that every pastor and Christian is very clear on that message. Christians must also remember that the Bible is a resource that most of us have at our disposal. If someone’s message ever comes into question, you should do a little research and find out what the Bible says for yourself. If you continue to feel uneasy about what someone might be saying, pray and ask God for wisdom.

  2. Trully their are many false prophets in the world, some will deceive, and also be deceived. As saints we are required to study, and show ourselves approved. A broke clock is right twice a day, but you would be unwise to put your faith in it. If you are a mature christian you can clearly see that Joel is not a man of GOD. I have watched him, and he does not preach that if you do not accept my JESUS you are headed to hell. And no matter how good he may make you feel, people need to know that everyone(most) will not go to heaven. And he will not say it, but don’t take my word for it. Watch, and pray. Many have said how he has done good things, the WORD of GOD(BIBLE) declares many will say that on Judgment Day, and GOD will answer them “depart from me, because I never knew you”(Matt: 7:22). Do be deceived, your soul is at stake.

  3. Half way down this page is a link to “buy prayers for sale”. Religion is nothing more than a business to many people. Whether that business is for money or power, it is a business. People adhere to religion and the books of religion because it makes them feel good and it gives them comfort during their life. Religion makes people feel included and involved in something a majority of people think is important in their life. Now it doesn’t matter what the religion is or the book that religion basis their existence on, but how that belief in that religion makes you feel.
    I’ve seen Joel a couple times on television and thought that this guy is clearly a great motivational speaker no matter what issue he might tackle. But I also giggle at all those people sitting there listening to him clutching their bibles and taking notes. But then I say to myself if it makes these people feel good and gives them comfort and they have no problem spending their money on this entertainment then so be it. Religion is in many ways entertainment that we pay for. Is there really anyway to explain the pope, the vaticans vast resources of wealth, the perceived political influence and the continual hiding of crimes. This is just another business hiding behind the word religion. Shame on everyone out there who does not recognize that if you truely believe there is a God then you should realize that you can talk to him and worship him anywhere at anytime. A true religious person is someone who believes in a higher being who is responsible for the creation of life and the universe. Saying your Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Moslem or any other religion means nothing except to say you do not have a grasp on the greater picture of what religion truely is on this planet.
    There will be replies on here against Joel and for Joel. You know what made all those different opinions from all those people – GOD.
    Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for The Lord is able to make him stand.”
    All in all, people love to judge other people. It makes people feel good and they will defend this urge at all costs. The rationale being that if we don’t judge people we can’t make inferences between right and wrong. This is wrong. Humans don’t judge. God does.

  4. The foundation of God still stands sure bearing this seal; the Lord knoweth them that are His … there are certain men who have crept in that have turned the grace of God into their lasciviousness…. A man who serves God wil not serve mammon. A man in God’s kingdom will not be carnal and in the kingdom of man. Supporting Athletics while milions live in poverty is an abomination to God. Hoarding is actually a sin. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of faith, not salvation. Its sad that the likes of Joel Osteen and John Hagee prosper while leading people wayward .

  5. This is what I know, as long as Joel gives an opportunity for his listeners to repent and repeat the repentant prayer; I have no problem with him. At least he is following through with the great commission “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. Secondly, I think the article is based on what is public knowledge – the telecasts. But what really happens behind the telecasts in the church? Does he have weekly bible study meeting where people are taught the word of God? Does he have other meetings where people are taught the Christian doctrine, and baptized? Does he have prayer meeting where people are edified?

    Let us not be quick to judge. I just don’t have the energy to go monitoring who is right who is wrong, who is deceptive and who is not. We shall know then by their fruits, and that takes time the tree has to grow and give forth fruit. And one more thing, the bible reminds us to test the spirits. If you find (after testing the spirit) that your faith is beyond what you are seeing, then move on, no need for drama. That is God’s work he will take care of any mess.

  6. To be a true Christian, I feel one must be a pacifist and not socialize with pro-war national leaders, to give up your money and property to the poor, to pray while alone, and to love others. Jesus came with two new Commandants: to love one another and to love God. So-called preachers like Osteen and yes even Billy Graham have some good things to say, but when push comes to shove on issues of war, for instance, they can’t seem to step over the line and preach total peace. Graham used to say to listen to
    your conscience about things like killing in war. I don’t see this in the “Thou Shalt not kill” Commandant. Would Jesus pick up a 50-cal. machine gun and fire it at people? Most preachers dance around this issue or say the Commandant really means “Thou shalt not murder,” or, a common notion is that Jesus talked about laying down your life for your brother. Laying down your life does not mean
    to also lay down someone else’s life by killing them! And how nice to adjust the Bible’s language to fit your personal needs! I wish I could just go off to war and fire away at the “evil” enemy–that’s what soldiers did BEFORE Christ–and earn medals and money and public sympathy. To be a true Christian you simply cannot kill anyone under any condition–you must turn the other cheek, which is really hard, but then that’s the point–you have to give up earthly things–even your manhood and your honor at times to earn heaven. Otherwise, you might as well be an ancient Roman soldier–i.e., what difference has CHristianity made in your life?

  7. I had something appropriate and related to say, but that was before coffee shot from my nose a few seconds ago. I’m going to hell for laughing this hard, but that was the most unexpected comment– nuzzled in between the others with perfect comedic timing.

    Now, I’ve got nothin’…

  8. leave joel alone he s got twenty thosand people to try to shepard why dont you go home clean your house and worry about your own piece of flesh. from yogi bon jovi wanted dead or alive by the kingdom of hell does hell know you brother?

  9. remember brethren that we are called to righteously judge and not tear each other down. Examine the fruit of joel osteen with the lens of the bible and make a righteous decision about the fruit of his sermons. we are responsible for the biblical fruit we eat, if his sermons dont sustain you, don’t listen to him and find a pastor who is after gods heart. I notice that so many christians dont want to eat of the word of the bible, rather preferring to be spoon fed portions of the bible by pastors. you cant grow as a christian on baby food like portions of the word. many remain infantile babies because of this.

    god uses nations to punish other nations for their wickedness. this also includes warfare.
    when evil minded men are willing to take up arms and persecute others, good people are forced to take up arms and confront this iniquity. Dont persecute others who have taken up arms to perserve peace by subduing evil where it flares up. pacifism works in your personal walk with christ, but since evil men do not practice pacifism, god has allowed warfare to occur to deal with them.

  10. Joel Osteen is the better man in all of this criticism. He doesn’t criticize he only forgives. Maybe you should try it and stop pretending that you know what being a Christian means. Joel preaches love and success. What’s wrong with that? He should preach fear and poverty?

  11. What’s so great about being poor? We all want a nice home and things for our families. So why diss Joel because he works hard for those things? It’s all jealousy. He’s a kind man who says everyone should have abundance and that God wants increase. If you’re a loser, then so be it. But God wants winners who live the life he gave them.

  12. Well, looks like another hate preaching site. Why, when Christ taught us to “do unto others”, etc., do the self professed Christians (and Muslims) still preach hate & exclusion when both Christ (& Mohammed!) taught us that to truly bring people to God, we should lead and convert by example, by living what our Prophet, God, or whatever we choose to call them have taught?

    Will these rantings of hate and exclusivity really bring more people to God? I don’t think so. More people have been killed in the name of God by Christianity than any other religion on the face of the earth. Islam follows very closely behind.

    After studying over 40 various “religions” from Wicca to Christianity of many brands, including that of Catholics, Jehovahs Witnesses, Mormons, also, Hindus, various Native American religions, etc.. I find one common them – the Golden Rule.

    In Wicca it is “And it harm none, do what ye will” – in Christianity it is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Seriously folks, can you honestly say that if you truly live by either one of these “Golden Rules” can you go on to break any one of the 10 commandments that were given by God? Then how can you say that people who believe in one religion or the other are all going to go to hell?

    Who died and made you God?? Who gave you the power to read His mind? And who told you that any given name for God is the only correct one?? We all speak different languages, which if you believe the Bible, is a God caused situation. Remember the Tower of Babel? God created the different languages at that time, if you believe the Bible as you claim you do.

    Does that not mean that God will accept your faith and belief, regardless of which language you speak, or which name you call Him? It is so simple. Even if you call God “Mud”, God will accept that as long as it is done with true belief and love.

    Don’t you believe that God can recognize a true and faithful heart, regardless of your native language, or lack of intellectual prowess? Is your God so truly limited? Does that mean that those of limited intellegence can never be saved, because they don’t know the right words or the right “Name”? Is God truly so limited?

    Christ taught the same things that Joel (and many others) are teaching/preaching. Joel does talk about God and Christ. So do many others. The message of hope, joy and abundance is part of the New Testament. Christ taught these lessons. Why is it wrong for Joel or anybody else, to remind us of this part of Christ’s teachings?

    Once again, Christ did not teach hate. I now call myself a “Follower of Christ’s Teachings” rather than Christian, because so many Christians are preaching hate, intolerance and exclusion, while claiming to be Christian. I choose to divorce myself from those who cannot recognize and live the word of their own “Son of God”.

    Remember – Christ taught us to bring unbelievers to Christianity by our example of love and faith. Hate and intolerance have no place if you believe in Christ.

    Spend your time living by Christ’s teachings and let your loving example bring people to Christ.

    Hate and intolerance never will, they will only bring more violence and less understanding.

    Truly live by the Golden Rule and you will become a beacon for Christ – continue with your hate and neither you or those you try to convert will ever recognize His love for all mankind and or His sorrow that you will not listen.

    Joel and his family are not Saints, but neither are any of us. We need a message of hope and the reminders that God has a higher purpose and many rewards for us if we believe and live by his teachings. Joel is merely bringing Christ’s own teachings to us, to remind us that there are good things He has in store.

    Only you can decide whether you will follow Christ’s teachings of love and acceptance of any who will listen, or whether you will continue to preach hate and exclusion and lose your own salvation in the process.

    Please quit preaching hate and intolerance. Remember, God and Christ are listening to your every thought and watching every action you take.

    Live love and be saved. Live hate/intolerance and prepare yourself for hell – it is your choice. I pray you make the right one.

  13. Hello, friend. There are many mega church pastors that are doing fine and dandy. The only reason why you find so much scandal is because you look for scandals. But if your looking of truth i dare you to watch a documentary called finger of God and Furious Love, Both documentaries features one of the largest ministries on this planet, and they are moving in great love and compassion.

  14. Judge not that ye be not judged! What it sounds to me like there is a lost of “sour grapes out there!” Joel Olsreen has done something that none of the naysayers can do or have been able to do and that is take his God given talent and spread the Good News to millions and millions of people. I could not to find a”By” line on this article but I think the person that wrote it really has an ax to grind and it just shows what a “Petty and invidious, little person you really are!” Even so, I know that God loves all His children and if you ask Him for forgivness for your sins, even though you are guilty of coveting soneone else’s success, you too will be saved! So, go for it and ask God for forgivness. You will feel a whole lot better!

  15. For all that I say, why do you care? I’m not a Joel Olsteen fan or much a fan of the “mega church” ministries. It sure sounds to me like you’re jealous. Sounds to me like you wish you had done what Joel Olsteen has done. Do you really believe the bible word for word? Don’t you think back many years ago when bishops and the pope were some of the most powerful men in the world they may of changed some verses? Maybe they distorted the bible for their benefit. Your article seems to me to say Olsteen is just using this christian ministry to benefit himself. Don’t you think 1500 years ago maybe some of the priests and other religious men in postions of power could of used religion to benefit themselves? Do you honestly believe in your heart a good decent person who works hard and supports and loves his family. Who trys to live a good life. Who shows forgiveness to people who wrong him/her. Who asks their supreme being (Allah,Buddha,Lord Vishno,etc) for forgiveness when he or she does wrong. Do you believe this person who was brought up,lets say muslim. Do you honestly believe that your God would condemn them to hell? I thought God was good? God is great? I thought God forgives us for our sins? But you believe because they were raised,again we’ll say muslim, without jesus in their worship that he will condemn them? Maybe Catholic/Christian people in higher positions(pope,bishops,cardinals) years and years ago seen that these “other” religions were taking away from their churches tithes. Maybe thats when they decided to change the bible and added these scripture’s about believing in only jesus so they would make other men of other religions feel that they must be christians and believe in jesus to make it to heaven. If you believe Olsteen is just a scam. Why don’t you believe their were other preachers and other priests from years ago that were scammers also.

    Back 1500 years ago or even 1800 years ago when most people did not even see a copy of the bible. When there were very few written books. Don’t you think it’s possible that some crooked and bad religious leaders could of changed passages in the bible to benefit the christian religion? Why is this not possible? My God, the God I believe in wants all of us to be good and decent. To help one another. To love one another. Not to hurt anyone. My God will not punish another good persons soul because he or she was raised believing in another religion. If your God is so powerful and all knowing why didn’t he stop these people from starting other religions? And don’t say free will. If you had to sum up the bible in a one or two sentences what would you say? Read the Old Testament. Why does it say people lived to be 900+ years old? Why does it talk about Adam and Eve having Cain and Abel. Then Cain killing Abel. It then says Cain lay with his wife. Where did this woman come from? If there was only Adam and Eve then Cain and Abel. Where did this other woman come from? I assume these are just a couple of the reasons most catholics/christians stay away from the Old Testament. The bible is easily misinterpreted. And can be read and looked at many different ways. It’s a tool for teaching.

    Your whole article screams jealousy. Who sound like you wish you had done what Olsteen has done. If your God is so great why would he condemn a man only because that man never was given the opportunity to learn about jesus. If you believe God is all knowing/all powerful then why do 5 year old girls get kidnapped and raped and murdered? Don’t say free will of the man or woman who did that to them. What about the free will of the girl who was raped and murdered. Religion is man made. We know this because of all the different religions that is taught. Why do people who become angry or not comfortable with a certain religion split and form a new one? Lutheran, Protestant,Mormons,Muslim,etc.etc. Why would a all powerful and all knowing God allow these people to teach others wrong and incorrect information? Why wouldn’t God want every one to have the correct information?

    Just try to be a good person. Treat others the way you would want others to treat you. Help others just as you would would want help when in need. Ask forgiveness when you sin. And forgive others that have sinned against you. This is what I believe.

  16. Do not judge, lest ye be judged. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. Not a human’s right nor place to lay judgement on another. Only God can read the hearts and true intentions of man. Who are we to judge? Try to let it go to God, let Him make your crooked path straight. In Christ’s name, amen.

  17. 1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

    1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

  18. Benna. He just needs to preach the truth. We are to praise God whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick. There are too many passages in the bible about good and faithful servants having things go really bad for them to be able to ignore the basic simple truth: God does what he pleases. His ways are not our ways. He will bless some, and some he wont. I love the parable of the talents because it’s a perfect example of God choosing to give some of us plenty and some of us little, but yet, regardless of what we are given, we have to use that to expand His kingdom. It usually works out that people with plenty seem to want to hoard it instead of seeing it as an opportunity to serve others. And on the other hand, people with little feel they can’t do a thing so they pity themselves.

    But if you preach a gospel where following Jesus equals prosperity, you are not preaching the gospel. You are leading people down a dangerous path where they don’t love Jesus. They just love His stuff. They worship creation, not the creator (Romans 1). When John sends his disciples to find out if Jesus is the One, Jesus tells them to report what they have seen. The lame are walking. The blind receive sight. Lepers are cleansed. Deaf are hearing. Dead are being raised………….but He leaves out “prisoners are set free”. He is pretty much telling one of the most faithful prophets in the Bible, who had prepared they way of the Lord, that he was going to die in prison. Does that sound like anything that Joel would ever preach about?

    He is preaching a false doctrine, and by biblical definition, is a heretic. I fear for people buying in to this feel good “Fairy Jesus” philosophy. But I can’t condemn him like many people want to. His false message needs to stop, but their is forgiveness and redemption for him as well. We are all guilty of sin. “But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:3,4

    Pray for Olsteen and his followers. Don’t pass judgment. They need prayer. And so do we.

  19. The critics use words that are not very christian as well as the rest of the world., they are here to judge and is why they are referred to as critics. Joel Osteen is anointed and if people were to thirst for God when STUDYING the Bible rather than just skim thru it to say they have read it, then they too would find their calling. Joel is not sugar coating anything, he is teaching the word thru his own experience in his life and God certainly gives to Joel the words to use and the order in which to use them. I suggest yal to stop wasting time trying to figure out someone else’s life and figure out your own by getting into the word. So what if Victoria had a mishap with the flight attendent, I had one with meth, crack, alcohol, pot., and a few choice words with some folk along the way myself., It certainly didn’t stop God from loving me and making change in my life as He has., Joel osteen is the only one I watch on TV., he is the church I attend right here in my own living room and God speaks very well thru Joel in reaching me. It’s a no brainer on what the Bible teaches if you have read it, tho it’s a whole other thing in how you teach it to someone else. Condemming folk for their sins is no way to bring them to a loving God, it is not Joel or anyone else’s job to do that except for God. If I were a pastor and yal learned of my drug/alcohol/cheating on my husband/anything else for that matter, yal be doing the same thing to me you are doing to Joel, missing the idea that God took away my addictions.. yal recognize already alrighty

Comments are closed.