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?)
Godly man like Joel Osteen will be always offensive to people who does not know God. BTW the name of God is Jesus, Joel may not say the word God, because he refers to God by His name Jesus. Would you call your friend by his title (eg. engineer) if you know that his name is Michael?
Wow… it amazes me how stupid some people can be.
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.
How can you have any respect for someone like this?? Osteen, tell me ONE way you have demonstrated your so called integrity, ONE way you haven’t been selfish. This man disgusts me.
And to this person:
“I’m sorry to say this, but your just hating, why because you don’t have the money, yes i’m sure he gets lots of money, but regarless God gave us a mind of our own and i’m sure we can use our own sence, of whats right & wrong or what to believe. I’m reading Joel’s book and I like it. If you were a good person you won’t be writing this about Joel or any other pastor, it’s their life and if you really believe in God, let him take over, why you have to do all this. What do you want to prove? Your probably full of hate, you need to find peace in your heart to be happy and I really hope that you find it.”
Okkkkay, how is that even an argument? So does that mean we can go rob someone’s house? Because according to you, we’re still using our own sense. Sure, we have the freedom to rob someone’s house, but that doesn’t mean its RIGHT!
“It’s their life.” um okay so does that mean we’re not allowed to criticize anyone for anything they do?
“You’re probably full of hate” sure, he might be full of ate, but WITH GOOD REASON
Osteen, you’re free to “help” people however you want. But don’t use religion to gain listeners and don’t claim to be a christian.
People who listen to Osteen’s sermons are not christians. They have misinterpreted and misunderstood the Bible. If you need help, go find a therapist.
i think you are the one who got it all wrong. You cannot critisize somebody for his success ni preaching. Of all the preachers i know he is the best because i understand exactly what he says and i can get what i have heard into practise. I am not simply saying this because he teaches good things about life but he truly explains what the bible says in a simple way while the other preachers explain it in a more context way, they have to use difficult expressions and it discourages the congregation from going to church. Most people go to church and the moment they leave they even don’t have a clue of what was the day’s message. It is better to grasp the little he says every sunday than to live the church everyday without nothing! I truly understand what he preaches i mean every preacher has his own way of interprating the bible and his way is the most appealing to me. So please stop misleading people with the little non-evidence research that you did. If you dont understand him then get your own complex preacher but dont critisize Joel and if not i think you are jealous of the way he communicates to people. Dude you better just research on other things because you dont know what you are saying. If you only knew how his preachings has changed my life …. may God bless him and protect him from the people who want his downfall.
I think you are sick in the head with your stupid research. First of all i dont think you are a true christian because if you were you wouldnt be judging people. I hope Joel prays for you because you seriously need prayers. I think you should remove this website of yours because seriusly you are the one who is going to be sued with your false accusation. Seriously you should stop. This man has realy helped a lot of people to know God and come back to him. I really pray that God may forgive you for Judging a person that you really don’t know about. Ofcourse Paul and the other Apostles of God spread the Good news but were still critisized just as you and the others are doing to Joel. I hope you find the heart to apologize to Joel because i believe he has forgiven you.
And exactly where is YOUR church and exactly how many lies have you been a part of changing and bring to the Lord? What are your credentials and who made you the kings stone thower?
I think Joel Osteen is a great pastor. He doesn’t judge like most people in the church. I’ve known so many so called “believers” call themselves “Christians,” when in reality, THEY ARE NOT FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS! It’s quite disappointing that my experience with 95% of Christians I know talk like heaven, but act like hell. Constantly JUDGING…CONDEMNING…POINTING FINGERS… Portray a phony outward fisaud of being a Jesus follower, yet inwardly, full of hate and hypocrisy. This is the very reason why non-Christians cringe at the thought of going to church or even engage in a biblical discussion. Christians should FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS, not a religion or a church. And they should stop JUDGING!!!! God (Christian God) is a LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, and Merciful God. You don’t know if God could have given Joel Osteen a great gift, to bring people to Christ, not away like what most churces do….
I’m a Christian, actually… Sadly to say, I walked away from church two years ago, and almost gave up on my faith altogether because of LEGALISTIC, JUDGEMENTAL Christians I was surrounded by on a daily basis. For the life of me, I could not understand how the Holy Spirit could dwell in such hateful individuals. Not true Christians, perhaps? A true Christian follows the example of Jesus, which is that of LOVE and COMPASSION. Just recently I was visiting with my parent’s at their house, and it had been the first time I watched Joel Osteen’s sermon on tv. I was amazed at his kind and loving sermon, that it actually lead me back to God. Joel didn’t lead me back, but God showed me that a true Christian is a kind, loving, compassionate and forgiving human being, basically, Christ-like. We do not sit on God’s throne to judge one another. We do not have authority to say this person is going to heaven or hell. Many say they believe, but they don’t behave Christian-like. A true Christian is loving and compasionate. Not legalistic and judgemental. If you believe there is a fire in your house, wouldn’t you run out of there as fast as you can? Of course! Why? Naturally, you are reacting to your belief that there is a fire. Well, the same goes for your basic fundamental belief system of Christianity. A true believer bears good fruit. “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Matt 7:20) A true believer will behave in a loving manner without hypocrisy. *READ Romans 12:9-21
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matt 7:1)
You seriously are not religious as you say, (or even NICE for that matter) because only a person with a hateful attitude can think and talk like you do about anyone. How are YOU helping people? By teaching hate, criticizing and making negative comments on the world wide web? Great, that is just what our society needs, especially our children, to listen to someone like you. Maybe you SHOULD try religion or a self-help guru to soften your cold stone heart.
I have no problem with Joel, or his message. Regardless of his background and approach, I have seen nothing evil in what he says. I’d rather see people spend their money on ministries than video games, drugs, alcohol, and stupid internet sites.
I TO CAUTION MYSELF TO MEGA PREACHERS,HOWEVER, I JUST FINISHED WATCHING ONE OF JOELS BROADCAST ON OPENING OUR WAYS OF THINKING,STEPPING OUT AND TRYING NEW THINGS IN ORDER TO ALLOW US TO GROW. JOEL DID REFER TO SCRIPTURE AS HIS SERMON PROGRESSED AND USED SCRIPTURE TO BACK UP WHAT HE WAS PREACHING ABOUT.
I HAVE FOUND DISCREPANCIES IN YOUR COMMENT ABOUT JOEL. MAYBE YOU COULD PRAY ABOUT IT AND NOT ALLOW THE ENEMY TO USE YOU LIKE A PAWN.
No disrespect, but this is just your opinion. I think the Bible also says something about judging others…..
Look, he may not mention God or Jesus Christ with every word that comes from his lips, but he is very uplifting and I think that may be what people are grasping on to.
God bless you and I hope that what I have said to you makes some sense.
Have a good day!
Melissa
43 million in tithes, bestseller on the NY Bestseller list, 34 million in online donation and you have the sorry nerve to critique him. You antiChrist, you pharisee, the very people you killed christ when he was last in town. You realise Jesus was a carpenter and never went to any Bible school….Joel does not need any seminary degree and his megachurch is testimony….so please go hang… The central theme of Christ message was not suffering but redemption. That is what Joel gets which you dont.
I know exactly how you feel! Someone I am very close to is a huge Joel Osteen fan. I would have to listen to his sermons on television whether I liked it or not. At the same time I was participating in a Bible Study to earn diapers for my twin babies. I was learning “the real truth,” and it had nothing to do with being healthy, wealthy, and wise all the time. I was the biggest Joel Osteen skeptic. I thought this person was only watching Joel’s programs because he thought that following Joel’s “advice” would make him rich! All I could think about was how they were trying to use God to become rich, and that is not what Christianity is all about! I had read the sinner’s prayer in my Bible study time and again, and I just knew I was a Christian and was going to heaven. One day, I was standing in the kitchen washing baby bottles, and this person was sitting in the living room watching that “blasphemous” program again! He would always repeat the beginning of the program, “This is my Bible, I am what it says I am…” Urgh! He would never repeat the sinner’s prayer at the end of the program or take the advice about going to a good Bible based church. I wasn’t going to church either because I couldn’t stand being amongst all those hypocrites or “perfect” people looking down on me. Anyway, when Joel started saying the sinner’s prayer at the end of the program, I spitefully started repeating it just as loud as I could. What would it hurt? I was already a Christian!
My eyes began to tear up, I was wheeping uncontrollably! As soon as the prayer was over, I had to go straighten myself up. The very next time I went to church, I didn’t see any hypocrites or “perfect” people. I no longer felt like anyone was playing my horrible past through their minds. All I was there to do was learn about Christianity and worship God. Only months before that I couldn’t understand how I was supposed to want to love and worship someone I couldn’t see, feel, or hear! Now, I see, feel, and hear God every minute of every day! I long to go to church on Sunday to join in fellowship with my new huge family who loves me just the way I am, imperfections and all!
I spent years and lots of money buying Bibles that I could not understand! Now I can turn just about anywhere in the Bible and find true meaning for my life. It is the most incredible, supernatural experience! I have merely thought about something, and only days later received it. I am thankful for every minute of my life past, present, and future “mistakes” and everything! God has healed my body for which I thought I was going to have to have surgery. I know God personally, and I know Jesus Christ is alive and well. That sounds so crazy, I am sure, but it is true.
I have heard people call Joel a false prophet and even the antichrist. I dont’ believe that the antichrist will be trying to lead people to the foot of the cross.
As for Muslims going to heaven? I will not be the judge of that either. The Bible also says to judge others as you would want to be judged! I don’t have to know what everyone else’s intentions are because I have faith that God Almighty with deal with them the way He is dealing with me every day! I completely understand why Joel “dances” around judging another human being. He who is not guilty of sin may cast the first stone. You go ahead and do that; I am guilty! I will save my stones to give to someone who would like to throw them at me. Ha, ha.
God doesn’t force himself of anyone, why should I try to force God on someone else? I am not saying anything about any other preacher either. I feel like they are doing exactly what God intends for them to do too. If they are not, well that is not my problem. I stay so busy telling people how good God is, I don’t have time to try to condemn another person.
All I know is that I went from one of the biggest Joel Osteen critics to thanking God for his existence! What you don’t see on television is what he does with all that money. I know from talking with a pastor from another local church that Joel has discipleship training going on every day or almost every day. He also goes oversees on missions and all over the U.S. I was totally shocked when I discovered this. Why doesn’t he just tell everyone what he is doing? He is too busy serving God to worry about what anyone else thinks of him. That is my opinion.
I went from being scared of everything even my own shadow, to having almost no fear whatsoever at all! The one battle I keep having is telling every one everything I believe for fear of persecution. Persecution is as simple as being annoyed by someone else because of my belief. Here is the proof of that right here. Why would Joel want to persecute someone else because of their belief? How would that help Muslim people want to seek Christ? It might make you feel better for a moment until you find something else to rag him about.
Oh, by the way, I have written tons of letters to Joel and Victoria. They have not once replied to any of them. At first, I didn’t know what to think. It kind of hurt my feelings that I was crying out to them for help and understanding and they couldn’t even contact me. Then, I turned to my pastor and his wife and they have encouraged me totally. Now I know that Joel and Victoria are so busy serving the Lord that they don’t have time to contact me. How do I know and accept this fact? I am experiencing the same thing. Since becoming a Christian and being obedient, I have had many people drawn to me. God’s love really is contagious! I don’t have enough time to minister to everyone I want to and tend to my family and do everything! This is enough to stress anyone out. When this happens, God reminds me that I have eternity and that it is a sin to worry!
The truth is in the Bible! The Bible is the Living Word. I can’t tell anyone else how to live. That is why my relationship with Jesus Christ is personal. He answers all my questions in His time through the Bible and other people, television, and radio! He lets me know what to take in and what to toss in the boneyard.
If you think you are in control of your life and even your own thoughts, I guess you have never wound up in a room scratching your head wondering why you went in there in the first place. God is sooooo Amazing!!!
All one has to do is believe in their heart that God is real and confess with their mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and everything will begin to change! Then it is up to you to seek the truth with an open mind and heart! I have noticed that most of those “have to do this and that” have become my wants and desires to do or they are just not important anymore. I don’t know how better to explain it. Words cannot describe the absolute bliss and freedom I now call life!
Life will go on and there will always be pain and suffering. I know in my heart though that I will never have pain or suffering in vein! I learn the greatest lessons when I am humbled. God has also taught me some of the greatest life lessons through listening to my children among other people. Thank you for taking the time to read my opinion and comments. God bless you!
I can’t believe how seriously people take all of this…to the point of name calling and judging and putting down the author of the blog, “Joel.” Joel in my opinion, is just trying to stir things up a little bit and get people riled up. And how easily alot do get riled up! In my humble opinion, IF you are a Christian, you are obligated to pray for Joel the blogger and respond to him in love. “By THIS, shall all men know you are my disciples, that you have love one for another.” It means loving what we may consider the unloving or ugly. God takes care of His own, as far as Joel Osteen is concerned. “No weapon formed against you (Joel O.) will prosper,but every tongue that condemns you in judgement, you shall condemn.” Joel, the blogger loves to, and is a great debater. (If you haven’t already figured that out!) “Wounded people wound people.” Have you ever stopped to ponder why Joel the blogger has so much criticism Jo and hurt towards authority in the ministry? Perhaps he was terribly hurt, disappointed and let down at one time. And no, he has not been able to “get over it.” We ALL want love and acceptance more than anything else. Perhaps people in the ministry that Joel loved and looked up to, hurt him and let him down in a very devastating way. Perhaps they preached one thing to Joel but lived an entirely different “gospel” in front of him. I don’t believe Christ would fly at Joel the blogger pecking him to pieces over his viewpoints…I think He would look past all the talk,hype and bravado into a very injured heart and spirit. I think Christ would touch Joel and pray for him, that he would be made whole.
(Joel, the blogger) “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Quit judging and pull the logs out of your own eyes, before you try to get the splinter out of this young guy’s eye.
Ask Christ to give you His spirit and outlook towards Joel and how to respond. I pray for the healing of his shattered heart. I pray that he would KNOW that he is loved, both by God and man. I know you will probably shake your head in disbelief, but since this young man was a small child, he has had a very sensitive and sweet spirit. Events transpired over which he had absolutely no control, he prayed with only the desperation and innocence with which a child can pray…things did not turn out the way he had begged God to intervene and turn things around. I could see the hard wall of hurt, resentment and lonliness growing over his heart. My prayer is that he will be healed, made whole and find his way back to the true burden bearer.
Wow, I can not believe that people don not have anything better to do than bash a wonderful man like Joel Osteen. I have worked and attended a couple of his events when he comes near where I live. I look forward each year for this uplifting sermon. He does NOT charge $360 a seat! He only charges $10-$15 a seat!!!!!!!!!Why bash the guy, he tells the truth, which alot of people don’t have the guts to listen to! He speaks of God, He speaks of Christ, He speaks of the Bible. As far as money, he does not advertise or ask for money, people give freely as all churches do to survive. I am Lutheran since baptized as a baby. I have gone to church through the years listening to our pastors, some were ok and most were very boring and I did not get much from their sermons. Every sermon I have heard from Joel I could relate and understand and come away with hope love and strength especially in times we go through today. Why knock someone doing or trying to do good in life! I was a sceptic of TV Evangelism also, but Joel is different and I feel he is the real thing and not fake. God Bless Him, and I pray he continues his work!
There is nowhere in the bible that states that you have to go to siminary to be a minister, that is some more of manmade garbage. Jesus said come and follow me and I will make you fisher of men. The question is if you claim to be a christian then we are all called to the ministry are you a whosoever will. You see that is our calling we are not just to be pew sitters, and yes and amen people, but doers of the word. There is no greater gift that we could have received from the Lord, then that calling, to be able and have the privilege to share Christ Love with this lost world that we live in. I’m not defending Joel, I’m just saying that, that he didn’t ask for any of it in fact he started out just being content being a camera man for his fathers ministry, then his father went home to be with the Lord, and the Holy Spirit spoke to him about taking the lead of his fathers ministry, and listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit Praise God. He’s just being real and not Holier than thou, He leaves the judging up to God as it should be. Amen! I could go on and on but if you’re not a Christian than you won’t understand this anyway.
For the person who took this time to write all thes bad things about Joel Osteen, have you ever read the Bible? God picks who He chooses, and your really bringing trouble into your life by bringing up strife. Joel Osteen won’t condemn anyone, he is not here to judge anyone……Or just like Jesus said Let one of you with no sin cast the first stone………..
To blogger Joel,
You made alot of valid points and raised questions about something your obviously concerned about. But let me ask you this how many times in your life have you been adament about a belief only to find out later in life you had a totally opposite opinion because you didn’t know ALL of the FACTS. I am a christian, I watch Joel Osteen and listen to his podcast, he has helped me alot in my spiritual life. I guess that’s the whole point, my spiritual life, I have a relationship with God, but still don’t understand all things about the Bible. For example when Moses came down from being with God and having the Ten Commandments in his hand, he saw the people praising the golden calf of baal. What amazes me is that he throw the tablets down, made the people choose to either follow God or follow baal, 3000 chose baal—then Moses and his men immediately slain them–right after coming down from God telling him Thou shall not kill————????????
I don’t have all the answers, and I could easily sit here and judge God, the Bible, it’s contents, and christianity, instead I seek Gods answer to that question. There are things that will be revealed later.
Can you tell me why what anyone else does bother you, we all have to answer each for our own sin. There’s too much hate in this world and too much killing over religion and who’s God is God……….I would hope in some way you receive resolution over this issue because hate of any kind is a terrible thing.
Joel,
I agree with most of what you have to say. You pick up on some interesting topics-and ones that really get people heated! lol I have read several replies to your blog also where people seem to think you are Joel Osteen…maybe next, they will be sending you their offerings!
To Joel Gross:
I am very impressed with what you are doing for yourself through “bashing” Joel Osteen. I didn’t know anything about you until I started reading these blogs. I clicked on the link to your other website and read a little about you. I know in my heart that God has big plans for you! You are very well educated, and I am proud for you of your great accomplishments. Congratulations! You are definitely smarter and much more educated than I am currently.
The above comments I made are not at all sarcastic! I truly admire your self image. Before receiving Christ, I could never have imagined being so bold. I can’t help but wonder if you have ever experienced Jesus? See I was saved and baptized as a child (9 years old). I just didn’t remember it. Now, 32, I have only been “claiming” to be a Christian for about 7 months. During that 25-year “gap” I fell away from Christ. I tried to go to church because I knew that was what “good” people do. I always left running and feeling so bad about myself. I thought people who went to church thought they were perfect, and I knew I was not. I also felt ashamed of everything I had ever done because I thought all those “Christians” were looking down on me and playing my horrible life through their minds. Have you ever felt like this? I denied Christianity because I thought they were a bunch of hypocrites. Now I know that being a Christian doesn’t mean being perfect! Since I have started “claiming” to be a Christian, my life has changed dramatically. I am overflowing with peace, love, joy, and I know I am not perfect and don’t have to be. I don’t HAVE to do anything. I do what I WANT to do. The huge difference is that my WANTS have changed drastically.
I know you are very smart, but have you experienced true wisdom and understanding? How are you in the area of patience? Are you overflowing with peace, love, and joy? I pray that you will experience these wonderful attributes very soon if not already! God bless you, Joel Gross, and everyone else who takes time to read this! Please look over my spelling errors, I don’t have time to try to appear perfect in any matter. Thank you!
NOONE CAN MAKE JUDGEMENT ON ANYONE FOR YOU TO WRTIE THAT JOEL’S A FAKE YOU NEED TO STUDY AND PRAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. THIS ARTICLE IS GARBAGE.