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?)
Paul said I wish to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified only. Jesus said pick up the cross and follow Me.This is a spiritual battle. Two things we have as weapons Gods Bible and Prayer.. One way to heaven Jesus The Christ.
I have listened to Joel Olsteen’s cds, I love what he has to say and for the first time have heard what I have heard in my heart before and know this is what should be being preached. other religions damn you if you don’t do this or that, they hold you in FEAR which gets you not where, Joel moves you FORWARD. which is the way it should be so, if you want to live in fear as so many people do, never progressing then stay where you are Joel Osteen moves you forward with NO FEAR Just Love.
To respond to your comment about God giving victory to christians. Psalm 20:6
Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.
Study your bible before you cooment. if anybody is a false prophet it’s you. And stop being so religious. but don’t worry you are forgiven.
I’ve only seen Joel Osteen speak on TV a few times. I actually like him and find him refreshing. But what can you expect from me; I’m Jewish! There are already a zillion preachers out there telling everyone that they’re going to burn in Hell. They’re obsessed with it. HELL, HELL, HELL. BURN, BURN, BURN, sinner, and all that junk. It’s a bunch of juvenile scare tactics anyway. Osteen is a pleasant, positive breath of fresh air. I don’t even mind listening to him talk about Jesus ’cause he doesn’t turn me off by hitting me over the head with Jesus as an offensive weapon like so many of the other preachers do. If he’s so full of it, maybe I’ll figure that out eventually as I learn more about him, but for now I say: Thank G-d for Christians like Joel Osteen and Michael Dowd!
I am so disgusted at the publication, how stupid of Larry King to even suggest or ask what he thinks of condemnation i to agree with Joel who are we to judge, i am a strong believer in Christ Joel osteen speaks to the people of God and yes to everyone that says he is just after the money God says in His word Knock and the shall be opened ask and you shall receive God also talks about people who will try and get the beleivers down PEOPLE LIKE ALL WHO THINK JOEL OSTEEN SUCKS
Joel Osteen isn’t even preaching the Bible, sure he’s throwing in a couple verses here and there, but he’s taking them all out of context and twisting what they say to fit what he has to say. Joel Osteen is just a people pleaser. 2 timothy 4:3-4, he is merely tickling people’s ears and giving them what they want to hear. What he is preaching is so humanistic. Its not about us, its all about GOD, and thats definatly not what he is doing.
Out of all the people who have commented on this website, what do you Joel Osteen supporters have to say about suffering that is VERY evident in the Bible. Jesus calls us to take up our cross everyday(Luke 9:23) and tells us that we should suffer for his sake(Phil. 1:29) Our Purpose in life is to glorify God in every situation, and what Joel is preaching is to find the best in your self, and be the best you can be. ITS NOT ABOUT US ITS ABOUT GOD. And yes, i have watched some of Joel’s sermons online, they are not centered on God, sure, he puts in God’s name in there every once in a while, but there all about US. Go and look at the title’s of his sermons on his website, a majority of them have to do with OUR blessing and what we can do to make our lives better. PEOPLE YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT OF THE BIBLE AND WHY JESUS CAME TO THIS EARTH. Yes, God does want to bless us, but this earth isn’t what matters, this life on earth is like a vapor, and soon enough it will be over. Everything on this earth will fade away anyway. Matthew 6:19-21
amazing. godbless
amazing.
The ones who say they have watched Joel and he does not preach the word …man there is something wrong with you guys – as for not judging a jew or a muslim on air – well that is because the bible also says that only GOD will judge…..some people just like putting Gods workers down ….you go Joel!!
Religion is undebatable however you see it or believe it. Quoting the Bible is not a way to debate, it is a way to shut one down. Stick to facts, and sorry but the Bible is not fact, it is faith, and you can not debate faith.
You can in fact debate with the Bible, why wouldn’t you use truth in an argument. To not use the Bible would be illogical. THE BIBLE IS FACT BECAUSE IT IS TRUTH.
Joel = false teacher by DEFINITION in the Bible (which by the way is the BEST way to debate because it is infallible and indisputable) In infuriates me that Joel even calls his church and supporters “christian.” Is he even born again!?!? (yes I did just challenge his salvation) He is staining the name of the church to which I belong and saddens me so much. Joel can’t tell you that the “better christian” you are, the more “victorious” you will be over health and wealth and finances. What does he say about missionaries who give up EVERYTHING to reach lost souls. Look up and read the story of “Brother Yun” from China. If THAT man is half the christian he is why wasn’t he living in a mansion outside LA? Prosperity Gospel is PAGANISM.
The point isn’t that God will give us blessing for being the best. Its that we give to God the best that he has blessed us with.
being a Christian isn’t about getting what you want or hearing what you want to hear. many preachers don’t want to preach the fact that there is a hell, and that all who do not believe in Jesus Christ are condemned to hell if they do not repent. they are people pleasers. life is not at all about getting yours and being happy as the world puts it. what’s the point of being a “Christian” if so many “Christians” are just like the World? yes, the Gospel is the Good News. but if you preach the Gospel, you can’t just pick and choose which part. i am not ashamed to say it, but i am a pastor, and since i have been called to preach, i cannot just preach what i want to preach. i have to preach the bible. hebrews 10:26-27 says this, “if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of truth, no sacrifice for sin is left, but only a fearful expecation of judgement and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” here’s the bottom line: if Jesus preached that there was a hell, then us preachers should do the same thing.
Joel Osteen does an exellent job of motivating people and whenever I listen to his talks(they are not required to be called sermons); he always talks about God. This website needs to find something else to do. America has had Christain ministers (they used to be called preachers) forever. Back in the day there were no seminaries for them to attend. They did a fine job of helping people to put their faith in God for every need. Even today, not all ministers go to seminary or any other college for that matter. There really is such a thing as God preparing you for the job that HE wants you to do. There is a verse in the bible that tells each of us not to JUDGE !! All of us. That includes whoever started this site.
Hi! brethren, Before we condemn or support Pst osteen’s preaching. we must know this that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for (right) doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousnes. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.”(NKJV 2Tim3:16-17). It is not about US. It is about GOD. If you lift me high I will draw men to me (paraphrased), Jesus says. Larry King, You did a good research. It is upon the servant of God-Osteen to look at himself in that mirror of the word of God and adjust. Rebukes are there to keep us on track in this faith. Before my friends condemn the writer of the article, let’s learn from our weaknesses because none of us is perfect. The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force. It is not about what we want hear, it is about the incorrigible Word of God. The purpose of grace is to sail through what our religious leaders can. Believers let us get out of diapers and mature up. The word of God is never complete without Christ Jesus being magnified. Let’s read the infallible Word of God. There is no short cut. The WORD OF GOD is ALL ABLE by ITSELF. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. I better die poor but inherit the kingdom of God. A house built on sand can easily crumble down. Let Pst go to the foundations and that is Jesus Christ the Rock. The favor of God is upon him and he has a chance to correct any thing a miss and still lead much more greater congregation than the ones he has to the kingdom of God. I will request Pst to aim at raising an army that will take over the congregation after him so that it doesn’t look a family business but an ordained work of God. Never condemn pastor Osteen, Never condemn Larry King. They are all there to glorify God if thye abide in God and the Word of God abides in them. Won’t you blessed?
Hey Marva, what verse are you reffering to? Look at Ps. 37:30, I Cor. 6:1-5. As Christians we are suppose to be judging other Christians. If your going to make a claim that is in the Bible, please actually support it with the Bible.
Joel is fluff. No one wants to be convicted!! Life’s a big cirrus and everyone is going to heaven!! Not!!!! You find out!!!!
Beware!! Just read 2 Corinthians Chapter 11!!! The path to Heaven is simple!! But it is not an easy one. We are saved by Grace, if you have a Christ lead life! That is what is going to separate the “luke warm Christians” out from the faithful servants!! Joel Olsteen might have to answer many questions on Judgement Day!! ( we All will !!!)