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?)
Joel Osteen does mention God all the time! And yes he does mention Jesus. What he teaches and writes about is hardly drivel. Nor is he a scam artist. He is hardly clueless as to what the Bible teaches. What he preaches is right in alignment with the Bible. My my how judgmental you are! Just because Joel Osteen is not like what YOU think he should be you condemn him. God has given him a gift and annointed him. No, Joel is not a hellfire and brimstone preacher. So what? I am glad he isn’t. His sermons and books have helped many, many people. What have you done lately to help the human race. It is your type of smug, ‘holier than thou” attitude that turns so many away from Christianity and church. Joel Osteen is blaspjemous? Not hardly. Your venom and bike is incredibly unChristian, You are NOT God. Quit acting like you are. As for the Victoria Osteen airplane incident, why are you not telling te whole story? You are leaving out important information about the flight attendant. You don’t even mention the outcome of the case. I will take Joel Osteen and his positive, inspirational preaching any day over the venemous rantings of a pompous ass like you.
Joel Osteen does mention God all the time! And yes he does mention Jesus. What he teaches and writes about is hardly drivel. Nor is he a scam artist. He is hardly clueless as to what the Bible teaches. What he preaches is right in alignment with the Bible. My my how judgmental you are! Just because Joel Osteen is not like what YOU think he should be you condemn him. God has given him a gift and annointed him. No, Joel is not a hellfire and brimstone preacher. So what? I am glad he isn’t. His sermons and books have helped many, many people. What have you done lately to help the human race. It is your type of smug, ‘holier than thou” attitude that turns so many away from Christianity and church. Joel Osteen is blaspjemous? Not hardly. Your venom and bile is incredibly unChristian, You are not God. Quit acting like you are. As for the Victoria Osteen airplane incident, why are you not telling te whole story? You are leaving out important information about the flight attendant. You don’t even mention the outcome of the case. I will take Joel Osteen and his positive, inspirational preaching any day over the venemous rantings of a pompous ass like you.
i agree with jeff
Martha, thanks for the information. Brittany, I apologize in that I do not wish to bring forth any malice toward Joel Osteen or any other person for that matter, and in no way did I mean to. What I simply wished to express was my personal opinion in what I saw, in that it did not fulfill my need. Apparently, as Marta stated, his TV sermon is but a part of his service and I am quite sure that it is different in person as stated. On the other hand, I did not state he never used the Gospel readings in his sermons, he obviously does, it on the bottom of the screen. I was merely implying that he doesn’t offer up much of the “bread that gives life”, meaning, I had not heard any one sermon, albeit limited in time and the few that I watched, as stated, that was dedicated to entirely about the salvation offered only through Jesus Christ and the hardship that being a follower of Christ requires. I have found that through my own church attendance, bible study, fellowship and self in depth reading of scripture that I do not need this (TV sermons and the like) where possibly others may benefit. Is it different in person, is it different being there the entire service, it quite possibly is. Regarding donations, I have no idea about that or any comment other than I had never seen him ask for any on his TV shows that I happened to watch, not certain how that is relevant. Regarding burning in hell and the expletive used for having a different opinion than someone else, I can only reference Colossians 3:8 and James 3:9–12. May God bless us all as we travel on our journey in Christ.
It’s a shame how non-Christians always try and destroy the work of the Men and Women of God. Joel Olsteen is a great Christian inspirationist. Lakewood does much positive work helping other ministries as well as people seeking the Lord. Myself, I was called by The Mighty I AM to be a ” introducer” to the love of JESUS. Also, you should actually do more in dept investigating before you speak judgement on a Man Of God. Watch or attend his sermons, {not the television 30 minute message} and you will see that he does speak many times about God And Jesus. God Bless You! Brothers and Sisters in Christ remember- God says that we are to Love everyone. But HE never says that we have to like them!!!! My friend I pray for you. AMAZED BY HIS GRACE. Pastor Ward
Followers of Paul (rather then Christ – yes there’s a difference) always want to bash anyone who preaches about love and joy instead of fire and brimstone. Joel Osteen brings God’s love to people instead of telling them that to be on the “winning team” (meaning going to heaven) they have sell their souls to YOUR denomination. And crosses? Are graven images. Look up the term. Why don’t you go away with your hate-fest against people who want to talk about love instead of hell? You don’t represent Jesus or love or God.
I think there should be a fine balance between the preaching of God’s love, vs. His wrath. A pastor (And other believers) are to hold one another accountable. I have watched a few of Joel’s sermons, but I tink he is a little TOO charismatic. I am not saying he isn’t a believer, but I agree the author – I do not hear much of anything regarding Jesus – I hear a lot of God… I also think if he is running such a large ministry, he SHOULD attend a seminary, and study theology… In fact, I think it would be a healthy thing for asuch a GOOD pastor to WANT to learn as much about his Lord and Creator, and he would want to be very good at Apologetics. That’s just my opinion. I think his ministry would be much more effective if he was able to back up his beliefs with the best evidence (which most people never bother to research) Just think about all the people that hear him? I understand also, that his ministries focus is helping others; that is AWESOME; God is definitely working through him; AND The people that generously give their money away. Sorry to rant – Hit this page googling Joel Osteen (Cause he kinda gave me the creeps, but found myself not changing the channel…..creeeeepy) I am a Christian btw. Mega-Churches kinda ake me cringe a little.
Dear Brother/Sister,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
I am Somie Saleem, from Pakistan. Urdu and Punjabi are the biggest languages of this country. I visited your website and impressed by your work. I have one suggestion regarding booklets, sermon, tracks, and Bible studies and recording, it would be good, if these will be available in native languages in Urdu and Punjabi. Reaching out to the people in their own languages is very helpful, affective and fruitful. If your ministry is interested and willing to reach unreached and untold in Pakistan with the materials in native languages, I can arrange to translation for messages, bible studies, biblical tracks, books and also Urdu page on your ministry website. Our all services will be provided with reasonable rates and whatever we get we use it to spread the word of God.
Would please to hear from you.
With prayers
Somie Saleem
Pakistan
I am the first to admit that I am not the most religious person. However, I have watched Joel’s message on T.V. I would love to see him in person and watch him spread the word. My life is not horrible but I struggle with my own demons: self esteem, work, home and other issues that Joel talks about. Maybe I don’t know what I am talking about but from what I understand, the Bible can be interpreted in many ways. The way Joel intereprets the verses in his sermons make sense to me. It helps me deal with the issues that I deal with in everyday life. It helps me become a better person. Maybe I am not as religious as I should be and should read more about the Bible. However, I do believe that God does want us to be the best we can be. To keep being positive, to not hurt others. I believe he wants the best for us. I am not sure what God feels about Joel, but he can’t possibly hold against his teachings to us as what he teaches is helping people to be better. Maybe he doesn’t think that Joel is teaching exactly what he wants, or maybe it doesn’t matter if he follows exactly what is stated in the Bible. No one knows but God. You shouldn’t condemn somone for helping people and bringing them hope…I don’t understand why you say in one sentence that he hasn’t had any major scandals but then turn around and bash him for not doing exactly what you THINK he should do. I realize these are your opinions and thoughts, but there are many people who have the opposite opinion and for you to try to take hope from those people because you have nothing better to write about does not make you a good person. I realize though, you never said you were.
In this politically correct world, no one wants to step on toes or hurt anyone’s feelings. People only want to hear that if you’re nice, you’ll go to heaven No one want to hear “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” What about the ten commandments, “Thou shalt place no gods before me” or “I am the way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the father except through me, no one else.” The fact of the matter is, Jesus was a hellfire and brimstone preacher and there are plenty of instances in the Bible that can confirm. Any pastor who isn’t trying to win a popularity contest will tell you that if you don’t give your life to Christ and if you continue to turn your back on him by blatantly living in sin, you will spend eternity in the lake of fire. Yes Jesus loves us, protects us, saves us, blesses us, forgives us, is merciful and fair. He is also Our Father and as such, there are consequences for being disobedient. “His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor his ways our ways.” Just being “nice” according to yours or society’s definition won’t get you into heaven. God’s wish is that “none should perish but that all would come to repentance.” Joel Osteen and whomever else are doing people a disservice if they’re omitting the consequences of not accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior.
you forget the most important thing in christianity—judge not. also, how could you or anyone else profess to know GOD’s will?
you forgot the most important thing–judge not. also how could anybody least of all you claim to know GOD’s will
Are you reading the bible and getting truth solely from what the words say or are you listening to what a man says and trying to justify it by pulling out ideas from the bible? There’s a huge difference.
You know the story about Israel in the wilderness how they left with goods from Egypt. How GOD made it so that they did’t not leave empty handed. GOD was with them every step of the way ,but they complain about everything. They had the slave mentality
so GOD had to bring up a different generation. We are faceing the same thing to day
Joel is trying to get are mind set right. His words are desserts ,but we still need meat. ( I get my meat from pastor Arnold Murry from Shepherd’s Chapel) If GOD doesn’t want certain peoples
to preach. He will show us there true self so open your eyes and mind and learn The Holy Bible King James Version may GOD bless you and keep you safe.
Hey I just wanted to pass I went to this church the other night. I should tell you up front I’m a former Christian now Agnostic but my wife still enjoys going to church so I go with her. We went to this church just to see for ourselves what it was like. Lots of uplifting music prayer time down in front, a rather long appeal from Victoria for money to pay off the building. Up to this point the service had not been too radically different from many modern Churches I’ve attended. The music was a little loud for my taste but not too overbearing. Then Joel opened his mouth and it was all power of positive thinking, you want a bigger house “you have to believe” you want to be healed “you have to believe” you want a better paying job ” you have to believe.” I’m not making it up he said that about 15 times in his sermon. I honestly couldn’t believe I was in a Christian Church. It was more like one of those sales seminars where they pump you up then hit you up to buy the time share. There was not much about Jesus at all. I was really surprised I thought there would be something about sacrifice, the cross, or salvation and there was nothing like that. I went with an open mind thinking that the conservative Christians were probably being to hard on Joel, but they aren’t. Peace.
At the end of each of his sermons, Joel says, “Get into a good Bible based church”. None of us know what God’s calling for Joel was – perhaps it’s to share the love with those who’ve been hurt by Christians who bam others over the head with the hellfire and brimstone and gently bring them back to the fold. Remember that God/Jesus want to sheppard all their lambs. Peace be with you.
there will be a day when we say, Hi jesus how are you and then he will say to us Hi back or say depart from me you workers of lies and deseates have your place in the lake of fire where there is cring and gritting of teeth due to the heat of hell which burns forever and ever for i never knew you for you denied me before men on earth and so will i before the father in heaven.