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?)
It has been said by many people that the devil manipulates the media, this article is a perfect example. To everyone involved with this article I use God’s word against you, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2
Thank You. I have a lot of friends who think this guy is the Messiah himself..and they are NOT Christians….they like Joel because he makes them feel like they are Christians. Excuse me, I have to go throw up.
I’ve been saying this for a long time. I personally can look into someone’s eyes and see God or lack thereof. I am never wrong and it freaks people out when I’m right about someone from one meeting or glance. I’m normally right so people listen to me when I say stay away from such-and-such because they mean trouble. I saw my mom watching him one day and I said “ma, he is a faker, please stop waching him”…she caught on after a few times, so there you have it. I simply just don’t trust mega churches because I want to have a name, not a number. The pastor should know everyone by name and face, not by quantity.
The last thing I’ll say is, if a pastor asks for money, he is a faker. Sure, you have collection plates, but it is simply a donation. God did not say you had to tithe 10 percent of your income to church. You can tithe to charities or other good causes. Also, if a church has an atm-big no no. Also, if a pastor asks you to “buy” something, that’s a big no no. If you are preaching about God and called by God, do that. But don’t “expect” money because God says to come as you are. Poor people included. No rule says money has to be given to a pastor, but to God. We tithe to God through any venue, not just church.
Naesh, I sincerely think you should go back to your Bible lessons & re-read what exactly is said concerning tithes. When the Bible talks of bringing all the tithes into the “STOREHOUSE” what according to you does this means?
I wish for you to ask God to give to you the spirit of discernment for it is through this, that HE (God) can expose to you who’s is who in this race for salvation especially with the proliferation of churches & the multiplicity of men of God around the globe.
Personally, I don’t think it’s fair to judge someone based on some other person’s opinion.
If Joel Osteen doesn’t appeal to you, go find a pastor/a church that does. There are different gifts in the body. I would hesitate to throw a stone or judge. Those who do are not really seeking what they are called to do, that is lift up the body of Chirst. Unless you know the Osteen’s or have been a part of their church, you just see what the tainted left winged media is portraying!!! We are to seek the lost, not the righteous. How are you doing that today?????
I enjoy Joel and i have been to lake wood church a few times and i Know without a doubt that i have been Blessed and refreshed in my spirit, so mister I have not a clue what you r talkin about, the men back in JESUS time didn’t have apiece of paper they had the real thing with them,and before them moses and abramham didnt either when u r chosen of GOD u don’t need a paper.
I was looking on the internet and stumbled upon this article. First off Jesus is real. You can find the word church in the bible, but you will not find the word megachurch. Just an FYI to the author of this article. Secondly, it is a sin to lead people astray for any reason. The reason Joel Osteen doesn’t talk about God or Jesus or how to get to heaven is CLEAR. He wants to appeal to all the people all the time!!! He doesn’t say defined words regarding Christ or Christianity because it may appeal to one person, but not the next. Vagueness is the safest way to rake in the cash. All you folks who are Christians, as I am, listen; I’m not judging, but it’s ok when you are trying to keep the lambs from going to the slaughter.
You know, I actually defend Joel in knowing the word of God, for it says…..do not say who will ascend to heaven…..and do not say who will descend….. I applaud Joel for knowing the word of God and sticking to it in the face of jeering. We will know them by their fruits…..the love and light of God shines through Joel! Also, people criticize what they don’t always understand. There are preachers that are annointed for “outreach” and those that are annointed for “inreach” type ministries. If people knew more about the distinction of each, maybe THEY wouldn’t be so quick to judge. Each type of ministry goes about their preaching styles a little differently in order to reach all the more….and not for $, but to help encourage hearts and souls. (such as mine) Because of God’s annointing upon Joel, I am encouraged closer to God and His love for me. Thank you God for Joel!
First of all I love Joel Osteen I have been a Lakewood choir member for 20 years. When I was in high school I was addicted to drugs and alchohol.Yet GOD SAVED ME THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WE ARE REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORDS OF OUR TESTIMONY.ALL OF YOU JOEL OSTEEN HATERS ARE A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES. WHEN JESUS GAVE THE SERMON ON THE MOUNTAIN HE SAID AND I QUOTE WHY DO YOU NOTE THE SPECK IN YOUR BROTHERS EYE AND YOU TAKE NO NOTICE OF THE SPECK IN YOUR OWN EYE YOU HYPOCRITES FIRST REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR OWN EYES THEN YOU SHALL SEE CLEARLY ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR BROTHERS EYES THIS IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE AND THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD. SO ALL YOU HYPOCRITES STOP HATING ON MY PASTOR . I PRAY THE NEXT TIME YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTHS AND SPEW POISON I PRAY TO GOD THAT YOU WILL BIYE YOUR TOUNGES IN JESUS NAME AMEN….
John 3:3 No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. This is not an exception but a rule. Unless you are born again you will not see the Kingdom of God. If this is indeed what we are striving for or the goal, we can not loose sight of what this verse means and to truely find out what it means to be born again.
I truly enjoy listening to the message Joel delivers each week. It seems to reaffirm what I belive and the way I have felt all my life. Interpertation is the is the key word in the way one goverens themself regarding the Bible, and doing what each person feels is the right thing to do. I am not be the judge of the of others. Thank GOD. Please don’t ask for money as I submit my comment.
Joel X: I absolutely love your blog. I agree with you on Osteen, but wanted to reply to your discussion on Religion and wasn’t sure how. So, have you ever considered Sir Isaac Newton? Why do you suppose the Father of Physics had an unwavering belief in the Christian God of the Bible, if he depended upon reason and logic to make his revolutionary discoveries?
You need to do your research before posting such useless information! Joel Osteen did infact only do his first sermon 1 week before taking over, however Lakewood was not a megachurch when he became the preacher and the current location was not the location of Lakewood when he started to pastor it. Additionally, he speaks of God and His good word weekly!! Perhaps you should tune in and listen before you bash what so many of us tune into for inspiration and donations are not begged for like televangelists you mentioned, the ministry does mission work that they don’t even mention through the program that is run on tv. You are simply uninformed and need to do some more research before contributing to the wealth of useless information on the internet.
ignorance plain and simple…perhaps you should watch the show because not a word you said is true! Lakewood wasn’t a megachurch when he became the pastor, he speaks of God weekly and donations aren’t begged for and are used for mission work that I’m sure you know nothing of and never contribute a dime toward
What university did Jesus get his degree from. Dumb question, but so is your comment about Joel Osteen not having a certification or degree to preach. His inspiration to those in need of help is outstanding. He doesn’t ask you to depend on him for help, he asked you to seek help from God. Your statement about him not preaching Gods doctrine is a down right
insult to my intelligence. Is it a problem that his church has no denomination, that he invites all Faiths to worship God. maybe he felt that he wasn’t called, but at least he listened to that little voice within, and received the guidance and knowledge to bring the love of God to those who are seeking it.
His primitive attributes have yielded mega success. I truly think its harmless, especially for folks that have fully developed brains. It’s just like new people in show business with limited talent that have a huge following. It just appeals to certain folks. I don’t buy it, but I don’t buy a lot of things. It’s not only Joel O. But I am constantly amazed at the stupid things people flock to. That’s just life . There is no use in being pissed off about it. Its a going to happen. Change the channel.
I have heard Joel Olsteen preached and he really gives good advise. That is right… that each of us has he’s own gift. The man’s gift clearly is an exorter, one who gives encouragement. But it is also true that Joel Olsteen’s sermon is lacking essence of salvation which is found in no one else but JESUS, the Son of GOD. If his heart is truly for GOD and if his motive is to truly lift the people to GOD and help them find solutions with their problems in life then he should find a way to squeeze in the most important ingredient of every sermon that is “God’s love”. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”. He should always quote verses from the bible. In this way, he would be able to lead those people who listen to him (who don’t believe in JESUS) to believe in JESUS. And with that he would be able to accomplish the great commission w/c is to preach the gospel into all nation…especially he has a great follower. His main goal should be not only to exhort people but to bring people to Christ =).
I have not only watched Joel on TV, but I have seen him in person several times and you are wrong. He does mention God in his preaching…he preaches a lot like hundreds of other preachers out there using a scripture from th bible and then he explains it in a way that you can understand it. You are bashing him and you obviously have NO idea what you are talking about. God is through out his entire message. Yes, he does preach a positive message about God and how our God is bigger than any of our problems…he’s not one of those preachers that leads by fear and tells us all how if we don’t follow God we’re going to burn in hell, but it looks like that’s what some of us want to hear. I think you should study Joel more before you bash him. Did you know that he doesn’t take a salary from the church? He only makes money from his book sales and his touring. Study Joel and I think you will be impressed with him. Yes, I am a fan, but it’s because of what he offers the wold and not what he doesn’t. God Bless
I think Joel is wonderful….your mad cause he wont judge you, your mad cause he wont condemn you…what is wrong with you people Joel always talks about god and that god loves you. He tells you to make it right with God not make it right with Joel….your personal sin is none of Joel’s business and he does not make it his business he just encourges you to have your own relationship with God and Jesus. You People need to get on your knees and worry about your life.
No matter what is going on in my life, whatever problems I have, everytime I turn on the tv and watch Joel Osteen’s sermon’s , it’s almost as if he speaks directly to me. I have learned about patience and understanding and helping less fortunate than me. I grew up with a Grandfather that was a baptist minister and read the Bible. Joel does talk about God and Jesus . And I believe the last words of his sermons usually end with the words” Get into a good Bible based church and God will take you places you’ve never been. It’s all in the interpretion of the bible and if I’m not mistaken there are lots of different versions of that. Who’s to say whose interpretions are correct. I would much rather listen to him than some of the other utterly rediculous posers with gobs of make up and big hair singing the praises of the Lord. You are all just jeolous haters if you ask me.