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?)
And to Naesh: I doubt that you can look into anyones eyes and see God or not. We are all God’s children . It’s not in the eyes. It’s in our actions and words. And aren’t you a bit full of yourself.
Wow, Great feedback and comments which are much appreciated on my part. I hope you continue to enjoy my future posts and let me know it you want to engage in an interactive online blog?
I have listen to Joel Osteen a lot of times and I always heard him saying about Christ. In fact all messages is based on bible verses and at the end of his sermon he is inviting people to accept Christ as their personal savior and I am one of the thousand that has accepted Christ through Joel Osteen’s invitation. Through his message, I was able to change my life to a whole new direction. I have been a baptist all my life and has heard sermons from different pastors but has never heard things about the goodness of God that Joel always emphasizes on his message. I don’t see something wrong with his message. It is all about God’s forgiveness.
Maybe this blog is just jealous of how Joel Osteen has progressed and successful of being a “Fishers of man”. The one who created this blog or article has not done anything good for the spread of the gospel but only good in criticizing people who has successfuly win souls to Christ. This is what my question to the one who wrote this article: Have you win souls to Christ? How many. You are like pharisee – a self-righteous and hyprocritical person.
“YOU ARE JUST FUCKING FULL OF SHIT!”
I was turned to Christ by Billy Graham a mega televangelist but has lived an honest life and obviously loved Christ. I’m weery about Joel Osteen especially after he said he doesn’t know if other religions will go to heaven or not. I do appreciate his positive light on God’s love instead of the others who spew out the rules and condemnation without ever explaining how you get the strength to follow the Law, and that in ONLY through Jesus Christ. Otherwise it doesn’t matter. May God bless all my brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all one body and must stick together! I love you all so much. Remember to love your neighbor as yourself, and above all love the Lord your God with all your strength.
To answer one of your questions Joel, pastor John Hagee, Joyce Meyers, are two “televangelists” that live by the word. The message Jesus Christ brought was that of absolute love and absolute forgiveness. As a Christian and human I am to receive these gifts of love and forgiveness as well as these televangelists, no man is perfect, or righteous as God. There will be false teachings everywhere, anyone who refutes the ultimate power of the Lord God almighty and intends to spread the message that he is false is also a false prophet. I am a human being who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the authentic lifestyle of Christianity, I will make mistakes, if not I would not need Jesus Christ. Evangelists are not perfect either.
I love Joel Osteen , I love the way he avoids to be drawn into hell fire debates. People are jealous about him, LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.
This article is full of misinformation and the writer has probably never listened to Joel’s full morning service. They have lifted facts to make their self-righteous agenda the “truth”. Example: Joel’s father never had a Million dollar church, the disciples and those who preached the gospel for hundreds of years, never went to Seminary, he opens his sermon praising and exalting the Bible. He doesn’t need me or anyone else to defend the wonderful missionary work his church has done. Just ask the thousands he has helped. It takes tons of money to feed, clothe, build homes, and send missionaries all over the world. I might just ask the author of this evil piece, what have YOU done to help those in need today ? Perhaps you could expend as much energy on spreading the Good News . We need more, “just folks”, who are willing and not afraid to praise God !
What a sleazy fucking bastard.
I think your review of Joel Osteen is mean and spiteful. My husband and I listen to Joel every day and he is always mentioning the Bible and Jesus. And he has never once said anything that contradicts the Bible. What false accusations. Joel preaches a really positive message about Christianity that people have been hungry for a long time and that’s why he’s filling up stadiums. He has also never once called himself a prophet or made any references to being special or annointed. He’s just bringing loads of people to God through Jesus by telling them that God is good and God is great and His purpose for us is also good and great. How is that bad? We need a lot more men like Joel Osteen to spread the word that God is about love and all things good, not all things bad. Anyone who hates Joel probably hates himself and everyone else. Self-righteousness is a sin too.
I love Joel Osteen, he inspires my days.Gives you positive thinking. He speaks with his heart and feelings. If his false that’s. His problem as long as you know your doing the right thing to be faithful. To God. Remember you will never please anyone on this world other than yourself. Do what’s right and follow your heart to Jesus.
<> I just watched him tonight and he took several passages out of context. He stated when good things happen, it’s God. When you feel good, it’s God. Never anything negative. That’s not the God of the Bible. The God of the Bible ALSO brings calamity on the sinner, judges us for our wrong. Osteen doesnt want to mention that. If you come to Jesus for any other reason than the fact that you are a sinner headed for hell and in need of a savior, you probably didnt receive the true God. Osteen is filling up stadiums because these are the final days and his messages feed the flesh (carnal nature.) Positive confession is not in the scriptures. The saving blood of Jesus and the counsel of the Holy Spirit are. It’s not hatred or prejudice. The more you read scripture, the more you will understand this. Read the Bible EVERYDAY and, when you read it, ask God in sincerity that you do not feed your carnal nature by believing lies, but ask Him to reveal the truth about all things to you.
Is Joel Osteen human..Yes…Is Joel Osteen a sinner…Yes Can Joel Osteen save anyone…No He is just a man who Preach’s positivity and who can blame him.Thats what everyone is telling him is so great. If you were him what would you do..The same thing. Does he preach the full gospel…No but would I say he is evil probably not Jesus said if there not a against us then what are you worried about. You want to see real evil watch a guy named Mike Murdoch and see how many times he asks for your money and how he even promises people that if they sow that 1000 dollar seed that God will save their lost family members..NOW THAT IS EVIL… Telling people they can buy salvation…AND if you listen real carefully he even confesses with his own lips where his future lies…HE always says if Mike Murdoch is using this money for his own personal gain may a curse be upon me and may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth…Sounds alot like hell…Jesus its not what goes in a mans mouth that condemns him. This man prophesies his own future torment in hell and doesnt even realize it. Only one man is worthy of all praise and that man has a name above all names Jesus and if you love him then what does it matter your going to Heaven what more can we ask for. May the Lord Bless You and Keep You.
All those accusing Joel here are SICK IN THEIR MINDS. They are not followers of Jesus Christ (although they may call themselves christians!). They have not ready Mark 9: “39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our[c] side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward”.
Joel Osteen’s messages have been a huge blessing to me as well to millions of others.
I think Joel need not have consented to give an interview in Larry King Live program…Don’t Preachers have the right to choose to refuse giving an open interview? If truth is not being able to be spoken through such interviews just refuse to give one. Right? May God bless Joel.
Before consenting for an interview a Preacher needs to think, “will it benefit anyone or bring glory to God. Will I be able articulate my views. If not I might consider refusing the interview”. Right Brethren?
Every minister must determine where his own heart is and he must stand before God for his decision with an uncondemned heart. Romans 14:5 says “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind”… with that being said, & that scripture being written in the TRUTH, who is anyone else to judge that Joel is a scandal??? That is between him & God. If someone has the Holy Spirit in them & leading them they will know the difference between a scandalious pastor & a true man of God. I didn’t read but a little of the article, because I choose to not have my mind focused on such garbage, because to judge is not a sin, but how you go about judging them is & from what I read that is all this is. To say that this man is just a staight up scandal is not going about the situation with gentleness & meekness as the bible tells us to when we go about correcting another believer in their ways…. The TRUTH in 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Do not pay back evil with evil, or cursing with cursing; pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.”
thank u for the insight on a man i use to admire but to me seems just to b another false prophet. the people who support him need to read the bible on their own . joel should b preaching ROMANS 1:18-32 and ROMANS 2:1-16. too many people dont read the bible on a daily basis they rely only on preachers to get the word. i think every christian should get a one year BIBLE and read it daily in a version that they understand i use THE LIVING BIBLE and THE CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION but all pasdtors should preach about the wages of sin if they dont then they are not serving GOD. WITH ALL THOSE MILLIONS JOEL OSTEEN SHOULD B LEADING THE WORLD IN ORPHANGES AND RETIREMENT HOMES FOR CHRISTIAN WIDOWS WHO NO LONGER HAVE A FAMILY. REMEBER JESUS SAY TRUE RELIGION IS TO TAKE CARE OF ORPHANS AND WIDOWS IN THEIR TIMES OF NEED AND HELP THE OPRESSED AND THE POOR.
Joel Osteen is one of the few people on this earth that I know preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ with love, gentleness and compassion. He speaks about real life issues and makes every attempt to live the life that he preaches about. According to my limited knowledge, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ said to Peter (the same man who denied Jesus three times) that ‘upon THIS rock, I will build my church.” I don’t recall it saying ‘then Peter attended Whatever Bible College to be able to preach. Then there is Paul (who was previously known as Saul). He had a Damascus Road experience and again, nowhere does it say that he had to attend Bible School to go and preach. In fact, Jesus said that we are all to be a witness for Him. While it’s good for Pastors, Teachers, Ministers to attend a Bible School to preach, I believe that God can annoint whoever He so chooses to preach the Gospel. Every minister has their own teaching style and while Joel Osteen’s style might not appeal to you, clearly (by the size of his church) he is appealing to lots of other people, myself included. Every one of his sermons is biblically based. It seems to me that you are sitting there with too much time on your hands, nit-picking at Joel’s every word then twisting them to suite your sordid mind. The bible calls us to edify each other. Is this your way of edification? Incidentally, the Bible also says that you will know them by their fruit – Matthew 7:16. The Wesley Commentary interprets this scripture in this manner: “True prophets convert sinners to God, or at least confirm and strengthen those that are converted. False prophets do not.” If Joel Osteen was all the things you call him, why then has he been able to grow his church to size that it is? I see his fruit. Show me yours? Lastly, a word of cuation: “We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thes 5:12-13 (GNB). Nothing about your article is peaceful, instead it seems to be written to cause strife. I pray that God will have mercy on you and that you will soon realize that even if Joel Osteen is what you say he is, the Bible clearly states that there is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus and are called according to His purpose and instructs us clearly not to judge others, lest we be judged.