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?)
Everyone of you is a hypocrite. Return to the true Christian church, the one that is St Peter, the rock upon which He built His church. You are all splinters of faith so you gravitate towards your own comfortable interpretations of Christianity. You ought to be ashamed. Bow down and beg forgiveness.
It is said that those who pass harsh judgement on others typically are guilty of the very accusations they project on their accusers! God’s word also says… “Judge not lest you be judged.” I would hate to be in your shoes on that judgement day!
May God encourage you to use your writing gifts for the good of others rather than the destructive way you have chosen.
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.
I attend this church and just have to say that you are dead wrong!! The minute you walk in the building you can feel the presence of God! Every sermon he preaches is biblically based and to anyone who thinks he never mentions God or the way to salvation, apparently you have never watched him or been to a service. He always ends every service with the salvation message! I love you Osteen family and church staff and am blessed to be a member of this church!!
JOEL OSTEEN IS MOST DEFINITELY A LOST, HELL-BOUND, NO-GOOD, CRAP-SPEWING SON OF SATAN HIMSELF. FOR YOU WHO ATTEND HIS CHURCH, TELL ME, WHY IS THAT YELLOW-BELLIED BACKBONE-LESS COWARD NEVER TEACHES THE TRUE GOSPEL! YOU SAY HE TEACHES THE SALVATION MESSAGE AT THE END OF EACH SERVICE: THAT IS A LIE. HE IS A DECEIVER. HE DOES NOT TEACH THE BLOOD-DRENCHED JESUS IS THE ONLY ETERNAL SAVIOR AND THERE IS A LITERAL BURNING FURNACE OF FIRE HELL GOSPEL WHICH IS THE ONLY VALID BIBLICAL GOSPEL. PAUL HIMSELF SAID, AS GOD SPOKE THROUGH HIM, THAT WHOEVER DENIES THE BIBLICAL GOSPEL IS CURSED! READ THIS ABOUT HIM: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/osteen-heretic.htm
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ok, first off, his books do talk about God and references what he’s talking about to the Bible. Secondly, he’s right, its not his job or anyones job to say who’s going to Heaven, only God can see whats in a persons heart, and true Christians aren’t suppose to judge, and 3rdly i dont care how much money he makes, his books have helped me tremendously.
Once again, satan is acusing a man because of the ones being saved for God. Typical of Satan’s behavior
Did Jesus or the apostles go to ministry school? Wow!!! This is really the first time I have read about Joel Osteen. I honestly have only watched a few of his sermons and a few interviews. It’s very sad to see so many of you being judgmental. I thought God called us to be fruit inspectors but not to judge and bash another human being. I believe Christ calls us to love everyone, even our enemies. If we dont were no better than pagans. I think you should maybe try and spend more time praying for this man if you feel he is so wrong. My gosh he obviously impacts many so maybe just start praying and asking God for direction. Maybe you should inspect the plank in your own eye first
Its yet another of satans devices to fight against men of God so that people lose their faith. Why cant you whoever wrote this article start your own church and preach the Hospel in your own format rather than trying to pick and criticisr some preachers. There are a variety of preachers out there who you can choose from. If Joel aint your thing tune in elsewhere and leave us to watch Joel
Wow, I was searching Google for sermon to watch online this morning and found Joel on the second page. After two sentences, I knew something was up. I kept listening though because I was fascinated with out ALL those people were nodding their heads and clapping over such COMPLETE drivel. None of what he said made any sense and wouldn’t to anyone who knows the first thing about Christianity. I wish some real pastor would challenge him to a debate.
First of all I believe that my loving father in heaven is a GOD of hearts..he says in the bible that only he can see whats really in your heart..so whats in yours..instead of doing as god said in the bible to go out and be fisher of men you are on a website attacking someone who brings hope to those who need it.What have you done to help some one towards the path of jesus..never judge others unless you want to be judged ..we are not all perfect but I here Joel on pod casts in afganistan for i am a soldier ,and i am inspired by him..Many are given a gift and each person hold a different gift..there are those that heal the sick,there are those sing, many people have different roles and why should school be the main concern of being a preacher? Because you study theology? I believe that god is all powerful and can give a message even to smallest of people..All i see when i open my spiritual eyes on these negetive post is that some one is angry because he has money.lots of it..but if god has blessed him with this money then it should be none of your concern..i have never been to his church or read his books .but i hear his sermons and i feel a weight lifted of of my shoulders everytime..i have hope that i will make it home safe from this place..So to some it all up ,jesus will one day come and when he does we will all pay for our sins..but its god who will be in the judgement chair not you …he wont ask you ..what do you think of joel? He’s going to ask you is your name in the book of life ?You better start worrying now if it is or not instead of wasting your time judgeing others ..because they have money..and even if joel did commit a sin god still forgives him as he would also forgive you …..
We are meant to judge biblically. We are to “go” and spread the true gospel.
I love Joel & Victoria, I go see them when I’m in Houston. My only concern is, I watched them on Piers Morgan show and Mr. Morgan had him for lunch and Joel You looked nervous. I didn’t like the comment about the groupies (women) following you. I wish you had stoodup for us and said. These are women of God, not groupies. Groupies would throw their underwear at Tom Jones, we as Christian women send our prayers for Joel and his family. Mr Morgan commented that this is the 21st century and when was the church going to catch up with the changes. I wished that Joel had said that God is not a God of fashion. God is the same yesterday, today and forever and 2000 years from now, God’s word will have the same power then ,as is has from the beginning. God does not change to accomodate us, we change to live in the fullness of his love, his mercy and his grace. From everlasting to everlasting our God remains the same.
To the comment about attending a gay wedding, I wish Joel had told Mr. Morgan, you Mr. Morgan go by the rules and guidelines of you superior, and I go by the rules and guidelines of mine (God). My calling is to preach the truth, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, if people choose the way of the cross I have done my job, if they don’t, they will have to pay the consequences and answer to God not me, I am not their judge. My job is to love them and lead them to Christ and live by example.
Victoria: When women say to you, I love your husband, your answer was I love him too. Perhaps you could have said, thank you, I appreciate your love and prayerful support for our family and especially for my husband.
The question about the men running for President, it would have been nice to hear. Mr. Morgan, it is not my position to use this platform to promote any canidate, my place is, to be prayerful about who I vote for and believe that promotion comes from God, not me.
I’m just a small voice in the wilderness who loves God, believes in salvation through Jesus Christ, I also believe if we take a stand, the Holy Spirit will give you the power to speak a word in due season to the lost. What an opportunity you had and I didn’t hear one word that would stir the heart of a lost soul who might have been watching. It left me so sad and empty, please Joel, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Use these next 6 months to be prepared to fight the good fight of faith. Use that platform to bring souls to Christ, I love you and I’m praying for a victorious end the next time Mr. Morgan has you on his show. The blessings of the Lord be upon you, your family and your ministry.
who then is faithful and wise servant? and if Joel Olsteen, isnt faithful or wise then God shall judge him in the last days not us.We all cant be Hypocrits just because the media wants to dispell a mans integrity or even try to exploit that of the relationship that he has in Christ and even in the last days even with Joel Olsteen will have to answer to God and those last days are fastly approaching and in Matthew God speaks of false prophets being exposed in the last days that also includes Joel olsteen and many others if they arent real or careful who they take up follishness with just you Gods people get caught up with this kind of follishness the Bible states this study and show yourself approved in Gods word basically know Bible for yourself and stop relying on others to give you all there information
First off I want to thank all for their view/opinions. While I respect ur rite to have and speak then then u should also have the rite to respect ours as well. I am a very proud member of Lakewood Church. I dont get out much altho I’m young but I do watch (sometimes
live online or TV), I do support my church. I totally agree with David, who’s serving our country in Afghanistan. He’s in the middle of a horrible war and he took the time to comment and his comment was outstanding!!! Belinda, yours hit it head on and I’m proud. I’m not on here to bash the ramblings I’ve read, as I stated, we all have the rite to do so. Just please understand we are all happy people and choose to live our lives in peace, not anger which I felt several judgmental responses displayed. I refuse to put a name to what I read only to state that I love my God first and foremost, my family and my country. I will continue to support Lakewood Church and I thank all my family in Christ who continues to support as well. I pray you all have a very blessed weekend and see you in church!!!
Let me get this straight…..since I don’t live in a section of the usa where every station on the radio has some guy ranting about hellfire…THIS GUY….Osteen, says that he’s UNCOMFORTABLE saying who goes to heaven and who goes to hell because only God can read a mans heart….AND YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?? WHAT??
He is saying that God is the final judge, not him……and you disagree……..who loves God more???
So much hate, that is the spirit of deception and destruction. The spirit of our Lord Jesus is one of Clarity and Confidence. Every person will have to answer for himself.
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One of the 10 commandments is NOT TO KILL. On Piers Morgan show he could not give an answer if he was for or against CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Was it because Texas is one of the states where Capital Punishment is allowed and he will look bad
not to support what most of his parishioners do support?