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?)
this is typical of someone who can’t find dirt. Will never visit this site again. Facts elude you.
what a disgrace to the teachings of jesus, he is fake and a criminal for living the way he does,when most of his church are struggling to pay their bills. how does this couple live with themselves. Jesus talks about suffering and the world hating us true believers. this guy is a wimp…no cross in the church, that is what the faith is all about, jesus dying for the sins of all mankind. as a pastor or minister it is his duty to preach the word of the living god thru the holy spirit. he does not even talk about the holy spirit….i would love to punch this parasite in the face…. jesus says he will deal the revenge on these hipocrites
Geez….you have to look and find dirt where there is none. Why not write an article about your pencil and how it is supposed to be for writing, but you never use it….or that you have wonderful morals, but that’s noone’s business….or your neighbor’s dog is a pure breed…that breed is famous for winning dog shows, but it NEVER wins because it is never entered into contests? if none of my message makes sense….that is what the public feels about your stupid rambling about a man you don’t know personally. Like Jesus said…”if any man is without sin, let him cast the first stone”. get a life writer of this article. let your boss know ‘i” could write a better article that doesn’t try to knock down a man loved by Christians around the world.
Thanks very much for the reality. You may not have attended a seminary but at least hold tight to the truth in the word of God. Osteen needs to repent. I watched him live with Piers. It was a real headache that the same pastor who claims to proclaim Jesus Christ can’t even vomit the truth when given the opportunity. Osteen gave me a blow when he said he can’t bless gay marriage but can attend one. I pray he turns to God quickly for grace will soon elapse. Followers of Jesus Christ, please be sincere to yourself. Don’t torture truth for belly.
come on now what about you leave that man alone
since the man is a best selling author he is not allowed to buy himself nice things for him and his family
Wow! you self righteous person. where do you come from? You are a hater and an instigator. It takes three people to make a church. Osteen is keeping it real. He doesn’t have the theologian degree; but he grew up listening and workiing with a a real pastor; he has experience. For those who know a little bit about religion, like me, you can tell that Larry King doesn’t know much about the subject; he asked wrong questions and Osteen handled the wrong questions. Let me ask you something, When was the last time you did something nice for society?
Osteen has suckers eat’n out of his hand like kids turned lose in a candy store.
Leave the man alone, everyone so quick to judge what others do what about you! no ones perfect .
the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ ,there are a lot of people saying leave the man alone,the people who are sayingso is not christians,even if they are they go BACKand read the bible and make sure they understand what they read,and then they can open their mouth.JESUS IS THE ONLY ANSWER PERIOD. . . .
Mr. writer, why don’t you stand up and preach than, you seem to know sooooo much about truth and facts of the bible. Your just a scum bag with nothing else to do in life. Who made you the master of religion. You just might be one of the false people of the world that us true followers of God need to watch out for, thats in the bible also. I’m certainly not perfect, and will never claim to be, and I pray that the Lord will let me see heaven some day, if it be his will.
You are a first class idiot. and so are all those who are such grat Biblical critics of Joel Osteen.You aren’t just ignorant but stupid. I can help fix an ignorant person. However, a stupid person is hopeless. Who died and made you Judge Jury and the Executioner. Mind your own spiritual walk. God will have the final say about your walk and that of others. I dare you to publish this comment. I hope our lord will open you your eyes someday and make you discover how hurtful you are to the spread of the Gospel.
Is everyone blind to the truth? cant you see what this man really is? a” fake ” , but then again most if not all these people that support osteen are lost themselfs. READ YOUR BIBLE FOLKS!!! you might then be able to see thru this MAN for what he really is. No I am not a hater,or whatever else someone called the author of this blog, I am a true believer, and I merly speaking whats wrong about this guy. thats all I have to say about this minister or should I say wannabe minister. My god bless you
Joel Osteen is misleading millions and is himself lost if his faith cant even declare the Scriptures. What a complete False preacher. Jesus us the only way and for him or anyone to declare differently is to deny the truth of the Word of God. There is a penalty very severe for that. You defenders would do well to follow what the Bible says and not what Joel Osteen says. There is a God and he aint him!
joel osteen is as u say a CON-MAN !!! i personally believe that most “preachers” are con-men.i do not believe we were meant to ”make a living” ,to “sell” god’s words.i believe that if you’re gonna preach,you do it as a passion,a belief.NOT as a job !!! i doubt that most preachers believe even half of what they preach.they’re gonna say what they believe is gonna bring them the most money.joel osteen is a capitalist (pig)…
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IT WILL LEAD YOU AND GUILD YOU AND TEACH YOU ALL THINGS YOU ARE TRYING TO DO THE HOLY SPIRIT JOB IF THERE SOMETHINGS WORRY WITH MR OSTEEN THAN PRAY TO THE FATHER TO FIX IT SOME HE CAN CONTINUE DOING THE WORK GOD CALL HIS TO DO GOD BLESS YOU LOVE.
I kinda knew that little joel was a fraud.. he just smiling like there is no suffering on earth… think positive and the adversary(negative) won’t affect you kinda attitude and finally I came across a news press (Global Watch Weekly) which I believe shed some light on Joel Osteen Ministry where the article states that Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) has previously kicked people off its airtime including Jack Van Impe and Hal Lindsey, yet Joel Osteen who recently stated that Mormons were our Christian brothers is given all the airtime he needs… yes, Joel Osteen is a false teacher and one day Jesus Christ will handed him his Judgment Hard for leading a lot God sheep astray cause of his false teaching.
Unbelievable that Joel Osteen claims to be a man of God but won’t even put up the one true sign of faith us christians believe in, the crucifix! He is staying politically correct, to keep the money rolling in, and its disgusting. Truth is truth, and anyone who is christian and reads this and is not completely disturbed by the facts, is not a true christian either. Jesus died for our sins, period, there is no other way to get to heaven if you don’t believe in that. And if you don’t like Joel Osteen then you need to go back and read the bible again. Why is there anger at the author? For pointing out horrific truths about this man? I would never follow someone who wouldn’t admit the son of God, who died for us, is the key to heaven….Unbelievable!!
I came to realize that he is a fraud after listening to several of his messages. I never heard God or Jesus in any of them. I didn’t know about the cross being called a stumbling block. That is really sad. He will stand before the God he doesn’t mention in his messages one day. I would like to hear his excuse when asked “Why”.
Joel is one of the most humble man I know.
He does mention God in his sermons.
He leads people in the sinners prayer after each sermon.
Possibly you will burn in hell for being so judgemental