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?)
I find it funny that you think Joel is wrong for not condemning sinners, it is not his place as a man of God to condemn anyone no matter what they may have done. When Jesus came down he came to save the sinner not condemn them if YOU would take the time to read the BIBLE YOU might learn a thing or too like where God says in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not least ye be judged”, or Luke 6:37 “judge not and ye shall not be judged, CONDEMN not and ye shall not be CONDEMNED, FORGIVE and ye shall be FORGIVEN.” This man may not be perfect (but really who is) who are we to judge.
You are right. You do not have religion . This totally suprises me for someone who quotes the Bible as much as you do. The claim that Joel is running a scam is a complete assumption on your part. I can not believe that yiou compared him to Jim Jones. It seems to me that you are more interested in an argument than getting to the truth. ( something that the Pharisees and Saducees tried to do) Unlesss you know Mr. Osteen personally, his family etc. who are you to judge him or anyone for that matter? That is a sin as I am sure you know. Have you really watched his show. All of his messages are 100% Bible based. Just as most pastors do, he has scripture that he picks out and then builds a message around that. The scriptures are quoted on the TV screen all thru his program that ties in with his message. He definitely preaches on the positive. I have never ever seen in the Bible where it says that we are supposed to be negative. In fact we are to be the exact opposite as we have received grace and forgiveness as you quoted earlier. For you to assume that he will be part of a scandal at some point is pretty bold of you. I actually feel sorry for you. You might want to take a look at your self before you go judging others. For a person who is not religious, you sure know how to quote the Bible. That can be a really good thing if you are taking the scriptures for what they are. Gods law for everyone. i do not believe that God wants us to use his book to try and make others look bad. Especially when we do not accept him ourselves. I hope that God will touch your heart and you will come to know him .Grace and faith are free gifts to everyone and that is a wonderful gift that we each receive. That is Very GOOD NEWS not a scam. I am so glad that none of us on this earth will be the judge at the end of this life.
arguments are a positive way to express your feelings…i myself search out a good argument on a daily basis..but lets be real here, it is not a scam to ask for donations and charge a fee for a seat at a Joel concert.. obviously the man gives the people the “product or service” that they desire otherwise they would not keep watching, buying, attending and donating to the mega church czar a.k.a Joel Osteen…get over yourselves and find a better hobby…preferably a hobby that does’t involve trying to smear people because your a misreable bitter player hatin cun*…
The man tries to help people live a better life and you try to tear down people.
You suck
You need Jesus in your life! Joel Osteen is a WONFERFUL and anointed man. And you sir are a sad and miserable being and if you actually spent your time LISTENING to Joel instead on condemning him it would actually change your life for the better. I would also like to add that just because you had an opportunity to write an article about who you obviously know nothing about you think you matter but believe me your are only making a fool of yourself. If Joel did read your article you can rest assure that all he did was PRAY for you and your ignorance as I will do.
I’m right there with ya on this one! I remember seeing him on tv late at night one time and like a month later hes friggin everywhere! I turned to my fiance and said.. “its the anit-christ” he laughed and said ” I totally agree” lol
i was looking for the time and channel that joel osteen comes on tv because he comes on at different times. that’s when i came across this site. i really like joel osteen, so i was disappointed when i read the things that has been said about him.
so i will say this in his defense..with all the negativity in our world today,what is wrong with having and preaching about a positive mental attitude? he doesn’t talk about who will go to heaven or hell if you aren’t christian? i am christian mainly because of upbringing but i cannot say that christianity is the way. it is my way. it isn’t the oldest religion. just because the jews don’t believe that jesus is the mesiah means that their religion is wrong? there are a lot of things that don’t add up in a lot of religions, therefore why condemn anyones religion because they aren’t christian? there are people in the pacific islands, asia, africa, central and south america who live in the bush, are nomads, etc who know nothing about our religion, and believe in the sun the moon, etc,, are they going to hell? i watch a few televangelist on tv… charles stanley, schuller to name a few… charles stanley comes on first and olsteen comes on tv right after him. one day i thought of something… i gave them the names of, “good cop bad cop” they both are right, they just say it differently to get results.
can we just be happy that he does not have a scandal, or the fact that you don’t see him begging for money and that he is all about joy?
excuse me but didnt you say he has never been involved in a scandal?? and doesnt it say in the bible something about judging others less you be judged?? Joel hurts no one, he makes them smile, they should go to a good bible based church for training- as Joel says in his t.v show
Joel Osteen gives me hope everyday and when I am feelin crappy about work, my family or my financial problems, I turn to God and pray. I also think about Joel Osteen and his positive messages he sends to everyone. What gets me is what gives you the right to judge him? Only GOD can judge us and when it is your turn to go to the big pearly gates, are you going to get through to awesome heaven when all you did was condemn on of Jesus’ helpers? I have never donated any money to his program not have I bought any of his books. Why? Because I can barely take care of myself and my children BUT, I know I can watch his show and feel so blessed.
Why not condemn Osama Bin Laden, Barack OBama, or Charles Manson or child abusers, elder abusers? You seem to be real good at that. God Bless you and yours.
i think everyone is making a fuss about nothing in particular.Joel Osteen is such a motivational speaker and a man of God so to say why then do we always have to look for unfounded and baseless arguments just to portray him in bad light?I think his style of teaching God’s word is more appealing to this generation of which he gets to convert more souls for God’s glory which is all that matters.We should appreciate what pastor Osteen is doing instead of condemning him i mean so what if his church is in a sports arena does that make it less spiritual?The tithes and contributions the congregation give is out of free will not forced so until y’all can come up with some hardcore evidence that joel Osteen is not who we think he is then y’all need to shut up and listen as he delivers the good news.
check this Joel mock-up video out
http://www.jesusclips.com/view_video.php?viewkey=40f0c74a814ec9237b6e
Here’s what I have to say……obviously you are very good at gathering alot of information and putting it on paper for your use, which in this case is for whatever reason, wanting to “judge” another human being, who whether you like the methodology or not, absolutely is helping alot of people, yes millions, learn to live a better life by living and seeing the world differently. Why do you need to lump him into a category of failed people? In the Larry King interview, I believe Joel’s point he was trying to make and I whole hearidly agree with, is that no human has the right to judge or place condemnation on another, that is between each person and God alone.You can believe that one act or another will not lead someone to heaven, or hell unless they make peace with God, but you have to be very careful going around and saying “all Jews are going to hell because they don’t believe Jesus died for their sins”. First of all they do believe Jesus existed and was a wise prophet, they just don’t believe he was the mesiah, ok………….Jesus was a Jew……..ok, how can any mortal human know what God’s eternal plan for all creatures is? If you are correct and Joel Olsteen is the evil man that you portray him as, then don’t you worry, his day will come in judgement with God, he doesn’t need you to put him in his place!
Second and addressing your concern over the earning capacity of his church. The records of non-profit organizations, which a church is, are I believe public record. That is why there are usually committees that have members attend who review treasurery reports and vote on budgets and stuff. There are probably at least some portions of this that is public record, including his salary if really care to know how much it costs to run a church that big. May be harder to get to in an organization tha big. You only seem to care how much it brings in, not how much it costs….and frankly, you have no idea how many charitable organizations they are involved in, you make it sound like the plate is passed, he dumps it in his pocket and heads home every Sunday. Outside of the church, if the guy rights books and books public appearances and gets paid for that, more power to him, but that salary earning capacity is available to you and me and everybody else to the extent that we are able to sell ourselves as someone people want to listen to. Let me say it again….PEOPLE WANT TO LISTEN TO HIM….which correlates into people are willing to pay to listen to him. How is that a scam? When I buy a John Grisham book, is that a scam too? Was I dupped into a false mystery novel if the ending isn’t exactly how the byline sold it?
As for any other preacher, christian, rabi or any human being who makes a bad choice and commits any sin, they are humans, we are all humans, we all have sinned and will sin. However, when you are in the public eye and sin, particularly a hanous crime, well then the crime is also in the public eye and that’s the price you pay for fame.
What I tell myself when I catch myself wanting to judge someone else, for what it’s worth, I turn around and if I stare in the mirror long enough, I find plenty of my own flaws to work on and by working on being a better, kinder, more loving person to others, I will help to make the world a better place. You feell me dawg? Take that for what you will.
By the way, I do want to thank you for this website, it is through diaglogue like yours that we get the chance to see all sorts of interesting points of view and share ideas and maybe some of the more positive comments about church and God will serve to touch someone’s life.
Thank you Jami!
i am totally convinced of your sheepish jealousy against the man of God. Why cant you find something tangible to do?
Joel Osteen is clearly like many an offspring of a “ministerial family.” – “You stand for everything, you will fall for nothing.” Not wanting to “offend” someone is exactly the opposite of what our Lord and Savior did. He called it what it was. He did not win many friends or influence people in his direction by doing this, but He performed the will of His Father. It says clearly in the Bible “there will be many antichrists in the end times.” That is why its so important that we know ourselves, individually what the Word of God says. It’s His main letter/method of communication with us. How can we ask for a “special revelation” or a “special word” from God, when we haven’t already read and know the letter he left with us? The Bible! I challenge you, read your Bible, or a translation that you can understand, from cover to cover. Let Him speak to You through His written Word. If you ask, He will show you what the Truth is, He never leaves His children in the dark. Ask Him to examine your own heart.
You are lying. I truely am sorry if you were molested but Joel Osteen did not do it and he will not wether all the pastors before him did or not. You sound like you would rather destroy this world you perceive as hell than save it.
Hi,
Read some of the scathing articles about Joel you have here.1 Well done ! I see Joel as having a kind heart and is positive, but you guys !!
Whatsoever things are pure whatsoevr things are clean and of good report… think on those things .. certainly wont waste my time on your guys thoughts!
PS maybe you should listen to Joel one day probably do your heart good.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR LIFE
I believe Joel does talk about God. You need to pay attention to the positive in others and not the negative. Your webpage is poor, I’ve never read something so degrading.You need to read over your best life now there is alot of references to God. I guess you are just critical, you just look for someone without faults and then you find a fault.I enjoyed reading your best life now it brought me closer to God and his plan for my life. Joel is an inspiration,I believe God is using Joel to spread his word.
Dearest my brethren,
I believe spirit of jealousy is an enemy and this is not the spirit that God has given us instead spirit of love as God have loved us and the bible said we also ought to love one another..Not putting down his brother or sister in christ because he is jealous or judging others thought or criticized the man of God. Joel Osteens ministry really blessed by God and God prospering him abundantly because Joel is an instrument so that whoever hears his preaching will never be the same person and many people including me has now changed,living with faith to Jesus. you must be thankful guys as many people are now saved and coming closer to Jesus through Joel Osteen.
Anyway behalf of Joel and the Lakewood church, we love you guys, in Gods time God will take you to the higher level every area of your life or even highest to the highest.live in peace and do not allow destructions in your mind but to JESUS alone the author and the finisher of your faith.God bless.