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?)
Sorry but ENVY is listed as one of the 7 deadly sins and yours is SOOOO obvious. So Mr Osteen can motivate millions of people to send him money to support his “church” and his message and you can’t? Isn’t that a pity. I’ve seen his program about five times and while I’m not a joiner or a money sender I still found his messages inspiring and his ideas worth listening to. I also found YOUR message boring and your ideas full of that end product bulls are so famous for. Get a grip bud, surely you can find SOMETHING
I’ve only heard Joel a few times, he makes me feel good about myself and others everytime. I do wonder though, where is the salvation message. I feel that he is trying to make everyone happy, instead of preaching what the bible says you must do to be saved. He seems kinda lukewarm to me, and we know the bible says we must be hot or cold, Jesus says if we are lukewarm he will spew us from his mouth. I know Joel is a christian and hopefully he will be the door for lukewarm christians to the fire of Jesus. I must defend the money issue. On the Oprah show Joel said he and his family does not take any money from the ministry. Thier money comes from his book sales. Homosexuality is a sin, just like jealousy, lying, adultry, etc. They all carry the same weight with God. We all are sinners and must repent and claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior to get to heaven.
It never ceases to amaze me that there are so many people out there, like you for example, who continue to get away with printing lies. How many messages from Joel Osteen have YOU listened to? I have seen him in person and listened to numerous sermons online, and he constantly speaks about God. In my opinion, your problem is that you don’t know God personally, and have never had a relationship with Jesus Christ. Quite frankly, you are a liar.
In order to teach christianity you need to be taught christianity. People be careful to what you listen to. Satan comes in many forms.
He is only one of the many that have taken the name of the Lord in vain. He along with the other televangelists Joyce Meyers, will be standing to the left when He tells them “I do not know you”
You are a war monger, a lier. if Joel Osteen never had a church you still have to pay tax. Leave him alone he have love and humanity all you have is hate. go pray and ask got to show you how to love. or just listen to Joel and he will teach you how. I just dont understand you. you cant find any dirt on him so for that he is bad. you really need to pray. leave joel alone We love him. too bad you dont.
I don’t care what good a person does the truth is you aint going to heaven unless you acceept Jesus as your personal savior. For someone to say they don’t not or can’t make that call is not saved.you have to base your believe on the word of God not some man that appears to be doing good. Your interpretation of the word should come from the Holy Spirit. People read your Bible for the whole truth because that the word of God is what everything is measured by.
do you remember. what god says about judging. If you dont like him dont listen or tune to his program. he is a wonderfull person. he is very positive. he always make you think after his service is done. so for those of you who think he is a fake too bad your lost. do you remember JUDAS
I have been a follower of the Lord for many years. No one is perfect. We are all still striving. However, the Bible says to Touch not mine anointed. Scripture condems those who judge. I would be very careful if I were you.
I agree with Judy W. You may have good intensions, but Trust me my friend, You must be very very carefull atacking a child of GOD, the only unforgivable sin is Blashemy of the HOLY SPIRIT which is when we attack a child or messanger of GOD, always be carefull what you say..AMEN
Joel Osteen lifts people up and may even provide the incentive to make positive changes in a their lives. He is very popular because this type of message is needed in a negative, pessimistic world. If an individual is truly open to accepting God, God will lead you in the right direction. God will also give, a person, awareness to make good decisions on their own behalf…if he/she is open to it. The last thing that I have learned throughout life and in reading the bible, don’t look to man to lead your life, because we are all prone to sin. No matter how much power, money, good looks,friends, etc…it is a constant battle to stay on course. Because we all have baggage that we carry around and some choose not face their truths and continue the cycles and habits that they have grown to know. By choosing to trust in God and with a continued effort to gain a balanced life combined with love for others a better life is achievable.
I share you concern. I am amazed at the harsh comments you have gotten. I believe that especially in American christian can live anyhow. The devil in one hand and jesus in the other. It does not work like that. I suggest that the individuals who made their responses gi back to the Bible and see how these men lived. When they did eveil they were punished. When they did good they were punished. In Heaven there will be no compromise and wer all have to start living that heaven down here. The world know that homosexuality is wrong so are other sin but when you decides to live with a man for the rest of your life do yu expect God to compromise and take you to heaven? The Bible says that the wages of sin in death. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorroh and he will do it again. America watch you. This is Sodom and Gommroh. My friend keep speaking out for truth.
I think the author is correct in many of his assertions. It is difficult to discuss this without making a lot of people angry though. I would question the references to judgement above. From an academic standpoint it is not judgemental to call someone heretical. Mr. Osteen is simply a person telling others their viewpoint. He has no training or ordination to be a priest/preacher. Many of the things he discussed have no bilblical reference or simply reflect a poor understanding on his part. This is the real problem with large unaffiliated churches. If someone disagrees with his they can walk down the road and start another church…and so on and so on. In the end the message becomes so diluted the poor soul in the pew really has no idea what the basic tenets of Christianity are. I’m glad he makes people feel good. His message is dangerous…but do I think his followers (and thats essentially what they are) aren’t trying to be good people? No. Its a business he runs, not a true church. He is very good at it. Very polished.
“do not touch my annointed” is definitely not intended or directed from God to today’s heathens. say what you want, There is actually many dangers with any “feel good” doctrine of today, why? Show me one that speaks on Sin, Hell, how God HATES divorce, homosexuality- HUH? YOU SAY SOMETHING? Joel Osteen is nothing more than a motivational speaker using the church as an engine to drive his business. SMH…. John 7:15-24 (English Standard Version)
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
I watch him as much as I can. He inspires me to be a better person . When he starts his service this is what is said. This is my Bible:
I am what it says I am; I have what it says I have; I can do what it says I can do.
Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I’ll boldly confess.
My mind is alert; my heart is receptive; I will never be the same.
I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living Seed of the Word of God.
I’ll never be the same – never, never, never! I’ll never be the same, in Jesus’ Name.
And at the end he says Dear God I know I’m a sinner, I know I am not where I want to be, and I want your forgiveness! I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins.
Please wash me clean from all sin, shame, and guilt, come into my life Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in your name Jesus.
Amen!” If you prayed that prayer then we believe you are saved.
Before you write a story about him get the facts!!!! Have a blessed day!!
Let’s face it people we do need to be posituve and good towards others. To truly show some one you care about them would be to let them know that Jesus died for thier sin and that they don’t have to go to hell.For God so loved the world. You can be a nice person and still split hell wide open if you dont believe in Jesus
I Believe in God and what His word the Bible says. You are a victim of satan followers, very sorry for you, cause if you want to be like Joel and do what he does, then go ahead, but don’t try to discredit a man of God for preaching God’s Word in this dying world, you will certainly be judged for this, cause you are judging a man of God
Veronica, learn to spell, evil and yes, judge not lest ye be judged. We are all in God’s hands..
Oh, was not judging your speeling either.
I think that what Joel does is great. It’s high time we remove ourselves from standardized religion. The only thing that it proves is that we remain mindless, thoughtless people. God gave us discernment and free will and the churches/religion take that away from us by keeping us oppressed. Being told that you are a sinner and less than a worm only pushes our self worth down and keeps us slaves to the interpretations of someone elses views. The only thing that I don’t like about Joel is the fact that he debases gay people. The fact is that people are people and people love and it is not for us to judge; that is the order of DIVINE. Joel is inspiring and uplifting which is so needed in this world. Why is it that when someone is doing something right for a change, people want to find a way to bring them down? Perhaps if we could open up our hearts and our minds we will evolve into something more than murderous, cheating, greedy and self righteous people. Instead of your self righteous opinions and attitudes, maybe it would be a good thing for you to go to your God and ask them (the trinity) what they prefer. You might be surprised what you hear. Also, who is any man/woman that is so high in mighty as to presume that God is going to judge Joel for his preaching and who says that one needs to be indoctrinated into the dogma and tenets that you adhere to? Hang in there Joel there are more true believers coming out very soon in 2012; this year of awakenings and new beginnings. God bless and God speed Joel Osteen.