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 read the entire web page….You are wrong,,,You are condeming Joel because of your own position…A position you are not brave enough to speak on your own…I may not agree with Joel on everything but I will never agree with a coward that can only reply to someone else who is brave enough to speak…I believe that a schooled minister is like a Priest and kids….Tell me anyone that has delivered the message and is a part of history that went to school….
Joel Gross is an ass. He should not be allowed to write. Osteen inspires the masses. He gives advice on how to live a better life. He is real, he is open, he hides nothing.
Who are you to judge. He is giving people strength to move on. i was just the victim of a horrible crime. I would NEVER had made it without his positive input. Stop judging and focus on something instead of wasting your energy tearing up a CHILD OF GOD. Joel is a blessing. It is simple, dont like him, DO NOT LISTEN. May God bless you and carry you. Try using your energy to help someone instead of trying to destroy them.
You have hit the nail on the head….You either accept the word in it’s entirety or not at all…Jesus is the Way,the truth and the life,..and No man, No man can come unto the Father except by Him…If you don’t preach/teach Jesus then you are none of His…It’s just that simple…There is a way (many ways actually) That Seems to man, but it’s road surely leads to death…Yes there are many Mega organizations(Not churches),…and Wide is the gate!…We are Already in the begging of Sorrows and the anti-Christ is already slipping in under various disguises,..oh yes he Appears as an angel of light…For those who steadfastly continue to reject the truth,then so be it…Jesus himself says to brush the dust off our feetand keep on stepping….Amen
What’s up with you people who judge? I personally didn’t Joel but I realized we are humans living a human experience. I don’t give money to here his inspiring words. If people wish to be blind to all of these evangelist that’s their business. I bought his book, and yes have read the same message many times. The day I needed to hear a message it was Joel’s word that touched me. I have learned one thing in life, there are those who are inspired and those who learn from lessons but, either way God can work through all of us isn’t that the point. It’s not his place to judge anyone for their sins. Isn’t that what God does. If we all felt the way you do we would have more violence. Sounds like you need to pray more. Give it up! If someone gives the people in this country some positive hope then ,”Let it be”.
joel osteens teaching is really tourching it really encouragoues our everyday life.
This article hits the nail on the head. The world wants to believe that God is love and everyone will get into heaven. That’s not what the bible teaches, though. God DOES love everyone (see John 3:16) so much that he sacrificed His only Son so that we are counted righteous because of Jesus. However, Romans 10:9 tells us that we have to believe with our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord in order to be saved. Joel Osteen doesn’t teach that and from his comments doesn’t believe it either. God’s Word isn’t just feel-good messages. A lot of it steps on our toes, stomps on them in fact. Mr. Osteen certainly does “inspire the masses” but he’s the pied piper leading those masses to hell. Don’t be angry with me, check your Bible and be sure to take it it’s entirety. God bless!
Obviously you haven’t listened to very many of his sermons. Joel does believe that the only way to enter Heaven is through Christ. He believes, as God through the Bible teaches, that we don’t have the privalidge of judging any one else, unless we accept that we are going to be judged as we judge others. The thief who was crucified with Christ was saved as he was diying. According to the Bible, it doesn’t matter what kind of sinner you are, if you renounce your sin and accept Christ you are saved, and will go to heaven. It isn’t our job to decide who goes to heaven and who doesn’t, that belongs to the Lord. I would like to know where Mr. Gross gets his information, Joel has never accepted any money from the church, other than a modest salery when he was working for his Dad’s television Ministry. Since he took over the Ministry, he has not taken any money from the church. He makes his money from his books, and turns around and donates much of that back to the church
Joel Osteen like others are deliberately teaching error, failing to apply the Word to their lives first, in his case proper training in the scriptures. This just makes you wonder what was his father teaching if the son is lacking greatly, and doesn’t care. Apostle Diane Hedgman
Why are you reading his book for comfort when ou can read Gods word for free?
CJ and Elber Dumetz are spot on – faith in God that is not Christ-centered and Bible-based is not Christian faith at all. Rather it is New Age false teaching designed to make you feel good while you’re being blinded and deceived. It’s a cult of feel-good faith, designed to distract you and draw you in, to divert you from the real Truth and Satan LOVES it . To a “Christian,” the Holy Bible is the Word of God and Jesus is the Truth. It teaches “Ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free” – not Joel Osteen nor anyone else who promotes false teachings that are anti-Christian and designed to snare you and keep you from the Truth. False teachings such as Mr. Osteen’s’ are just as wrong and just as damning as any cult doctrine. Do not be deceived! Read the Bible and may God shed His grace on all who are seeking Truth. Amen.
Joel won’t be in hell by himself Joyce Meyers will be there to keep him company lol…
I’m sure this won’t get posted because it contradicts your article,but I just happen to be at the sprint center in kansas city and the majority IS about God. We forgive u for your hating on joel with your contradictions.keep going.just because you can’t find a scandal on a rich person,u have to try to make up some and put them in a category like the others who have scandals.u r a blanket stereotypist. Get a real job.infact,why don’t you request to work for him.I’m sure he will forgive u for this and help you understand that he is a good person trying to reach out to ppl.who doesn’t make a crapload of money when they are powerful speakers going to many places,with a huge staff and much support?why don’t you hate on the scumbags in wall stree that have screwed up our govt? Why don’t u talk about how our govt kills soldiers to get money in their pockets(burn pits,soldiers getting cancer,iraq and afghanistan,many dead because the govt is taking shortcuts burning debri and have know this for years and still do it.I know,I had a stage 4 cancer from our govt and they screwed me when I survived).why don’t you talk about yourself and your mistakes?I suppose u r just perfect huh?if their is a good person preaching a good thing and yes,he talks about God,why bother?r u bored,need a role model? A hug maybe? Grow up man and get the drama out of your head you live and feed on.- a wounded veteran.
I also attented the Kansas City service at the Sprint center.. My first mega church attendance. Ironically across the street i saw protesters holding up some pretty satanic signs, those are the people that we should be discussing! I felt that if anyone was farther seperated from christ it was those few! My heart was very troubled from what i read. Once i walked in it reminded me of Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves.. Maybe im wrong for feeling that way but where do the profits go? Does that make someones pockets fat or does that merchandise really help some in need? If Jesus was here on earth i know he wouldnt charge an admission to hear his words or sell t-shirts and books, and as far as the church goes isnt that what tithes and offerings are for to fund the church? Joel didnt read scripture as much as most churches but he does have an alter call at the end of his services that calls people to Christ so he is getting people saved and yes he does talk about God. Id say joel is more of a motivational speaker but def. a child of GOD! I dont necessarily agree with all the different religions but that dosent make them all totally wrong either. I dont agree with the penecostals as far as getting into heaven by works because it is only by the grace of GOD that we can get to heaven, for every man falls short of the glory, however ive attened the services a few times and felt the power of the Holy Spirit. Quit judging my brothers and get out there and spread the Gospel>>>>>>> DO YOUR JOBS our time is shorter than we think!!!!!!!
This is a ridiculous discussion to even be having. Obviously the person who wrote this has spent no time listening to Joel Osteen or any of his messages. Tune in or shut up!
Joel Gross obviously knows the Word of God very well. It states very clearly there is “only One Way to Heaven, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ being the Only Son of God, who came to die for each one of our sins,” period. It also says in the Bible that the road to Hell is wide and many are going to take that road…..Joel Gross is not hating in my opinion, he is noting his personal observations and comparing them with Scripture. Obviously Joel Gross knows his Bible. In the old days he would probably be called a “hellfire and brimstone preacher” himself. Joel Gross is prayed for everyday and loved very much. I have never seen anyone hated into the kingdom of heaven,-obviously Joel is an astute student of the Word who perhaps has suffered some deep wounds himself from those professing to be Christians at the time. Hopefully, Joel will one day find it in his heart to forgive those who hurt and rejected him out of their own woundedness. Love you Joel.
This writing is so ignorant that I can only laugh at it. Joel leads people to Jesus. He DOES talk about Jesus. Your comment that he ‘dances around’ is bologna. He says it is not his place to judge. The Bible TELLS us that the most important thing we can do is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls AND the 2nd most important is to love our neighbors. It says to leave the judging up to God. That is how Joel teaches about the Lord. His life is his witness to the goodness and love of the Lord.
i love joel listening to him made me a better person reading his books gave me hope
Joel Osteen is of the devil, he is a child of the devil, and when he dies less he repent from his pernicicous ways, will burn in hell for eternity.
I wish Jesus and Magdalene were here again!