As most of you know, I travel a lot, listen a lot and think a lot about what I have just heard. These days, I am hearing a lot about the Joel Osteen mystique.
Just last week, Pastor Osteen and his team went to the new Yankee stadium in New York City. They had a packed house of more than 50,000 people. What other pastor in the United States could fill Yankee Stadium?
The Web site, NY1.com, wrote, "Osteen is often called the most popular preacher in the country with millions watching him on television every week. He has filled many arenas before, not to mention the 40,000 who show up to his Houston, Texas, church every week."
Referring to the Yankee Stadium event, Osteen said, "I don't want to over-spiritualize it, but, in these times we're living in, I think they realize that people need hope." I agree. But just about every pastor I know is preaching about having hope and faith in these tough times. What makes Joel Osteen's message so inviting? Is it his personality? His looks? His organization? His momentum? His delivery? What?
I'm not knocking anything, but as I talk to his colleagues, many of them discuss his message as simply motivational, rather than biblically based or theologically positioned. What do you think? Are there a lot of your "fellow" clergy moving in the Osteen direction? It sure seems to be attractive to people.
The Bible quotes the Apostle Paul as saying, "To the weak, I become weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that, by all possible means, I might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Does that really mean "by all means"? I'm just wondering, what do you think? Mrs. Osteen said in one interview with CBS news, "They want to know how to help themselves. When we're encouraged and nurtured, we all do better. So, that message has resonated with people." Maybe that is the secret of Pastor Osteen's success. What do you think?
I am really interested in your opinion. What is the basis for Pastor Osteen's popularity? Do you agree with his approach? Do you embrace his message as your own? PLEASE, let us know how you feel. Just reply using the "Comments" link below. Be blessed and be a blessing.
As a person of color, I understand that Osteen attracts many of my fellow African Americans. My heart is sickened by this for I believe Osteen is a false teacher.
This is not surprising for the Bible clearly predicts that people will gather around themselves those false teachers that will tell them what their itching ears wanna hear.
Popularity does not equal an endorsement from God. Open the Word and test like the Bereans did. God will show us...if we are listening.
Posted by: Dee Dee | May 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Joel Osteen uses prosperity preaching. God didn't promise us a rose garden, but promised to be with us in our difficult times. When he doesn't stand firm about who Jesus is, and the only way to God is through Jesus, he proves to be a false teacher. There are many that are fooled by his preaching. Maybe even himself.
Posted by: Patsy | May 12, 2009 at 06:23 PM
I agree with Dee Dee. People love to be entertained.
Posted by: Sean M. Gerold | May 12, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I visited Joel Osteen's church a few times in 2006. Everything was always very positive.
The problem is that there are negatives in the Christian message. For example, you must repent of sin to avoid the judgment of God. There wasn't much of that preached the few times I went to his church.
How will anyone ever have a fear of God if you never preach against sin?
In all honesty, I didn't visit any of the classes taught in his church, just the main service. Perhaps they teach a more balanced message in the classes.
The Osteens are really good friends with the Stockstills of Baton Rouge. I promise you that Larry Stockstill, pastor of Bethany World Prayer Center of Baker, LA, preaches the whole Word of God.
I wonder if Larry ever discusses these things with Joel?
Posted by: Jim | May 13, 2009 at 07:43 PM
First, let me say how much I appreciate this ministry, this website, and the pastor to pastor cds. In fact, yesterday I traveled a couple hours away to fill up a semi for our church's monthly food ministry and during the trip I listened to pastor to pastor's latest edition on boundaries for pastor's wives. Tremendous!
HB, you always speak to my heart and ask your guests great questions. I find myself weeping many times listening to the cds because I feel somehow someone understands what we go through. Thank you so much for doing those.
Concerning Pastor Osteen. Each time I listen to him I find my heart encouraged in the same way that I do from pastor to pastor. Seems like the same Spirit to me. After an hour with Mr. Osteen I want to live for God, know and obey Him better, and touch other people lives. Pretty good for false teaching.
We need to be more careful who we are labeling false and who we are accusing of having itching ears. Has anyone noticed the type of people that Paul was pointing to? Has anyone noticed what he said was false doctrine? It is easily seen in the context of the letters to Timothy.
False doctrines Paul was speaking of were "fables", "myths", and "geneaologies". They were the early form of gnosticism and had to do with legends about angels and geneaologies of spirits, and endless speculation about worthless ideas much like Greek mythology. Pastor Osteen? Come on!
Who are the people with itching ears? Again, in context Paul to Timothy, they were people who were, "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..." Pastor Osteen's church? Please.
Pastor Osteen honors Jesus' name, teaches "sound (healthy) doctrine", and - most importantly - the fruit is there: people following Christ. Well, you asked what we thought. Thank you for listening to the "other side". With all due respect..
Pastor Osteen honors Jesus' name and the fruit is there. Well, you asked what we thought. Thank you for listening to the "other side". With all due respect..
Posted by: Pastor D | May 14, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Motivational messages have no value to people if they are not biblically centered. Many recent cult leaders have been motivational in their speaking and see where that has lead so many.
I believe the Word of God should be presented clearly and let the Holy Spirit of God be the motivator, not man.
Now, concerning the Osteens', I have had various occasions being in their presence and I have seen that they are the very opposite of what they say. They are very sel-righteous and arrogant. They don't mingle with the common person, only in their own little circle. I doubt that Joel has ever just walked down the streets of Houston and witnessed to lost Christ Jesus Savior. We need to remember that witnessing to the lost is NOT a calling, but a command. Now his father, David walked amongst the people; he got his elbows dirty and reached down deep in to the community of Houston. It is very sad that Joel didn't follow in his dad's footsteps. As a long time Pastor in the Houston area, it is ashamed that Joel would rather have the glamor of the world, than the glory of Christs suffering in is life.
Pray that they see the true light of the Lord; the fields are white with harvest, but the laborers are few.
gos's shepherd, BB
Posted by: Bro. Bob | May 14, 2009 at 11:32 AM
I have listned to Joel Osteen on the internet and have watched him on TV for years. I have gone to see him in person twice and I am always blessed after hearing one of his messages. Joel is a very upbeat, positive preacher. He is one that will inspire you not to give up but to keep pressing on even when things look bad. I feel people who critize him for being a false teacher or a prosperity preacher are wrong and they have not really listened to his message. In all of the years I have been listening to him, never once have I heard him say that as Christians we will never suffer any hardships, failures, disappointments or dispair. He himself talks about how his own family has suffered; i.e. his sister with a disease, his father being asked to step down as pastor for having new revelation when she was healed, his mother being stricken with cancer, and his father going home to be with the Lord. He does preach on living according to Gods word and obeying God. I wish more Christians would have the attitude like he has, "we are Victors and not Victims" and be as positives as he is, I think we would be a greater light in the darkness.
Posted by: Andrea Fowler | May 16, 2009 at 12:01 PM
It's ot a strange thing that jealous pastors and christians are labelling successful ministers of God false teachers. Jealous servants of God also called Jesus a false teacher. In fact that was one of the accusations against Jesus before Pilate. Have really studied Jesus works and you would see great motivational teachings. The Lord's words are the greates motivation for me to live right before God. What makes you think preaching about sin all the time makes a Christian fear God? Jesus peached more of positive teachings than hell and brimstone. Honestly, the last thing in the mind of God is hell. He is mouch more interested in the conversion of a sinner to being a saint than for Christians to fear Him from sending them to hell. He has no pleasure in that. Trust me that is why 50,000 packed in the stadium. It's not his look, charm or method. It's called grace of God.
What l always wonderd about Christians is why can't we prayt for one another rather we prey on one another. I think God is even displeased for even sampling people's opinion on Joel Osteen. My question is hwom has this helped; Kingdom of God or the devil? Before you answer this read Luke 9:46-50. See how it all started with an argument about who is the greatest among the apostles. Now these bunch ha djust being with the Lord barely 3 years. This is the kind of spirit the is rife in Christiandom. And God is displeased. The message of jesus is Good News. Does that beliitle, berate or compromise the gravity of sin and hell? Nope. But then it does not elevate its importance or relevance about the good side of the Lord.
Is Joel Osteen a false prophet? Honestly l do not know. But then this is what l know;
"Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 12:3.
Shalom!
Posted by: Timi | May 17, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I have always found truth in applying the opposite to a topic or situation. So what if Joel Osteen would actually stand up infront of 50,000 in Yankee Stadium and tell them that the wages of sin are death, and that they are headed for destruction? That their sin is a cancer, which can only be cured by Christ's forgiveness. How many do you think would buy his next book? Fill his next stadium event? Also, what ever happened to balance? Too much doctrine and no application, or too much application and no doctrine. Both are doomed to fail. Yes, Jesus was posivite during His time on this earth. The message of heaven for joint heirs of the King is the most positive to man. But He also spoke of the negative, to warn those who were on the highway to hell. We must do both. When's the last time Osteen mentioned "hell" or "sin" in his unbalanced message? Can anyone out there direct me to a link in which he mentioned both at the same time? No wonder he is so popular. Can people in his church be saved? Sure, and thousands I'm sure are. But they didn't get saved by being positive. They had to come broken to the foot of the cross, convicted of their sins by the law and desperate for a change of direction. I think the comment from the pastor who knows and has been around the Osteens personally is tell-all. They are out of touch - with what God's people need, and with God.
Posted by: Pastor K | May 25, 2009 at 11:31 AM
We need to go back and read 1 Corinthians 1:10-3:23. What we need to preach is the cross and not our human wisdom.
Eddy
Posted by: Eddy Wee | June 02, 2009 at 07:24 PM
I listened to your webcast about Joel Osteen today. I have lived in Houston my entire life so have known lots of people who go to Lakewood. While I cannot explain why so many thousands across the world flock to Osteen, I can offer a some insight as to why many people in Houston do.
First let me say that I do not like the Osteens. I believe he is a false teacher. For many years I attended the other mega church in my city (Dr. Ed Young's Second Baptist Church). I was a part of the singles ministry there, and I had many friends who would attend Second Baptist and Lakewood simultaneously. I have also known several people who visited theologically sound churches in the Houston area, but eventually wound up at Lakewood. Here is why they say they wound up at Lakewood: they felt accepted there.
The frightening and completely sad thing is that they are right. Though a church like Second Baptist is very theologically sound....many often struggle to fit in there or find a place. If you are lacking in social skills, or not very attractive....you could incur quite a few social bruises before finding your niche. Many can't endure it. From what I hear, that doesn't happen at Lakewood.
I have known a few people who accepted Christ at Lakewood. Their salvation seems genuine, though there doesn't seem to be much spiritual growth beyond salvation. Many of these people were on their last hope, some considering suicide, and came out of it after attending Lakewood and saying the sinners prayer at the end of a message.
Having said all that - I still don't like the Osteens at all. Though many people go there because they feel accepted, and many are saved....alot of the people that go there are also really judgmental because of the health/wealth crap they teach. Meaning.....you best not share with a diehard Lakewood member that you take an anti-depressant or have emotional struggles. You'll get beaten over the head with the prosperity gospel if you do! After all, Joel's mom beat cancer because of her faith in Christ. So what's your problem? Though shalt not have emotional problems, health problems, or financial. And if you do, then it's your fault for not discovering the "champion within you".
Posted by: Kim | June 08, 2009 at 10:50 PM
this is easy fellows. count how many times he says the name jesus in a sermon and you will have the answer!
Posted by: darrinpost | June 17, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Joel Olsteen is a part of a trend that has been taking place in local churches across the nation for years that is gaining momentum. Pastors are abandoning preaching the whole council of God and taking on the role of councilors. The testimony of some of the members concerning their pastors could apply to their shrink also.
His emphasis is on idealism and not realism. He and many other pastors are not growing the congregations - they are bottle feeding them. The solemn result, along with other factors, is blazingly obvious – Christianity as a whole has lost the power and/or the motivation to influence national morality because of the lack of sound objective teaching and leadership. Local churches have taken on the fabric of the world in part due to the feel good messages that has encouraged people to be self centered - “preoccupied with self” as one person put it. There are a great many members that have slipped into the mindset that they are to be served and not thinking about serving.
Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me”. That requires forgetting about self.
Paul did encourage people to be joyous and he gave us the perfect receipt for peace of mind in the fourth chapter of Philippians but his major was on fighting the good fight – put on the whole armor of God. He said let us go onto perfection – spiritual maturity.
Paul preached realism leaving no doubt in the minds of those that would follow Jesus that there will be difficult challenges but he also preached the grace of God which is more than sufficient to overcome all of the disappointment and frustrations that realism can throw at them.
Paul didn't seek peace of mind by avoiding confrontation. His peace of mind came from the hope that was before him; “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18)
It is imperative that the leadership stop pampering the congregations, get away from fun and feeling good and emphasize the truth that the Church is fighting a spiritual war, first for the souls of people and secondly for the freedom to do that. They should encourage the members to get involved in some way. Where should they serve? A good answer to that is the one an officer gave to soldier who asked where he should fight. The officer replied, “Fall in any place, there is good fighting all along the line”.
Posted by: Norman Reindl | June 22, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Now I'm just this small town chaplain from nowhere Wisconsin, so maybe my idea of authenticity is a bit removed from the mainstream-but; Osteen comes across to me as a little contrived and superficial in his delivery and persona. I'm not trying to pass judgment on the man's heart, but I wouldn't buy a used car from him either.
As to his message-I've never heard him say anything that I found theologically questionable (neither have I made any serious examination of his message) but what I have heard seems like an awful lot of milk and awful little meat. If I were sitting under his teaching I suspect I would feel a little starved.
Just my take on it.
Posted by: Joe | July 26, 2009 at 08:25 AM
This message is for Bro Bob: Joel's father name is John, not David therefore I don't believe anything you wrote in your post and I don't believe you know or even met the Osteen's. How could you get his father's name wrong?
Posted by: Esse | November 12, 2009 at 03:32 PM
As a Christian who knows God's word and I have to stand on it. Why? Because I become His child. And if Joel Osteen become a pastor but He's preaching additional from the word of God and against d way of the Lord, the God who created the heaven and earth will judge him by his work. God tells the signs of His coming and we as a believer we should be stand firm, immovable always as what He said for as we know that the time is coming. Don't hook on the teachings of all the FALSE PROPHETS. We should pray for them and pray for us to stand firm inspite of hardship of this world.
Posted by: Rosalyn | July 29, 2010 at 07:03 AM