Joel Osteen - Only Half the Story
What makes Joel Osteen so popular among his own congregation and millions of others worldwide? I often have people tell me they like listening to him and they are encouraged by his ministry. The reason is clear - Osteen is very encouraging. He is uplifting. He does speak about the love God has for people and God's desire that we succeed. His inspiring and motivating words are very practical and really help people. He teaches kindness and joy, things we all agree are desirable.
So what is the problem with Joel Osteen? Why do so many pastors warn their congregations that he is dangerous? Imagine this: Suppose I knew that a tornado was heading toward your house and so I ran to your house and knocked on the door until you opened it. Then I said, "I wanted you to know that I love you!" And then I ran away. You would look at me leaving in a puzzled way and think, "That was strange." And then the tornado would hit your house.
Osteen's ministry is a lot like this. He only tells half of the story. He does not do the other half of the job that God's pastors are called to perform - that is, to warn the sheep of impending danger. People are under judgment because of our sin and people need to repent and turn to Christ. Yes, of course we need love and yes, of course we need to bear the fruit of the Spirit, and yes, of course we need practical helps in daily living. But we have a bigger issue at stake in this matter (THE TORNADO IS COMING). Osteen fails to warn the sheep and thus is only half-way doing his job and the sheep love him because nobody wants to know they are in trouble.
Let us appreciate Osteen's concern that we live our lives in light of the goodness of God, but we must also read the whole Bible and preach both sides of the story.
So what is the problem with Joel Osteen? Why do so many pastors warn their congregations that he is dangerous? Imagine this: Suppose I knew that a tornado was heading toward your house and so I ran to your house and knocked on the door until you opened it. Then I said, "I wanted you to know that I love you!" And then I ran away. You would look at me leaving in a puzzled way and think, "That was strange." And then the tornado would hit your house.
Osteen's ministry is a lot like this. He only tells half of the story. He does not do the other half of the job that God's pastors are called to perform - that is, to warn the sheep of impending danger. People are under judgment because of our sin and people need to repent and turn to Christ. Yes, of course we need love and yes, of course we need to bear the fruit of the Spirit, and yes, of course we need practical helps in daily living. But we have a bigger issue at stake in this matter (THE TORNADO IS COMING). Osteen fails to warn the sheep and thus is only half-way doing his job and the sheep love him because nobody wants to know they are in trouble.
Let us appreciate Osteen's concern that we live our lives in light of the goodness of God, but we must also read the whole Bible and preach both sides of the story.
posted by Jason Dollar | 5:17 PM
32 Comments:
I entirely agree with you on Joel Osteen, Jason. I see far too much of the love gospel and far too little of the warning.
YES! YES! YES! Finally someone agrees with me that Olsteen isn't the best thing since sliced bread! YES! You officially are today's "Mr. Awesome!"
Uh...that's all I have to say.
I think Joel Osteen rocks hardcore!
Well, not really.
While I agree what is being said about Joel Osteen in this blog, I ALSO think that many pastors can learn something from Joel.
And that is expressing "application". Joel Osteen does seem to preach on only one theme, week after week after week. But I must give him his due in being able to take passages of scripture and make them very applicable in the day to day living that we all incur. Something that a great number of ministers are weak in.
Joel is reaching SO MANY people that would not normally go to church, or watch on television. Give the guy a break!!! We should remember, that only God has the power of judgement. Envy can be a bitter pill to swollow. Visit the church, then you will see the light.
"Joel is reaching SO MANY people that would not normally go to church, or watch on television."
But this is pragmatic - since he is reaching people, he must be good. Go back to my tornado illustration. No matter how many people you tell that you love them, it will do no good if you never warn them of impending danger. The very fact that he is so popular is a major indication that something is wrong. The Gospel is offensive, especially when you tell people (as pastors must) that they are sinners who deserve everlasting punishment in Hell.
"Give the guy a break!!! We should remember, that only God has the power of judgement."
Why then are we told by John to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God? (I John 4:1). Are we suppose to just sit back and let anybody teach us without seeing whether what they say accords with God's Word? You know better than to make a statement like this.
"Envy can be a bitter pill to swollow. Visit the church, then you will see the light."
This is a common accusation toward those critical of Osteen. I don't know about others, but I can say that truly I am not envious of Osteen or the size of his church. I would hate to visit the church because I am sure parking must be frustrating beyond degree. (okay that was only a little joke).
By the way, I do appreciate your comment and for whatever it is worth, I love the unity of the Body of Christ and personally and pastorally strive for it. But again, we must be discerning for the protection of the flock. There is a balance between these two biblical concepts.
There is so much more to what Joel Osteen preaches on.If only he would preach it.He is uplifing,and kind,but preaching the Gospel is not always kind and pretty.What I mean is,when you start preaching real truths,it doesn't sound great,but it is truth.I'm not saying God is condemning,He is the convictor.Jesus said himself that we will have struggles.My point is,you do not have to sugarcoat the Word,The Gospel,as Joel Osteen does.Quite frankly,if I were to take everything Joel said to heart and apply it everyday,I would be in a fantasy world where I think everyday is so easy and all my struggles have magically washed down the drain.No,it does not make sense.Joel is uplifting,but it is empty in a way,it's not longterm,it's that quick fix just do it, type of motivational speaking.I have heard secular people have more to say.I did really like Joel the first time I saw him on tv,but as the weeks went on,I was hearing the same thing everyweek.It's like,don't just expand your church size and congregation,but expand your sermons as well.There is so much more to God,and it is unfortunate that we only hear half the story from Joel.God is more vast than Joels 30,000 member church,and it is not Joels church,it's GODS CHURCH.
RELIGION IS A BUSINESS EVERYONE THINKS THEIRS IS THE ONE ALL ELSE ARE WRONG GUESS WHAT GOD IS LOVE AND NOT FEAR THAT IS WHAT JOELIS ABOUT HE CONDEMNS NO OTHERS AND ONLY SAYS TO TRUST IN THE LOVE OF GOD
Thank you for the last comment. I work with about a hundred of preschool to schoolage children every week - and if only we could think like they do (or like they do, until the adult world corrupts them). Children love themselves and others and God - alot like Joel - it may be simple and sugar coated - and they miss some of the warnings - but they live and learn- and they do so happy. Why can't adults live happy like that. As adults we often focus on preparing for the worst - we hear all the "warnings" and do not enjoy all the good God has for us. I think what is hard for people to accept about Joel is that he speaks about our complex "storms" in a simple manner and tries to get us to see much like we did as a child- how happy God wants us to be. There are enough religions and preachers out there who simply just warn and scare people - Joel is like a breath of fresh air. Just a thought.
I think those that think that more warnings are needed have missed the strength and importance of love. I believe it is love that allows us to pick ourselves up after the tornado. It is the love of Jesus. For those of you who think there is too much love I think you need to do a reflection and ask why there isn't more love in your heart. Perhaps you don't love yourself enough to understand that love is God's way.
I think the thing we have to really consider is that as Christians, the world is watching how we handle things...I know for me, I backslide but try to recover by thinking first and not reacting.....even though I am human.
I am sure Joel Osteen is trying to send the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.....although one incident with his wife, Victoria, was a test that she failed.....the flight attendants are there to help everyone (in first class) but they have to realize her actions showed her in a very bad light and gave her the name of "diva".....
Let me give everyone an example about expressing love.This is for anyone who has had to disclipline children,either their own,or school children.Let's say the child tells a lie or cheats on a test,or any other normal child misbehavior.Well,you do not want that child to go on and repeat the same thing,do you?You have to set rules and disclipline,to teach them what is acceptable or not.You can either let the child get by with the wrong behavior,or you can lead them down the right path.It hurts to do this because your child may feel unloved,but it is quite the opposite,you are doing it out of love.So,you can either give in because you do not want to hurt the childs feelings,or you can teach them in a loving way.Joel is loving,and I do not sense anyone here is saying he's not,or that he is too loving.He just needs to add some substance to the loving message of Jesus.Jesus was always showing people to the Father in a loving way,even the high priests,and pharisees.Jesus even told Peter to "get behind me satan"and "do not become a stumbling block to me" when He told the disciples that He had to leave them,because He was going to be captured and persecuted and sent to be with the Father.Peter could not accept that,because he felt hurt and betrayed that Jesus would say such a thing.But Jesus had to set him straight whether he liked it or not.But wasn't it the most loving thing that Jesus died for us?So,even if the message does not always sound good,it is good.And it is love.
I also hear Joel say to find a church of your choosing at the end of each sermon. If I do that will I find such an uplifting message as I hear from Joel? If I had found that in the past why would I be listening to him?
Joel teaches on love and to trust the Lord.But,what about the newcomers in God?They need someone to show them how to trust in God.It doesn't come naturally.They need some good,sound solid scripture in trust.They also need the warnings,simply because they are still weak and can fall prey to what any preacher tells them.Joel is about love,but what did He allow God to do in him for him to trust in God?How did he get to the point where he trusts God,and calls out to God?See,that is what we need more of.My pastor gives us personal examples,and scripture.The church I go to is small,and kinda like a Bible study,we also are encouraged to ask questions and speak what is in our hearts.We get to the heart of it.But,God will show you the church He wants you to go to.If it is Joels church that's great,if not that's great as well.It's not a matter of whether or not to listen to Joel,I have gotten a lot fom Joels messages before,but I get a lot more out of the church I go to.I get a lot out of Joyce Meyer also.And,if you have ever listened to Joyce,you will find that she gives plenty of warnings,and tells the whole story.But she will give the most simple things as well.God is so complex,but simple too,in that we are His children.It is all about abiding in Him,and letting Christ live through us.Look at Galations 2:20.
If 'perfect love casts out fear' then "the tonados" of life are not to be feared but welcomed. God is not 'the author of fear but of a sound mind'. A sound mind, which is surrounded by God's love, does not need to fear or stand against. It is already protected. jmo.
somone on here said:
"But I must give him his due in being able to take passages of scripture and make them very applicable in the day to day living that we all incur"
my response:
joel osteen uses scripture?
another person ranted:
"RELIGION IS A BUSINESS EVERYONE THINKS THEIRS IS THE ONE ALL ELSE ARE WRONG GUESS WHAT GOD IS LOVE AND NOT FEAR THAT IS WHAT JOELIS ABOUT HE CONDEMNS NO OTHERS AND ONLY SAYS TO TRUST IN THE LOVE OF GOD"
my response:
exactly. that's why we have a problem with him.
Joel is an awesome man of GOD and teaches the Love God for all of us and as adults we know the dangers that are ahead of us. I wish other pastors could touch as many lives as Joel is doing. Joel IS doing GOD's work there's a song you are probably against it's says it best, "ONLY GOD can judge him!" So let God do the judging & let us do the supporting & not be envy or jealous.
Joel Olsteen has help me stay on track of the path God has set for me.I've been taught the dangers & warnings of what's coming & I'm doing my part to defeat the devil through the power of the name of Jesus Christ who strengthens me.I think that we have to learn Love before we can learn to trust & Joel teaches us to love, trust & fight for God & HIS LOVE.It's blogs like this that the devil will use to devide God's children. Are you trying to devide the God's children & the men & women who do HIS teaching?God's words say,"Judge & you will judge too!" Are you judging Joel's GOD lead teaching?Envy is one of the seven deadly sins.You talk of the warnings so,I'd say becareful because there's power in our tongues.Why not tell Joel "Thank you for touching & saving so many lives!"That's what's wrong with the world today,we are ready to judge far more than we are ready to say, Thank you.Thank you Joel for being an awesome man of God keep up the great work in Jesus name, Amen.
I stumbled across this blog by accident but became intrigued by the written abhorance of some guy who makes his living talking about god's love.
Now, I personally am an agnostic (that alone will bring on the choir) but besides that, if most of the posters on this blog are 'christians', then you can see clearly why many of us continue to remain athiests and agnostics.
And again, a few of you here seem logical and have sparked my interest in this man named Joel, but most of you are absolute
selfish raging jerks hiding under the cloak of 'christian'.
Just thought you'd like to hear from one who you may have attempted to convert at one time.
I wouldn't want to be part of your
hate.
I would have to say I don’t agree with the start of this blog topic with the tornado analogy. I don’t think that is an appropriate one. How I would see the difference is what happens after the tornado comes and destroys. Joel is the one that would explain how to hold your head up and re-build and give you hope as you try and move on after this calamity. Other ‘ministers’ would go on about how it is the wrath of God on you, punishing you, or that area or even mankind in general.
We all know well there are those out there like that.
I would assume most of his followers already are ‘Christians’ and understand as Jason Dollar stated “People are under judgment because of our sin and people need to repent and turn to Christ”. I love a good medium rare t-bone but don’t eat one everyday because it’s not good for my health. I love German chocolate cake but again, in moderation and balance. I don’t want to listen to someone who is always telling me about the wrath of God and hell, fire and brimstone, but sometimes that is needed. Sometimes a message of hope and love is needed. It’s all in balance.
The same can be said in reverse of this in that, some ministers only talk about the wrath and the judgment (and ask me to give them money under the guise of ‘planting a seed’) and don’t tell, the other half of the story that many of you say Joel only preaches.
Now, just a quick story here for you, I grew up in a home that taught me to be scared of God, that I’m ‘under judgment’ and must ‘repent’ and basically completely turned me away from ever wanting be Christian. About a year ago one night I was feeling a bit blue, fumbling around the T.V. and I admit a bit intoxicated and I stumbled upon Joel and of course I stopped to watch and have a laugh at how this guy was going to tell me I should live my life. Well, I became a bit mesmerized at what he was saying, it was as if, Wow! I really needed to hear this now. Slowly over time I read some of his book, watched some more of his shows and really felt I could have a sense of hope. I will be honest here and say I would not call myself Christian but I am now spending more time in prayer and meditation, seeking guidance and reading other books (Charles Stanley and Max Lucado) and even looking up passages in the Bible that are referenced (I tore up and threw away my first bible because of all the judgment stuff) I have a good friend I work with who is Christian I spend time talking with him and asking a lot of questions. I do feel strongly I am being led in a direction and am learning ever so slowly to believe more deeply. My slowness and difficulty about this is a long and personal story I won’t bore you with here. But the whole point of this is, my life is beginning to change in spiritual ways I never thought possible and I am digesting what I can, how I can. The last thing I want (and this has happened over the past year) is to have someone start telling me what they think I need to know.
Some what I have read in the posts I admit I see as, ‘well, he should be teaching what I think he should be teaching.’
Maybe, he is meant to preach what he preaches for people like me. Don’t you think God uses certain people for certain things and others for others?
I feel as though I am on a path to put God first in my life and may become Christian (when I AM ready) because I watched Joel one night.
What’s wrong with that?
Isn’t that what it is about?
Hey anonymous,I read your post and it was touching.God is really moving in your life!He is so patient,He won't force His way on you either.I will say something,I was once very judgemental of various preachers and ministers,including Joel Osteen.God has shown me that they are not always going to preach on what I want when I want it.So even a simple message can mean the most.Basically,what I'm sharing to you is that you are on the right track,don't give up.You mentioned something about putting God first in your life.Now,this is actually the hardest thing to do.What I mean is,even Christians struggle in this,I did very much so,and sometimes still find myself falling a little,but God catches me.This is called the flesh.We have a hard time with the flesh.Some will flat out deny this,but it is true,because we are human.So,may you find peace and trust in God.Just know that when you are a Christian,you can still mess up"sin",but God will not turn His back on you.May God be with you.
I have been a fan of Joel Osteen for awhile now, I think that his appeal is for people who
need a sugar coated message. I love him and watch him every week. I get the depth that I need from other sources. My church, the Bible,
Christian friends and other sources. He is only one part of the puzzle for me. I think that he is great for people that are seeking to know more.
He plants the seed and hopefully some of them will accept Christ. He does ask people to pray for salvation at the end of every show. If they accept Jesus as thier Lord and Savior, well the Holy Spirit will take it from there!!!
God Bless Joel Osteen and his ministry!
During a bad time in our lives, we turned the TV on to see Joel Olsteen preach the Gospel. In spite of the fact that we were in a local church--we were not being fed. The messages we received helped us to make it through the week. We needed the encouragement, and we were reminded to love. I don't know all of the answers--but I do know that this man of God gave us hope and pointed us to Christ.
And yet I see so much hate pointed at this pastor on the internet--he must be really effective in doing God's work. After all, that is who he works for.
Instead of people focusing on the inadequacies of Joel Olsteen, why don't we all take a page from his book and love one another in Christ?
I don't know his full story. I haven't heard all of his preachings so I don't know if he never preaches both sides to the good news. I have read the transcripts from the Larry King show. I agree that both sides need to be told and he didn't do a good job on the show but I have to wonder what about the bible studies? What about the other programs? Does all of it evade repentance?
Maybe he knocks on the door and says, "hey I want you to know that I'm gonna run cause a tornado is comin'. You don't need to run but you should know there is a tornado coming. But since I love you, i suggest you run." LOL I know that's a little silly but I can almost hear him say it.
One of the problems I have with Olsteen, among many is this. If something is true, it’s true in every corner of the globe, for all people, for all time. His brand of "Christianity" speaks to the ease and comfort that we experience in America, where the biggest daily battle for many is what flavor Starbucks to get in the morning, or even worse, battling a low self-esteem. Do you really think his message of self-esteem and self love would be relevant to Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, who in 155 AD was MARTYED for his faith in Jesus? He was burned at the stake and jabbed with a spear!! Would Olsteens message be relevant to any of the millions of people who were slaughtered during those early waves of persecution in church history? Or any group of Christians going through persecution, including our brothers and sisters who even now are dying by the TENS of THOUSANDS every week? What most Americans fail to realize is that this country and its ideals are a small experiment in the grand scheme of history. We have a myopic view, assuming that history MUST be filled with wonderful examples of freedom loving democratic societies. History shows us the opposite is true. If Olsteens message isn’t applicable to the Christians being slaughtered in the Sudan, is it applicable for me or for you? Can you imagine the persecuted church gathering secretly, meeting underground and talking about "Your Best Life Now"? No, they are clinging to the Word of God. As should you, as should I. Brothers and Sisters, we need to move away from the Olsteen self-esteem gospel of "I can do all things" back again to "I can do all things through CHRIST which strengthens me".
As for myself I Love what Joel has to say every week..He starts my week on a very positive light. Anyone can say what they want about him, as for me and my family we think he's a great person.
My pastor friend from Ghana who came to Houston for a visit and I took him to Olsteen's church to show him the largest church in the US (I am not a member there). As soon as he went inside, he saw the rotating globe, immaculate seats, the orchestra area that arose, etc. When I told him they spent $90 million to build this, he had tears running down his face... His simple words, "for whose glory?". Need I say more about where Olsteen's true heart lies?
Joel has to stay true to his calling. He feels that is what he’s been called to do: to encourage and uplift. Now, there are other preachers like John Hagee who focus on preaching about the end times. And so on. Nothing is wrong with the different approaches, they all build-up the body of Christ. Joel can only follow God’s leading. And he must be doing it right to have such a large congregation, hence the much critique from the other preachers. Joel is just a breath of fresh air in a world full of evil, condemnation, judgment, and so on. He reminds us of who we are, something that we’re prone to forget so often.
Okay, I admit that Joel is an incredible speaker -- He may even be an incredible man of God. I do not know Joel personally so I would never speak against him or his own personal walk.. Even if I did know him I would not be inclined to speak against him on some random blog.
Here's what I have seen and know. There are some pretty profound problems with Joel's theology -- His resounding theme that accepting Christ means your struggles (even financially) will go away is incredibly non-biblical. Think about the twelve disciples -- think about the torture, horror, and fear they lived out the remainder of their lives after Christ ascended. I understand that no fear of worldly pain should equal that of the fear we should have of God .. but since when does Joel preach on behalf of Fear of God?.. I commend him on his incredible speaking ability -- its a gift from God -- I just pray that his as well as his church's staff's mindset is God first. It doesn't take a preacher, an elder, an apologetic student to recognize their is something wrong with his theology so I know he has to be aware of it himself...
Also there has been a lot of talk about him building foundation-less people.. I agree whole-heartedly
Luke 6:46-49
"Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not what I say? I will show you what he is like who hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man who dug deep and laid his foundation on rock..."
The passage continues about torrents/storms and striking the wise builder and the foolish builder house(s) -- obviously destruction over the foolish builders house..
In verse 48 he describes the wise builder (who we should strive to become) and the idea of digging deep to lay our foundation on rock.
47 tells us simply how to do that. "He, who, hears my words and puts them into practice". Rootless trees and foundationless christians are a result of people listening to God's words and not doing what it says .. when trials and tribulations come the house stands tall if the builder was wise..
My fear is members of Olsteen's church aren't hearing enough of God's word to be able to build their relationship (on rock) and thus "when the torrent strikes that house, it will collapse and its destruction is complete."
I have read through all the comments. I have listened to Joel's preachings in the past. They are very inspiring words that he gives those who are discouraged and who think that they are condemned and lost for what they have done (or have not done). However, as I continued to listen, it dawned on me that Joel does not give scripture to support his preachings. He preaches love but that is not all there is to our walk with Christ. What about unforgiveness? How do you cope with that in your heart? What about deliverance and breaking down of strongholds? You can preach about LOVE all day long but if you do not give the person the tools (scripture) to get to that point where he can love, how is he going to know how to love? In order to be able to love he has to be able first to overcome all the adversities in his life that has brought him to where he is. And that is where, I think, that Joel's preachings fall short. I do not say that his preachings are wrong...in this day and age of evil all around us we do need love...but they do not teach how to cope and how to overcome (biblically). If Joel will preach the "other side of the coin" I think that he will be a greater preacher than he is now. He also has to give God the glory in all things. He has to crucify self and give the Holy Spirit room to work through him. He has to be led by the Holy Spirit at all times.
I thank God for the souls that he has led to Christ. Now those souls have to be taught the truth as Jesus gave it to us. Baby Christians have to learn to crawl before they can walk. Teach them the Word of God from the very basics of the Bible.
I am thankful for the ministry God placed in Joel Osteen's life. I have been a Christian for many many years, also a Paster's daughter.
Through my childhood and on up through the years, all I ever heard preached was the "warnings", and the Bible became more of God's book of don'ts. I was discouraged because I fely that I could not live up to what was expected of me.
Joel's message of encouragement provides the balance of walking victoriously in the everyday life, and stopped me from walking in fear everyday that I was being displeasing to God and that He wouldn't bless me because of it.
My beautiful mother, a wonderful woman of faith, always gave the advice, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."
Take what you need from the messages that Joel Osteen brings, he is preaching from the same Bible we all read, and represents the same God we all believe in.
Take what you need from your home minister and wherever else you need to take it, what you don't understand or agree with, set it on the shelf and let God show you in good time whether it is right or not.
If you can't search the scriptures for yourself, and ask God for guidance for yourself, then something is wrong in your own walk, rather than trust ANY man, whether it be Joel Osteen, Billy Graham, your home church minister, because after all, they are ALL men and men can be wrong, and only God is infallible.
If Osteen's message works for you and is a blessing in your life, and it allows you to be a blessing to others, and to bear much fruit, in kindness, and love, and cultivates all the fruits of the Spirit of God, who are we to judge and say it is wrong. Do not the scriptures state that "by their fruits ye shall know them"?
So if you don't like his message, stop playing God and judging him, just point that remote at your TV and change the station.
Because what will happen if you were wrong, and you have tore apart someone that God placed there for a reason? I wouldn't want to be in that place.
I don't agree with a whole lot of the ministers out there, and if we look hard enough we can find the faults in every single one of them. I for one, would rather keep my mind on God, not be nitpicker, and not tear a miniter apart just because I don't agree with his teachings, or his interpretation of a scripture.
If I don't like what they say, and I look at it in the light of the scriptures, and I beleive it to be a wrong teaching, then it is up to God to set me right, or set the guy speaking right. We will both stand accountable before the throne of judgement some day.
So be thankful for God, freewill, and your remote control, that you can turn off what you don't want to listen to, and close your mouth and ears and not be known as backbiter, a gossip, or possibly gnashing your teeth on what just might be one of God's anointed people teaching something that there are still folks out there that need to hear, and know that there is still hope in a dying world.
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