whats wrong with Joel Osteen?

Question

whats wrong with Joel Osteen? please explain this.

thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Read the very beginning of Paul's second letter to Timothy.

Tim 2:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 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. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Many Christians see preachers like Osteen fit the description of the type of evangelist Paul was warning Timothy NOT to become. To wit:

1. "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom..."

- Osteen appeared on Larry King live and just couldn't bring himself to answer King's direct question as to whether non-Christians were bound for hell. See the link in the sources block, below.

2. Preach the word!

- Watch one of Osteen's services and see how little of the talk is actually from or about the scriptures. Even what is used is often single verses taken out of context, usually so as to avoid the rest of Pauls' instruction to Timothy, see #3 below:

3. "Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

- Rebuke. Exhort. Longsuffering. Teaching. These are not characteristics of Osteen's messages (I intentionally hesitate to call them "sermons.") He teaches (as his recent mega-seller book is titled,) Your Best Life NOW (emphasis mine). That is the very antithesis of "longsuffering."

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.

- Many evangelicals believe we are in the "last of the last days" precisely BECAUSE there is such a bumper crop these days of preachers in the Osteen style. That is, those who tell you only about the "love of God," and not the "wrath of God" (both are true) because people WANT to hear that God loves them so much that, in spite of their sinful lifestyles that do not honor God, they can still choose to live in whatever way makes them "happy."

On the whole, such "ministries" are far more financially successful than those who, as Paul says, "Preach the Word!" Their "health and wealth" simply is a misrepresentation of what Jesus said, and what Paul concludes this passage with, in #5, below. The "happy, happy, live as you want message" is pleasing to the "itching ears" of those who are caught up in materialism, and they often pursue preachers who affirm this bad doctrine with their "gospel-lite," "God WANTS you to be rich with no obligations" messages.

5. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

- Endure afflictions? You, perhaps heard the story of Osteen's wife's outburst on a plane on their way to a ski trip to Vail. I have no problem that a pastor should be paid, and has every scripturally-supported right to make a living, perhap even a good one. But, as Paul said, they can ALSO expect to endure afflictions, and are commanded to do so in a way that glorifies God. I realize Mrs. Osteen is not the preacher, but this is just one quick example I was able to lay my hands on. According to the Post story, after being kicked off the plane, they took a private chartered plane to Vail. Do you have any idea what that would cost?

So, in conclusion:
God bless, and I pray that Jesus will turn the Osteen's hearts toward a true and fruitful ministry that honors God above all, spreads the gospel message about salvation through Jesus Christ, and no matter the personal cost to the Osteen family.

Answer 2

Is there some current event that I'm unaware of? In any case, my blood doesn't boil when I see him on TV, which is actually saying quite a lot. I think the world is a better place without Jerry Falwell. I think the world would be a better place without Pat Robertson and company. Osteen doesn't perform bogus parlor tricks under the guise of "miracles", nor does he terrorize his flock with the threat of eternal torture if they don't forward their paycheck to his church. He is no more of a public nuisance than any prominent self-help guru in my opinion.

Now, don't misunderstand me. I think the brand of self-improvement he's selling is snake oil, through and through. He just preaches the power of positive thinking, as have myriads of charlatans before him. I see that it is fraud, but I understand that people are free to make their own decisions. Watch 'The Secret' and then read one of his books. Same message. As long as he doesn't proselytize, he's alright with me.

Answer 3

I think people think that no one can be THAT happy all the time without something being "wrong" with them. I've seen his program a few times, and in MY opinion, it sounds like "lite religion"....less sin, more bliss. While I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to smile so much that it makes your face hurt, I think that that's what bothers people when they watch his show. It seems phony, to some people. I'd rather get my spiritual teaching up front and personal. I also read the Bible for myself, and don't just rely on what I hear from others. Many people who watch Joel don't go to church, for one reason or another, and it fulfills them to "have church" this way. I guess everyone has a reason for doing what they do, so I don't figure it's up to me to figure it all out. I've got enough to handle with my own life, so I tend to shy away from drama, as much as is possible. If you want more details (I don't like to share a lot of personal stuff on this site...know what I mean?), please feel free to e-mail me, and I'll write back. <*)))><

Answer 4

Who is Joel Osteen ?

Answer 5

The bible mentions apostasy + deception in the last days.
There is a long list of deceivers and Joel Osteen is one of them.

Answer 6

Romans 6:23
If you don't believe Jesus Christ died for your sins on the cross and don't believe He rose on the third day and ascended into Heaven.
If you don't believe this, than I am saying you are going to hell. I am saying it as an ambassador of God! A minister of Christ!!!
Faith comes by hearing The Word of God!
If anyone doesn't believe in Jesus Christ and won't accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior before you die. You are going to hell!!!

Rev. Darryl Liner

Answer 7

He seems to be a sincere, Spirit filled preacher. His wife seems to be more emotional but the flight attendant lost her suit. I think flight attendants are capable of over reacting as well. Asking a flier to clean his or her own seat seems a bit unusual. But perhaps she should have simply done it to avoid conflict.

Answer 8

Is there something I don't know about? Like some others said also, I believe he's more of a self help speaker, than preacher.

Answer 9

the fact that he owns 3 mercedes, 1 bentley, 2 bmws and other fancy cars.

Answer 10

There's nothing wrong with him. Only when we are approved of God are we really approved. Opinions mean nothing. People are always gonna talk about someone.