Joel Osteen’s biggest problem is that he doesn’t preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have yet to hear him talk about bearing your cross, or sacrificing. All he ever says is what God wants to do for you, not vice versa. He’s a feel good, prosperity preacher who bears more resemblance to a motivational speaker than a preacher of God’s word really.

And I guess you rather have a God that enjoys you bearing a cross? We each create our own God……I’m sure yours is very unlike mine. That’s the beauty of it.

I have to admit I dont watch him often but he is a breath of fresh air compaired to the Jerry Falwells and Joyce meyer who try to scare the crap out of people to win them over.
Of course I dont agree with everything he says but his attitude is a lot more tolerable, and his demeanor and outlook are brighter than any other evangelist I have ever seen.
I agree God doesnt give you good parking spaces and keep your car from
hydroplaining but my guardian angels sure do.
I really liked him until I seen him on The Glen beck show.
That dissapointed me but I still believe for the most part
he is a good human being trying to bring people closer
to their higher inner spirit….nothing wrong with that.

This sounds to me like you are envious that you are not doing what Joel Osteen is doing. I subscribe to the daily devotions Every devotion is started with a Bible verse and the message is definitely biblicaly based. This works for me and in this day and age, please do not knock someone who teaches about the Bible and God.

Didn’t God get up on the cross so we don’t have to bear a cross.
While I don’t buy the prosperity Gospel, as Jesus said the last(poorest) shall be first, I do not think Joel is a bad man. Misguided, yes,….bad, no.
He is like a middle of the road politican…shiny pomaded hair, big white teeth and all.

correction–Jesus who got up on the cross

I attend Lakewood when I am in Houston and as I feel that Joel has a more modern approach to todays society of religion. Yet how and why he has his methods may not be the way you or any other minister does but if he makes people aware of the way they live and treat people — in the sick world we live in today if he can give as many people hope without them feeling like religion is being shoved down their throats then why be critical of him.

Why is there even a need to knock Joel Osteen? Sounds like the old saying ‘Success breeds contempt’ is alive and well. He has brought a world of good to alot of people and presents a positive role model for healthy living. He speaks to the common person in a language that resonates with them. He comes from a metaphysical position of creating the best life possible. How can anyone find fault with that? How sad that people need to attack him. I have never considered myself a Christian, but I do consider myself a spiritual person, and I find Joel Osteen, his TV show, his books, and his daily email devotions to be inspiring and I will continue to do so.

Some years ago after cutting a CD with my choir i had left my church for unintentional reasons, this was during the time Lakewood was getting ready to move into the compact center. I was visiting churches to find another church home, it was one little church that i really liked but when i asked God about it He showed me in a dream not to join. I shared it with a friend that Sunday morning we prayed over the phone together. Everything that God showed me in the dream came true. When i asked Him if He wanted me to join lakewood He gave me another vision about lakewood He didn’t want me to join it either. My little boy was in the dream also with me and we was at lakewood but in the dream lakewood was at the compact center, and as we was leaving the church the straw ramp that we was crossing over to our cars was moving. When i looked down below the church add nothing but water under it there was no floor. In the dream my son fell in the water when i got him out to get across the street to the ambulance we didn’t have anything to walk on to get to the other side. I truely understood the dream and that’s when i asked God if He wanted me to go back to my church and then He showed me my choir and i standing in burgundy and white robes getting ready to sing at a concert. I still disobeyed God not realizing that He was telling me to go back to my church, get back in the choir because He had a mission for my church. So instead i went back to the little church and began to have lots and lots of problems. Being gone away from my church a year i called one of my sister in christ and asked her had the CD we cut came out and she said that the choir was suppose to go out and sing in Shreveport some of the songs she said it had not came out yet. She stated to me that she knew we was getting robes and when she said that i stopped her and said don’t tell me the color i think i seen them in a dream i asked her was they burgundy and white and she said if she wasn’t mistaken they were. I went on to discribe the robes to her and she was stunded because i had not spoke with anyone at my church in a year. I went back to my church home with such trials of disobedience from going to the little church. That following year i received my robe and stood in line at the reliant stadium i and my choir to open up a concert for Kirk Franklin in the very robes God showed me in the vision. What i’m trying to show you is that God don’t change His word don’t change, no one is attacking lakewood. If the very people who was trying to point out the errors in the life as a Christian and it’s a Christian then that tells us it’s not the devil. Water in a dream under neat a church represents that there is no foundation to the teachings. Water in a dream represents trouble i know because i’ve seen trouble waters in my dreams and have went through hard times until it passed over. I include as i’m concluding that we as saints needs to stop compromising with the devil and put on righteousnes, anointing our heads and staying in contact with the Savior. Why because when we don’t we began to sound confused and not like a Christian. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever more. The word of God says if a man or angel comes to you with any other gospel except for the gospel of Jesus christ let him be accursed. I’m not saying bad things about lakewood but the issue is we need to stand as strong soldiers in the army of the Lord. Had you ever thought that those Christians that is making statements about lakewood is really concerned about all those people souls there. I advise you to READ, READ, READ your bible and hear what the spirit has to say to the churches.

THE WHOLE WOULD-BE ARGUMENTS ARE TIED UP IN THE VERSE BY CHRIST. “BELOVED, I WISH ABOVE ALL ELSE THAT THOU BE IN GOOD HEALTH AND PROSPER, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERS. LOOKS TO ME AS THO’ JOEL HAS FOUND HIS WAY. JOYCE

Any one who studies, realy studies the Bible knows we are not to put down men of GOD. That is people who teach Gods word. It does not say if you disagree with them, or if they make a mistake, or if you think you could do a better job. Any way my point is he is spreading the gossple as many church goers don’t even do and it is not for us to judge him. The bible also tells us not to treat one another badly with harsh language or judgement. If its to hard to you to study the whole Bible just pick it up once in a while and read Proverbs. I am not judgeing those who are attacking a man of God, because that would be a wast of time. However those who seek knowledge and accept correction will gain even more knowledge, those who rebuke knoledge or correction will eventaly destroy them self. All of us are at differant levels of growth just as we are differant ages. I pray for all who read this in the name of JESUS! AMEND!

So far in these comments I’m mostly NOT seeing what the New Testement says should be the other side of the Osteen ‘coin’: believers are to take the Word out into the world by how they live their lives, in humbleness, and in help to the less fortunate — the Bible’s ‘widows and orphans’. Osteen’s message and these comments in support are almost entirely inward-directed. Jesus specifically taught that while it may be okay to be rich, or otherwise blessed, it’s NOT okay to not share those blessings. How many of those parishoners actually tithe? (I do, and I’m divorced, with an average job and maxed out credit cards.) Osteen’s message stops with, “If you prosper, it’s okay to feel good about yourself.” Where’s the challenge to do the hard work, to go out and make this world better in preparation for the Kingdom?

Well in the bible God says judge not because he going to do the judging and he is the only judge and juror people need to stop talking about preachers regardless what they say or do people need just to pray for them because you are going on dangerous grounds talking about a child of God anyway. I think that he is a ok guy myself I like looking and listen to his program that comes on on TBN.

I LOVE JOEL OSTEEN, HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE GREAT SURVIVORS, THEY HAVE SO MUCH JUNK THAT THE ENEMY TRIES TO THROW ON THEM, BUT IT NEVER SCARS THEM NOT FOR ONE MINUTE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHO THE VINE IS, AND THEY ALL ABIDE IN HIM. REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE LORD, FIRST REMOVE THE LOG, FROM YOUR OWN EYE BEFORE TRYING TO TAKE THE SPLINTER OUT OF SOMEONE ELSES, I AM PARAPHRASING OF COURSE, BUT ALL OF YOU KNOW THE WORD, I TRUST.
BEFORE WE JUDGE, WE NEED TO STAND BACK AND TAKE A LONG HARD LOOK AT OURSELVES.
‘LET THE WEAK SAY, I AM STRONG’

I watch Joel Osteen, as well as Joyce Myers. I think they both bring the word of God in their own way, which is the way it should be. If all ministers said and did the same thing, we could not learn different aspects of the word. I personally have never been afraid are threatend after a Joyce Myers service, and I always feel close to God after a Joel Osteen service.
For those of you that don’t really know or watch him, he always says, get into a bible based church. He is not suggesting that you join Lakewood. I also receive his daily devotional and they do always start with a bible verse. It is a good way to read some from the bile on a daily basis. I saw him in person in Belton,Texas when he did a service honoring our Military at Ft.Hood. That was very gratifying for me, as I am a memeber of a military family and they don’t get enough praise for what they do.
He has never claimed to be an ordained minister, and so what if you think he is a feel good preacher. I think that is better than putting people down or making them think that they can not conquer certain things in their life. That some people are meant to have and others are not.
I like John Hagee, but I would rather see a smiling face, than one that has an angry look on his face when he is preaching. He definetly gets his message across, but that is his way of preaching, and as I mentioned before, we are all different and whatever works for you is what you need. I can listen to all of the above mentioned, because I love to hear the word of GOD.

This sounds more like sour grapes to me than a discerned argument. I believe God works in all our lives. He does want us to be our best for His glory and He gives us all that we need to do so. In my opinion, your comments were not the voice of one seeking to better the Kingdom but to demean the Olsteens. I will pray that you can look into your motives.

It is easy for any real believer to see that Joel Osteen is filled with the Holy Spirit, just like his father John was. Joel’s style is different than John’s, but the same message of Love and Faith comes through loud and clear. Joel is popular because he is genuine and nondefensive, and his ministry will supersede all critics, because God always protects His own.

First of all, I do understand how many people feel that Osteen is not preaching the word of God. However, in this day and age, I think many have come to realize that most of the gospel is, well, good fiction stories to, of course, teach a lesson. For many years, we have ignored important facts about the Bible, we have left out the word from Mary Magdeline, who of course was once known as a prostitute but in fact was not, and through the hands of many men, the Bible just lost its realness. We are in the year 2008. Most humans want to incorporate good, healthy messages with God in them. Osteen just does that. He incorporates how to better yourself through God. There is nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong. Look at how many people follow this man. It is amazing. I live in Houston and on Sundays when I am on my way to have breakfast with a friend, I just am amazed at all the cars making their way into the huge parking garage. Deep down inside, I know those people will hear a good message. And for once, someone is listening to what people need.

Joel Osteen is one of the most outstanding ministers in our time. He tries to motivate people to do better, not to put them down, like many ministers do. He knows how to get God’s message accross better than most ministers. He does not seem bent on a political cause like some who call them selves ministers. His goal is a better life for all according to God’s word. He does not ask for money to be sent in like many money hungry ministers do. If you want to critize someone, why not the minister that had the church spend $75,000 on a marble toilet for his home. To spend the money donated by the hard working church members for something like that does not seem like how God would want the money spent. That money could have been used to feed thousands in Africa children or the help the children who’s parents have been killed in Iraq. It could also done much to help the homeless in the US. In my opinion many ministers are greedy and self centered and if you want to critize, why not them.

I have watched Joel Osteen for a long time and yes, he is always happy and smiling. In fact someone did a parody on his teeth and he advertised that in a sermon, but he looks on the bright side of it and goes on. What’s wrong with looking happy and pretending til it’s true. God doesn’t want us to get down on ourselves and he talks against that. I just love to hear him talk about what we can do and not what we can’t do. It’s sure a great way of thinking and he does it using the Bible and things in it. There is something for every Christian out there or for seekers and every one has a chance to pick from that. A lot of TV pastors now talk about getting into a church nearby and that what they have to tell you is going to come through to you from that local church. People need God and it’s just a shame people don’t realize that before they spout off. I think that those that put Joel down need to watch him without a chip on their shoulder. He’s got a lot of good to tell you!

I also receive Joel’s daily message and watch him on TV. His encouragement and positive messages have helped to pull me through several dark times in my life and to focus on God. I would stick with the old saying – if you don’t have anything nice to say……

In a time where the world is in turmoil and immorality, there usually stands those who offer hope.
In a time where I am tired of feeling like nothing, and there are just as many people who remind me I am nothing and make me feel like nothing, there is a person who makes me feel like something.
There are just as many voices in my life who tell me I am stupid, not worthy, a failure and I should just do what I am told, which is usually a road to what they want, there stands a person who supports me and shows me how to turn my life around.
They rejected Jesus in his home town. It does not suprise me that there will be those who will attack the messenger.
Who ever wrote that post, needs to get a live, and get some hope. If they can.

Mr. Feiler’s points about Mr. Osteen are valid. And, what’s more, Mr. Osteen is NOT an ordained minister. No matter now big that stadium-sized church becomes, the thing is–Osteen did not attend seminary. The man is going by his thoughts alone, really by the seat of his pants, after stepping into the pulpit to take over from his dad. His motives may be rightly based (who can say for sure) but his ‘name it and claim it’ themes are not biblically based.