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Your Best Life Now.Osteen stopped by the Wall Street Journal’s office after scoping out Yankee Stadium where he will preach on April 25. [Here's a transcript of the full interview ] I asked him, if a positive disposition is supposed to bring you success, how should you interpret it if you’re economically failing? Do hard times flow from grumpy dispositions?”People in tough times, it doesn’t mean they don’t have a great attitude,” Osteen said. “All through the scripture there’s people like Joseph [who] was treated so unfairly, spent 13 years in prison for something he didn’t do. But he kept that good attitude and, in the end, he saw God’s blessing and favor. I wouldn’t ever say if you’re having tough times then there must be something wrong with you or your attitude. Life’s a fight. It’s a good fight of faith. I encourage people to stay up, stay hopeful, stay faith filled.”In fact, rather than making Osteen’s message less relevant, the economic downturn may make it more appealing – a way people can armor themselves for hard times. “I believe that when you think of the negative and you get up discouraged and there’s nothing good in my future, I really believe it almost ties the hands of God. God works where there’s an attitude of faith. I believe faith is all about hope.”In truth, Osteen’s message has always been as much about happiness – peace of mind, good relationships — as financial lucre. He’s a cross between Norman Vincent Peale’s power of positive thinking and the theology of “My Name Is Earl,” that if you do bad things to others, bad things will happen to you, and vice versa. “I believe God’s keeping the records and I believe you will be rewarded even in this life, somehow, some way God will make it up to you. It may be he protected you from accident you never knew. You can’t give God something without God giving you more in return, whether its peace or joy or satisfaction. I just think that’s the way our God is.”Osteen’s success at first might seem a bit baffling. There’s something about his glistening white teeth and the sun-will-come-out-tomorrow message that can make him seem plastic and insubstantial. But in fact he’s far more self-disciplined than many of the edgier preachers. He steadfastly steers clear of culture war issues, believing that they would divert from his positive message.In the one part of the interview [full text here] that might create some controversy, Osteen said he had in the past avoided being called an “evangelical” because of its conservative political association. When asked if Christian leaders focusing on culture war issues – gay marriage and abortion – has driven people away from Christianity, he answered, “I feel myself many times in those same shoes in that there was a time where I thought, ‘I don’t want to be known as an “evangelical” because at the time that meant you were a Republican that was against everything.’ I think that’s changed. That was a few years back. I don’t want people to look at me as their minister and say, ‘he’s a Republican and he’s against this, that and the other,’ because my church is made of up of all different types of people.”He attributes this resolute apoliticalness to his father, also a preacher, who avoided politics “because he didn’t want to divide the audience…. Our message is about spreading Christ’s love to everybody. If you look at somebody and say he’s against that or that or he’s on that side, to me people start turning you off because of that.”The most endearing thing about Osteen is how often he says, “I don’t know.” When asked what message God might be sending through the bad economy, he said he didn’t know, before describing how people can nonetheless get strength from God for hard times. Contrast that to how Pat Robertson, James Dobson or Jerry Falwell would have answered such a question, ascribing the economic slump to some combination of the ACLU and Tinky Winky.Osteen has been criticized for “cotton candy” Christianity because he de-emphasizes the challenging aspects of Christianity – the sinful nature of man, God’s judgment. But while one can mock Osteen for his relentless cheerfulness, he’s the one who’s best tapped into the current national mood – “it’s all about hope” — a weariness of culture wars, and a desire to focus on God’s love rather than his wrath.Some may view that as inauthentic Christianity, but they have to reckon with the fact that, whatever you call it, Osteen’s message is resonating.Printed first on the Wall Street Journal Online.
Good Bye Today is my last day at Beliefnet (which I co-founded in 1999). The swirling emotions: sadness, relief, love, humility, pride, anxiety. But mostly deep, deep gratitude. How many people get to come up with an idea and have rich people invest money to make it a reality? How many people get to create
posted 8:37:24am Nov. 20, 2009 | read full post »
"Steven Waldman Named To Lead Commission Effort on Future of Media In a Changing Technological Landscape" (FCC Press Release) STEVEN WALDMAN NAMED TO LEAD COMMISSION EFFORT ON FUTURE OF MEDIA IN A CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE FCC chairman Julius Genachowski announced today the appointment of Steven Waldman, a highly respected internet entrepreneur and journalist, to lead an agency-wide initiative to assess the state o
posted 11:46:42am Oct. 29, 2009 | read full post »
My Big News Dear Readers, This is the most difficult (and surreal) post I've had to write. I'm leaving Beliefnet, the company I co-founded in 1999. In mid November, I'll be stepping down as President and Editor in Chief to lead a project on the future of the media for the Federal Communications Commission, the
posted 1:10:11pm Oct. 28, 2009 | read full post »
"Beliefnet Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief Steps Down to Lead FCC Future of the Media Initiative" (Beliefnet Press Release) October 28, 2009 BELIEFNET CO-FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STEPS DOWN TO LEAD FCC FUTURE OF THE MEDIA INITIATIVE New York, NY - October 28, 2009 - Beliefnet, the leading online community for inspiration and faith, announced today that Steven Waldman, co-founder, president and editor-in-chief, will re
posted 1:05:43pm Oct. 28, 2009 | read full post »
Secularizing the Cross (Christian Activists: Be Careful What You Wish For) The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week, in Buono v. Salazar, about whether a white 6 1/2 foot cross can be displayed in a national park as a tribute to World War I soldiers. Though it's depicted as a classic clash of the secular and the religious, it actually illustrates why Christian act
posted 1:15:51pm Oct. 08, 2009 | read full post »
posted April 14, 2009 at 7:29 pm
What gets me about Osteen is that he is so vague. “I believe God’s keeping the records and I believe you will be rewarded even in this life, somehow, some way God will make it up to you. It may be he protected you from accident you never knew. You can’t give God something without God giving you more in return, whether its peace or joy or satisfaction. I just think that’s the way our God is.” Peace or joy or satisfaction – or the unimaginable sacrifice of his Son on the cross so that we can live in eternal peace with God Almighty. Come on Joel – bring it home for once.
posted April 15, 2009 at 2:13 am
Joel is vague because that’s about all he can claim to stand for. There is no theology in his message, just consoling, comforting, sometimes challenging karma with a Christian veneer. Every Sunday is a warm fuzzy. No truly academic seminary would allow his habitual avoidance of any serious exegetical wrestling with the text to go unchallenged. Notice how much his sermons avoid any in-depth references to scholarly thought (it doesn’t have to “sound” scholarly to “be” scholarly, so no one goes off on that tangent) in favor of sounding like a feel-good pop psychology with an applied saccharine Christian sugarcoating.
posted April 17, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I am a resident of Houston and I haven’t attended a service of Joel’s personally, but I watch each weekend on tv and for the past several weeks he somehow has spoken about the subject that was on my mind at that particular time. Although he isn’t “traditional” in the delivery of his sermons, he gets the point across and makes everyone feel better and hopeful. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyone is different in their personal preference, but it certainly doesn’t hurt, especially in these times, to have someone who can accomplish this. After all, this is exactly what Jesus did. What is the point of criticizing someone who is doing God’s work to the best of his ability? If you can’t say something good, then don’t say anything at all!
posted April 19, 2009 at 4:16 am
Yeah his sermons are pretty uplifting but if a wanted to get a sermon with some sort of substance to it it wouldn’t be Mr. Osteen that I would turn to. It would probably be Dr. Dobson.
posted June 23, 2009 at 4:57 am
Joel osteen’s sermons are the best i listen to and his books are the best motivational texts i have ever come accross both spiritually and in the contemporarly life. Reading his books cause ones life to change for the best and achieve great success. God bless Mr.Osteen and uplift him even the more to continue touching and changing the lives of millions of people world wide.
posted June 23, 2009 at 9:04 pm
After seeing Joel Osteen a few times I began to read my Bible with a different outlook. When reading of Jesus’s teachings he had radically different ways of delivering his message depending on whether he was talking to a citizen of lowly station or a self-appointed mover and shaker [think politician, lawyer, corporate executive.] To the humble, he was nothing but encouraging and positive, just like Joel’s message in church every week and in his books. To the arrogant, however, Christ had nothing good to say regarding their selfish lifestyles and opinions of themselves. Joel has said that one’s sins will be shown to him if his heart is searching for God [I'm paraphrasing] The person doesn’t need to be told about them all the time. And, every week, he quotes Bible verses that inspire his sermons. Listen to how each and every service begins sometime, when Joel and the congregation make the declaration that begins, “This is my Bible. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. I am what it says I am….etc.” The whole Osteen message is life affirming, Christ affirming. Positive. Shame on him.
posted June 24, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I believe that you can “Spread The Message” or “Share The Good News” of the Bible without having to quote on quote each passage with it’s chapter name and verse number, no? I believe that the good Lord has provided each of us with a “Special Gift”, including Joel, to do exactly what the Lord has called him to do. no? I also believe that the Bible, is very clear when it tells us that we should not judge. no? Therefore, you should probably take care of your own iniquities, before criticizing those of others, however, it would be even wiser to “THINK” before speaking and doing as well: T = Is it the Truth H = Is it Helpful I = Is it Inspiring N = Is it Necessary K = Is it Kind To that end, I believe, Joel Osteens faith, messages, intentions, and love pass the “THINK” before speaking or acting test and I will “Hold on to that which is good” (His entire message) becaue it is from God. Thank you Joel! And Thank You Lord for blessing Joel with this very special and effective gift!
posted July 22, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I am a Catholic, and you can’t get much more theological or wrathy than that. Although I love my faith and practice it weekly, Joel Olsteen has brought me to a higher place spiritually and has brought me into a more loving, understanding, and trusting relationship with God. To his critics, what is wrong with a message of comfort, love, hope, acceptance, positivity, and self fulfilling prophecy? With so much despair and depression already in the world, I don’t think we need any more negativity, do you? God is love. I don’t have to be a theologian to know that, and neither does Joel Olsteen. Joel makes a difference favorable to God in peoples’ lives. That doesn’t seem like vague work to me. God bless you, Joel Olsteen!
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posted April 14, 2009 at 7:29 pm
What gets me about Osteen is that he is so vague. “I believe God’s keeping the records and I believe you will be rewarded even in this life, somehow, some way God will make it up to you. It may be he protected you from accident you never knew. You can’t give God something without God giving you more in return, whether its peace or joy or satisfaction. I just think that’s the way our God is.” Peace or joy or satisfaction – or the unimaginable sacrifice of his Son on the cross so that we can live in eternal peace with God Almighty. Come on Joel – bring it home for once.
posted April 15, 2009 at 2:13 am
Joel is vague because that’s about all he can claim to stand for. There is no theology in his message, just consoling, comforting, sometimes challenging karma with a Christian veneer. Every Sunday is a warm fuzzy. No truly academic seminary would allow his habitual avoidance of any serious exegetical wrestling with the text to go unchallenged. Notice how much his sermons avoid any in-depth references to scholarly thought (it doesn’t have to “sound” scholarly to “be” scholarly, so no one goes off on that tangent) in favor of sounding like a feel-good pop psychology with an applied saccharine Christian sugarcoating.
posted April 17, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I am a resident of Houston and I haven’t attended a service of Joel’s personally, but I watch each weekend on tv and for the past several weeks he somehow has spoken about the subject that was on my mind at that particular time. Although he isn’t “traditional” in the delivery of his sermons, he gets the point across and makes everyone feel better and hopeful. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyone is different in their personal preference, but it certainly doesn’t hurt, especially in these times, to have someone who can accomplish this. After all, this is exactly what Jesus did. What is the point of criticizing someone who is doing God’s work to the best of his ability? If you can’t say something good, then don’t say anything at all!
posted April 19, 2009 at 4:16 am
Yeah his sermons are pretty uplifting but if a wanted to get a sermon with some sort of substance to it it wouldn’t be Mr. Osteen that I would turn to. It would probably be Dr. Dobson.
posted June 23, 2009 at 4:57 am
Joel osteen’s sermons are the best i listen to and his books are the best motivational texts i have ever come accross both spiritually and in the contemporarly life. Reading his books cause ones life to change for the best and achieve great success.
God bless Mr.Osteen and uplift him even the more to continue touching and changing the lives of millions of people world wide.
posted June 23, 2009 at 9:04 pm
After seeing Joel Osteen a few times I began to read my Bible with a different outlook. When reading of Jesus’s teachings he had radically different ways of delivering his message depending on whether he was talking to a citizen of lowly station or a self-appointed mover and shaker [think politician, lawyer, corporate executive.]
To the humble, he was nothing but encouraging and positive, just like Joel’s message in church every week and in his books. To the arrogant, however, Christ had nothing good to say regarding their selfish lifestyles and opinions of themselves.
Joel has said that one’s sins will be shown to him if his heart is searching for God [I'm paraphrasing] The person doesn’t need to be told about them all the time. And, every week, he quotes Bible verses that inspire his sermons. Listen to how each and every service begins sometime, when Joel and the congregation make the declaration that begins, “This is my Bible. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. I am what it says I am….etc.”
The whole Osteen message is life affirming, Christ affirming. Positive. Shame on him.
posted June 24, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I believe that you can “Spread The Message” or “Share The Good News” of the Bible without having to quote on quote each passage with it’s chapter name and verse number, no?
I believe that the good Lord has provided each of us with a “Special Gift”, including Joel, to do exactly what the Lord has called him to do. no?
I also believe that the Bible, is very clear when it tells us that we should not judge. no?
Therefore, you should probably take care of your own iniquities, before criticizing those of others, however, it would be even wiser to “THINK” before speaking and doing as well:
T = Is it the Truth
H = Is it Helpful
I = Is it Inspiring
N = Is it Necessary
K = Is it Kind
To that end, I believe, Joel Osteens faith, messages, intentions, and love pass the “THINK” before speaking or acting test and I will “Hold on to that which is good” (His entire message) becaue it is from God.
Thank you Joel!
And Thank You Lord for blessing Joel with this very special and effective gift!
posted July 22, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I am a Catholic, and you can’t get much more theological or wrathy than that. Although I love my faith and practice it weekly, Joel Olsteen has brought me to a higher place spiritually and has brought me into a more loving, understanding, and trusting relationship with God. To his critics, what is wrong with a message of comfort, love, hope, acceptance, positivity, and self fulfilling prophecy? With so much despair and depression already in the world, I don’t think we need any more negativity, do you? God is love. I don’t have to be a theologian to know that, and neither does Joel Olsteen. Joel makes a difference favorable to God in peoples’ lives. That doesn’t seem like vague work to me. God bless you, Joel Olsteen!