Joel Osteen

by Steve Lumbley, Apostasy Watch!

It’s hard not to like Joel Osteen. His easy going style, smooth words and positive message are just what people are looking for today. It’s easy to understand why Osteen’s Lakewood church is one of the fastest growing church’s in America. Osteen is the complete antithesis of the typical TV preacher. He eschews the flamboyant for the understated. Fiery rhetoric is replaced with a kind of quiet professionalism. Broad displays of showmanship are exchanged for a sort of down home “aw shucks” type of demeanor. And in an effort to keep the people coming, the gospel of sin, righteousness, and judgment is supplanted by a Christ-less gospel that is no gospel at all.

Lakewood church in Houston Texas was founded in 1959 by Southern Baptist turned Word of Faith Charismatic pastor John Osteen. When the elder Osteen died unexpectedly in 1999, youngest son Joel stepped up from his behind the scenes role as his father’s television producer and marketing expert into the pulpit. Since that time, Lakewood has outgrown the 7,800 seat auditorium it had occupied since the late 70’s and moved into the 18,000 seat Compaq center in downtown Houston. A $70 million renovation is underway to transform the former N.B.A. arena into the new Lakewood International Center. Although the church keeps no formal membership counts it is estimated that more than 30,000 people attend at least one of Lakewood’s five weekly services.

Discover the Champion In You – The Marketing of Religion.

Lakewood is the epitome of the modern non denominational mega church. They have something for everyone. Ministry classes for adults, singles, teens and children. Seminars on parenting, marriage and pre-marriage. Singles events and mixers. Single parent classes, Spanish language ministries. Grief counseling, addiction recovery groups, sexual fidelity support groups and women’s bible studies. And of course the television ministry.

As with most of today’s apostate churches, catchy slogans and worldly wisdom have replaced the hard work of making Christians. In many ways Joel Osteen is simply continuing his father’s legacy. According to the younger Osteen, his father never wanted to preach a gospel of condemnation. True to that heritage, Joel Osteen claims “We’ve heard a lot about the judgment of God and what we can’t do and what’s going to keep us out of heaven. But it’s time people start hearing about the goodness of God, about a God that loves them….. It's the goodness of God that leads people to repentance,.”

Like most apostate preachers Osteen quotes only a portion of scripture leaving off the part that doesn’t fit his positive, feel-good message. Paul did say it’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance but he also added this:

Rom 2:5-6
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.

In April 2002, the Houston Press did a feature story on Lakewood and Joel Osteen. The full story is linked on the Lakewood website so they obviously think of it as a positive story. I believe it is closer to a scathing indictment of the powerless gospel so popular with this generation. Here are some examples from the article

Speaking of the Joel Osteen -
” And his sermons, with such titles as "Winning the Battle of the Mind" and "Enlarge Your Vision," are nothing but positive, easy-to-swallow messages about getting up when the world keeps beating you down…… It's like a strange combination of Tony Robbins meets Jesus.”

But Paul said
1Cor 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

On the Lakewood Bookstore -
’Tucked in one wing of Lakewood is the church bookstore. Between Sunday services it's packed with a line 20 deep at the cash register. … It is a veritable Christian candy store, complete with clothing, cards, CDs and a large children's section. Those eager to spend their money can buy ballpoint pens called Pens of Praise. Or a T-shirt for their father emblazoned with the slogan "Dad of Dads -- Because King of Kings was already taken!" There are wooden towel racks for the bathroom inscribed with the phrase "Create in me a clean heart, O God," and stuffed dogs named Happy Hank and Happy Hannah who, if their bellies are squeezed, say things like, "God loves me because I am me!" Joel Osteen's taped sermons also can be purchased ("Now available on compact disc!").’

But Jesus drove out those who bought and sold in the temple saying:
John 2:16
....Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

On Lakewood’s diverse offerings –
‘"There's been a progression in our culture," says Emerson. "Everything's become part of the marketplace. I'm a consumer, and I choose. And religion's become that way. These megachurches provide all kinds of services, programs for the kids. They have everything." ‘

But Jesus said:
Rev 3:17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

When Lakewood entered into negotiations with the city of Houston to lease the Compaq center they hired a lobbyist -

’And when it came time to hire a lobbyist, Lakewood settled for no less than one of the best: Dave Walden, right-hand man for former mayor Bob Lanier.
The straight-shooting Walden, who smokes Marlboros and swears freely, might have seemed like an odd choice at first for a bunch of Christians. After all, when asked if he goes to church, Walden answers bluntly, "I don't like the circus."
But Walden likes working out deals, and so when Lakewood's attorneys suggested him as a lobbyist to negotiate a Compaq Center deal, the church went for it, says Joel Osteen.’

But the Bible says:
2Cor 6:14-15
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

On the reason for Lakewood’s explosive growth -
’Why do they come? Paul (Osteen) says he is asked this all the time, and although his younger brother is too modest to admit it, the reason is Joel Osteen himself. Joel Osteen is the reason why the church has gotten so popular. Joel Osteen is the reason why Lakewood has one of the top-rated shows on the Trinity Broadcast Network. Joel Osteen is the reason why they've gotten so big they've added services and need to make the Compaq Center move. Their father, John, birthed this church, but it's his little brother who can't stop bringing them in.

But the prophet Jeremiah said
Jer 17:5
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Joel Osteen likes to end each service by extending an invitation for the audience to receive Jesus as Lord and savior. My question for him is saved from what? Why do I need a savior? You just spent 40 minutes telling me that God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life.

You never told me that I’ve sinned against a holy God. You never explained that I have fallen short of God’s righteousness. You never told me that the penalty for my sin is everlasting torment. You never said that I cannot get right with God by my own efforts. You didn’t tell me that Jesus paid the penalty for my sin on the cross. You didn’t explain that Jesus died, was buried and rose again for me. You didn’t tell me that my only hope in life is to trust in, rely on, and commit to his death, burial, and resurrection.

You only told me a part of the story. You only told me what I wanted to hear. You made me feel good about myself and secure in my sin. When I stand before the judgment seat of God will you be there to help me? Will you be there to explain that you only wanted to build me up?

I’m sure Joel Osteen is a likable guy. I do not doubt his sincerity. But sincerity and affability is no substitute for the truth. It’s not what Osteen says that’s a problem. It’s what he doesn’t say. And that’s going to be a very big problem for his congregation and for him if he doesn’t repent.

Gal 1:6-8
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

You may read the entire Houston Press article here >
Power House

A hard copy of the referenced website article is on file with apostasy watch

Steve Lumbley 2004 www.apostasywatch.com
This article may be reproduced and distributed free of charge as long as it remains in its original form.