Comments on: Joel Osteen Answers His Critics

Tells Byron Pitts "We're Not Perfect"

[mrssea77]

I was watching the interview with him yesterday evening. These other pastors that are criticizing his delivery of the word are WAY out of pocket. Joel does cite the word, HOWEVER, we are usually only subject to 30 minutes of him weekly. He has a large church, and we are not privy to the ins and outs that go on at Lakewood daily other than his 30 minute broadcast. And at the end he does in fact tell people to "Get into a good BIBLE BASED CHURCH"...he never says move to TX and join Lakewood, he never says you only need to watch me and study your bible you don''t need to join a church...so other than his 30 minute broadcast, I''d like to know where these critics get the basis for their argument...

[motherof38]

I am one of those people who listen to Joel Osteen, and I am encouraged by his sermons, he uses bibical principles and helps us to understand in simple ways how to apply these principles to our daily lives. I have read his book along with my daily devotional and I am able to learn more about my self and about how to build my faith in being faithful to God and living his principles daily in my life. We as Christians try to make salvation and our daily walk complicated and actually we don''t have to. As long as we walk with Jesus and lean on him we can simply walk thru all the trials. As human beings we want to do it ourselves but once we learn the principle of letting go & letting God take over our lives become more serene. This doesn''t mean we won''t have trials & tribulations or tests to get thru it means we can get thru them with God''s help and sometimes we don''t get the answers we want but get what''s best for us and in God''s timing. It has taken me 15yrs to get to this point but it''s been worth it every inch of the way. My faith has grown and I have seen family members brought to a relationship with God. We all need a relationship with God not a religious experience. It was the religious leaders that helped crucfied Jesus. They never had a relationship with him.

[dkeyes3]

Must have been a slow newsweek to become critics of a successful ministry that give people hope and great expectations during difficult times.

I am not familiar with the person who conducted this interview but necessary sceptism came off as condescending.

Also, I do not recall what the qualifications of the minister from Escondido, CA had other than a willingness to display professional jealousy.

Is 60 minutes ready to add religion (bashing) as a regaular part of its investigative journalism? As one of the last great television programs of my generation, I sincerely hope not.

I am disappointed, as your work is more important.

DK - Oregon

[jerr11]

Joel Osteen is my pastor.

He teaches a positive message.

He doesn''t beg for my money like the other televangelists like Robert Tilton, Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland.

He''s a decent man doing the best he can to help other people.

Go Joel go!

[genesis15-2009]

Is right that a preacher live a life of gilded houses, privates jets and wealth beyond most of his parishioners imagination?

Or would a real man of god, live a life of poverty using the donations given to him to better the world around him.

This man is an actor, a snake oil salesman. And the snake oil is the belief that god want you to be rich. The man is not a preacher of god, he sucks up gods life force from others so he may live lasciviously.

Give us all a break.


Posted by yongamerica

Give yourself a break yongamerica. Your misery is not his fault. He is only helping those people who are willing to be helped and leave alone those who have a cynical and judgemental view of him just because he is a minister. If you want to stay miserable that is your business. But don''t blame and get mad at him because of what other people are choosing to do, and that is getting help for the problems they face.

[yongamerica]

Is right that a preacher live a life of gilded houses, privates jets and wealth beyond most of his parishioners imagination?

Or would a real man of god, live a life of poverty using the donations given to him to better the world around him.

This man is an actor, a snake oil salesman. And the snake oil is the belief that god want you to be rich. The man is not a preacher of god, he sucks up gods life force from others so he may live lasciviously.

Give us all a break.

[truthislife1]

Very simple, God came to save sinners which includes me. I''ve been a Christian for over 30 years. It''s unfortunate so many of us Christians have so little dicernment. Those who say real Christians are hypocrites need to realize hypocrisy is a world problem not a church problem. Those who despise Christians because of their failures are not looking at their own, which includes doing their own homework, searching, and seeking after who God really is. The truth is there, and one has to become honest with God and broken before God. Romans Chapter 1

[rmbrown95]

David Beckham earn a quarter of a billion dollars for kicking a soccer ball around, while Joel Osteen makes a comfortable living as a preacher with a positive message. Other preachers like Billy Graham focus on getting saved. Osteen shows you what you can do with your life AFTER you get saved and become a Christian.

[jonflowe]

The reason why Joel Osteen doesn''t quote much Scripture is obvious. He''s afraid the Bible will be used against him:
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." --Matt. 19:23
"My kingdom is not of this world." --John 18:36
"If any man wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." --Mark 8:34
And Osteen DOES ask for money, all the time. The 800 number is displayed on the TV screen, along with advertisements for his books, and tickets to his performances. He''s part of TBN, which also airs
others under investigation for misappropriation of funds. --JustSayNoWay.com

[jonflowe]

The reason why Joel Osteen doesn''t quote much Scripture is obvious. He''s afraid the Bible will be used against him:
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." --Matt. 19:23
"My kingdom is not of this world." --John 18:36
"If any man wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." --Mark 8:34
And Osteen DOES ask for money, all the time. The 800 number is displayed on the TV screen, along with advertisements for his books, and tickets to his performances. He''s part of TBN, which also airs
others under investigation for misappropriation of funds. --JustSayNoWay.com

[longtree-2009]

Simple really. Life is about choices so one does not have to watch Olsteen, nor buy his books, nor contribute to his organization. If you are a Christian, you can take the time to read the Bible over and over or you can seek out organizations, like Olsteen''s, that help you on your personal path to enlightenment. Or, you can just groan/moan, criticize destructively, sit on the sidelines and do nothing. Your call, your choice. Life really is about choices.

[ibelieve1959]

I am sick of people who call themselves Christians and yet judge and persecute someone because they have been given a gift from God. When a person becomes a newborn Christian, we create a covenant with God. A covenant is a vow, a promise, favors. These promises can be in the form of money, mending a broken marriage, getting a loved one off drugs and alcohol, etc. In my case God came into my life and took away a deep depression, worry, fear anxiety. Pastor Osteen ministers hope. He takes a verse out of the Bible and builds a message around it. The way he ministers brings hope, which is a Bible truth. Another truth is judging someone, and only God can to that.

I get tired of the media thinking that TV evangelists are only out for money. Who said a Christian can''t be wealthy? There is no place in the Bible that says Christians are suppose to be poor. For those of you who call yourself Christians, why don''t you watch Joyce Meyer and Creflo Dollar. Stop placing so much judgment on people of Christ. If you don''t like they way someone ministers, turn it off. No one asked you to watch or buy their book.

[djpusa]

It looks like reubenshow is the snake trying to sell his book.

[djpusa]

From looking at reubenshows web site he looks to me as the snake in pulpit.

[kyla1129]

Search the world and find a new Ed

[kyla1129]

The only thing I need to hear on Sunday from my Pastor is how to live my life as a Christian. Osteen makes me feel I have a chance because of my God. Byron Pitts matched Horton with Osteen. Horton is an educated, narrow minded, reformist who has blatantly slandered the Roman Catholic Church, all Evangelicals, all Pentecostal and Billy Graham. Horton preaches fire, hell & brim- stone to his congestion of 96 people. Horton is a teacher/preacher/radio show host, begging for money/donation to support his ambitions. Next time 60 Minutes do more homework, and don%u2019t make me cry.

[hermitdave]

WOW--this guy can cry on cue better than Jimmy Swaggert.
Move over Benny Hinn if this guy gets a white suit, you are history. It all proves just how bone dumb humans can be to send these crooks money. P.T. Barnum was so right, there is one born every min..

[tulsasal]

My main "issue" with Joel Osteen is not that he isn''t teaching a "good" message, its that, he''s preaching to the American ear. He''s saying what we, money hungry, obese, wealthy Americans want to hear. Not what we NEED to hear, which is the truth.

Christ said to Pilate: I came to Testify to the Truth. So, what is TRUTH? Its the opposite of a lie. What is a lie? Anything that the world / satan puts in our minds that opposes the holy word or truth of God.

Do I think Mr. Osteen is a liar? No. But, I think he "chooses" not to preach the fullness of God. The fullness of the Gospel which is: To bless God and in all things, seek to bring him Glory. Money hungry people that try to better themselves for a "better life" is not biblical. If you''re a Christian...you''re an outcast. PERIOD.

What about the person on the other side of the world that claims Christ and is killed or rejected by their family? THAT is not a message that Joel Osteen touches with a 10 foot pole.

[tulsasal]

My main "issue" with Joel Osteen is not that he isn''t teaching a "good" message, its that, he''s preaching to the American ear. He''s saying what we, money hungry, obese, wealthy Americans want to hear. Not what we NEED to hear, which is the truth.

Christ said to Pilate: I came to Testify to the Truth. So, what is TRUTH? Its the opposite of a lie. What is a lie? Anything that the world / satan puts in our minds that opposes the holy word or truth of God.

Do I think Mr. Osteen is a liar? No. But, I think he "chooses" not to preach the fullness of God. The fullness of the Gospel which is: To bless God and in all things, seek to bring him Glory. Money hungry people that try to better themselves for a "better life" is not biblical. If you''re a Christian...you''re an outcast. PERIOD.

What about the person on the other side of the world that claims Christ and is killed or rejected by their family? THAT is not a message that Joel Osteen touches with a 10 foot pole.

[cobberreno42]

I''m a little ashamed. The christian parishioners are putting someone down who brings hope! Why? One parishioner spoke that Mr. Osteen is not interpreting the Bible correctly. Well sir, did God fax, call or email you and let you know how his word is to be given to the masses? And why does there need to be so much fire and brimstone. After attending 13 years of Catholic school, (K-12) I truly understand, everyone should be affraid. The dogma is down right frightning. We were taught that God is merciful, forgiving, and all knowing. And your going to hell if you think for yourself. That is why we were called sheep. Are you so affraid that your congregation will be able to make choices for themselves? Keep attempting to scare your congregation, oh and don''t forget to put that offering plate out, so that all those buying their way into heaven aren''t dissapointed. For those who want the spiritual feeling, something that is personal to your well being, then listen to Mr. Osteen. Do not judge lest thow be judge.