In Defense of Joel Osteen

One of the most well-known and controversial ministers today is Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Pastor Joel oversees the largest congregation in the United States plus reaches millions through television, satellite radio, and has written several best-selling books. Some Christians criticize Osteen’s motivational messages because they think he needs to preach more about repentance. Others disapprove of Joel’s lack of theological training. Then again, some of the early apostles were considered “unlearned and ignorant men.” (Acts 4:13)

Eight years ago in Washington, DC, I attended one of Joel Osteen’s outreach events called “A Night of Hope.” Joel ministered that night on detoxifying our thought life. The service concluded with an invitation for salvation that was much longer than what Joel does on TV. That gave me a greater respect for him.

A Facebook friend once posted the above photo of Joel Osteen’s first book “Your Best Life Now” side-by-side with a parody featuring another minister named Paul Washer who preaches very confrontational sermons. Certainly, I agree heaven will be a better place for believers. However, it’s not a sin to enjoy life on earth as long as the kingdom of God is our top priority (Matthew 6:33).

I also agree there’s a place for “fire and brimstone” preaching (see Jude 23) but not everyone will respond to messages like that. Romans 2:4 says it’s the goodness of God that leads one to repentance. Non-believers need to hear about a God who can deliver them from their drug addictions, health issues, financial problems, and other bondages. I got saved 25 years ago not because someone told me I was a rotten sinner but that God loves me and wants me to have a fulfilling life on earth as well as eternal life in heaven.  

Here’s a challenge for all the critics who accuse Joel Osteen of being a false teacher: Take a minute to log onto Lakewood Church’s website and review the page “What We Believe.” I couldn’t find anything contrary to Scripture. Since my Facebook friend thinks Osteen’s messages lack biblical content, I exhorted him to do better himself. My friend responded by sharing a YouTube video in which Joel supposedly “denies Jesus.” Joel has stated that Jesus is the only way to God but there are many ways to get to Jesus.

One thing I would like to see is Joel Osteen demonstrate more boldness when challenged with questions by the secular media. Nevertheless, self-appointed watchdogs should stop bringing division within the Body of Christ and pray for Brother Joel. He is reaching multitudes that normally wouldn’t attend a church service. Just at Lakewood Church alone, Pastor Osteen ministers to over 40,000 people weekly. How many people do you reach for Christ each week?

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” - 1 Peter 2:15

Don't Jump to Conclusions

Many times before publishing a new article in my blog or newsletter, I’ll share it with a friend to get their feedback. I always want to be sure my writings are accurate and don’t mislead people. It annoys me when someone starts making suggestions before reading the whole thing. Often their concerns are addressed later in my article.

Ministers constantly face scrutiny like this. Religious watchdogs habitually take sound bites of well-known preachers they don't like and attempt to expose them. Sometimes it's made to appear these preachers said things they really didn’t mean. A recent example of this involved Victoria Osteen, who co-pastors Lakewood Church in Houston along with her husband Joel. A few of my Facebook friends posted a short video clip of Victoria making comments about worship that upset many Christians (some versions of this include an added "rebuke" by Bill Cosby)...

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Eventually, Victoria issued a response saying, "I did not mean to imply that we don't worship God."

1 Corinthians 13:7 in the Amplified Bible says, “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person.” While I don’t agree with everything said by the Osteens, I'm glad to see Victoria clarified her remarks. Regardless of whether a minister issues a retraction, heresy hunters should focus more on managing their own lives instead of trying to manage those who are doing something with their calling.

Someone once said, “In the absence of information, we jump to the worst conclusions.” Before we are quick to pass judgment on others, let’s take time to listen and give them the benefit of the doubt. 

“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” - Proverbs 18:13 

Speak Slowly and Softly

Two days ago while some friends and I briefly evangelized in a trailer park, the maintenance man approached us. He told us we were on private property (though there was no sign at the entrance indicating that) and needed permission from the manager to talk to the residents there. This man was friendly and thought the manager might give her approval if we asked. 

My friend Sue and I eventually approached the manager in her office. When “Mary” learned what we were doing, her demeanor suddenly changed. With an angry tone in her voice, Mary informed us 75% of her tenants were Buddhists and wanted to “respect their religion.” My immediate response was that Buddhists need to hear about Jesus also. While that is certainly true, my comment didn’t help the situation. The manager then revealed other Christians have witnessed on the property and supposedly told the Buddhists they were heathens and condemned to hell. Sue suggested I slip out the door while she tried reasoning with this manager but wasn’t successful with that. So we went evangelizing in other parts of town.

Later that evening at a church service I attended, the pastor taught on how we can diffuse arguments with people and talked about an incident involving his own ministry. Years ago his church purchased a nightclub with the intent of turning it into an outreach center. Some of the local residents were upset thinking it would cause problems in their neighborhood. During a town hall meeting, the pastor began his speech by apologizing for not checking with the local residents first. Soon the pastor and his church had favor with the community. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Of course, some people will get mad no matter what you do. However, the amount of persecution we receive for doing the Lord’s work can be minimized if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and avoid the temptation to quickly defend ourselves. There’s a reason why God gave us two ears and only one mouth.

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” - James 1:19

The Whole Truth

In a recent interview on HuffPost Live, host Josh Zepps read the following passage from Joel Osteen’s latest book “Break Out”: “It doesn't matter who likes you or doesn't like you, all that matters is that God likes you. He accepts you. He approves of you.” Zepps then asked Joel if that’s true for homosexuals. Joel replied,  “Absolutely…I believe every person is made in the image of God…and you got to accept them as they are on their journey. I’m not here preaching hate, pushing people down, or telling everybody what they’re doing wrong.”

2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Every minister may specialize in a particular topic such as finances, healing, or end-time prophecy. Still, we are responsible for preaching the whole truth of God’s word and bringing correction when the situation arises.

This past Tuesday night while street evangelizing with a friend, we got into a lengthy discussion with a young couple. Although both of them were believers, the man admitted to struggling with alcohol and nicotine addictions. I encouraged him to feed on God’s word and pray in the Spirit more. Soon it was revealed the two were cohabiting. The Lord instructed me to quote Hebrews 13:4 to them, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The woman said her pastor had already told them that. God confirms His word by the mouths of two or three witnesses.

My intent here is not to be critical or "touch God's anointed" but to bring up a genuine concern. James 3:1 says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Every preacher must boldly speak the truth in love even if it’s not popular. People’s eternal destinies are at stake!

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” - Acts 20:27