Joel Osteen

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Joel Osteen
Osteen at Lakewood Church, December 8, 2007
Personal
Born
Joel Scott Osteen

(1963-03-05) March 5, 1963 (age 61)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
ReligionEvangelical Christianity
Spouse
​
(m. 1987)​
ChildrenJonathan, Alexandra
Parent(s)John Osteen (father)
Dolores Pilgrim Osteen (mother)[1]
Organization
ChurchLakewood Church
Websitewww.JoelOsteen.com

Joel Scott Osteen (born March 5, 1963)[2] is an American preacher, televangelist, author, and the Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church, the largest church in the United States, in Houston, Texas. His ministry is seen by over 7 million broadcast media viewers weekly in over 100 nations around the world.[3][4][5] Osteen has written five New York Times Bestselling books.[5]

Early life and family

Born in Houston, Texas on March 5, 1963, Osteen is one of five children of John Osteen and Dolores ("Dodie") Pilgrim. His father, a former Southern Baptist pastor, founded Lakewood Church. Osteen attended Oral Roberts University but did not graduate, and did not receive a degree from a divinity school.[6]

Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff on April 4, 1987.[7] They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. His older siblings, Paul, Lisa, and Tamara, and his younger sister, April, are also involved in full-time ministry.[8] His half-brother Justin does missionary work out of New York.[9]

Career

After 17 years producing the church's television program, Osteen succeeded his father on October 3, 1999, as pastor of Lakewood Church. He had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death.[9] Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Joel Osteen, are seen in about 100 nations around the world.[10] Joel Osteen's first book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was released in October 2004, and reached the number 1 position on The New York Times Best Seller list. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters.[11] and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by The Church Report.[12][13] Senator John McCain has described Osteen as "inspirational".[14]

Currently, Osteen and several Lakewood Church personnel travel across the nation, presenting programs in large arenas. The event, titled "A Night of Hope", includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a sermon from Osteen and a testimony by his mother, Dodie. In 2007, the tour expanded to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel.[15] Osteen released his second book, titled Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day in October 2007, which also topped the The New York Times Best Seller list with a first printing of four million copies.[16][17] Osteen told Larry King the new book will focus more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," he added.[18]

File:Joel Osteen at book signing in Nashville, May 2007.jpg
Osteen at a Nashville book signing, 18 May 2007

Preaching style

Osteen says that he chooses to focus on the goodness of God rather than sin.[19] Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.[20] In an appearance on Piers Morgan Tonight in January 2011, Osteen mentioned he didn't attend seminary and began preaching as a new experience.[21]

In an interview with The Christian Post on April 21, 2013, Joel Osteen expressed his sentiments on being perceived as being part of the prosperity gospel. "I get grouped into the prosperity gospel and I never think it's fair, but it's just what it is. I think prosperity, and I've said it 1,000 times, it's being healthy, it's having great children, it's having peace of mind. Money is part of it; and yes, I believe God wants us to excel...to be blessed so we can be a bigger blessing to others. I feel very rewarded. I wrote a book and sold millions of copies; and Victoria and I were able to help more people than we ever dreamed of. But when I hear the term prosperity gospel, I think people are sometimes saying, "well, he's just asking for money."[22]

When asked why he doesn't discuss sin, the Devil and Hell in detail during an interview with CBN News, Osteen stated, "When I grew up, the Devil was a reason why I had a headache or the Devil was the reason I got mad today. We always blamed the Devil. I think today when I say the Enemy, I like to make it broader. Sometimes the Enemy can be our own thoughts. We’ve trained ourselves the wrong way. Or the Enemy can be our own lack of discipline. Some people preach about Hell like you're already going there, and to me the Gospel means 'Good News.' I'd rather say God is a God of mercy. So I think the people already know what they’re doing wrong, and I certainly believe in Hell. But to me, when I see thousands of people before me, it just doesn’t come out of me to say, 'You guys are terrible, and you’re going to Hell.' I’d rather say that God is a God of mercy. You’ve got to live an obedient life, but for every mistake you’ve made, there’s mercy there, and I believe we can do better".[23]

Osteen's sermon preparation involves memorizing his remarks and listening to himself on tape. He has said he avoids making eye contact with individuals when at the pulpit to avoid getting distracted.[22]

Personal life

He has been married to Lakewood Church co-pastor Victoria Iloff since 4 April 1987. They have a son, Jonathan, and a daughter, Alexandra.[24] His older siblings, Paul, Lisa, and Tamara, and his younger sister, April, are also involved in full-time ministry.[25] His half-brother Justin does missionary work out of New York.[9]

Political and social views

Osteen said that he is opposed to same-sex marriage in an interview with Fox News and other outlets.[26][27] In an interview with CNN, he further said that he believes "that scripture shows that it [homophily activity] is a sin".[28][29] When asked about homosexuality, Osteen has said that gay people should be accepted, and that nobody's perfect, but his interpretation of the gospel is that being gay is a sin.[30]

In an interview on Fox News in 2008 during the U.S. Presidential primary race, when discussing whether he thought that Mormons were Christians, Osteen indicated that he believed that they were. He further noted that he had not studied the religion. [31]

Criticism

Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes criticized for promoting prosperity theology, or the prosperity gospel, a belief that material success is a reward for pious Christians.[32] On October 14, 2007, 60 Minutes ran a twelve-minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics", during which Reformed theologian Michael Horton told CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts that Osteen's method of teaching is heresy. Horton stated that the problem with Osteen's message is that it makes religion about us instead of about God.[33]

Osteen has responded by stating that he has specifically avoided preaching about money, because of the reputation of televangelists.[23]

Internet hoaxes

Joel Osteen has been the target of several internet hoaxes.[34] One hoax that circulated in April of 2013 was a website that declared that Osteen had resigned from his position as pastor of Lakewood and that he had "rejected Christ" and begun to doubt his faith. The hoax website was supported by a YouTube video and other social media which has since been taken down.[35][36] A Lakewood Church spokesperson sent out a Twitter message assuring followers the pastor had not resigned.[37] The story was widely covered and debunked by newspapers, websites, and television news programs.[38][39][40]

Bibliography

  • Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential (2007)[41]
  • Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every Day of the Year (2008)[41]
  • Good, Better, Blessed: Living with Purpose, Power and Passion (2008)[41]
  • Hope for Today Bible (2009)[41]
  • Living in Favor, Abundance and Joy (2010)[41]
  • Become a Better You (Miniature Edition): 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day (2010)[41]
  • Every Day a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week (2012)[41]
  • It's Your Time : Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Increase in God's Favor (2012)[41]
  • I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life (2013)[41]
  • Break Out!: 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life (2013)[41]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Obituary: Pastor John H. Osteen". Houston Chronicle. 1999-01-26. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
  2. ^ "Joel Birthday-1963-March-05". Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
  3. ^ "Joel Osteen's still the name leaders know". The Washington Times. 2008-09-05.
  4. ^ "About Joel". Joelosteen.com. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Joel Osteen: By the numbers and other interesting facts". Pennlive.com. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  6. ^ Popular positive pastor Joel Osteen brings 'Night of Hope' to Utah, by Matthew Brown, Deseret News, October 2, 2013
  7. ^ Rootsweb.com Vital Records – Harris County, TX – Marriage 1987
  8. ^ Osteen, Dodie. "Choosing Life: One Day At A Time." New York: Free Press, 2001
  9. ^ a b c Mathieu, Jennifer. Power House. HoustonPress News. 4 April 2002
  10. ^ Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen Ministries. About Pastors Joel & Victoria
  11. ^ "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006". 20/20. ABC. 2006-12-12.
  12. ^ "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America". The Church Report. Jan 07. Christy Media, LLC. 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Kwon, Lillian. ChristianPost.com. Joel Osteen Dubbed 'Most Fascinating'. 11 December 2006.
  14. ^ [1][dead link]
  15. ^ Joel Osteen Ministries Events
  16. ^ SimonSays.com
  17. ^ New Osteen Book at Three Million. Publisher's Weekly. 13 April 2007.
  18. ^ CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Joel and Victoria Osteen. 11 December 2006. [dead link]
  19. ^ Fox News on Osteen
  20. ^ CBSNews.com: Joel Osteen Answers His Critics. 14 October 2007.
  21. ^ Joel Osteen (January 24, 2011). Piers Morgan: Joel Osteen: Homosexuality is 'a sin'. CNN. Turner Broadcasting. Event occurs at 1:11. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  22. ^ a b "Joel Osteen: By the numbers and other interesting facts". Christianpost.com. 25 April 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Joel Osteen: The Man Behind America's Largest Church". CBN.com. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  24. ^ Rootsweb.com Vital Records – Harris County, TX – Marriage 1987
  25. ^ Osteen, Dodie. "Choosing Life: One Day At A Time." New York: Free Press, 2001
  26. ^ Joel Osteen: Being Gay Is A Sin, But I Don't Dislike Gay People retrieved 11 May 2011
  27. ^ Tapper, Jake (March 29, 2013). "Televangelist Joel Osteen on the power of Twitter, and same-sex marriage". CNN.
  28. ^ Piers Morgan (January 24, 2011). "CNN.com Video". CNN.
  29. ^ Tenety, Elizabeth (January 28, 2011). "Joel Osteen: 'Homosexuality is a sin'". Washington Post. p. B2.
  30. ^ "Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS'". WND. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  31. ^ "Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS'". FOX News. 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  32. ^ "Meet the Prosperity Preacher". BusinessWeek. 2005-05-23. Retrieved 2008-06-21.
  33. ^ "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics". CBS News 60 Minutes. 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
  34. ^ "Pastor Joel Osteen Is The Target Of A Complex Online Hoax". National Public Radio. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  35. ^ "Famed mega church pastor is NOT giving up Christianity after hoax website said he had lost his faith". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  36. ^ "Joel Osteen Hoax: Man Allegedly Behind Ploy To Discredit Leader Wants Televangelist To Change His Message". TheHuffingtonPost.com.
  37. ^ "IS JOEL OSTEEN REALLY LEAVING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, LAMBASTING THE BIBLE AND LAUNCHING HIS OWN RELIGION?". The Blaze. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  38. ^ "Joel Osteen target of elaborate Internet hoax". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  39. ^ "Joel Osteen Turns the Other Cheek on Internet Hoax". ABC News. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  40. ^ "The Man Behind The Joel Osteen Hoax". ABC News.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Joel Osteen". Amazon. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

External links

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