$ Joel Osteen $

The "Smiling Preacher" pastors a mega church in Houston which packs in 16,000 people per service.  The church brings in $43 million in buckets and $30 million through the mail.  He recently received a $13 million advance on his latest book.  Here is an exerpt from his interview with Larry King in 2005:

KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all?

OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?

OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God with judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

I think safeguardyoursoul.com says it well:

Like Billy Graham, Joel Osteen continually refuses to tell America the truth when interviewed on shows like Larry King Live.  What did the Son of God say of such cowardice?

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38

Never in the history of this rebellious nation of people has their been a greater need for authentic men who fear God to stand up and tell people what the LORD requires of us (as individuals and as a people).

Christ makes it crystal clear here that “whosoever” is ashamed of Him and won’t speak His “words” before men, will be rejected on Judgment Day. The Almighty is not impressed with man’s temporary popularity, in fact He says it’s one evidence of the “false prophets.” (Lk. 6:26; 16:15)

 

“I don’t get deep and theological.” 
Joel Osteen, New York Times July 18, 2005

"In his blatant refusal to obey the divine command to “preach the word,” Joel Osteen is leading millions astray with his false gospel which couldn’t drown a flea in its spiritual depth (or rather lack thereof). In his preaching and in his statement here (to the New York Times) Joel announces for all to see that he is not interested in getting into the Word of the God he claims to serve, much less instilling God’s truth in the hearts of his audience. This means he is creating a god in his own depraved image and selling it to the gullible. The fact that so many people think Joel Osteen is a Christian leader and embrace his ministry underscores the biblical illiteracy and “itching ears” among those claiming to be God’s children (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Where did the LORD instruct us to learn of Him, obtain His truth, and grow to become mature believers, rooted and grounded in Him? Try John 5:39; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2 for starters."

Truth Evangelical Assistance Ministries compares Osteen's message against the Word of God:

Joel Osteen's Word & God's Word

1. “There’s so much negativity pulling people down that I think they respond when you say, ‘You know what: God’s not mad at you; he’s on your side, he’s got a good plan for your life, and when we obey what he wants us to do, we’re going to prosper."
   QUESTION: Is God mad at sinners?
   GOD’S WORD: “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.?(Nahum 1:3a)
   
2. “I’m not necessarily explaining deep, theological questions and doctrine and stuff like that."
   QUESTION: Should we teach doctrine?
   GOD’S WORD: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.?(1Timothy 4:16)
   
3. “People are used to [churches] condemning people to make them feel bad so that they’ll repent, so they’ll know that they’re sinners, but I think there’s a different approach"
   QUESTION: Is there a different approach besides repentance?
   GOD’S WORD: Jesus said “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.?(Luke 13: 5b)
   
   QUESTION: Is there a different approach other than sorrow?
   GOD’S WORD: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.?(2Corinthians 7:10)
   
   QUESTION: Is there a different approach other than the gospel message mentioned above?
   GOD’S WORD: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!? (Galatians 1:8)