Joel Osteen

.

Biography

Born in Houston, Texas, Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff on April 4, 1987. [ [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/tx/harris/vitals/marriages/1987/harrm87u.txt Rootsweb.com] Vital Records - Harris County, TX - Marriage 1987] They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Joel, son of John and Dodie Osteen, is one of six children. His elder siblings, Paul, Lisa, Tamara and his younger sister April, are also involved in full-time ministry. [Osteen, Dodie. "Choosing Life: One Day At A Time." New York: Free Press, 2001] Joel's half-brother Justin, does missionary work out of New YorkMathieu, Jennifer. [http://www.houstonpress.com/2002-04-04/news/power-house/ Power House. HoustonPress News.] 4 April 2002] . Joel's father, John Osteen, a former Southern Baptist pastor who became Charismatic in the late 1950s, founded Lakewood Church on Mother's Day, 1959. [http://www.christnotes.org/_joel-osteen.asp Christ Notes, "Joel Osteen Books and Ministry"] ] Osteen's father developed Lakewood into a body of approximately 6,000 members with an active television ministry, crusades, conferences, missionary support and food distribution. He died of a heart attack in 1999.After 17 years with his father, producing the church's television program, Joel succeeded his father on October 3, 1999 as pastor of Lakewood Church. Joel had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death. Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Joel Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world. [ [http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_aboutus Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen Ministries. About Pastors Joel & Victoria] ] Joel Osteen's first book, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential", was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters. [Kwon, Lillian. [http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061211/24002_Joel_Osteen_Dubbed_'Most_Fascinating'.htm ChristianPost.com. Joel Osteen Dubbed 'Most Fascinating'.] 11 December 2006.] Presidential candidate John McCain has described Osteen as "inspirational". ^{[http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/21129038/full_metal_mccain/print]}

Currently, Osteen and several Lakewood Church team members travel across the nation, presenting programs in large stadiums. The event titled "A Night of Hope," includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a testimony by Joel's mother Dodie and a sermon from Pastor Osteen. In 2007, the tour expanded to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel. [ [http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_events Joel Osteen Ministries Events] ] . Osteen released his second book, entitled "Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day" in October 2007, which has also topped the New York Times Best Sellers List. [ [http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=3&pid=537606 SimonSays.com] ] 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. [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/22/lkl.01.html CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Joel and Victoria Osteen.] 11 December 2006.]

Osteen's popularity led to him being featured as one of ABC News' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006", [cite web
url=http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2716887
title=The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006
publisher=ABC
work=20/20
date=2006-12-12] and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by "The Church Report". [cite web
url=http://www.thechurchreport.com/mag_article.php?mid=875&mname=January
work=The Church Report. Jan 07
title=The 50 Most Influential Christians in America
month=January
year=2007
publisher=Christy Media, LLC.]

His second book, "Become a Better You", was released in October 2007 with a first printing of three million copies. [Garrett, Lynn. [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6433682.html?nid=2286 New Osteen Book at Three Million. Publisher's Weekly. 13 April 2007.] ]

Preaching style

Osteen says that he chooses to focus on the goodness of God rather than sin. [ [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,110240,00.html Fox News on Osteen] ] In answer to questions raised over why he does not include many Bible verses in his books, he says that he sees himself as more of a life coach. Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude. [ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/11/60minutes/main3358652.shtml CBSNews.com: Joel Osteen Answers His Critics.] 14 October 2007.]

Criticism and controversy

Osteen has received much criticism from many in the Evangelical community. [http://shanebertou.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/driscoll-takes-on-osteen/] After a 2005 appearance on "Larry King Live", he was accused of not clearly affirming that Jesus Christ is the only way a person can reach Heaven. He stated repeatedly that only God knows a person's heart, but that as a believer in the Christian faith he believes in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. In late 2006, Osteen again appeared on "Larry King Live" and clarified his prior statement, saying he does in fact believe a personal relationship with Christ is the only way to Heaven.

On the December 23, 2007 edition of "Fox News Sunday", host Chris Wallace brought up criticisms of Osteen's lack of Scripture reference in his sermons, as well as his hesitancy to discuss sin as an integral part of life. Osteen responded: "And I am ultimately trying to do that, but I'm trying to teach people how to live their everyday lives, and so I do focus on it, probably not as much as some people would like." [cite web
url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318054,00.html
date=2007-12-23
accessdate=2008-01-06
title=Transcript: Pastor Joel Osteen on 'FNS'
publisher=FOX News] His sermons and writings are sometimes reproached for their use of the concept of the prosperity gospel, a belief that wealth and power are rewards for pious Christians. [cite web
url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_21/b3934014_mz001.htm
title=Meet the Prosperity Preacher
date=2005-05-23
work=BusinessWeek
accessdate=2008-06-21]

Osteen has also received criticism for his lack of formal theological training. Osteen has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in television production but did not study theology or religion in college, and has never attended a theological seminary. [cite web
url=http://www.discernment.org/LeavenLakewood.htm
accessdate=2008-01-06
title=The Leaven of Lakewood
author=Liichow, Robert S.]

Osteen's wife was fined $3,000 by the Federal Aviation Administration for "interfering with a crew member" in which the FAA report said, "Osteen grabbed a second flight attendant and took her to the seat, the report said." [cite web
url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iXkVhrMW1rJYbG2aAm64zEUoI-RwD92D1GBO5
date=August 6, 2008
accessdate=2008-01-06
title=Jury seated in lawsuit against Osteen's wife
publisher=Associated Press] The flight attendant filed suit against the Osteens asking for punitive damages, including a percentage of the Osteens' income. [cite web
url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iXkVhrMW1rJYbG2aAm64zEUoI-RwD92D1GBO5
date=August 6, 2008
accessdate=2008-01-06
title=Jury seated in lawsuit against Osteen's wife
publisher=Associated Press] However, on August 14, 2008 a Houston Jury found that Victoria Osteen did not assault the flight attendant. [cite web
url=http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=119823&catid=40
date=August 14, 2008
accessdate=2008-08-14
title=Jury: Osteen Did Not Assault Flight Attendant
publisher=Associated Press]

ee also

* Charismatic movement
* Christianity
* Faith Healing
* Pentecostalism
* Prosperity theology
* Word Faith

References

External links

* [http://www.joelosteen.com Official Joel Osteen Ministries]
* [http://www.lakewood.cc Official Lakewood Church]
* [http://lightsource.com/ministry/joel_osteen_ministries/ Joel Osteen Broadcast]