I believe Joel Olsteen is a fraud.

I never heard of this fruit loop until I stumbled upon him on Larry King last night. I was planning on turning off the TV to go to sleep after having a little snack but when I heard what he was spewing, I couldn’t believe it.

I am no expert on Christianity, but I know the basic tenants, one being that Jesus was born the son of god and died so that our sins may be forgiven. Not once throughout the entire 45 minute was this mentioned, I don’t recall Jesus being mentioned whatsoever. There was no discussion of the gospel and the closest Mr. Olsteen got to scripture whatsoever was a couple passing mentions of Abraham wandering round with lots of money. So, no real New Testament scripture was discussed. This sort of threw a red flag. Why only discuss Abraham? It seemed if anything that Mr. Olsteen is a rabbi not a Christian preacher.

He has a mega church (six-flags over anything but Jesus type thing) in Texas with a congregation of tens of thousands. He fills an arena every week. These misguided sheep amaze me. Can these particular followers of Christ (as Christians tend to be) really believe that what he is preaching is Christianity?

Of topics discussed last night it seemed Mr. Olsteen was placed on Larry King’s show to convince the American brain dead public to do nothing, about anything. The current economic situation was explained by Olsteen as something one must not even concern them selves with. The whole thing will just work itself out; Christians need not bother concerning themselves with it as it’s not of concern. (Nothing to see here, please move along)

The red flag for me was instantaneously thrown as I could tell he was not going to mention the gospel throughout his interview. And when they directed questions to his wife, well, she’s not even worth discussing so I’ll skip that part.

So unlike Mr. Olsteen, Let me offer some versus:

John 10:11-18 (King James Version)
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Matthew 7:15:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.


Here's Olsteen dodging the gospel:



Once again!



I wouldn't have a problem with this guy if he'd change his job title to "self help seminar nit-wit". Claiming to be preaching Christianity to a national audience without mentioning the gospel, salvation through Jesus Christ, and just about every core christian belief is just a tad offensive.

Until next time,
G