Joel Osteen

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joel Osteen, 2016

Joel Osteen (born March 5, 1963 ) is an American entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author and pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston , Texas . Every week more than 50,000 people follow his sermons live on site as well as another 10 million people worldwide via his TV programs, which are broadcast in Germany a. a. broadcast by God TV and CNBC Europe .

Live and act

Joel Osteen is a son of the pastor and founder of Lakewood Church, John Osteen . He studied theology for a semester, produced television programs and is the author of several books that have been translated into seven different languages. He conducts some of his events together with Joyce Meyer . He is married to Victoria Osteen and they have two children. His wife and two of his siblings, Paul Osteen and Lisa Comes, also work at Lakewood Church. Since he took over the management of this megachurch in 1999 after the unexpected death of his father , the number of visitors has increased several times from 6,000 to 50,000 per week in 2019. Since 2005 he has lived on the income from his books, which are selling well. His book Your best life now: 7 Steps to living at your full potential was on the New York Times bestseller list for over 200 weeks .

theology

Joel Osteen wants to give people hope by inviting them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ . The gospel should be preached to unreached people in a variety of ways, the needy and hungry of the world should be given practical help, the sick should be healed holistically and the disappointed should be encouraged by positive promises. His sermons are conceptually clear and simple. With practical examples and concrete steps, he wants to trigger changes for the better in his listeners and viewers and offer help in life.

criticism

Joel Osteen is seen by many as a representative of an unbiblical gospel of prosperity : It is God's will that people succeed in all areas of their lives. Conservative Bible teacher and pastor John F. MacArthur believed in 2010 that he was twisting the gospel into its opposite, and for that reason was one of his harshest critics. Osteen is also mentioned as a follower of the Word of Faith Movement .

Joel Osteen also came under fire in the wake of the storm surge caused by Hurricane Harvey 2017 . He and his church were accused on social media of failing to open Lakewood Church to flood victims. On August 27, 2017, Osteen explained on Facebook that the Lakewood Church was not accessible due to the flood. Other social media users then posted photos and videos showing Lakewood Church and the unspoiled parking lot in front of it. As a result, the church announced on August 29, 2017 that it was now accepting those seeking help. The reason given for the delay was citing concerns that the church might have been flooded. The next day, Osteen himself stated that the church had initially not made any capacity available because the city of Houston had not asked them to be available as emergency accommodation . A wrong impression was created on social media.

Books (selection)

  • Your best life now: 7 steps to living at your full potential
    • Good Morning! The best way to start the day. 365 devotions . Translation by Maria Merckel-Braun. GerthMedien, Asslar 2010, ISBN 978-3-86591555-9 .
  • Joel Osteen: Live Now! Start Your Best Life Today . Gerth Medien, 2007, ISBN 978-3-86591-154-4 .
  • Joel Osteen: There is more to you: Let God reach your full potential . Gerth Medien, 2009, ISBN 978-3-86591-372-2 .

Web links

Commons : Joel Osteen  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Sonja Gillert: Hallelujah - The Jesus show in the basketball arena. Die Welt, September 29, 2017
  2. ^ Marie-Astrid Langer: Jesus Christ, America's superstar. With pop music and video installations, “Megachurches” attract tens of thousands of believers . NZZ, Zurich July 27, 2019, p. 5.
  3. ^ Joel Osteen: Our Ministries
  4. ^ Stefan Wagner: Enterprise God. Focus, October 16, 2006
  5. ↑ John MacArthur, Gospel of Prosperity is "the worst kind of blasphemy." May 23, 2010
  6. ↑ BloombergBusinnessweek, May 22, 2005
  7. ^ Time Magazine, Sep 10. 2006
  8. ↑ Theopedia: An Encyclopedia of Christianity
  9. ↑ Slate Magazine, Jan. 2, 2008
  10. ↑ a b Tara Fowler: Joel Osteen faces criticism on social media for closing Houston megachurch's doors amid Harvey. ABC News of August 28, 2017.
  11. ↑ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-joel-osteen-megachurch-harvey-victims-20170830-story.html
  12. ↑ Kalhan Rosenblatt: Joel Osteen Says Social Media Created False Narrative 'About Lakewood Church. NBCnews .com dated August 30, 2017.
personal data
SURNAME Osteen, Joel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American entrepreneur and motivational speaker, author and senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas
DATE OF BIRTH March 5, 1963