Joel Osteen

Joel and Victoria Osteen (http://blog.kir.com/archives/osteen.jpg)

Joel Osteen is more than a simple television preacher. His program reaches over seven million people weekly in the United States and millions more in over 100 different countries.

Joel Scott Hayley Osteen grew up in Houston, Texas with five siblings; Paul, Lisa, Tamara, and a younger sister named April. He also has a half-brother named Justin who is an active missionary out of New York. His parents are John and Dodie Osteen. John Osteen was a preacher and founded Lakewood Church on Mother’s Day of 1959. Joel took over in 1999, after the death of his father. Osteen married Victoria L. Iloff and have two children together, Jonathan and Alexandra.

Joel Osteen’s book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, was unleashed in October 2004. This book includes his Seven Principles that he used to achieve his “rags-to-riches” story. The principles are; enlarge your vision, develop a healthy self-image, discover the power of your thoughts and words, let go of the past, find strength through adversity, live to give, and finally, choose to be happy. Even though this book is written in a Christian view, the optimistic text interests anyone who is interested in personal growth, regardless of their denomination.

Osteen chooses to preach more about the greatness of God than about sin. In his sermons, Osteen does not include many Bible verses. He defends himself by saying that he sees himself as more of a life coach. Joel Osteen teaches Biblical principals in simple ways. He emphasizes that the power of love and positive thinking lead to a much better life.

Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas (http://media.timesleader.com/images/300*225/Osteen-1_03-22-2008_TA7IU2J.jpg)

Osteen has received much criticism after an appearance on a 2005 interview on Larry King Live. He was accused of never clearly confirming that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. He stated numerous times during the show that only God knows a person’s heart, and as a Christian, he believes in an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus. Later in 2006, Osteen appeared again to clarify his prior statement. This time he said that a personal relationship with God is the only way to Heaven. Osteen has had many positive comments directed his way as well. Barbra Walters called him “One of the Ten Most Fascinating People,” and Senator John McCain described him as “inspirational.” Joel was named “Most Influential Christian in America” in 2006 by The Church Report.

Joel Osteen (http://kennmakk.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/joel_osteen.jpg)

On December 23, 2007 during Fox News Sunday, Joel Osteen said "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." Many of his sermons were reprimanded for using the idea of the prosperity gospel, which is the belief that wealth and power are prizes for devout Christians. Although Osteen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in television production, he never studied theology or religion in college or attended a theological seminary. He is a world-wide icon for Ministry work.