In today’s world, Joel Osteen has become a topic of constant interest and debate. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance or its influence in different areas, Joel Osteen has captured the attention of academics, specialists and the general public. Over the years, the study and analysis of Joel Osteen has been deepened, seeking to understand its causes, consequences and possible solutions. This article seeks to offer a general and complete overview of Joel Osteen, addressing its different aspects from an objective and analytical perspective. From its origin to its implication today, the different facets of Joel Osteen will be explored, in order to provide the reader with a deeper and more precise understanding of this topic of universal relevance.
American televangelist, businessman, and author (born 1963)
| Joel Osteen | |
|---|---|
| Osteen preaching at Lakewood Church in July 2016 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Joel Scott Osteen (1963-03-05) March 5, 1963 (age 62)[1] Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Spouse | Victoria Iloff (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | John Osteen (father) Dolores Pilgrim Osteen (mother)[2] |
| Alma mater | Oral Roberts University |
| Relatives | Paul Osteen (brother) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Non-denominational Christianity, Charismatic Christianity, Word of Faith |
| Church | Lakewood Church |
| School | Humble High School |
| Senior posting | |
| Post | Senior pastor (1999–present) |
| Website | Official website  |
Joel Scott Osteen (born March 5, 1963) is an American pastor, televangelist, businessman, and author based in Houston, Texas, United States. Known for his weekly televised services and several best-selling books, Osteen is one of the more prominent figures associated with prosperity theology and the Word of Faith movement.[3][4][5]
Biography
Osteen was born in Houston, and is one of six children of John Osteen and Dolores («Dodie») Pilgrim. His father, a former Southern Baptist pastor, founded Lakewood Church (of which Osteen is the current senior pastor) in the back of an old feed store.[6]
He graduated from Humble High School, a public high school in the city of Humble, Texas, in 1981,[7] and attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he studied radio and television communications but did not graduate.[8][9][10]
Career
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In 1982, Osteen returned to Houston after leaving Oral Roberts University.[8][11] He founded Lakewood’s television program, later becoming ordained through his father’s church in 1983.[12] Osteen produced his father’s televised sermons for 17 years until January 1999, when his father died of a heart attack.[8][11] He would preach his first sermon on January 17, 1999. By October 3, he was the new senior pastor of Lakewood Church.[12]
In 2003, Lakewood Church acquired the Compaq Center, former home of the NBA Houston Rockets and the AHL Houston Aeros and subsequently renovated it.[13][14]
Preaching style
Osteen memorizes his planned remarks before he delivers them, and listens back to previous ones on tape.[15] His sermons have been criticized as self-serving and revealing a poor command of Scripture.[16][17][18][19] Osteen says he chooses to focus more on the goodness of God and on living an obedient life rather than on sin,[20] and that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.[21] When asked why he does not focus more on sin, the devil, and hell in detail, Osteen stated in an interview with CBN News:
When I grew up, the devil was a reason why I had a headache or the devil was the reason I got mad today. We always blamed the devil. I think today when I say the enemy, I like to make it broader. Sometimes the enemy can be our own thoughts. We’ve trained ourselves the wrong way. Or the enemy can be our own lack of discipline. Some people preach about hell like you’re already going there, and to me the Gospel means «Good News.» I’d rather say God is a God of mercy. So I think the people already know what they’re doing wrong, and I certainly believe in hell. But to me, when I see thousands of people before me, it just doesn’t come out of me to say, «You guys are terrible, and you’re going to hell.» I’d rather say that God is a God of mercy. You’ve got to live an obedient life, but for every mistake you’ve made, there’s mercy there, and I believe we can do better.[11]
Events
Since 2004, Osteen, along with his wife, have hosted Night of Hope events, as well as their annual stadium event called «America’s Night of Hope», in the U.S. and around the world.[22][23][24] The event incorporates contemporary Christian music and inspirational messages to reach the masses at the venue and others watching online.[25] Osteen also hosted an event at his Lakewood Church in 2018, in collaboration with rapper Kanye West, called Sunday Service. According to media reports, the event was attended by 17,000 as well as joined by many people streaming online.[26] He also held his Easter service during COVID-19 with Mariah Carey and Tyler Perry.[27]
Shooting
Main article: Lakewood Church shooting
On February 11, 2024, a woman with a history of mental health issues, Genesse Ivonne Moreno, accompanied by her 7-year-old son, entered the church between services and began firing an AR-15 rifle. Two off-duty police officers working security returned fire and killed her. Her son was critically injured with a gunshot to the head by the police officers during the exchange of gunfire. Another man who was present was wounded in the hip, treated at a local hospital and released.[28][29]
Personal life
On April 4, 1987, Osteen married Victoria Osteen (née Iloff), who later would become co-pastor of Lakewood Church.[30] They have two children.[31] In 2002, some of his siblings, including Paul, were also involved in full-time ministry.[12]
Osteen lives with his family in a 17,000 square-foot mansion in River Oaks, with an estimated value of $10.5 million.[32] Osteen says that as senior pastor, he draws no salary from the church, which has an annual budget of $70 million;[33] instead, he relies on income from book sales.[34]
Political and social views
Osteen has generally avoided discussing or preaching about controversial issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and politics.[35][36] Having gone on record saying homosexuality is «not God’s best»,[37] he has stated he believes the church has a tendency to become overly focused on single issues (such as homosexuality) to the point of neglecting others.[35][38] When asked if he thought God approves of homosexuality, Osteen said homosexuality is a sin according to his interpretation of Scripture, but said gay people are welcome in his church without judgment.[39][40][38][41]
In an interview on Fox News in 2008 during the Republican Party presidential primary race, when discussing whether he thought that Mormons were Christians, Osteen indicated that he believed that they were. He further revealed that he had not studied the religion.[42] In an interview in 2011, Osteen stated his support for Israel.[43]
Controversies
Prosperity gospel
Osteen’s sermons and writings are sometimes criticized for promoting prosperity theology, or the prosperity gospel, a belief that the reward of material gain is the will of God for all pious Christians.[36][42][44][3] Critics of prosperity gospel consider its teachings anathema to the gospel of Mark:[45]
