Joel Osteen reveals the key to becoming a 'better You'
Popular US televangelist Joel Osteen, whose smile is known to millions worldwide, is releasing his next greatly anticipated book - Become a Better You.
by Lillian Kwon, Christian Today Correspondent
Posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 10:01 (BST)
Popular US televangelist Joel Osteen, whose smile is known to millions worldwide, is releasing his next greatly anticipated book -
Become a Better You.
Following the huge success of his first published work, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at your Full Potential, the bestselling author has published 3 million copies of his latest work - the highest first printing for a hardcover book in history of publishing house Simon & Schuster.
"I don't go in and give you a hundred scriptures in each chapter," said Osteen, answering critics about his book being another self-help book.
"[B]ut it's the principles of God's words," he added, according to Houston's ABC 13.
Like Osteen's first book, Become a Better You is mainly taken from the megachurch pastor's weekly sermons which are positive messages without the traditional teachings of suffering or what critics call the prosperity gospel. Osteen believes his newest work is better than his first, which sold about 5 million copies.
Osteen pastors America's largest church, Lakewood Church in Houston, with some 47,000 worshippers every weekend. He told "60 Minutes" correspondent Byron Pitts on Sunday that he talks to congregants and audiences worldwide "on the people's level," not necessarily dumbing down messages but telling people simply how to improve their lives.
"I can get up here and try to impress you with Greek words and doctrine and there are people that need that, they want to study deeper," he recently said on the CBS program. "But I know what I'm called to do is say 'I want to help you learn how to forgive today.' 'I want to help you to have the right thoughts today.' Just simple things."
Those messages have received an overwhelming response with 10 million television viewers tuning in to Lakewood's Sunday services and his books now available in 25 languages. His latest book is already available in Spanish, Korean, Indonesian and other languages.
And Osteen says it rewarding to see people's lives changed.
"You know, you get people that want to criticise, 'You're not doing enough of this, enough of that.' Well, we're not perfect," he said.
"But to have, you know, hundreds of people telling you 'You changed my life. I haven't been in church in 30 years,' or 'You saved my marriage' - Not me, but God; but they're telling me - you just feel very rewarded. You feel very humbled," said Osteen as he was overtaken with emotion and paused to weep.
Become a Better You features "7 keys to improving your life every day." Although his first book presented steps to living "Your Best Life Now," he said, "it is important that you do not become stagnant."
"God always wants to increase us, to do more in and through us. He always wants to take us deeper into self-discovery and then wants to raise us to a higher level of living," he writes in his newest book.
Lakewood Church was ranked the largest church in the US by American publication Outreach magazine in its 2007 issue.
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Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 3:05 (BST)
joel is a wonderful person, pastor, and truely a man of GOD almighty, i might be 14 years old but im not stupid, lord our god wouldnt put a man like joel in that high up in a postion with out a reason, Mr. Osteen, i know you dont listin to people of this world, nither do i, but GOD as a reward wating for us, theres a song called thank you for giving unto the lord, its a great song you should listin to, because our reward we get in heaven is going to be more than anything we have ever had, wanted or ever even dreamed of, its going to be a true reward from, the lord our God, my God bless everyone,
james devon harrison, sc, united states
Added: Thursday, October 18, 2007, 22:50 (BST)
I wonder, if while Joel Osteen is preaching his antibiblical view of health and wealth gospel does he ever think of the dirt poor christians in india or other nations, Lets not forget christians in muslim nations who are beaten, churches burned down, young christian girls forced in marriages they do not want ( marriage rapes ). He needs to repent of this antibiblical view.
Bryan Matheson, Toronto Ont
Added: Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 11:28 (BST)
Thank God! for someone who is right down to earth where we are. His messages are awesome and has been life changing for me!
Gilbert , Birmingham
Added: Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 5:54 (BST)
I don't have much money but i have everything in the lord.I'm so bleased.I'm just a baby in the lord. Pray for me and my family.thank you.
mikey, pikeville ky.
Added: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 20:19 (BST)
Im sorry but Mr. Osteen is nothing more than a "name it and claim it" teacher. He speaks nothing about sin, the crucifixtion, faith, nor the atonement of Christ.
Man is sinful by nature, how can he better himself on his own? Osteen tries to state that man can help himself. If that is the case why did Christ have to die for us? He needs the help of God by the power of the Holy Spirit to be "conformed into the image of Christ."
His comments about the Word of God were despicable. Honestly, this man is Satan's messenger to those who desire fame, fortune, and prosperity instead of a true loving relationship with God. It is a selfish and hyprocritcal ministry. If you can even call it a "ministry."
Michael, Bronx, NY
Added: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 14:30 (BST)
my comment is joel osteen is a great preacher and he has helped me in alot of areas where i have needed it. also he isnot doing anything dangerous. who ever said that i saw that on 60 minutes you are not a christian or u would not have done that.he is the best out there.
sharon cato, aiken s. c.
Added: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 10:52 (BST)
Listening to Pastor Joel Osteen is really a great inspiration. Quite an unknown person behind his father Pastor John Osteen became an internationally known Christian Minister, leading the largest Church in the U.S. is not a human hand, but a divine hand. My family, not very keen to most of the T.V. preachers will always tune to Pastor Joel Osteen with great zeal. God bless him, his passion and simplicity.
A. S. Mathew, Ringgold, Georgia, U.S.A.
