Is this teaching biblical?
The fact that Osteen's message has never offended anyone of a different faith is not a badge of honor — it is an indictment. The true gospel is called 'foolishness' and a 'stumbling block' by Scripture. A message that offends no one has removed the cross, softened sin, and eliminated the exclusive claims of Christ.
What did Joel Osteen say?
"I don't think anything I've said has offended someone of a different faith."
Speaker: Joel Osteen
Source: Interview with Chris Wallace
What does Scripture actually teach?
1 Corinthians 1:18
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
— NKJV
The cross is inherently offensive to the natural man — it declares humanity helpless and God alone as Savior. A 'gospel' that never offends has removed the cross from its message.
John 15:18-19
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own."
— NKJV
Jesus promised that His message would provoke hatred from the world. If Osteen's message provokes no opposition from any faith, it is not the message of Christ.
Galatians 5:11
"And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased."
— NKJV
Paul identifies a direct relationship: if there's no offense, the cross has been removed from the message. Osteen's boast of never offending confirms the absence of the cross in his preaching.