IMO there's a strategic reason why Trump responds to certain people mocking and scoffing at him.

As far as Osteen responding to the jackals - well, he did do the interview with the ever-hostile Piers Morgan.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/joel-osteen-finally-gets-to-the-truth-of-sin-with-piers-morgan.html

No, Osteen is not Trump, personality-wise, and I wouldn't expect him to be. He's a pastor, not a brash business mogul like our beloved POTUS. He's said he's uncomfortable with the constant attacks on him and I don't blame him for not wanting to waste his time walking into every snake pit of attack dog marxists.

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Your other points are well-taken. While not my church, I've listened to a couple hundred of his sermons and what I see is as follows. He follows the Bible and preaches sermons from it, encourages his flock to read the Bible. Those who claim he doesn't follow scripture have not actually listened to him. He relates the Bible verses to modern day life and shows how it can help you through difficult situations. He encourages people and tries to increase their inner strength, especially to get through difficult situations. He encourages people to get to know God, to try and listen to Him, to draw closer to Him. He encourages people to help one another. Not once have I ever heard him ask for money as I have with some of the tithe-centric mega church pastors.

His detractors who don't know him because they haven't actually listened to him are very much like leftists getting "dirt" on POTUS - "He GASSED protestors in the park for a photo shoot!", "He ridiculed a disabled man!", "He colluded with Putin!", etcetera ad nauseum. There are Christians who think everything should be hellfire and damnation and they won't like him either. That's their prerogative to embrace that interpretation of the Word. Even Babylon Bee, who I like a lot, frequently ridicules Osteen. No, Osteen doesn't come out in robes and use frankincense and chant ancient hymns, but to claim he doesn't preach scripture is simply not true.

As I said, Osteen's church is not mine. While mine is steeped in much tradition and sermons are conducted in a far more serious manner, I'm not averse to listening to Osteen's sermons (and many other pastors' sermons as well). I think people need to be more careful in embracing the venomous attacks against some of these people spreading the Word. I replied to just one other anon, above, to point out one of the lies the marxist jackals told about him. I won't bother with anymore here because I've found the discussion of religion with those more fanatical is just not productive for any of us.

I've listened to Joel Osteen. While I don't know the man and can't condemn him, I will just state that he does not preach the Gospel of substitution and satisfaction in Christ. He teaches self-help and self-esteem. That may very well have caused you to believe you've been helped. But everyone is a sinner. We need a whole lot LESS self-esteem. Only when we've been brought into the dust and realize how wretched we are can we be brought to see our need for a savior, to look to Christ and to rest in all of his work. Only when we've had our self-esteem removed can we like the thief on the cross be brought to look only to Christ for redemption and salvation. We cease from STRIVING and looking to our works and thoughts to RESTING in His finished work for His people. I do not hear this message from Osteen. I hear do this and do that. Esteem yourself. Feel good about yourself. God wants you to have $$, etc.. And yes, I have listened to him. And I feel sorry for him, his ministry, and those that listen to him. He too needs to hear the truth.