On Larry King last night, mega-church preacher Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria, Jim and Tammy 2.0, offered beaming advice about how to have it all with God's help. We were sort of shocked by the exchange about undergarments, in which Osteen said women shouldn't dress up for work or the outside world, but for their husbands; translation: they should wear sexy underwear. An excerpt from the transcript:
Larry King: Is this -- is this true, that you once exhorted women in the audience to shop at Victoria's Secret to help their marriage?
J. OSTEEN: Oh, well, that was -- that's probably true. I think the whole...
KING: That's why you're smiling all the time.
J. OSTEEN: OK. OK. I hope it was in a good context, though. I mean, I wasn't -- it's too much to explain now, but yes I did.
V. OSTEEN: Yes, he was encouraging women. He was encouraging women to take careful [care of?] themselves.
J. OSTEEN: Yes.
V. OSTEEN: And to not go around in their old, you know, bathrobes, and that they could add that spark to their home. And I think that was great.
KING: What's wrong with that?
J. OSTEEN: No, there's nothing. And that was my point, don't go look good and dress up to go to work and dress up to go to event[s?] for everybody else. Dress up for your own husband. I mean, look good at home.
Of course, we think you should dress up for your spouse, but the implication here seems to be that women's role in the outside world isn't that important ,and also that it's up to women to keep the spark alive.
Why isn't Osteen telling husbands to go to Calvin Klein?
Click on the image below to watch the Osteen interview.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 23)
1. Although I am Jewish I try to watch his show every Sunday. He allows me to rethink the way I live my life and how to make it better. As for the wives shoppping at Victoria Secret, Yes I think we as women should always feel sexy and beautiful. I also think it is the husbands job to help with it. We (women) need to feel appreciated and loved. Inreturn, men can dress, smell and work out too! Marriage is never easy, but wanting your spouse to want you should be. Intimacy doesnt start or end in the bedroom! Thanks Joel, just remember, men can be sexy too!
susan at 3:55PM on Oct 17th 2007
2. If you knew anything about Osteen you would know that he does take care of himself and his wife. He can bench press 300 pounds and plays basketball regularly, thus maintaining his stamina for his woman.
Dee at 3:52PM on Oct 19th 2007
3. I don't see anything wrong with a woman dressing for her husband inside their bed room. Just don't do it anywhere else. I've been married to the same sexy woman for almost 50 years and she still looks good in Victorias Secret things!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Gary Franklin
Gary at 4:07PM on Oct 17th 2007
4. #1, Wrong Susan, you should emulate Ada and do all you shoping at Schwartz's Army & Navy Surplus Store up in the Bronx.
JZeeee at 4:13PM on Oct 17th 2007
5. I agree with Joel. Wives should always look their best for their husbands. Our undergarments are for his viewing only (hopefully). By purchasing and wearing sexy undergarments, it is simply showing our mate that we care how we look to him.
I'm sure Joel thinks husbands should also look their best for their wives. But, he wasn't asked about that matter. Thanks, Joel, for being real and transparent in your ministry and life.
Joy York at 4:11PM on Oct 17th 2007
6. I watch about once a month. It's great to have someone filling your heart with a positive message and a "You can do anything you set your mind to attitude". Rather than life is crap, and we are all going to Hell in a handbasket.
A little more sunshine in life is a good thing.
rwilliams at 4:16PM on Oct 17th 2007
7. I think Joel Osteen is one of the best preachers of our time. He is uncomplicated, down to earth, and honest. He is always happy and he spreads God's word with happiness and joy. I love him and love to hear his messages.
God Bless
sUSAN at 4:27PM on Oct 17th 2007
8. I really hope that Joel's comments don't get blown out of proportion. I think its great to mention that wives should consider wearing nice or sexy undergarments for their husbands.(Husbands should consider wearing their best also). Sometimes people forget that when you get married its supposed to be forever. God blesses your marriage continue to make it as special as the day you said "I Do". PEACE/JOY
Anthony Elkins at 4:30PM on Oct 17th 2007
9. I am Catholic, but I loved to watch Joel Osteen either on Sunday or Friday, he always says something that enlighted my feeling. I agreed with him that women should always look good for their husbands and themsef. Good advice!
Lien Sherman at 2:40PM on Oct 18th 2007
10. I did not see the episode that Larry King was referencing, but believe that Osteen speaks with a light, uplifting spirit. My interpretation of the comments as portrayed here is a positive one.
Most people give the bulk of their day to day energy to their careers, children and demands of others, so it is absolutely crucial to bring that spark to the relationship. Whether that's Victorias Secret or that thing you know would be a genuine expression that your spouse would be grateful for, it's a good thing. It takes a concerted effort in today's busy lifestyle. Men and women both.
Live Your Dreams
GoalGuru.com at 4:33PM on Oct 17th 2007
11. Oh shut the hell up biootch. I guess you need to stir up some drama by taking his comments out of context. If women spent more time in lingerie instead of at work eating doughnuts maybe marriages wouldn't fall apart.
Ed at 11:18AM on Oct 18th 2007
12. I agree with Joel Osteen and the comments he made on Larry King about wives dressing sexy for their husband (and husband for their wives) because this is biblical (1 Corinthians 7:2-4) “...let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”
Wives and husband need to wear modest apparel before society however, in the intimacy of their bedroom be sexy for your spouse.. God (Jesus) created intimacy between a man and a woman for the purpose of demonstrating his love for us and through us. Victoria Secret is simply one of many tools used to accomplish HIS purpose, design, and goals for our lives. Both men and women should not be ashamed, feel ashamed or otherwise because Jesus created this for the marriage not the board room or the corporate world.
I pray that his (Joel's) words are not taking out of context and that some man and woman hears this message and uses this taped broadcast to revitalize their marriage and love for one another. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Michael
Michael Petty at 3:28PM on Oct 18th 2007
13. I watch Joel Osteen regularly and appreciate his honesty and positive spirit. I am a wife of twenty years and I agree, every effort should be made to look just as good at home for your husband as you do for work, church, etc.
khandi at 5:04PM on Oct 17th 2007
14. I wish that the news media would stop reading their own thoughts into what Joel is saying about the subject of a woman's attire (or anything else he has preached about for that matter). They usually always take statements out of context. The principles he is teaching are God's, not just his own opinions. I know where he's coming from on this. Joel, just keep doing what your doing, feed the flock, and I am sure that God will greatly bless you for it.
rich at 7:02PM on Oct 17th 2007
15. olstein is a wonderful preacher but i already know about victoria secret, my husband also buys it for me and ladies remember men gets turned on by sight ive been doing so for the past 23 years . we both work but there is always a surprise at the end of the day if not sexual but as appreciation
lynette at 5:11PM on Oct 17th 2007