Country singer John Rich isn’t one to keep his opinions to himself and he recently shared some harsh thoughts against popular pastor Joel Osteen. Rich was appearing on the “Shawn Ryan Show” where he discussed a bevy of topics, including P Diddy, his own start in country music and how the genre has moved more towards pop, and spiritual warfare. As the show wound down, Rich and Ryan then began a discussion on end times theology, also known as eschatology.

Rich stressed how pastors owe it to their congregations to discuss end times, particularly the growing persecution that Christ followers will face in the end days. “The reason [preachers] stopped preaching that is because it’s very uncomfortable for Christians to have to think about that. You mean I’m going to have to go through that if I’m still here based on what that says? Yeah, that’s what it says. And then I’ve heard some Christians say and even some preachers that have attacked me online have said, ‘God wouldn’t put make us go through something like that. God wouldn’t do that to us,’” said Rich, noting the destruction and death that end times prophecy speaks about. He praised the Underground Church for its willingness to preach in nations where to follow Christ can mean death. “They are willing to worship God and be a Christian when it means they could die for doing it. And we don’t have that problem in the United States,” he said.

Rich said it was “ignorant” for preachers to ignore persecution in the end days. He then turned his attention specifically toward Osteen, comparing him to Billy Graham. “Joel Osteen is never going to preach that,” he said. “Joel Osteen is never going to say anything that’s going to make anybody uncomfortable ever on any level ever. He’s never gonna say anything that would prick the heart or conscience of his congregation and then offer an altar call like Billy Graham did when he speaks the truth about what Jesus said,” said Rich.

Osteen has often faced criticism for his “prosperity Gospel” focus, as well as sanitized sermons. His books, Your Best Life Now and Become a Better You have earned him millions of dollars and thousands of avid fans drawn to his feel-good, claim God’s blessings preaching. The popular Christian resource, Got Questions, also has some harsh words for Osteen. “More often than not, Osteen sounds like an inspirational life-coach, instead of a herald of the gospel. He often preaches about how people can improve their lives, be prosperous, and experience happiness. Noticeably absent in Osteen’s optimistic message is any mention of sin or repentance. The atonement of Christ provides us with healing and the abundant life, according to Osteen, but apparently receiving forgiveness from a holy God is not necessary,” the site noted. It also accused Osteen of avoiding certain topics, such as addressing sin and the need for repentance. “Osteen’s message is sweet, attractive, and pretty. It comes with the million-dollar smile, a heaping helping of the feel-goods, and all of the motivation of the best self-help gurus. That message is also hollow, weak, and devoid of any real value,” said Got Questions. “The most important parts of the gospel are left out, supposedly to broaden his ministry’s appeal. Anyone depending on that message, without recognizing what’s missing, is going to find himself spiritually hungry, frustrated, and in dire straits when a real disaster strikes.”