A few good friends of mine have had the unfortunate occasion of finding themselves discussing the "bliss" of Joel Osteen's works with me over the last few years. On the surface, Osteen strikes the reader as an overall good guy; someone who writes books for people to "help themselves" to live better lives. In fact, Osteen was named one of Barbara Walter's "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006", a credit to his influence and wild-fire-like growing fame.
Unfortunately, Osteen’s attention to the intricacies of people’s lives has come at the same time as he has lost focus on Scripture and real Christianity. Osteen is the poster boy for what is a growing movement of “Church as Business”. Osteen’s exponential church growth has been praised in financial magazines, but what value is a growing movement if it has no truth behind it? Unlike the actual message of Scripture, a message which many if not most people will not like, Osteen is selling “Happy Christianity” instead of “Real Christianity”. People are buying, but this isn’t a genuine product. Many of my friends would never consider themselves Christians, so I’m sure that when someone reads this without a Christian background, they may think to themselves “Who cares what sort of lie someone believes?”
The problem with not caring about the lies that people believe, is that whether or not someone believes in Christianity is their own choice, (nods to Romans 9 and God’s election) but the decision would hopefully be made on the actual merits of Christianity. Imagine the individual who bought a fire insurance policy only to find out that “well yes, this is a fire insurance policy, but what we’re actually selling you is a modified copy of a policy. It isn’t actually a legitimate policy, but we made it easier to read and we greatly reduced your premium!” Unfortunately, that is the sort of thing that the emergent church is selling; all the happiness that “Christianity” can buy, with no commitment. Lest someone become confused, I’m not suggesting that you cannot become a Christian unless you “work” your way there, but that Christianity by Biblical definition does not come without repentance. Suggesting that good Karma and positive meditations is the way to heaven might work out for an Eastern Religion, but isn’t supported in Scripture. As a result, positive thinking and motivational speakers may be peddling a positive products that the masses are hungry to eat up, but they are lacking in the “truth” department. Here is a great quote from Mr. Osteen himself, in a letter from 2005 to church goers, product buyers, and publication subscribers;
"Sometimes it is hard for us to grasp that God wants us to prosper in every way...God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us. One of the most important Biblical principles that shows us how to prosper is the principle of sowing and reaping...
People tell me, “Joel, He is God. If He wants to bless me, He can.” Friend, God works by laws. You can't expect to reap a harvest without first planting your seeds. If you will be faithful and do what God is asking you to do, God will do His part. Don't let the enemy deceive you into holding on to your seed--get it into the ground!
As you read this, God may be speaking to your heart. Trust that He will direct you how and where He wants you to sow your seed. If you are moved to send a seed gift in the enclosed reply envelope...”
That’s it, folks. If you want to be happy, send me money and I’ll make it so. Catholic? Indulgences? This is nothing like those. At least with those, people were throwing away their money because they were trying to help someone’s soul. The prosperity gospel of Joel Osteen and those of his movement shows that many people who would claim the name of Christ are willing to do the opposite – throw away someone else’s soul to help themselves obtain wealth.
E.J. Wood is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. He has a BA in Political Science, as well as BS in Public Administration. He currently is authoring a book called "Closing the Book on Christianity: The Post-Modern Christian’s War Against the Bible".
Contact him at proantiundecided@hotmail.com
The problem with not caring about the lies that people believe, is that whether or not someone believes in Christianity is their own choice, (nods to Romans 9 and God’s election) but the decision would hopefully be made on the actual merits of Christianity. Imagine the individual who bought a fire insurance policy only to find out that “well yes, this is a fire insurance policy, but what we’re actually selling you is a modified copy of a policy. It isn’t actually a legitimate policy, but we made it easier to read and we greatly reduced your premium!” Unfortunately, that is the sort of thing that the emergent church is selling; all the happiness that “Christianity” can buy, with no commitment. Lest someone become confused, I’m not suggesting that you cannot become a Christian unless you “work” your way there, but that Christianity by Biblical definition does not come without repentance. Suggesting that good Karma and positive meditations is the way to heaven might work out for an Eastern Religion, but isn’t supported in Scripture. As a result, positive thinking and motivational speakers may be peddling a positive products that the masses are hungry to eat up, but they are lacking in the “truth” department. Here is a great quote from Mr. Osteen himself, in a letter from 2005 to church goers, product buyers, and publication subscribers;
"Sometimes it is hard for us to grasp that God wants us to prosper in every way...God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us. One of the most important Biblical principles that shows us how to prosper is the principle of sowing and reaping...
People tell me, “Joel, He is God. If He wants to bless me, He can.” Friend, God works by laws. You can't expect to reap a harvest without first planting your seeds. If you will be faithful and do what God is asking you to do, God will do His part. Don't let the enemy deceive you into holding on to your seed--get it into the ground!
As you read this, God may be speaking to your heart. Trust that He will direct you how and where He wants you to sow your seed. If you are moved to send a seed gift in the enclosed reply envelope...”
That’s it, folks. If you want to be happy, send me money and I’ll make it so. Catholic? Indulgences? This is nothing like those. At least with those, people were throwing away their money because they were trying to help someone’s soul. The prosperity gospel of Joel Osteen and those of his movement shows that many people who would claim the name of Christ are willing to do the opposite – throw away someone else’s soul to help themselves obtain wealth.
E.J. Wood is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. He has a BA in Political Science, as well as BS in Public Administration. He currently is authoring a book called "Closing the Book on Christianity: The Post-Modern Christian’s War Against the Bible".Contact him at proantiundecided@hotmail.com
8 Comments:
E.J. Wood?
Anyway, I agree, Osteen is obviously peddling Religion 2.0 Lite in exchange for money. As far as his books, which I think are more akin to self help books than religious books, I'm sure there's better out there.
I don't know if it is all for money. I mean it is hard to find a church that doesn't scream for the tithe.
So I disagree.
I just think he gives "spoonfed" messages on Christianity to those that don't want to give an "effort" (I know that sounds bad) in learning the word and living life as a Christian. Thus his church size (the largest in the country and growing).
What people don't understand is that Jesus taught "Happy Christianity." Living exactly like he said and treating others like you want to be treated most definitely leads to a happy, more successful life in my opinion.
"I don't know if it is all for money. I mean it is hard to find a church that doesn't scream for the tithe."
Thats true. But I'd suggest that nearly every religious institution is peddling religion in exchange for money and control.
"What people don't understand is that Jesus taught "Happy Christianity." Living exactly like he said and treating others like you want to be treated most definitely leads to a happy, more successful life in my opinion."
I'm not going to argue for or against that, but on a slightly tangental note, I think the guy who did the "Year or Living Biblically" conducted a very interesting experiment on living as true to the bible as possible for a year
How did that work out for him?
"How did that work out for him?"
... I dunno? It was alright, I wasn't trying to point that as evidence for or against. I guess at most my only motive was that this guy made a point to live biblically, and NO one lives that way (no mixed fibers, stoning people left and right, ect). And he also awknowledge that there were some things he couldn't follow because... get this... apparently the bible contradicts itself? I dunno, weird, hu?
I liked this.. it was good.. but then again how could I think negatively of it when Joel Osteen belongs on the Wall of Heresy? Just kidding..
Great insurance policy analogy.. I liked it. Good as always. Some of this was a leetle unclear though, and I expected a few more arguments against him.
"..Many of my friends would never consider themselves Christians, so I’m sure that when someone reads this without a Christian background, they may think to themselves “Who cares what sort of lie someone believes?”"
I didn't quite understand this part.
In regards to what Brando said.. I don't think the argument against Osteen should be whether he is doing it all for money and more member numbers. Yeah, that's a bad motivation. I'm not arguing that he is or isn't doing that. Maybe the post should have focused less on that.. (but it's ok because you talked about other things too) because, you could learn good things from someone who is doing it just for the money or has some other ill motivation. There IS a verse on this, in..
Ok, I just spent forever looking for the verse but the point is there is a verse in the New Testament that goes something like "I preached out of goodwill and they preached out of bad motivations.. yet I'm still glad they preached because people were saved" SOMETHING like that. The point is Joel Osteen COULD be doing good even out of a bad motivation. I am NOT saying he is, though. I'm saying he's not.
Anyway. I think you covered enough for it to be a good article. I liked it. :)
-Ember
Thanks Eri--er, Elijah Jordan Wood. ;)
Phillipians 1: 14-18
...And that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will recoice,..."
Again, not defending Osteen.
Good comments. :)
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