Think Better, Live Better is the title of a recent book by Joel Osteen. It is not a bad title because it does contain some truth in it. Of course Osteen encourages us to think positive and rid ourselves of all negativity. We might call this teaching Osteenism. But is the teaching of Osteen in line with the teaching of the Bible. We will compare Osteenism with the Biblical worldview.
First we will look at the view of God. If you do not have an accurate view of God you will not have an accurate view of yourself. The God of Osteenism basically exists for you. He is there to make you happy and help you achieve health, victory, and success. This God is kind of a life coach who makes no demands on you. He is not a judge and you do not need to worry about his wrath.
In contrast the Biblical view of God is very different. God is Trinity (3 persons of 1 essence), he is the infinite, personal Creator. He is sovereign, holy, and the ultimate authority. He is loving and merciful but also displays his wrath against sin and judges you. God is more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. In the Biblical view we exist for God and our ultimate purpose is to glorify him.
Next we will look at the view of man and his problem. In Osteenism the big problem is that we have to much negativity and are just not thinking positive. If you start thinking good, positive thoughts about yourself it will become reality (kind of like name it claim it). Joel Osteen actually says there is nothing wrong with you.
In sharp contrast the Biblical view says there most definitely is something wrong with you, it is called sin. We were born sinful (Psalm 51:5), we are not righteous (Romans 3:10), and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). God is holy and therefore hates sin. Our sin makes us objects of his wrath (Ephesians 2:3). In contrast to Joel Osteen's view of man as basically good the Apostle Paul described himself as "wretched man that I am" (Romans 7:24) and "the chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:10).
Finally we look at the solution to man's problem. In Osteenism the solution comes from within yourself. You must stop all the negativity and just think those positive thoughts. Then you will achieve that happy, victorious life. You will have your best life now.
On the other hand the Biblical view presents a much different solution because the problem is entirely different. The solution is not found within ourselves but from outside of ourselves. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. God sent his Son, Jesus to save his people from their sins. Jesus lived a perfect life to provide righteousness for us and he died on the cross to pay for our sins. He was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation will be saved and go to heaven.
It should be quite obvious that Osteenism and the Biblical view are totally different. Those strictly adhering to Osteenism will be led astray and on the road to hell. Joel Osteen is preaching a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-10). He simply tells people what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The true church must call out Joel Osteen for what he really is, a false teacher peddling a false gospel.
Showing posts with label Prosperity Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prosperity Gospel. Show all posts
Monday, June 26, 2017
Monday, October 6, 2014
Give Me That Me Centered Religion
"When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy."
-Quote from Victoria Osteen, wife of Joel Osteen and co-pastor of Lakewood Church
Should I point out that women cannot be pastors? Anyway Victoria Osteen does deserve credit for an accurate description of the Osteen's ministry. It is all about the self and not about God. In fact it is almost as if you yourself are god. The main concern is that you are happy and feel good. We certainly cannot be concerned about God and his holiness. The great sin (I mean problem) is low self esteem.
The ministry of Joel and Victoria Osteen is not true Christianity. Dare I say that they are heretics? They are false teachers proclaiming a false gospel. The Bible says that if anyone preaches a different gospel let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8). The Osteens proclaim a form of the prosperity gospel. It is all about you and your happiness as well as having high self esteem. You must just think positive and the good life is yours.
Of course this is in direct contradiction to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus said that if you want to follow him you must take up your cross and deny your self. As Bonhoeffer said Christ bids a man come and die. Followers of Jesus are called to die to self while the Osteens tell their followers to focus on the self. Of course the Osteens rarely mention Jesus or the cross. Don't expect to hear anything about sin, judgment, holiness, wrath, or hell either. These things just do not make us feel good.
Unfortunately many Americans and others buy into the teaching of the Osteens. They have thousands at their church and also sell millions of books. They tickle people's ears and tell them what they want to hear. Sadly many of those who are feeling good are on the road to hell. Many in the modern church accept the Osteens as legitimate not seeing them as heretics to be rejected. Joel Osteen is not a Christian pastor but simply a positive thinking guru. I guess Victoria Osteen would be a co-positive thinking guru. The lack of Biblical thinking and discernment allows false teachers like the Osteens to flourish in our modern society.
-Quote from Victoria Osteen, wife of Joel Osteen and co-pastor of Lakewood Church
Should I point out that women cannot be pastors? Anyway Victoria Osteen does deserve credit for an accurate description of the Osteen's ministry. It is all about the self and not about God. In fact it is almost as if you yourself are god. The main concern is that you are happy and feel good. We certainly cannot be concerned about God and his holiness. The great sin (I mean problem) is low self esteem.
The ministry of Joel and Victoria Osteen is not true Christianity. Dare I say that they are heretics? They are false teachers proclaiming a false gospel. The Bible says that if anyone preaches a different gospel let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8). The Osteens proclaim a form of the prosperity gospel. It is all about you and your happiness as well as having high self esteem. You must just think positive and the good life is yours.
Of course this is in direct contradiction to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus said that if you want to follow him you must take up your cross and deny your self. As Bonhoeffer said Christ bids a man come and die. Followers of Jesus are called to die to self while the Osteens tell their followers to focus on the self. Of course the Osteens rarely mention Jesus or the cross. Don't expect to hear anything about sin, judgment, holiness, wrath, or hell either. These things just do not make us feel good.
Unfortunately many Americans and others buy into the teaching of the Osteens. They have thousands at their church and also sell millions of books. They tickle people's ears and tell them what they want to hear. Sadly many of those who are feeling good are on the road to hell. Many in the modern church accept the Osteens as legitimate not seeing them as heretics to be rejected. Joel Osteen is not a Christian pastor but simply a positive thinking guru. I guess Victoria Osteen would be a co-positive thinking guru. The lack of Biblical thinking and discernment allows false teachers like the Osteens to flourish in our modern society.
Monday, March 31, 2014
The Gospel According To Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen is a very popular preacher. He has a large church and millions of television viewers. But what kind of message do all these people get from him? What is the gospel according to Joel Osteen?
Osteen preaches a form of the prosperity gospel, though he doesn't focus on money like many of the prosperity preachers. The focus is on your happiness, fulfilling your dreams, having good self esteem, and thinking positive. In Osteen's teaching God exists to make you happy. Things are turned upside down, the focus is on the person instead of God. God is presented as your therapist, adviser, and cheerleader. God is just trying to give you your best life now. There is little focus on eternity with Osteen, his focus is on this present world.
One reason Joel Osteen is so popular is because he tells people what they want to hear. His message fits perfectly with our modern culture.
In the gospel according to Joel Osteen, sin is really no big deal, it is not focused on. God's holiness, judgment, and wrath are rarely mentioned. In the teaching of Osteen the problem is not that we have offended a holy God because of our sin against him. The real problem is that we are not thinking positive, being happy, and just feeling good about ourselves. After all in Osteen's gospel God exists to make you happy. Joel Osteen uses Christian language but there is little Christian content to it.
At the end of his broadcasts, Osteen ask people to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. One might wonder after listening to Osteen what there is to be saved from. Apparently you need to be saved from not thinking positive, and having low self esteem. Osteen presents Christianity without a cross. And that is not Christianity at all. In reality the problem is that we have sinned against a holy God and we face his wrath because of it. Jesus paid for the sins of those who believe in him on the cross. He turns away the wrath of God from all who believe in him. Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. People must repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Ironically Osteen advises his television audience to find a Bible teaching church. If they follow his advise they will have to avoid Osteen's own church. Joel Osteen may use Christian language but his message has little Christian content. Osteen preaches a false gospel that leads people astray. People without Christ are on the road to hell. But if they listen to Osteen preach they will conclude that there is really nothing to worry about. Joel Osteen is a false teacher who does not teach the Bible.
Osteen preaches a form of the prosperity gospel, though he doesn't focus on money like many of the prosperity preachers. The focus is on your happiness, fulfilling your dreams, having good self esteem, and thinking positive. In Osteen's teaching God exists to make you happy. Things are turned upside down, the focus is on the person instead of God. God is presented as your therapist, adviser, and cheerleader. God is just trying to give you your best life now. There is little focus on eternity with Osteen, his focus is on this present world.
One reason Joel Osteen is so popular is because he tells people what they want to hear. His message fits perfectly with our modern culture.
In the gospel according to Joel Osteen, sin is really no big deal, it is not focused on. God's holiness, judgment, and wrath are rarely mentioned. In the teaching of Osteen the problem is not that we have offended a holy God because of our sin against him. The real problem is that we are not thinking positive, being happy, and just feeling good about ourselves. After all in Osteen's gospel God exists to make you happy. Joel Osteen uses Christian language but there is little Christian content to it.
At the end of his broadcasts, Osteen ask people to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. One might wonder after listening to Osteen what there is to be saved from. Apparently you need to be saved from not thinking positive, and having low self esteem. Osteen presents Christianity without a cross. And that is not Christianity at all. In reality the problem is that we have sinned against a holy God and we face his wrath because of it. Jesus paid for the sins of those who believe in him on the cross. He turns away the wrath of God from all who believe in him. Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. People must repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Ironically Osteen advises his television audience to find a Bible teaching church. If they follow his advise they will have to avoid Osteen's own church. Joel Osteen may use Christian language but his message has little Christian content. Osteen preaches a false gospel that leads people astray. People without Christ are on the road to hell. But if they listen to Osteen preach they will conclude that there is really nothing to worry about. Joel Osteen is a false teacher who does not teach the Bible.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Benny Hinn, Mike Murdock, And The Prosperity Gospel
The prosperity gospel is found all over charismatic television channels. It's focus is all about health, wealth, and fulfilling your desires. People are told they will be blessed if they send money to the prosperity preachers. They make it seem as if God is obligated to give blessings to people. The prosperity preachers call it sowing the seed. The prosperity gospel teaches that God is just there to make you happy and fulfill your dreams. Two of the most visible prosperity preachers are Benny Hinn and Mike Murdock.
Where do you even start with Benny Hinn? He claims to be a faith healer. Of course the healings he performs are not verifiable. People whose healing could be verified are kept away. Why don't Hinn and his fellow faith healers go to hospitals and nursing homes and heal those people? Could it possibly be that they do not really have the gift of healing? Those not healed or blessed after they have sent in money are said to lack faith. At Hinn's meetings people are said to be slain in the Spirit. But this practice is not Biblical at all. Benny Hinn often talks about sowing the seed to receive God's blessing of health and wealth. Hinn simply manipulates people in order to get them to send him money. Meanwhile Hinn lives a life of luxury and indulgence. Benny Hinn is a con artist and false teacher who takes advantage of people.
Another popular prosperity preacher is Mike Murdock. He is everywhere on charismatic television. Has anyone ever seen Murdock when he was not talking about money? He is obsessed with money and is a lover of money. Murdock constantly talks about sowing the seed. If people send him a certain amount of money God will have to bless them. Mike Murdock constantly manipulates people in order to get their money. If a person just has enough faith health and wealth will be his. Murdock simply defrauds people to enrich himself. He even seems to be proud of his indulgent lifestyle. Mike Murdock is an arrogant false teacher who has even questioned God's sovereignty.
A main influence of the prosperity preachers is Oral Roberts. He made popular the sowing of the seed teaching. Roberts was infamous for saying God would take his life if he did not raise a certain amount of money. Television channels like TBN and Daystar should be ashamed of themselves for promoting so many false teachers. The prosperity gospel is a false gospel which brings disgrace on true Christianity. The prosperity gospel focuses on the person and his desires. While the true gospel focuses on Jesus and the cross. Galatians 1:8 says if anyone preaches a different gospel, let him be accursed. This should serve as a warning for Hinn, Murdock, and all prosperity preachers.
Where do you even start with Benny Hinn? He claims to be a faith healer. Of course the healings he performs are not verifiable. People whose healing could be verified are kept away. Why don't Hinn and his fellow faith healers go to hospitals and nursing homes and heal those people? Could it possibly be that they do not really have the gift of healing? Those not healed or blessed after they have sent in money are said to lack faith. At Hinn's meetings people are said to be slain in the Spirit. But this practice is not Biblical at all. Benny Hinn often talks about sowing the seed to receive God's blessing of health and wealth. Hinn simply manipulates people in order to get them to send him money. Meanwhile Hinn lives a life of luxury and indulgence. Benny Hinn is a con artist and false teacher who takes advantage of people.
Another popular prosperity preacher is Mike Murdock. He is everywhere on charismatic television. Has anyone ever seen Murdock when he was not talking about money? He is obsessed with money and is a lover of money. Murdock constantly talks about sowing the seed. If people send him a certain amount of money God will have to bless them. Mike Murdock constantly manipulates people in order to get their money. If a person just has enough faith health and wealth will be his. Murdock simply defrauds people to enrich himself. He even seems to be proud of his indulgent lifestyle. Mike Murdock is an arrogant false teacher who has even questioned God's sovereignty.
A main influence of the prosperity preachers is Oral Roberts. He made popular the sowing of the seed teaching. Roberts was infamous for saying God would take his life if he did not raise a certain amount of money. Television channels like TBN and Daystar should be ashamed of themselves for promoting so many false teachers. The prosperity gospel is a false gospel which brings disgrace on true Christianity. The prosperity gospel focuses on the person and his desires. While the true gospel focuses on Jesus and the cross. Galatians 1:8 says if anyone preaches a different gospel, let him be accursed. This should serve as a warning for Hinn, Murdock, and all prosperity preachers.
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