For some odd reason, I have run across several Joel Osteen references in the last couple of days. I have no idea what I have done to deserve such torment, so I must share them with you.
Exhibit #1: “God lets atheists into heaven”
Joel – if you know the only way to God is through Jesus, yet tell no one, you are complicit in condemning all of them to eternal separation from God! Stop hiding behind “God will judge the heart”. No one is asking you to do that. Just read the bible.
Exhibit #2: “Explaining the scriptures is not my gifting”
C’mon, man! We already have a Dr. Phil! “Keep a good attitude, do the right thing, and don’t lose any ground.” That’s the gospel message? “I like to see myself as a life coach.” Good golly! If you’re a motivational speaker, drop the appearances of being a church. “Explaining the scriptures is not my gifting”… Then what exactly does “pastor” mean?? You’re in the wrong business!
Exhibit #3: You don’t need God
Joel’s latest book “Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day” does a great job of summing up what he is about. Rainbows, balloons and cotton candy. His concept of what we are to pursue sounds like Disney Land! Nowhere in his seven steps to personal fulfillment and life improvement will you find any reference to God or Jesus.
I could write more about Joel, but then I would likely need medicine, and I have a lot to do today. To recap though, Joel Osteen’s gospel message is that we can be happy without submission to God, and we can enter heaven without Jesus Christ. (He might actually disagree with those statements, but he won’t tell his followers. That would be judgmental.)
For some comic relief, you must check out Tim Challies’ excellent blog post “Joel Osteen or Fortune Cookie”
See if you can tell the difference between happy thoughts from cookies and happy thoughts from Joel.
