There’s nothing of eternity in Joel Osteen’s latest book: “It’s Your Time.” In his most recent work, Joel promises that when you are going through difficulties, it is only a matter of waiting until “it’s your time” for your dreams to come true. The assumption is that your dreams are what God wants for you: the possibility of self-interest is not addressed.
Almost five centuries ago, the teaching of self-fulfillment caused Martin Luther to coin the phrase "theology of glory”—referring to teaching that says we can receive God’s blessing without regard to Scriptures that enjoin us to a life of suffering—this, of course, contrasted with what Luther called the "theology of the cross,” acknowledging our need to forsake all worldly things to follow Christ.
But in Joel Osteen’s most recent work, not unlike his earlier best sellers, there is no talk of the “cross” and barely any of “Jesus.” The only references to Jesus are historical—always and only presented as an example of what we can achieve if we only believe. The inherent danger is this. People will think following their dreams is the same as following Christ, when in fact, Jesus calls His disciples to give up their dreams to follow Him (the Rich Young Ruler comes to mind).
Totally missing in Joel’s latest release is the call to build treasures in Heaven and the greater blessing if we are like those who died without ever receiving the promise, men and women of whom the world was not worthy (Heb 11:38-39). They had a higher calling than fulfilling earthly dreams; they lived only to fulfill God’s purposes. In a society of consumers and self-actualizers, “It’s Your Time” will be another best seller. After all, Joel's Jesus demands nothing while promising to make your dreams come true.
I honstly think that this form of theology is the very thing killing the church in the western world, and keeping many non-believers away. The fact that our version of Christianity is primarily a view of a God who rarely, if ever, demands anything from us, is so weak and watered down, it's easier to "join" than the CD of the month club. I recall a Jesus who preached of forsaking yourself, picking up your cross, and following Him. When he touched a sinner, he didn't say, "Go make your dreams come true", He said, "Go and sin no more." That requires something of them. An active turning, surrendering, and changing. Now if we meet a young believer, we're afraid to tell them that God actually requires something of them, less we scare them out of our churches. I don't want to set a "works" mentality, and cause people think that they can or need to earn their way with God, but if we are lukewarm, passive people, guess what? He will vomit us out of His mouth!
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that attracts the west to the Muslim, and other religions, is it actually demands something of you. True Christianity demands your life! Let's speak the truth!
well said, David. thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know if you've got a "higher calling"? God has entered my life, but I don't know what He wants of me yet... other than to devote a blog to my spiritual experiences, which I've done, but that couldn't be enough reason for him to single out a nonbeliever for contact, right? How can we tell what He wants of us?
ReplyDeletePS Don't be too hard on Joel Osteen; I don't think God could have ever gotten through to me if Osteen hadn't drawn me in and softened me up first.