7.21.2005
A Church That Packs Them In, 16,000 at a Time - New York Times
A Church That Packs Them In, 16,000 at a Time - New York Times
You might not be Christian if someone says this about you . . .
If not for the religious references, Mr. Osteen's sermons, on topics like procrastination, submitting to authority and staying positive, could be secular motivational speeches. This is by design. "The principles in the Bible will work for anybody," he said. "If you give, you will be blessed. I talk about things for everyday life. I don't get deep and theological."
Or how about this . . .
Mr. Osteen begins each sermon with a joke and follows with anecdotes from his own life, about how through faith he received a house, a parking space, a happy marriage. There is no time to ruminate on theological puzzles, like why God allows people to suffer.
On getting stuff from God (Great quote from a congregant). . .
Mario Cervantes, 38, said that the church had taught him to name the things he wanted, and that he would receive them. "The Bible says, speak those things that aren't as if they are," Mr. Cervantes said.
"Now I'm speaking my marriage to Isabelle," he said, gesturing to his girlfriend. "And having a relationship with my children. The Bible tells me that as long as I serve him, I shall have what I want.
That's a different kind of gospel indeed. The question we must ask is whether or not that holds up to the biblical standard of the character and ends of Christ. The key to remember when it comes to "Health or Wealth" is that the end, or the purpose, is not that we delight more in stuff but that Christ is glorified because of who He is and that we find our greatest joy, satisfaction, and purpose in Him. (John 11: Jesus & Lazarus, 17: Christ's High Priestly Prayer)
I Dare You To Respond?
Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
You might not be Christian if someone says this about you . . .
If not for the religious references, Mr. Osteen's sermons, on topics like procrastination, submitting to authority and staying positive, could be secular motivational speeches. This is by design. "The principles in the Bible will work for anybody," he said. "If you give, you will be blessed. I talk about things for everyday life. I don't get deep and theological."
Or how about this . . .
Mr. Osteen begins each sermon with a joke and follows with anecdotes from his own life, about how through faith he received a house, a parking space, a happy marriage. There is no time to ruminate on theological puzzles, like why God allows people to suffer.
On getting stuff from God (Great quote from a congregant). . .
Mario Cervantes, 38, said that the church had taught him to name the things he wanted, and that he would receive them. "The Bible says, speak those things that aren't as if they are," Mr. Cervantes said.
"Now I'm speaking my marriage to Isabelle," he said, gesturing to his girlfriend. "And having a relationship with my children. The Bible tells me that as long as I serve him, I shall have what I want.
That's a different kind of gospel indeed. The question we must ask is whether or not that holds up to the biblical standard of the character and ends of Christ. The key to remember when it comes to "Health or Wealth" is that the end, or the purpose, is not that we delight more in stuff but that Christ is glorified because of who He is and that we find our greatest joy, satisfaction, and purpose in Him. (John 11: Jesus & Lazarus, 17: Christ's High Priestly Prayer)
I Dare You To Respond?
Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
