Wednesday
Nov072007
Mike Horton Reviews Joel Osteen's "Become A Better You"
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 03:27PM 
For those of you who haven't seen this yet, Mike Horton has a new review of Joel Osteen's new book, Becoming a Better You. (h.t. Mark Vanderpol)
You can find the review here: Click here: Joel Osteen and the Glory Story by Michael Horton
Reader Comments (5)
You know, in 2005 I first encountered Joel Osteen, and his phenomena. Two people in our church raved about Joel. I turned him on TV and was aghast! Why could not our people see through Joel's heresy?
Then another woman a few months later raved regarding Joel, when my dear wife attempted to explain, it was like running into a brick wall [by the way, we've known this woman many years and she is a faithful SBC congregant].
Joel's followers don't get it and they refuse to get it, because they don't care to think in terms of the Kingdom of God, of Jesus' chief purpose being to destroy the works of the Evil one.
Those folks reveal they are no different than the Israel Hosea was addressing. God is someone to be used not worshiped. Jesus is someone to help you, inspire you, comfort you to live your best life now, to get you want you want. Erecting idols in our worship "christian life" while all the time worshiping self, the god of comfort, the god of happiness, the god of prosperity and success.
Folks, the strange irony for me in all of this Joel Osteen phenomenon, is that Joel Osteen does not even offer any good news, though he thinks he is offering plenty!
He smiles while the best he can do is offer them more poison that damns them for eternity.
Joel is actually designing his sermons, books around the natural selfish man, whose itching ears are closed to the idea that the christian life is about being "in Christ".
Joel offers advice.\
Joel offers attitude, postive thinking.
Joel is just another Norman Vincent Peale.
I've watched Joel preach a whole sermon never mentioning Jesus as Savior of unworthy sinners, and turn around and ask people to trust Jesus as Savior.
Savior from what?
Certainly not sin or your sinless heart, because you never once mentioned either, Joel.
He is so confused in his thelogy but QUITE clear on what his mission is.
And it is not to please the Savior.
Joel's mission is to please people.
Telling them they are ok, and they need Jesus to help them reach their full potential.
Where is the good news in that?
The reason people will not listen to you, and you are reading Riddlebarger, is best summed up by a AC Doyle line in Sherlock Holmes.....
Talent recognizes genius, but mediocrity recognizes nothing but itself.
I'm attempting to call Ivan talent, and the Joel lovers in his church mediocrity.
Sorry for any confusion.
Got to admit I had to read it a second time before I understood what you were saying. Initially I thought you were spanking me! When I re-read, I understood.
Sadly Joel leads people on the broad way where many will say, "Lord, Lord..." and Jesus will say "Depart from me, I never knew you".
But don't worry ladies, Joel will continue to smile, and convince you he is so sweet.