Joel Osteen's New Book

Joel Osteen is releasing a new book "Become a Better You" and he was interviewed on 60 minutes about his new book and his ministry. You can see the entire interview here. Mr. Osteen received 13 Million dollars up front for his new book. Unfortunately the early previews are more of the same self help and prosperity gospel message he speaks about. I wonder how fast his 40,000 member church would shrink if he would finally give them the true gospel message and let them know they are in a serious state, a rebellious state against God.

Thank heavens they had someone on 60 minutes to refute Joel Osteen's message and claim it as heresy. It is the worst kind of heresey because it is wrapped in such a great package. He is an amazing orator and if he was just willing to preach the truth God would be able to use him mightily. Dr. Michael Horton from Westminster Seminary has written 5 essays on the 60 Minutes broadcast with Joel Osteen and was the voice of reason on 60 Minutes. He addresses the problems with Mr. Osteen's message. Here is an excerpt from Mr. Horton essay.

"Name it, claim it"; the "health-and-wealth" or "prosperity gospel" : these are nicknames for a heresy that in many respects is only an extreme version of perhaps the most typical focus of American Christianity today more generally. Basically, God is there for you and your happiness. He has some rules and principles for getting what you want out of life and if you follow them, you can have what you want. Just “declare it” and prosperity will come to you. (1) God as Personal Shopper.

Although explicit proponents of the so-called “prosperity gospel” may be fewer than their influence suggests, its big names and best-selling authors (T. D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, and Joyce Meyer) are purveyors of a pagan worldview with a peculiarly American flavor. It’s basically what the sixteenth century German monk turned church reformer Martin Luther called the “theology of glory”: How can I climb the ladder and attain the glory here and now that God has actually promised for us after a life of suffering? The contrast is the “theology of the cross”: the story of God’s merciful descent to us, at great personal cost, a message that the Apostle Paul acknowledged was offensive and “foolish to Greeks.”

You can read the set of essays here.

All glory, all honor, all praise, all worship go to the King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ.

Wes
Galatians 2:20