Posted on 05/19/2007 3:25:34 AM PDT by Gamecock
Article: “One thing I noticed though that he often associates virtues with materialism.... He too, talks about taking pleasure in what he says is a result of having God’s favor.”
Contrast this with Paul in his letter to the Romans:
Rom 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Or to the Phillippians:
Php 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
Php 1:30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Today religion is a handle used to generate "image." Thats why we se it bandidied about. It has nothing to do with spiritual qualities, but has to do with appearance, and invoking "Trust." This is a very dangerous thng to have happening, asking for trust based on imagry. It allows politicians to avoid issues.
It's much tha same as the evangelism of Nazis in 1938, removing the rational thinking process so neessary to American successful politics.Politicians are supported or defamed in equal measure, not for ideas, but for whether they are "with the Lord" or not.
How should I know the spiritual path of some one I have never met, but who is on TV, crating a religious image, trying to get my trust, on the basis of an alleged spiritual accomplishment? Its actually quite sickening. I prefer the modest approach of our forefathers, who encouraged rational, informed thinking as the basis for a succesful body politic. Othgerwise we stoop to become like the very Islamofascists we now fight, screaming illogical fanatics, who are indeed "religious." Why would we posit a form of government that induces a similar character?
Ones religion as you say is a personal spiritual path. It should be a source of individual strength and inspiration for our politicians, but if bandied about in image creation, religion of that nature has and should make us deeply suspicious.
Is this the same guy that wrote 'All your base are belong to us'?
LOL! No, “all your base” is much more intelligible.
bookmark
I think that sums things up beautifully; I was just thinking I needed a new tagline.
(Good thing it's the weekend, because I might need a Guinness already!)
Of course which is why it is sage advice NOT to talk about religion with others. I also pretty much avoid the topic of politics in public for the same reason. You almost always end up in arguements that go nowhere.
Make sure you turn the right direction or you’ll strip your threads.
hardihar, good comment.
Because, of course, we Catholics don't have any personal connection with Jesus at all... Sheesh, this person is living on a different planet from the Catholic Church of which I have been a member since my conversion and baptism.
Well confession is good for the soul.
We also cavort the landscape in blue oyster's cult!
Perhaps you have heard of the quaint Roman Catholic "tradition" that is carried out in the Philippines where folks volunteer to be crucified? That is the Catholicism that the writer grew up in, not your sophisticated American flavor.
Only a FReeper Catholic would call foul in a hit piece on American Evangelicalism....
A great post. People need to ask themselves what was learned after listening to Osteen. He makes you feel good but there is no substance at all to his teaching. Folks may feel very religious after attending his “church” but I wonder what they learned about God? What did they learn to prepare them for meeting Father face to face? He doesn’t feed his flock, he pets them only and they don’t realize it.
Here is my measuring stick: Did Jesus have to die to make the message I am hearing from any given pulpit true?
If the answer is no, I am hearing advice, or even worse, false teaching, rather than good news.
Excellent point. We don’t want any accidental stripping when we’re supposed to be swathed.
Oh, good thought!
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