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'?
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.
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.
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.
“He testified about how he had been pulled over a couple of times for speeding but when the officer saw his last name was Osteen, no ticket was issued. He said the same can happen for every Christian who wakes up declaring they have God’s favor. By following this method Osteen says he has been able to get the best parking spot in a crowded parking lot, a first class seat on a crowded airplane with no boarding pass, and priority seating at restaurants.”
What an insult to the martyrs of yesterday, today and tommorow. People have been shunned, mocked, jailed, tormented, tortured, killed by beast, fire, sword, gun, rope and stone for declaring Christ and His gospel. Their blood cries out to the heavens and the very angels themselves weep over this injustice. Christ gives them first place with Him in heaven and listens to their pleas for their sisters and brothers on earth. How dare Osteen reduce belief in Christ to being given a good parking place. God is not a cosmic vending machine. He is Lord.
Well there's his problem.
As for religion in politics and elsewhere...too many people with varying motives mix up (combine) morality and religion. Morality is hopefully the fruit of religion, but it is not the religion itself. To join them as one is to miss the genius of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Wanting the law to recognize the right to life of unborn babies is not mixing religion and politics. Those who think babies are property and not separate humans like to blur the debate by claiming pro-lifers are imposing their religion on others. It is just a false argument. Same for other social issues. Just because religious people have a higher respect for life does not mean that they are imposing their religion when they seek to make government recognize the humanity of a child. To impose my religion would mean I force you to be baptized in the name of Jesus, to attend religious services and things like that.
I was thinking more Lyle Lovett charming. ;)
Well, I was raised Catholic, and I never ever doubted the personal sacrifice that Jesus made for myself and for every one else in the universe for the forgiveness of my sins.
I can actually remember when I fully comprehended the magnitude if it. In my childish mind of 7 and 1/2 years, I was walking on the sidewalk just before my First Communion and I saw a bunch of ants. I remember thinking in wonder what it would be like if I as a human would deem it necessary to allow myself to be sacrificed to save these tiny creatures. Could I love them enough? The metaphor was in my mind as I had just come from catechism and had been taught about the crucifixion, the resurrection, and God’s mercy and forgiveness. I then wondered about how the Almighty God could love us so much that he would send his Son to die for us, such tiny creatures.
Now this may seem simplistic to you, but I was a small child. I have always wondered how people can be brought up Catholic and not have a true clue about our wonderful, saving God. Maybe I was just more fortunate. I did have truly great parents, a good pastor, plus I was educated prior to Vatican II (which I suspect may be the most important fact here).
"People may look up to different gods, but the goal is the same. We want to follow the one we worship. "
This is the discernible difference between Christianity and other religions. The object of faith is God through His method He has provided us to worship Him. If we worship because of our desire, instead of placing His Will as our object of faith, then we simply have substituted our personal volition for His. This is also another reason why other belief systems fall short of providing a relationship to God on His terms.
"But shouldn't religion be practiced instead of being heard?"
Religion per se isn't evil, but many evils are promoted by religion. The mechanisms of sorshipping God by His method is a type of religion, therefore religion in and of itself is not evil. Religion performed outside of His will and plan is counterfeit to Him and therefore evil, no matter how much morality or human acceptance arises.
" And should religion be an extravagance or an expectation of good things? "
There is nothing wrong with extravagence coincident with our remaining in fellowship with Him. Only when we step out of fellowship with Him, by placing extravagance before Him does evil arise.
"From what I know, it is only an order, a sacred and ultimate order which relates man and his existence."
I don't understand the meaning of the author or his intent. Our relationship with existence doesn't change once God creates it, until He decides it is to change. Smells like some confused existential confusion is emanating from the author's thinking.
"There shouldn't be a definition of your faith.
All faith is provided by God. This includes faith as in placing a trustworthiness in the object of faith, also in our saving faith, and as well as in Bible doctrine or an ordered set of tennets which express ones beliefs. Faith is also a system of perception for the believer in fellowship with God through faith in Christ.
"We all thread in this earth swathe with the unknown and uncertainties. "
Perhaps the author meant to write 'tread' vs 'thread' and swathed, vs swathe. Some focus more upon faith in Him, than swimming in a sea of confusion and uncertainty.
"What we believe should define our own actions. Who our devotion is for should be an extension of what we do to our brethren. "
In one sense, our beliefs do define our actions via our scarred souls. This highlights an important reason for studying Bible Doctrine daily, ...so that our thinking processes are turned back over to God the Holy Spirit, for His sactification in our mind and heart (soul) as well as our human spirit. While we remain in fellowship with Him and are further sanctified, we are better equipped to respond to any situation or problem in life by His methods through faith in Christ.
"And why we commit to the God we know should reflect our dedication to live a life that is fruitful."
In many situations of testing and temptation, the fruit might not be immediately perceivable to those in the immediate vicinity or time. Good works performed through faith in Him, are not overlooked by Him and may have been planned in eternity past.
I don’t find Osteen to be charming. His constant smile annoys me.
Does he ever get fired up? I like my pastor to get fired up now and again. Not hellfire and brimstone, mind you, I got enough of that in my youth.
I’d just like a little passion in the message. He doesn’t seem to have any, unless I’ve missed it.
Lakewood, Tx, is more or less between Orange and Beaumont. Osteen's church is in Houston.
With more than 30,000 members across the US
I think he missed on that one as well.
I just feel there is something peculiar in his theologies.
I'll be charitable and just say that's a pretty large understatement.
There shouldn't be a definition of your faith.
And the guy needs to study some systematic theology.
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