Dr. Michael Horton of the White Horse Inn has just published a scholarly treatment of Osteen's new book "Become a Better You". Horton's article documents Osteen's fortune cookie approach to the Holy Scriptures and offers us this assesment of Osteen's religion:
"Make no mistake about it, behind all of the smiles, there is a thorough-going religion of works-righteousness: "God's plan for each of our lives is that we continually rise to new levels. But how high we go in life, and how much of God's favor and blessings we experience, will be directly related to how well we follow His directions." God "is waiting for your obedience so He can release more of His favor and blessings in your life...My question to you is: How high do you want to rise? Do you want to continue to increase? Do you want to see more of God's blessings and favor? If so, the higher we go, the more disciplined we must be; the quicker we must obey." "You don't get the grace unless you step out. You have to make the first move. God will see that step of faith and He'll give you supernatural strength to help you overcome any obstacles standing in the way of doing the right thing...Remember: How high you go in life will be directly related to how obedient your are."
I've heard Horton refer to Olsten and comapnys teaching as "a kinder, gentler law." The thing is, it is not really kinder or gentler. It really is as impossible to live up to as the real thing. It really is still a way to drive someone to Christ, it's just that you will never hear Olsteen send someone there.
Posted by: J. K. Jones | November 22, 2007 at 06:32 PM