Extreme Theology

Will it Preach? - A Photographic Art Exhibit

I've created my first photographic art exhibit. It looks at the messages of Joel Osteen and Paula White and takes them out of their American context and asks the question "Will It Preach?". Each photograph has either Paula's or Joel's "message artwork" super imposed over a photo from another part of the world.

Below is an example. Click Here To See The Rest of My Exhibit.

Reflections on Joel Osteen's Latest Book

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."

Click Here to Read Horton's Article

Osteen's Best Book Deal Now

Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Joel Osteen had signed what may be one of the richest non-fiction book deals in history. This deal with Simon & Schuster secures Osteen as one of the brightest stars in the book publishing heavens. Osteen is now up there with Popes and Presidents.

As a teacher, I always take great pain to insure that the students that God has placed in my care will not fall for the latest 'Christian fad'. Oftentimes, well meaning Christian brothers and sisters see numerical success as proof that God is at work in the latest crazes whether it be the Prayer of Jabez, Y2K, the WWJD bracelets and the 40 Days of Purpose. But I always challenge people to push beyond the surface and look deeper. Scripture tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and it also warns us that many people will be mislead by false teachers in the last days (Matt 24:24).

Therefore, before you jump on the Osteen bandwagon take some time to kick the tires and see if this is a vehicle that you should be riding on. Here are some suggested questions that you can start with. They are designed to provide an objective way of testing Osteen’s message and success.

Question 1: Does this type of success serve as absolute proof that God is blessing this man's ministry? (Remember that 1 Kings 18:22 tells us that at one time there was only ONE prophet of the Lord remaining on Earth while Baal had 450. If success is absolute proof then Baal was god.)

Question 2: Does this type of success serve as absolute proof that Osteen's method of 'Calling Down Blessings' actually works?

Question 3: What other explanations are there for this type of unprecedented success?

Question 4: If Osteen's message contradicts scripture, then what is the correct explanation for this success?

Question 5: Does Osteen's message contradict scripture? Why or Why Not? Provide well thought out examples that quote scripture ‘in context’?

I’d love to hear from you regarding your answers to these questions.

When the Liberals Notice It….

The American Christian Church has officially slipped into the Twilight Zone!!!!

While perusing some Liberal Blogs, I came across a posting that makes the same point that I made two Sunday’s ago in my Sunday School class. Read this quote, note that it is from a Liberal who is a member of “The Alliance for Moderate, Liberal and Progressive Blogs”! There are very few things I say amen to, when liberals speak, but this one hits the nail on the head. Here’s the quote…

“H. Richard Niebuhr once observed that the theology of liberal Protestantism was “A God without wrath who brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross.” It is interesting to read this comment because Niebuhr was referring to the liberal side of the faith but it is the same theology that many on the conservative side of the faith use in their preaching today. It is the essence of what are called “seeker-friendly” services. It is the very message that Joel Osteen and other modern day pastors are preaching! If you go to the Lakewood Church website and search around for the words "God" and "Jesus", you will not find them. They just aren't there. But the words "Joel Osteen" and "Ministries" are everywhere. There's no sin or judgment or even kingdom -- much less a Christ on a Cross -- suffering. It is almost as if they are ashamed to preach the words of Jesus.” - Link

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When liberals are noticing that there is a problem with the messages being taught from Conservative Evangelical pulpits, that means the problem is REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD! It’s like going to the Doctor and having him tell you that he’s discovered that you have cancer and then telling you that you’ve only got minutes to live.

Joel Osteen’s New Bible

Below, I am reproducing, a ‘news article’ that recently came to my attention. I received this article, via higher spiritual channels and advanced holy giftedness. Please read this ‘news article’ with your tongue in your cheek.

New Bible by Joel Osteen Promises More Rewarding Read of Holy Writ

Luke 18:9-14 records Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. However, a new, more clever and relevant version of the Bible which Joel Osteen is rumored to already be preaching from, re-tells this parable for us in a unique and refreshing way.

Osteen’s new Bible, is called the T.R.A.P Bible (T.R.A.P. stands for Total Rewards American Paraphrase) This new version of the scriptures appears to be ‘self-published’ and promises to be un-like any version that has preceded it.

Below we’ve reproduced Luke 18:9-14 from Osteen’s New Bible in order to show you how 'new' and 'original' this Bible truly is:

Luke 18:9 And Jesus also told this parable to certain ones who thought poorly of themselves and showed contempt to themselves by refusing to find the 'champion within'. 10 Two men went into the temple to pray one was a successful pastor of a mega-church, the other was an un-victorious sinner who worked for the IRS. 11 The successful pastor stood and prayed about himself and used positive self-talk to affirm the victories of his life, ‘I thank you God that I am so wonderful, that I am more than a conqueror, that I am not burdened with negative thoughts, that I have a number one best-selling book 12 and that unlike that IRS agent over there, I am a victor instead of a victim and that my bank account is filled to overflowing.

13 But the IRS agent, standing some distance away dwelled on negative thoughts of guilt and shame. He wouldn’t embrace the ‘champion within’ but instead could only look at the ground and feel bad for himself. He prayed ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 Jesus then proclaimed, "I tell you that God would not listen to that IRS Agent because he refused to live in victory. For everyone who humbles himself will be rejected and everyone who exalts himself will be exalted even higher."

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Note: This post is controversial. Please read this site's disclaimer should you be offended by what you read.

Joel Osteen Baptizes Anthony Robbins

The fun part about being a theology and doctrine wonk is my complete inability to be relevant in 21st century America.

Many years ago I took the advice of C.S. Lewis regarding the reading of old books and have rarely read a work of Christian writing that is less than 300 to 500 years old. Silly me, I thought this was supposed to help me become a better Bible teacher. How was I supposed to know that American Christians are not interested in what the Bible teaches? They just want to be rich, successful and feel good about themselves.

The newest star rising on the Christian horizon (move over Rick Warren) is Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Huston Texas. This guy has got the message that every itching ear is dying to hear (2 Tim 4:3). He has a best selling book on the market called, “Your Best Life Now: A Guide to Reaching Your Full Potential”. His sermons which are broadcast around the globe focus on the theme “Discover the Champion In You” and include such topics as ‘Improving Your Self Image With Words” and “Feeling Good About Who You Are”.

How does one improve their self-image or feel good about who they are? According to Osteen (notice that I didn’t say ‘according to the Bible’), the words you use can either bless your life or curse your life. He recommends positive self-talk, much the same way Anthony Robbins encourages daily ‘incantations’ to alter your mental state and set a positive course for your life.

Yup, you read that correctly. Joel Osteen’s teachings are the SAME as what Anthony Robbins calls ‘daily incantations’.

Compare these sound bites.

Anthony Robbins

Sound Bite 1- Robbins Explains What Incantations Are
Sound Bite 2 – Robbins Demonstrates Incantations (From His Daily Magic CD)

Joel Osteen

Sound Bite Montage – From His Sermon “Improve Your Self Image With Words”

After listening to these sound bites ask yourself these questions…

1. Are there any significant differences between what Anthony Robbins teaches and what Joel Osteen Teaches?
2. Is Osteen just baptizing Anthony Robbins' teaching with 'Bible' verses?
3. Who or what was the focus of Joel’s Sermon?
4. Which of the books of the Bible, or which of the Apostles teaches us that mankind’s problem is that people have ‘poor self-images’?
5. Did Jesus teach ‘positive self-talk’?
6. What does ‘positive self-talk’ have to do with the cross of Christ and the message of the gospel?
7. Is this appropriate material for a pastor to teach in a Christian church on a Sunday morning? Why or Why Not?

For my two-cents please listen to the Extreme Sunday School Lesson entitled “The Current State of American Christianity”.

For a more complete critique of Osteen’s Sermon Please listen to this sermon review from the Issues Etc. Radio program. Todd Wilken does a magnificent job of evaluating this teaching from a ‘Christ-Centered & Cross Focused” standard. Click here to listen.

If you would like to hear what a GREAT sermon sounds like using this standard Click here.

The Current State of American Christianity

Click Here to Download the MP3 Audio File

This lesson is a hard hitting look at the current state of American evangelicalism. Beware, toes will be stepped on and sacred cows sacrificed.

The notes for this class are available by clicking here.

Originally taught at Capo Valley Church, San Juan Capistrano, California on Sunday, March 5, 2006.