Joel Osteen's is a Happiness Cult
| Posted On: 01/09/09 05:55:36 PM |
Age 60, CA |
"Christianity is not a happiness cult. It's primary purpose is not to make us happy...happiness does come through the Christian faith. But if the end of the Christian faith is to make us happy, then we are using God - we are the center - not God. This means self-idolatry." a quote by Deverne Fromke, "Unto Full Stature"
Greg at http://dyingtoliveabundantlife.blogspot.com/
|
Good Job
| Posted On: 01/09/09 03:10:54 PM |
Age 60, WV |
Very good article and thanks for using God's Word in English--the King James.
|
another thought
| Posted On: 01/09/09 03:10:51 PM |
Age 53, NE |
The church will stop be "me-centered" and become "He-centered" when we realize that buildings, meetings, meals and music do not a church make. We must realize that we, individually and collectively, are the church, whether in a pew or in line at the grocery store. If we would know that we represent Jesus wherever we go, if we would acknowledge the depths from which He has rescued us, and if we would gladly share the reason for the hope that is in us, then the church would be just fine.
|
Why should everything center around God?
| Posted On: 01/09/09 01:01:08 PM |
Age 44, CO |
I'm afraid your average "Christian" would probably ask why everything should center around God, not "me." There aren't nearly enough good solid preachers out there like John Piper boldly expounding on God-centeredness and showing it for the glorious, right thing that it is. Too many churches avoid the plainly God-centered passages of the Bible, as if feeling the need to protect God from his own embarrassing narcissism. But those who have this attitude suffer from the belief that the Emperor really has no clothes. They think He couldn't prove worthy of all of that scrutiny. So they'd rather focus on man, as if he could possibly be worthy.
Sin is madness.
Betsy Markman
"Why Should Everything Revolve Around God?"
http://justanotherclaypot.blogspot.com/2009/01/why-should-everything-revolve-around.html
|
I read Wild at heart too and loved it but...
| Posted On: 01/09/09 12:46:58 PM |
Age 29, CA |
Hey i do not disagree with you that it is a beneficial book nor do i think it to be evil and unnecessary- it is way better than the othes he has done which i emphatically do not agree with- they do get more and more me centered by the way.
But even though it is good (it is not evil to deal with self) it is a part of a larger trend.
If God wrote a book about man (wait He did) i do not think it would lift him up the way eldridge did- that is all i am saying
we are losing out on true power- by focusing on ourselves
thanks for replying- i am blessed
|
thank you for writing
| Posted On: 01/09/09 12:42:45 PM |
Age 29, CA |
Hey it is not for me to say it is wrong to pray anything.
This is how I believe Jesus would answer though-
Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Matthew 6:32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
|
Purpose Driven
| Posted On: 01/09/09 11:19:28 AM |
Age 41, CA |
Well, The Purpose Driven life -- which I believe is the most deceiving book out there, continues to contribute to the development of me-centered local churches. Books like these influence people to seek God as a new resource THROUGH which they are able to understand the purpose of THEIR life here on earth, instead of seeking God not as a resource but as LORD, and IN Him they can understand the purpose of HIS life in them. Such books as these cause people to become blind to such truths as, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." And, "I write these things so that IN ME (not THROUGH Me) you may have peace. In the world you [meaning: in your life] will have tribulation..." Does this mean that we should seek a miserable existence to ensure the authenticity of our election? No! This means that if in our deepest heart, our main concern is pleasing God and serving Him for His purpose and His pleasure, and rather than overwhelming ourselves by focusing too much on our lives, we focus on serving Christ, He will provide for our every need. Am I saying to ignore our responsibilities in life? No! Do all you can to fulfill your responsibilities, and leave the rest to God. Don't seek the benefits of God -- Seek the God of the benefits.
|
Wrong?
| Posted On: 01/09/09 10:08:24 AM |
Age 66, AL |
Matt,
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain. 1 Chronicles 4:10"
I always pray for GOD to bless me and my family with food and shelter and to keep me from doing wrong and because I have hurt so many people in my past I always pray for GOD to override the harm I have done and to keep me from hurting anyone anymore. Is it wrong and sinful to pray these prayers?
Gene
|
Well said.
| Posted On: 01/09/09 09:19:46 AM |
Age 27, WA |
Well said. Selfishness should not be encouraged. Lest the seed falls in the ground and dies, it produces nothing. Jesus' hands are good hands to fall into, be planted, die, and be born again, producing a harvest.
|
I haven't read any of these books
| Posted On: 01/09/09 08:25:42 AM |
Age 50, MT |
and apparently the author hasn't, either; "...all seem to be written from a man centered [perspective]..." So, are they man centered, or aren't they? By the way, man centered Christianity is nothing new. Walk into almost any church today, and you'll find that a good portion of what goes on there has very little to do with God, and a lot to do with programs and buildings. If the Church wants to survive, it had better get back to the Greatest Commandment and make God and His glory the center.
|
Not Sure I agree
| Posted On: 01/09/09 06:04:36 AM |
Age 53, AL |
Sir
Of the books mentioned in the beginning of your article, I've read only "Wild at Heart." I would disagree with you regarding it being me centered.
I see this as a book calling Men to be Authentic Christian Men following God's direction for their life. It is, to me a book which calls men to follow God and to be more like Him. I don't see this as me centered.
While I don't disagree with the major point of your article I think you may be wrong with respect to "Wild at Heart." Regardless I know that this book has called many men back to the church and back to God. That can't be bad.
|
Right on Matt !!!!
| Posted On: 01/09/09 05:24:30 AM |
Age 57, AR |
Great article Matt! I agree with you 100%! I have been attempting to explain to some of my friends, and anyone that God puts in my path that has an ear to hear, that we are a selfish generation. Always looking out for number one first. Ourselves. If we all did just one thing that it says in the Bible, we would have a perfect world to live in. And that is to "Get outside of yourself, and think of others as better than yourself." I don't think that is going to happen in these days. Sometimes I even struggle to live that way, and I am convicted of it.
|
|
|
|
|
