I have been watching the recent political struggles in our Commonwealth regarding Governor Beshear's desire to increase revenues by expanding gambling for some time. Today, Governor Beshear released his gambling bill which is endorsed by Senator Damon Thayer (R-District 17). In light of the recent controversy, Senator Thayer released this statement on his FaceBook page. I am writing this article in response to Senator Thayer.
Gambling is not directly spoken to in Scripture, and indirectly through stewardship commands we might infer that the act of gambling is sinful. Yet, this is not the most disturbing aspect to this bill. The most disturbing aspect to expanded gambling is that this bill allows government to profit from a social injustice. This bill is a desperate act of an over-spending and money hungry government that is predatory to the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in hopes to fill the state coffers while leaving a wake of devastation. As a pastor, all too often do I hear of ruined marriages and families due to gambling: husbands who take out loans to continue gambling, divorces over the financial straits gambling had placed on homes, and the destruction of whole towns around casinos into poverty. To think that anyone would introduce a bill to allow government and businesses to profit from such evil stands against conscience. The lack of any care for the poor, the forcing of others into poverty, and the view of people as prey for government revenue is altogether appalling.
Senator Thayer's position is simply to bring the issue up for voting by the people of Kentucky. To sponsor a bill is to support its content. Thus, I surmise that Senator Thayer has thought deeply about expanded gambling before signing his name in support of Governor Beshear's bill. I assume that by Senator Thayer's support of the content of the expanded gambling bill he disagrees with my approach toward expanded gambling and my view of the consequences to casinos. However, simply introducing a bill and sweeping its ramifications under the rug of "let the people decide" is outrageous. This is a bill that seeks to restore the horse industry and improve government revenue by what I view as a social injustice. All I ask Senator Thayer to do is state and defend his position in a public debate format.
Hershael York, pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church and a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has concerns to Senator Thayer's occupation which is linked to the speedway as well as the horse industry as a conflict of interest in sponsoring an expanded gambling bill. I believe this to be a legitimate concern, especially in light of my statement above regarding government and businesses profiting from social injustice. If Senator Thayer's business or any of his clients stands to profit from such a bill, then he should step aside and allow someone else to sponsor this legislation. This is a valid complaint which needs to be addressed in a public debate format.
If Senator Thayer disagrees with me and has full faith that this bill is good for the folks of Kentucky and he sees no conflict of interest in introducing the measure, then he should have no trepidations to debate Hershael York on the matter. If what Senator Thayer says is accurate that he does not intimidate easy, then he should have no problems debating the ideas before the people of the Commonwealth on KET's Kentucky Tonight (as requested by Hershael York in the comments of his FaceBook note).
To urge Senator Thayer to debate Hershael York regarding the gambling bill, post a comment on his FaceBook note and send him an e-mail. You may also write to Kentucky Tonight and request to see this debate.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Someone Greater than Shakespeare is Here
In I John 4:8, the Scripture reveals that "God is love." Greek does not have an indefinite article (Jehovah's Witnesses would do well to pay attention); thus, the verse is not read "God is a love," as if God is one form of many loves. There is no love that exists outside of God. In our modern secularized world, we have learned to compartmentalize "religious" love and the types of love in all other areas: marriage, children, peppered steak, etc. Valentine's Day stands as an example of the corruption sinful man has placed over this one word.
Movies and romance novels talk endlessly about finding "true love." This idea of love seems a mysterious force that, like the wind, is something that cannot be seen and is lost from our reaches. Love is reduced to a feeling, or primal sensation, which explodes in mutual pleasure when the mysterious "soul-mate" that this mysterious force fated for you is found. The world's view of love is utterly selfish in its nature and is founded on an idol god. True love, in this view, is an explosion of personal emotion and has its value solely upon personal pleasure. Have we any wonder, then, that people in the world "fall out of love" and never commit in marriage?
Instead of exhaustively displaying what love is not, allow me to suggest that the love of Christ is greater than the world's depiction of love. The world's love is prompted by something in someone outside of you: their attractiveness, their kindness, perfect characteristics, love poems, and the like. God loves us with a perfect and eternal love from His own perfect goodness (Psalm 25:6-7) and, therefore, His love is not dependent on any attribute of us (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). What marvelous good news! God's love remains on His chosen, not because we are great, wise, or sinless, but because God is good.
The world's love often fails to commit, and even if a commitment is made one can "fall out of love" and break that commitment Yet, because God's love is based solely on His goodness, God enters a covenant that we did not earn (Ephesians 2:8-9) and His commitment is eternal (Psalm 103:17). Follow Arthur W. Pink's logic:
(1) God's love is permanent.
(2) God's love is expressed in permanence and not gifts.
So, unlike many in the world where love is solely expressed in gift giving (like flowers and chocolate on Valentine's Day), God's love is displayed in how He changed our status before Him (from sinners to righteous) and His love's permanence rather than simply giving us stuff (such as fulfilling felt needs or speaking in tongues). The beloved of God cannot even begin to comprehend the joyous pleasure of receiving God's eternal love; however, our love is shown as worship to our loving God by faithful obedience to His commands (John 14:23-24).
The world's love parasitically feeds pleasure from others like leeches. God loves in such a way to include many who deserve His wrath. Jesus came and died for us to show us the greatest love by dying for His chosen. Before creation, He chose some of us freely out of His love that is founded solely upon His goodness and for His praise and not our characteristics (Ephesians 1:4-6). This praise we give by our faithful obedience to His commands because God lovingly gave us the gift of faith which enables our once dead hearts to have a desire to lovingly worship our God. So, the world may have Shakespearean love and extravagant princess-style weddings for selfish pleasure that is temporary. Someone greater than Shakespeare is here. "Love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13). Thus, husbands love Christ by teaching Scripture to His wife and loving her as God loves him, not when she is nice to him or by anything she has or does, but because the man loves Christ. Likewise, wives love their husbands as Christ loves her, not for the gifts he brings or being "Mr. Right," but because of her love for Christ. Marital love is not an emotional sensation that explodes in carnal pleasure, but a mutual submission to and worship of the God who is love. The perfect gift to your spouse for today's celebration is having faith in Christ and "to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge"...every day.
Suggested Reading:
The Attributes of God Chapter 15 entitled "The Love of God" by A.W. Pink
Movies and romance novels talk endlessly about finding "true love." This idea of love seems a mysterious force that, like the wind, is something that cannot be seen and is lost from our reaches. Love is reduced to a feeling, or primal sensation, which explodes in mutual pleasure when the mysterious "soul-mate" that this mysterious force fated for you is found. The world's view of love is utterly selfish in its nature and is founded on an idol god. True love, in this view, is an explosion of personal emotion and has its value solely upon personal pleasure. Have we any wonder, then, that people in the world "fall out of love" and never commit in marriage?
Instead of exhaustively displaying what love is not, allow me to suggest that the love of Christ is greater than the world's depiction of love. The world's love is prompted by something in someone outside of you: their attractiveness, their kindness, perfect characteristics, love poems, and the like. God loves us with a perfect and eternal love from His own perfect goodness (Psalm 25:6-7) and, therefore, His love is not dependent on any attribute of us (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). What marvelous good news! God's love remains on His chosen, not because we are great, wise, or sinless, but because God is good.
The world's love often fails to commit, and even if a commitment is made one can "fall out of love" and break that commitment Yet, because God's love is based solely on His goodness, God enters a covenant that we did not earn (Ephesians 2:8-9) and His commitment is eternal (Psalm 103:17). Follow Arthur W. Pink's logic:
God Himself is eternal, and God is love; therefore, as God Himself had no beginning, His love had none.God will never fall out of love with His people. In I Corinthians 13:8-10, Paul describes how God's love is permanent against God's gifts. Two things we might infer from this passage about God's love:
(1) God's love is permanent.
(2) God's love is expressed in permanence and not gifts.
So, unlike many in the world where love is solely expressed in gift giving (like flowers and chocolate on Valentine's Day), God's love is displayed in how He changed our status before Him (from sinners to righteous) and His love's permanence rather than simply giving us stuff (such as fulfilling felt needs or speaking in tongues). The beloved of God cannot even begin to comprehend the joyous pleasure of receiving God's eternal love; however, our love is shown as worship to our loving God by faithful obedience to His commands (John 14:23-24).
The world's love parasitically feeds pleasure from others like leeches. God loves in such a way to include many who deserve His wrath. Jesus came and died for us to show us the greatest love by dying for His chosen. Before creation, He chose some of us freely out of His love that is founded solely upon His goodness and for His praise and not our characteristics (Ephesians 1:4-6). This praise we give by our faithful obedience to His commands because God lovingly gave us the gift of faith which enables our once dead hearts to have a desire to lovingly worship our God. So, the world may have Shakespearean love and extravagant princess-style weddings for selfish pleasure that is temporary. Someone greater than Shakespeare is here. "Love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13). Thus, husbands love Christ by teaching Scripture to His wife and loving her as God loves him, not when she is nice to him or by anything she has or does, but because the man loves Christ. Likewise, wives love their husbands as Christ loves her, not for the gifts he brings or being "Mr. Right," but because of her love for Christ. Marital love is not an emotional sensation that explodes in carnal pleasure, but a mutual submission to and worship of the God who is love. The perfect gift to your spouse for today's celebration is having faith in Christ and "to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge"...every day.
Suggested Reading:
The Attributes of God Chapter 15 entitled "The Love of God" by A.W. Pink
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Joel Osteen's Gospel
In Wednesday's Christianity Today, Joel Osteen defended his theology against a theology that pushes people down and reveals "a God that you can’t measure up to." I described Osteen's doctrine of anthropology and theology in some detail yesterday. In this entry, I'd like to focus on Osteen's view of the gospel in particular as well as the danger of such a view in the contemporary church.
As stated in yesterday's entry, Osteen views the human condition radically different than what is defined in Scripture. Osteen's view of the human condition is to be made much of by God (man-centered). Osteen contends that God smiles down on us and has "a great plan" for people. This "great plan" is Osteen's gospel.
Osteen's Doctrine of Sin vs Biblical Doctrine of Sin
"You can overcome mistakes," says Osteen. Sin is viewed as a mistake in Osteen's view. Read this from Dictionary.com:
The biblical doctrine of sin is nicely defined by Wayne Grudem: "Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature." Sin is much more than mere action, such as making a mistake. Sin is who we are by nature and in our attitude toward God. The Bible depicts sin as totally corrupting in our thoughts and desires (Romans 7:18, Titus 1:15). The sinner is left utterly helpless to overcome sin, unlike in Osteen's view that "you can overcome mistakes." Because of humanity's sinful nature, all people are dead in their trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1). People are not sick in need of medicine or people who make mistakes that need help overcoming errors. The Bible says sinners are dead and utterly helpless to change. There is a lake of "fire and brimstone" for sinners (Revelation 21:8).
Osteen's Doctrine of Atonement vs Biblical Doctrine of Atonement
"You can overcome mistakes." Note, Osteen says you can overcome. Humanity has the power within themselves to invoke this change and "overcome mistakes." Also notice Osteen's absence of a human need for salvation and atonement. There is a total absence of any mentioning of Jesus, atonement, or sacrifice in a Christian magazine article about the gospel. That is not Christianity Today's fault; that is the fault of Osteen. Osteen's gospel has no need for atonement, nor Christ for that matter. If humans possess the power within themselves to change and God smiles down on us regardless, then we have no need of atonement for our "mistakes." So, in Osteen's view, people are not dead sinners in need of a Savior and perfect substitutionary atonement; rather, people are those with a misunderstanding of God and needs to hear positive messages about healthy relationships and healthy living. Osteen claims that such positive messages that avoid "fire and brimstone" are what "draws people to God." Thus, positive messages invites people who have the power to change themselves to draw themselves to God.
The Bible views man as sinners dead in their trespasses, utterly helpless, and deserving of eternal punishment by a just judgment from a perfectly holy God. People do not possess the power to reconcile themselves to God. This is the remarkable grace that is found in the true, biblical gospel. God initiates the change in position of the sinner (propitiation) and God Himself provides the power that sinners do not have to reconcile Christ's church to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). When Christians preach the biblical gospel "be reconciled to God," we are preaching the God "made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God" (II Corinthians 5:20-21). In order for sinners to be reconciled to God, God Himself must draw the dead sinner to Himself through Christ who took our sin to the cross and in exchange we receive His perfect righteousness.
Osteen's Gospel Reward vs Biblical Gospel Reward
In Osteen's view of the gospel, God is reduced to a cosmic cheerleader "smiling down" on people that make mistakes, and God is the one rooting us on to bounce back from those mistakes and have a good life. Osteen admits his gospel is focused on prosperity, but "prosperity to me is more than money. It’s health and good relationships … peace of mind." So, God does want us to be prosperous, and prosperous in ways beyond our finances. Osteen summarizes that gospel reward out of God's desire for people to be happy and healthy: "God wants you to be blessed and have good relationships and be healthy." Osteen views the gospel reward as God meeting our felt needs, both emotionally and physically.
The Bible tells us that the gospel reward is God. The biblical gospel reward is salvation for our souls from the deserved punishment of our sin through Christ's atoning sacrifice and to, as the Westminster Confession puts it, "fully enjoy Him forever." The reward Christ gives us reconciliation to God and to find our full satisfaction in Him above all of His gifts. As John Piper puts it in God is the Gospel,
Osteen's Gospel and Your Church
Let's face it; it is easy to pick on Joel Osteen. He is over-the-top and is rather ineffective when questioned by the media. It is easy for most to point our Osteen's gospel as false, or those like him. For example, you could point at Joyce Meyer's speaking with all the profundity of fortune cookies at your local Chinese take-out. Perhaps you can easily ignore the likes of historical prosperity gospel preachers like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Kenneth Copeland, or Robert Shuller and his Crystal Cathedral. You may only be able to shew away Osteen's gospel because of his over-the-top church of 40,000. However, could you recognize a false gospel in a church of 40? How about in a book on a shelf at your local Christian bookstore? How does your pastor express the gospel from the pulpit?
It is my hope that I have clarified that Osteen's gospel is no gospel at all and is radically oppositional to the Bible. However, I am blogging for teaching reasons. To leave you here would leave you with the usual "you should evangelize" ending to a typical Sunday sermon. As Don Whitney puts it, "It does little good to encourage people to discipline themselves to evangelize if they do not know the gospel." You should know the gospel and hear the gospel from your pastor. You should be able to discern whether or not what you are hearing from the pulpit or reading in a book is the biblical gospel or another false gospel. The implications could be deadly (Matthew 7:15-20).
As stated in yesterday's entry, Osteen views the human condition radically different than what is defined in Scripture. Osteen's view of the human condition is to be made much of by God (man-centered). Osteen contends that God smiles down on us and has "a great plan" for people. This "great plan" is Osteen's gospel.
Osteen's Doctrine of Sin vs Biblical Doctrine of Sin
"You can overcome mistakes," says Osteen. Sin is viewed as a mistake in Osteen's view. Read this from Dictionary.com:
noun
1) an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc.
So, Osteen's doctrine of sin is founded upon a lofty view of man and an anemic view of God. Man makes mistakes and God keeps on smiling and looking for the best for humanity. In other words, sin is not a breaking of God's Law deserving death as described in the Bible (Romans 6:23), but rather a mistake that people have the power to bounce back from. Osteen views people as those making errors or have a misunderstanding with God. This goes to why Osteen preaches "positives" rather than "fire and brimstone sermons," as he reports.2) a misunderstanding or misconception.
The biblical doctrine of sin is nicely defined by Wayne Grudem: "Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature." Sin is much more than mere action, such as making a mistake. Sin is who we are by nature and in our attitude toward God. The Bible depicts sin as totally corrupting in our thoughts and desires (Romans 7:18, Titus 1:15). The sinner is left utterly helpless to overcome sin, unlike in Osteen's view that "you can overcome mistakes." Because of humanity's sinful nature, all people are dead in their trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1). People are not sick in need of medicine or people who make mistakes that need help overcoming errors. The Bible says sinners are dead and utterly helpless to change. There is a lake of "fire and brimstone" for sinners (Revelation 21:8).
Osteen's Doctrine of Atonement vs Biblical Doctrine of Atonement
"You can overcome mistakes." Note, Osteen says you can overcome. Humanity has the power within themselves to invoke this change and "overcome mistakes." Also notice Osteen's absence of a human need for salvation and atonement. There is a total absence of any mentioning of Jesus, atonement, or sacrifice in a Christian magazine article about the gospel. That is not Christianity Today's fault; that is the fault of Osteen. Osteen's gospel has no need for atonement, nor Christ for that matter. If humans possess the power within themselves to change and God smiles down on us regardless, then we have no need of atonement for our "mistakes." So, in Osteen's view, people are not dead sinners in need of a Savior and perfect substitutionary atonement; rather, people are those with a misunderstanding of God and needs to hear positive messages about healthy relationships and healthy living. Osteen claims that such positive messages that avoid "fire and brimstone" are what "draws people to God." Thus, positive messages invites people who have the power to change themselves to draw themselves to God.
The Bible views man as sinners dead in their trespasses, utterly helpless, and deserving of eternal punishment by a just judgment from a perfectly holy God. People do not possess the power to reconcile themselves to God. This is the remarkable grace that is found in the true, biblical gospel. God initiates the change in position of the sinner (propitiation) and God Himself provides the power that sinners do not have to reconcile Christ's church to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). When Christians preach the biblical gospel "be reconciled to God," we are preaching the God "made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God" (II Corinthians 5:20-21). In order for sinners to be reconciled to God, God Himself must draw the dead sinner to Himself through Christ who took our sin to the cross and in exchange we receive His perfect righteousness.
Osteen's Gospel Reward vs Biblical Gospel Reward
In Osteen's view of the gospel, God is reduced to a cosmic cheerleader "smiling down" on people that make mistakes, and God is the one rooting us on to bounce back from those mistakes and have a good life. Osteen admits his gospel is focused on prosperity, but "prosperity to me is more than money. It’s health and good relationships … peace of mind." So, God does want us to be prosperous, and prosperous in ways beyond our finances. Osteen summarizes that gospel reward out of God's desire for people to be happy and healthy: "God wants you to be blessed and have good relationships and be healthy." Osteen views the gospel reward as God meeting our felt needs, both emotionally and physically.
The Bible tells us that the gospel reward is God. The biblical gospel reward is salvation for our souls from the deserved punishment of our sin through Christ's atoning sacrifice and to, as the Westminster Confession puts it, "fully enjoy Him forever." The reward Christ gives us reconciliation to God and to find our full satisfaction in Him above all of His gifts. As John Piper puts it in God is the Gospel,
Jesus must be the supreme treasure of our lives, if we are true disciples of Jesus. Jesus died for us and rose again to make it possible for us to see him and savor him above all things with everlasting joy. This is the great good the gospel is meant to accomplish. (144)Osteen challenges the biblical view of the gospel and views those preaching the biblical gospel reward as "some people want you to think you’re supposed to be poor and broke and suffer to show that you’re a Christian, and that’s just not the way I read the Scripture." To which Scripture are you referring to, Mr. Osteen? Remember this one, where Jesus says, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great" (Matthew 5:12a)? So Jesus' great reward in heaven brings rejoicing and joy. To what was He referring to? "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me...for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12). Of course, Osteen's way of reading Scripture is in eisegesis. Osteen wants a God that meets his felt needs and preaches this way and does this by informing the Word of God what the gospel is. The Word of God is meant to inform Osteen and us what the gospel is (exegesis). Notice that Osteen views a gospel that offers no other gift but God as "you're supposed to be poor and broke and suffer." Osteen only accepts a God that gives you money and comfort. If money and comfort were stripped away in Osteen's gospel reward, you have nothing. Osteen views himself making God good by transforming God into an earthly gift-giver and not Himself. A gospel that gives God as the reward is not a good God, in this view. I see Christ as the Joy above all joys, Gift above all gifts, and long to see Him return for His church. I grieve that Osteen views this reward as unsatisfactory.
Osteen's Gospel and Your Church
Let's face it; it is easy to pick on Joel Osteen. He is over-the-top and is rather ineffective when questioned by the media. It is easy for most to point our Osteen's gospel as false, or those like him. For example, you could point at Joyce Meyer's speaking with all the profundity of fortune cookies at your local Chinese take-out. Perhaps you can easily ignore the likes of historical prosperity gospel preachers like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Kenneth Copeland, or Robert Shuller and his Crystal Cathedral. You may only be able to shew away Osteen's gospel because of his over-the-top church of 40,000. However, could you recognize a false gospel in a church of 40? How about in a book on a shelf at your local Christian bookstore? How does your pastor express the gospel from the pulpit?
It is my hope that I have clarified that Osteen's gospel is no gospel at all and is radically oppositional to the Bible. However, I am blogging for teaching reasons. To leave you here would leave you with the usual "you should evangelize" ending to a typical Sunday sermon. As Don Whitney puts it, "It does little good to encourage people to discipline themselves to evangelize if they do not know the gospel." You should know the gospel and hear the gospel from your pastor. You should be able to discern whether or not what you are hearing from the pulpit or reading in a book is the biblical gospel or another false gospel. The implications could be deadly (Matthew 7:15-20).
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Joel Osteen's Theology
Christianity Today posted an interesting article on Joel Osteen, who recently preached at a Night of Hope event in Hawaii. Osteen leads the largest church in America, boasting some 40,000 in attendance on Sunday mornings. Osteen has been criticized for preaching a prosperity gospel that is inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture. Osteen centers his messages on his listeners thinking positively about themselves, founding this anthropology on a theology that God wants what is best for you and He has promised to bless you. In the Christianity Today article, Osteen defends his theology.
Osteen states, “I think for years people have been pushed down by religion, and I don’t say that disrespectfully, but they’ve been shown a God that you can’t measure up to." This is a revealing statement. Osteen pits his theology of positive thinking and prosperity up against religions that push people down by showing them "a God that you can't measure up to." Let's break this down.
Osteen's Anthropology vs Biblical Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity; biblically speaking, anthropology is the state of humanity or the human condition. Osteen stated, "...people have been pushed down by religion. By "religion," Osteen defines this as a movement that reveals "a God that you can't measure up to." This religion is called Christianity. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, "both Jews and Greeks are under sin" and "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:9, 23). As the Psalmist asks, "If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" (Psalm 130:3). The biblical answer is "not one is righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). Osteen's view of humanity is that religion should not push them down. This is foundational to his positive thinking motif to his messages. Religion should exalt humanity rather than push humanity down.Osteen said, "I think that God wants us to excel" (emphasis added). According to Osteen, God wants human beings to individually excel; in other words, God wants to make much of us. Yet, the Bibles says, "no man may boast before God" and "let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (I Corinthians 1:29, 31). The God of Scripture is quite the opposite to Osteen's description. Humanity is to boast in God, not God boasting in humanity as Osteen details. Osteen's prosperity gospel is summed up in this way: "I think that God wants us to excel and be the best at what we can do and have happy families." Osteen says that God makes much of us by "smiling down" on us and having a "great plan for your life." In Osteen's anthropology, it is all about you. In the Bible, it is all about God.
Osteen's Theology vs Biblical Theology
Osteen's view of God stands in contrast to what he claims is "a God that you can't measure up to." This means that Osteen sees God as one that people can measure up to. To Osteen, God can be approached by sinful human beings. This is an outright rejection of God's holiness. God is not set apart from the world because, according to Osteen, people can measure up to him. Contrary to Osteen's doctrine of God, the Bible calls God the Holy One of Israel (Psalm 78:41 et al) who cannot be approached by sinners (Psalm 24:3-4). We already discussed that the Bible defines the human condition as utterly sinful and fallen short of God's glory. Man in his sin is incapable of approaching God. God in His perfect holiness cannot be approached by sinful man. There is a great separation between God and man. To make a god that can be measured up to by sinful human beings of his own creation is a god that lacks position above his creation (transcendence) and moral superiority to his creation (ethical holiness). The God of Scripture is a God of Light, "and in Him there is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5).
"My goal is to make God good..." states Osteen. That's right, Osteen's preaching makes God good. Osteen sees the God that cannot be measured up to by sinful people who are pushed down by religion as an evil God. Osteen fancies himself as a repairman to the broken, wrathful God that cannot be measured up to. Yet, God is holy and unapproachable. God is wrathful against all unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). And yet, the Bible states that God is perfectly benevolent as well (Psalm 106:1, Psalm 34:8). To entitle the God of Scripture as evil that needs to be reformed ("made") good by popular psychology is blasphemous.God is not broken, He does not need human public relations to be "made" good. God's perfect love and perfect goodness is shown to sinners by sending us His Son; though we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That, Mr. Osteen, is the demonstration of God's goodness. His perfect love and goodness are found in the gospel, not in the positive thinking of sinners exalting themselves and avoiding conviction over sin.
Jesus warned us, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). John MacArthur comments that false prophets impersonate true shepherds promoting the wide gate and the wide way toward destruction. Sure, Osteen has a nice smile and is kind to others. He is peaceful and is just plain nice. However, his theology is shepherding people along the wide path toward destruction, blaspheming God and promoting a theology in rebellion to the teachings of Scripture. Inwardly, that is not very nice at all. There is a total absence of a genuine articulation of the gospel in Osteen's teachings, which has been replaced with positive thinking by perverting God into a god that must be "made" good and can be measured up to by people who make mistakes.
Tomorrow, I will turn to Joel Osteen's view of the gospel versus the biblical view of the gospel.
Osteen states, “I think for years people have been pushed down by religion, and I don’t say that disrespectfully, but they’ve been shown a God that you can’t measure up to." This is a revealing statement. Osteen pits his theology of positive thinking and prosperity up against religions that push people down by showing them "a God that you can't measure up to." Let's break this down.
Osteen's Anthropology vs Biblical Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity; biblically speaking, anthropology is the state of humanity or the human condition. Osteen stated, "...people have been pushed down by religion. By "religion," Osteen defines this as a movement that reveals "a God that you can't measure up to." This religion is called Christianity. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, "both Jews and Greeks are under sin" and "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:9, 23). As the Psalmist asks, "If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" (Psalm 130:3). The biblical answer is "not one is righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). Osteen's view of humanity is that religion should not push them down. This is foundational to his positive thinking motif to his messages. Religion should exalt humanity rather than push humanity down.Osteen said, "I think that God wants us to excel" (emphasis added). According to Osteen, God wants human beings to individually excel; in other words, God wants to make much of us. Yet, the Bibles says, "no man may boast before God" and "let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (I Corinthians 1:29, 31). The God of Scripture is quite the opposite to Osteen's description. Humanity is to boast in God, not God boasting in humanity as Osteen details. Osteen's prosperity gospel is summed up in this way: "I think that God wants us to excel and be the best at what we can do and have happy families." Osteen says that God makes much of us by "smiling down" on us and having a "great plan for your life." In Osteen's anthropology, it is all about you. In the Bible, it is all about God.
Osteen's Theology vs Biblical Theology
Osteen's view of God stands in contrast to what he claims is "a God that you can't measure up to." This means that Osteen sees God as one that people can measure up to. To Osteen, God can be approached by sinful human beings. This is an outright rejection of God's holiness. God is not set apart from the world because, according to Osteen, people can measure up to him. Contrary to Osteen's doctrine of God, the Bible calls God the Holy One of Israel (Psalm 78:41 et al) who cannot be approached by sinners (Psalm 24:3-4). We already discussed that the Bible defines the human condition as utterly sinful and fallen short of God's glory. Man in his sin is incapable of approaching God. God in His perfect holiness cannot be approached by sinful man. There is a great separation between God and man. To make a god that can be measured up to by sinful human beings of his own creation is a god that lacks position above his creation (transcendence) and moral superiority to his creation (ethical holiness). The God of Scripture is a God of Light, "and in Him there is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5).
"My goal is to make God good..." states Osteen. That's right, Osteen's preaching makes God good. Osteen sees the God that cannot be measured up to by sinful people who are pushed down by religion as an evil God. Osteen fancies himself as a repairman to the broken, wrathful God that cannot be measured up to. Yet, God is holy and unapproachable. God is wrathful against all unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). And yet, the Bible states that God is perfectly benevolent as well (Psalm 106:1, Psalm 34:8). To entitle the God of Scripture as evil that needs to be reformed ("made") good by popular psychology is blasphemous.God is not broken, He does not need human public relations to be "made" good. God's perfect love and perfect goodness is shown to sinners by sending us His Son; though we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That, Mr. Osteen, is the demonstration of God's goodness. His perfect love and goodness are found in the gospel, not in the positive thinking of sinners exalting themselves and avoiding conviction over sin.
Jesus warned us, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). John MacArthur comments that false prophets impersonate true shepherds promoting the wide gate and the wide way toward destruction. Sure, Osteen has a nice smile and is kind to others. He is peaceful and is just plain nice. However, his theology is shepherding people along the wide path toward destruction, blaspheming God and promoting a theology in rebellion to the teachings of Scripture. Inwardly, that is not very nice at all. There is a total absence of a genuine articulation of the gospel in Osteen's teachings, which has been replaced with positive thinking by perverting God into a god that must be "made" good and can be measured up to by people who make mistakes.
Tomorrow, I will turn to Joel Osteen's view of the gospel versus the biblical view of the gospel.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Good Websites
I thought I'd share with you websites that I frequent. Below I listed and linked blogs, reference sites, and other websites that interest me and may prove to be something new for you to check out.
Blogs
Challies - Tim Challies is a pastor in Canada that writes solid articles, book reviews, and my favorite an "A-La-Carte" of interesting things from around the web each day.
Pyromaniacs - Not a website about a love for arson. This is a great site with deep thoughts on current theological challenges/debates and cultural commenting.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler - SBTS President and cultural commentator.
Dr. Russell D. Moore - SBTS Dean of Theology and my systematic theology prof from seminary.
Brandishings - A blog from Dr. Chad Brand, another prof of mine from my seminary days.
Practical Shepherding - A good blog for practical advice for Christians; especially pastors.
Helm's Deep - Paul Helm's blog on philosophical theology.
Dr. Michael Haykin - Historical theology. Good stuff.
For His Renown - Biblical theology from Dr. Jim Hamilton.
Bible and Theology Resources
Monergism.com - A great resource for theology, sermon mp3s, both classic and contemporary writings, and links to good articles.
Desiring God Ministries - Resources from John Piper and his ministry through Desiring God.
The Spurgeon Archive - Sermons, writings, and other resources regarding Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Truth for Life - The ministry of Alistair Begg. The mp3's are the best. Oh, to have a Scottish accent!
Grace to You - The incomparable John MacArthur.
Ligonier Ministries - The ministry of Dr. R.C. Sproul and company.
Biblos - Study the Bible in Greek, Hebrew, different translations, atlases, dictionaries, etc.
I do occasionally read other blogs or find myself on other sites. I simply wanted to list and link those sites which I frequent in order to provide resources for you guys as well as to show what influences me. I'd love to hear about sites you guys refer to.
Blogs
Challies - Tim Challies is a pastor in Canada that writes solid articles, book reviews, and my favorite an "A-La-Carte" of interesting things from around the web each day.
Pyromaniacs - Not a website about a love for arson. This is a great site with deep thoughts on current theological challenges/debates and cultural commenting.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler - SBTS President and cultural commentator.
Dr. Russell D. Moore - SBTS Dean of Theology and my systematic theology prof from seminary.
Brandishings - A blog from Dr. Chad Brand, another prof of mine from my seminary days.
Practical Shepherding - A good blog for practical advice for Christians; especially pastors.
Helm's Deep - Paul Helm's blog on philosophical theology.
Dr. Michael Haykin - Historical theology. Good stuff.
For His Renown - Biblical theology from Dr. Jim Hamilton.
Bible and Theology Resources
Monergism.com - A great resource for theology, sermon mp3s, both classic and contemporary writings, and links to good articles.
Desiring God Ministries - Resources from John Piper and his ministry through Desiring God.
The Spurgeon Archive - Sermons, writings, and other resources regarding Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Truth for Life - The ministry of Alistair Begg. The mp3's are the best. Oh, to have a Scottish accent!
Grace to You - The incomparable John MacArthur.
Ligonier Ministries - The ministry of Dr. R.C. Sproul and company.
Biblos - Study the Bible in Greek, Hebrew, different translations, atlases, dictionaries, etc.
I do occasionally read other blogs or find myself on other sites. I simply wanted to list and link those sites which I frequent in order to provide resources for you guys as well as to show what influences me. I'd love to hear about sites you guys refer to.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sharpening Arrows
What subject does your child excel in? What vocation would you like your child to have? What goals do you place for your children? Do you want to see them land a good career? Do you want them to enter college? Parents of children of any age have lofty goals and daydream about their success in the world. These are noble goals for parents to place for their children, and subjects such as math or science help prepare children for an ever-changing economy and workforce. However, the commands of God do not change.
In the Shema, God commands His covenant people to love YHWH with everything they have and do as well as to read and study His Word and meditate on His Word. Then, God commands His people to "teach (the Word) diligently to your children" (Deuteronomy 6:7a). The primary subject commanded by God to teach, and teach diligently, is His Word to our children. The Christian home is a home that excels in the subject of theology above all other subjects.
A Competent Teacher
The Christian parent is commanded to be a competent teacher of the Word of God. The Shema requires the faithful believer to love God with all our desires, intellect, and deed (heart, soul, and strength). This requires reading, studying, meditating, and putting into practice the Word of God. Note what YHWH commands in the Shema regarding the Word of God:
In modern America, education of our children has been transferred from parents to government. This could lead to tyranny, seeing that a secular government holds a monopoly of worldview and forces children to adhere to secular philosophy and religion. If your children attend school outside the home, allow me as a pastor-theologian to warn you: if the subject of God's Word is not foremost taught in your home, you are setting your children up for destruction. You have reason to be anxious over your children. As Tedd Tripp says, "In the absence of biblical formative instruction, secular formative instructors take over" (Instructing a Child's Heart, 15). Thus, parents must be intentional and knowledgeable in biblical instruction.
Sharpening Arrows
When God commands parents to teach children diligently, the word translated "teach them diligently" is from the root שָׁנַן, or shanan, meaning to sharpen. The dynamic to this word would be best stated to sharpen in preparation for piercing. This is the Hebrew way of expressing careful and constant teaching, to sharpen our children to prepare them to pierce. Hence, the Psalmist plays on this theme by saying, "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one's youth" (Psalm 127:4).
The Christian parent is commanded to be knowledgeable in biblical instruction and competent to teach their children like a warrior sharpens arrows (and is blessed to have a "quiver full"). All of life is a classroom meant for biblical instruction. From what your child's teachers are saying to why you save money in the bank to why you attend church and Bible study, your child must be instructed according to the Word of God. Biblical instruction might be a set hour during the week, be fulfilled in that dead time in the car ride to and from school, or taught to a child attending grandma's funeral (a great resource for this is Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware).
The Church a Mighty Fortress
Imagine a church filled with parents devoted to the study and teaching of the Word of God. Imagine a church where there is a pulpit in every home and each member was raised a child fully instructed in the Word of God. Imagine a church where each home had theology as the foremost subject. Imagine a church where each member said, "As for me and my house, we will serve YHWH" (Joshua 24:15b). This church would be a mighty fortress wearing the full armor of God where their shield of faith extinguishes the flaming arrows of Satan (Ephesians 6:16), and has a quiver full of sharpened arrows to attack the enemy.
Do not let this wish remain in your imagination. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Parents, sharpen your mind and heart with the diligent study of the Word of God. Then, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), parents will be able to sharpen other parents and sharpen their arrows in preparation to pierce the armor of the enemy. The church of Jesus Christ would be a mighty fortress, and His arrows a sharp weapon.
In the Shema, God commands His covenant people to love YHWH with everything they have and do as well as to read and study His Word and meditate on His Word. Then, God commands His people to "teach (the Word) diligently to your children" (Deuteronomy 6:7a). The primary subject commanded by God to teach, and teach diligently, is His Word to our children. The Christian home is a home that excels in the subject of theology above all other subjects.
A Competent Teacher
The Christian parent is commanded to be a competent teacher of the Word of God. The Shema requires the faithful believer to love God with all our desires, intellect, and deed (heart, soul, and strength). This requires reading, studying, meditating, and putting into practice the Word of God. Note what YHWH commands in the Shema regarding the Word of God:
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.There is not a square inch of space or a moment of time when you are not to take to heart and mind the Word of God. Any parent that refuses to advance in the wisdom of the Scripture not only places danger in their own lives, but the lives of their entire household.
In modern America, education of our children has been transferred from parents to government. This could lead to tyranny, seeing that a secular government holds a monopoly of worldview and forces children to adhere to secular philosophy and religion. If your children attend school outside the home, allow me as a pastor-theologian to warn you: if the subject of God's Word is not foremost taught in your home, you are setting your children up for destruction. You have reason to be anxious over your children. As Tedd Tripp says, "In the absence of biblical formative instruction, secular formative instructors take over" (Instructing a Child's Heart, 15). Thus, parents must be intentional and knowledgeable in biblical instruction.
Sharpening Arrows
When God commands parents to teach children diligently, the word translated "teach them diligently" is from the root שָׁנַן, or shanan, meaning to sharpen. The dynamic to this word would be best stated to sharpen in preparation for piercing. This is the Hebrew way of expressing careful and constant teaching, to sharpen our children to prepare them to pierce. Hence, the Psalmist plays on this theme by saying, "Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the children of one's youth" (Psalm 127:4).
The Christian parent is commanded to be knowledgeable in biblical instruction and competent to teach their children like a warrior sharpens arrows (and is blessed to have a "quiver full"). All of life is a classroom meant for biblical instruction. From what your child's teachers are saying to why you save money in the bank to why you attend church and Bible study, your child must be instructed according to the Word of God. Biblical instruction might be a set hour during the week, be fulfilled in that dead time in the car ride to and from school, or taught to a child attending grandma's funeral (a great resource for this is Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware).
The Church a Mighty Fortress
Imagine a church filled with parents devoted to the study and teaching of the Word of God. Imagine a church where there is a pulpit in every home and each member was raised a child fully instructed in the Word of God. Imagine a church where each home had theology as the foremost subject. Imagine a church where each member said, "As for me and my house, we will serve YHWH" (Joshua 24:15b). This church would be a mighty fortress wearing the full armor of God where their shield of faith extinguishes the flaming arrows of Satan (Ephesians 6:16), and has a quiver full of sharpened arrows to attack the enemy.
Do not let this wish remain in your imagination. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Parents, sharpen your mind and heart with the diligent study of the Word of God. Then, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), parents will be able to sharpen other parents and sharpen their arrows in preparation to pierce the armor of the enemy. The church of Jesus Christ would be a mighty fortress, and His arrows a sharp weapon.
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