Joel Osteen--Christian or not?

Michael Spencer has an interesting article critiquing Joel Osteen:

Any analysis of Joel Osteen's theology is going to have a hard time saying he is proclaiming the Christian message. The most popular preacher in Christianity is proclaiming a theology that is neither Christian, nor Jewish, nor Muslim, but is pragmatically pagan. Pagan in the sense of finding ways to gain the favor of god so he will do good things for you. Manipulating the deity to give you blessings. This is the ultimate example of Luther's "theology of glory" chosen over the "theology of the cross." I would rather a non-Christian hear John Shelby Spong a hundred times than hear this. Spong denies it all- outright. Osteen is presented as a Christian, but his message isn't going to bring you to Christ, the Kingdom or heaven. It's spiritual cyanide disguised as candy. If there is a hell, Osteen's message won't stop you or the people youlove from going there, because the savior in his messages is YOU and the

salvation he offers is a NEW ATTITUDE, and some resulting real estate.

I could not agree with Spencer more. Osteen is a dangerous man. Whether he intends to or not (and I would like to think that he doesn't), he is doing a tremendous amount of harm to Christianity. We are not helping people by failing to give them the truth. And the truth is the only way anyone can have any meaning in life is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To ignore this is to ignore everything. Osteen presents a narcissitic, hedonistic Christianity. Does God exist merely to "bless" us? Should our sole concern be whether or not we are happy and prosperous, however Osteen defines it? What does it mean to "grow where you are planted"? Does that mean a gangster should seek to be the most happy gangster he can be? Does God exist as a mere facilitator in our experience? Why is Osteen so adamant that he in not a "prosperity preacher"? Could any able-minded person see him as anything but a "prosperity preacher"?

I have no solution for this "problem." I don't know if Evangelicals are ever going to receive a fair impression in our society. I don't know if we will ever be able to present our pure vision to this culture. But we should certainly stand up when a pseudo-Christian like Osteen distorts most of what Christianity consists.

But what about the . . .

How many times do we have to here that for the next several days?

"The elections went off without a hitch, but what about the insurrgents that still are in Iraq?"

"True, the elections appeared to be successful, but what about our troops?"

"So the Iraqis voted. Good for them. What does that have to do with us?" (Jay Sevren was saying this on the radio today.)

Are the people who constantly bray their discontent and disapproval of the Iraqi situation able to admit they are wrong? Is it possible for the MSM to give one complimentary comment to Pres. Bush?

I think most already know the answers to those questions. The coverage and misinformation pouring out of the media outlets is so nauseating. John Poderhertz agrees:

January 31, 2005 -- WHEN you heard about the stunning success of the Iraqi elections, were you thrilled? Did you see it as a triumph fordemocracy and for the armed forces of the United States that have sacrificed and suffered and fought so valiantly over the past 18 months to get Iraq to this moment?

Or did you momentarily feel an onrush of disappointment because you knew, you just knew, that this was going to redound to the credit of George W. Bush? This means you, Michael Moore. I'm talking to you, Teddy Kennedy.

The Defiant ones

Over two hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson penned these words:



"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."



With those courageous words, 57 Americans signed the greatest human political document ever written, the Declaration of Independence. Several of these men lost most every possession they had in the course of the war.

Francis Lewis experienced the destruction of all his property, as did Lewis Morris , William Floyd, Lyman Hall (who was charged with treason), Arthur Middleton (who was imprisoned by the British), and John Hart.

Several others were also arrested by the British: Thomas Heyward, Jr. and Richard Stockton.

All of these put their intergity and safety on the line by affixing their signatures to the dotted line.



Yesterday, a similiar situation took place in Iraq:



"BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqis embraced democracy in large numbers Sunday, standing in long lines to vote in defiance of mortar attacks, suicide bombers and boycott calls. Pushed in wheelchairs or carts if they couldn't walk, the elderly, the young and women in veils cast ballots in Iraq's first free election in a half-century."



Every American ought to rejoice. Yesterday was a victory for Pres. Bush. Yesterday was a victory for our military. Most important, yesterday was a tremendous victory for the Iraqi people. They are the ones who defied the bullets and bombs in order to vote. They are the ones who would not be cajoled into submission. They are the ones who counted the opportunity for freedom more valuable than the possiblility of death. They are the heroes. They are the patriots. No one knows how much they stand to loose. No one knows what will be the final result of this "Arab experiment." But no one can take the events of yesterday away from the Iraqis. This is their time. This is their triumph. Every freedom-loving American ought to rise in ovation to their perserverrance. And every American and every Iraqi ought to say as Admiral David Farragut said, "Damn the [terrorists]. Full speed ahead!"

Pitt and 'Cuse

Pittsburgh is currently in the process of beating Syracuse. This makes me very happy. I do not like Syracuse. I am not sure why, but I don't. I always cheer on most anyone who plays them. I like to see teams decimate their zone, as Pitt is doing right now. I like the way Pitt plays. They are a tough bunch of guys. Chevron Troutman is a smooth, smart player.

Kansas and Texas will be playing shortly. I like Rick Barnes and Texas. I actually like most every Big-12 team. They all play tough, physical basketball. There are a few stars in the league, but mainly just a bunch of great teams. This game will probably not be as good as the game at Lawrence, KA, two years ago. That was the game Nick Colison accrued 24 points and 23 rebounds in what has to be one of the best individual performances ever. I don't think I will ever see anything to top it (Jason Williams was spectacular a few years ago in Duke's 10 point comeback against Maryland). I haven't liked Kansas as much since Roy Williams left. I do like Langford, Simien, and Miles. Let the excitement begin.

Meanwhile, the good news

As the terrorist step up their intimidation methods, the security forces continue to corral the terrorist leaders:



"BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi officials on Friday announced the capture of three leading members of the insurgent group headed by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi."

Would You Vote in Iraq?

I don't know who this hack is (so I probably shouldn't call him a hack), but he doesn't seem to have a clue:



"Violence has stepped up prior to the election with insurgents threatening open season on anyone who goes to a polling station. Here's a quick roundup of Iraq violence from 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday. We have just one question: Amid all this, would you vote?"



He is right. It would be better for them to stay indoors and stay alive, and let the terrorist thugs have their way. I am sure once the situation settles down, the thugs would be happy to set aside their IEDs and AK-47s and listen to what the citizens think. Plus, the weather forecast calls for sandstorms. No one wants to be caught in one of those. Maybe they could pay the terrorists to leave them alone. They could set up a monthly installment plan, where, once a month, they leave a bad of dinari outside their door in exchange for safety. For an extra bag of dinari, they could buy an exemption from the rape rooms. They definately want to forgo the chance of ever determining their own destiny. Patrick Henry was not exactly right. An attached head is worth a few pounds of chains.

Hamas goes legit

Do you remember this scence from "The Godfather"? It takes place after Michael returns from Sicily.



Michael: I'm working for my father now. He's been sick, very sick.

Kay: But you're not like him, Michael. I thought you weren't going to become a man like your father. That's what you told me.

Michael: My father's no different than any other powerful man (Kay laughs), any man who's responsible for other people. Like a senator or a president.

Kay: You know how naive you sound?

Michael: Why?

Kay: Senators and presidents don't have men killed.

Michael: Oh, who's being naive, Kay?



I think this applies here to Hamas:



"Initial results show the militant group Hamas has won an overwhelming victory in Palestinian local elections held Thursday in the Gaza Strip, winning nearly two-thirds of the local council seats in 10 districts. The results reflect the widespread support Hamas has in Gaza, and are also seen as a potential turning point for the Islamic group."



This would be like the Weather Underground getting people elected to Congress. Hamas consists of murderers who bribe the citizenry. It is possible they do good things for the Palestinians. But it is certain they support the killing of innocent Israelis. How in Bermuda can the anyone legitimize Hamas? Notice, they did not participate in the recent elections. (Tell me, Pres. Carter, does that make the Palesinian elections illegit?). How can we expect them to lay aside their way of life now that they hold public office? Does anyone really expect this to reform them? The whole situation in Palestine is a circus.