Friday, February 04, 2005
Discernment
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There has been much to do amongst evangelical websites recently concerning Joel Osteen, mega-church pastor in Houston and author of Your Best Life Now. Since his book has been listed as Family Christian Stores #1 book of the year I believe it needs mentioning. As a mom, I have very little time to read, how about you? I covet my precious little 'brain time' and I am jealous for yours as well. Osteen is not one to spend your time on, he is teaching positive thinking and not the Gospel. The path to life is through the cross, emptying ourselves so that Christ and His love and life might pour in. Osteen teaches something more like a heavy duty patching of positive thinking all over your old wineskin of self. (see Matt 9:17). Its one thing for Joe Somebody to write a book of postive thinking (and certainly negative thinking is not desirable), but it is a serious matter for someone who claims to be a Christian teacher and pastor to teach something other than the Gospel.
Here is a good summary of Osteen and here is a good critique of Osteen's teaching. Peruse them when you have an extra 5 min. I have been trying to figure out how I can read the internet while exercising or using the restroom to maximize my reading time, but I have yet to find an answer. I suppose some things weren't meant to be. Sometimes my brain feels like a dry sponge aching for intellectual food, but I wouldn't trade my girls for 8 million hours of reading time!
It is imperative to keep our minds as sharp as possible, to be innocent as doves, but wise as serpents (Matt. 10:16). We mothers are the ones establishing our children's worldview, and we must be full of both love and discernment. Here are a few verses concerning the directive to use our entire lives to the glory of Christ, including our minds! I eagerly welcome your comments on Osteen and other modern teachers. You can guarantee there are false teachers out there. Lots. Do you know who they are? How would you teach your child to discern them?
1 Corinthians 2 :1 "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Galatians 1:6-10 "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is not really another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Be even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed . . For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men?"
2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
Here is a good summary of Osteen and here is a good critique of Osteen's teaching. Peruse them when you have an extra 5 min. I have been trying to figure out how I can read the internet while exercising or using the restroom to maximize my reading time, but I have yet to find an answer. I suppose some things weren't meant to be. Sometimes my brain feels like a dry sponge aching for intellectual food, but I wouldn't trade my girls for 8 million hours of reading time!
It is imperative to keep our minds as sharp as possible, to be innocent as doves, but wise as serpents (Matt. 10:16). We mothers are the ones establishing our children's worldview, and we must be full of both love and discernment. Here are a few verses concerning the directive to use our entire lives to the glory of Christ, including our minds! I eagerly welcome your comments on Osteen and other modern teachers. You can guarantee there are false teachers out there. Lots. Do you know who they are? How would you teach your child to discern them?
1 Corinthians 2 :1 "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Galatians 1:6-10 "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is not really another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Be even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed . . For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men?"
2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
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