…at least A-Rod was honest.
February 21st, 2009
Lately, I’ve heard a lot about the steroid controversy in baseball and I can’t help but equate that to the Christian steroid controversy. My wife and I went into a local Christian bookstore last night and found many examples of Christian steroids. For example, there was a book on understanding and applying every book in the Bible. “All 66 books explained and applied!” That particular volume was about 25 pages long. My favorite example was that of the charismatic section, which should read “how to be devoured by wolves”. That section was packed with books on how to have your best life now, while a book of Jonathan Edward’s sermons was on the “last chance clearance” table. Sure, pick up the book written by the guy with a golden coffee table and a $30,000 toilet, but the book by the greatest American theologian in history has to be on the last chance table. This is why I say Christian steroids are far more dangerous than those used in baseball. Just like baseball players want a quick fix to get huge so they can hit the ball out of the park, so too Christians want to buy the latest merchandising campaign that will get them to spiritual maturity in 40 days or less (or your money back!). How do I know that this is how Christians operate? Simple. It sells. Jonathan Edwards is marked down, Joel Osteen flies off the shelf. Steroids, not just for baseball anymore.
You are absolutely correct. Let me guess, this was at Family Semi-Christian Store? Why is it that so many “Christians” seem to be attracted to material that makes it easier to justify their sin? That’s what all these nonsensical books seem to do. “Don’t worry, everyone makes mistakes. God loves you and according to Jeremiah 29:11, His plans for you are not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future.” I suppose it’s easier to accept what someone says when it tickles your ears, than actually studying Scripture to find out the truth for yourself.
Comment by Brian — February 22, 2009 @ 8:18 am
Exactly! When, as Alex pointed out today, it is the highest form of love to bring the truth to bear. I think we need a book table. At least that way, people could trust what they’re reading.
Comment by Jeremy Jessen — February 22, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
Excellent point. How like us to want to go the ‘easy’ way, via steroids and via people like Mr. Osteen…to avoid the real work, the cleansing of our hearts before God.
I would blame the bookstore for the disparity in the clearance vs. the ‘hot’ items, but it’s the people who buy the books who drive the market. The “Christian” bookstore has become like many of our services, denominations and personal choices…a buffet. Take what you like and what is pleasing to your palate; ignore the rest.
We’re choosing empty calories over ’soul’ food!
Comment by Mary — March 12, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
Sorry, but I was looking around for churches and came across your site. I wish your church well, but not for me.
Do you know Pastor Osteen? You know him from a book, maybe if that?
The christian faith has for far too long, been identified with hatred and condemnation. We do have a Savior that has plans for good and not harm. Yet when someone preaches it we scream, “Where’s the fire?” “Where’s the brimstone?”…..
How about, “Where is the love?” I find that when a church pastor must attack successful ministers it usually goes back to what they were taught throughout their lives at a Southern Baptist Church.
Bless you and those you minister too, but I will be looking for a church home that is more about what they can do and not what others are doing.
Comment by Tom Fox — March 22, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
Tom,
Perhaps your comment would be valid if Joel Osteen was actually ministering to people. When you take Scripture out of context to read your own meaning into it, then you’re actually doing people a disservice, not biblically shepherding a flock.
I’m not sure how wanting people to know the truth is hateful or condemnatory. I think that would be the most loving thing we can do.
Through your limited experience with our church, haven’t you cast judgment on us without getting to know us? I guarantee if you came to our church, you would see how loving the people are and how much we are focused on spreading the gospel message to the ends of the earth.
Part of spreading the gospel is correcting those who misrepresent Christ and/or misinterpret the holy Scriptures. It is clearly a biblical thing to correct false teaching in the Church. Read the writings of Paul, Peter, and John. That’s all the evidence you need to see that being counteractive to false teachings is a godly thing to do.
By the way, my example about Jeremiah 29:11 was not to say that God’s plans contradict was He has stated in His Word, but it was simply to address the misuse of Scriptures like these. Obviously Romans 8:28 says that God works out all things for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Yes, God’s plans for us are for the good, but it doesn’t mean life is supposed to be easy.
I’ll let Pastor Jeremy comment further, if he chooses to do so.
Comment by Brian — March 22, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
Tom,
The interesting thing about your comment is that you speak about knowing Osteen by personal interaction or not and your criticism of my post is based on your personal interaction with Southern Baptists. I would rather appeal to a Scriptural idea, much like Brian shared above. A pastor has a responsibility to feed the sheep and protect them from the wolves. Those that would wreck the spiritual lives of those in my congregation by leading them away from Scripture and the cross to a mutant gospel of prosperity need to be addressed with clarity and truth, not with a warm blanket of “where is the love?”
I second Brian’s challenge for you to come to our church and see for yourself how we view God, Scripture and the message of grace we have been called to proclaim to the nations. That grace is not cheap, however, for it cost Christ his life. I agree that God does have good intended for his children, but that good comes through the cross of Christ, right? John 3 :16-19 is the clearest example of that when we read that God loved the world enough to send his son that whoever would believe might have eternal life, but in the next three verses John quotes Christ’s explanation that if one does not believe, judgement awaits him. The beauty of the grace of God in Christ is based on the reality of the wrath of God against sin. That’s what makes good news GOOD news. We get God in the gospel, not a new house. I want our people to hunger and thirst for God, not for the things they think God will give them.
Comment by Jeremy — March 23, 2009 @ 3:24 pm