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No this is not from The Onion.
From the book synopsis:
From the book synopsis:
Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of Lakewood Church, this bible is designed for everyday use. It will be filled with years worth of Joel’s inspirational and encouraging insights. It is created to guide both new and old readers of the scriptures in how to apply the life changing principles of God’s Word to their daily lives. The eternal promises of God, combined with the special features of this unique bible will be a daily reminder of God’s purpose and plan for your lives.Sadly, the screen shot from Amazon isn't satire either.
Pastor Joel Osteen has a dynamic spiritual presence in the United States and is heard across the globe via the televised broadcast from Houston, Texas. Millions tune in and are able to find a closer connection to God through Osteen’s practical application of Scripture to their lives. No spiritual leader is more in demand than Pastor Joel Osteen, and his audience is hungry for the guidance this new bible will provide. This bible will feature a presentation page with the This Is My Bible statement, book introductions, reading plans, devotional inserts, purposed scriptures, and indices. The text is the New Living Translation.
I went to the Amazon site to read the reviews. The 1-star reviews rightfully called this book for what it is. I didn't read all of the 5-star reviews, just enough to see that they were written by Osteen groupies. On this site, as well as elsewhere, what I read over and over again is how much of a difference Joel has made in people's lives. That's not necessarily a bad thing--there are people in my life who have made a huge difference and I thank God for them. But what I don't hear is how Joel influenced them to live more Godly lives, I don't see them even thanking God for Joel--it's essentially hero worship. It grieves me that people fall for such a weak message and how obvious it is that they want their ears tickled more than they want their hearts to be changed and their lives to be transformed by Jesus Christ. --Linda Dodson
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the 1-star reviews. I was about to do that and post one when my internet cut out. I barely got the post uploaded. I'll go read them now, if only to feel better that there are still SOME discerning people out there.
DeleteI should say that this was published in 2009. I'm going to delete the "new" up above.
DeleteSadly, this appears to be the chosen way of the vast majority of "christians" and churches today. Milk, not meat, love not judgement, heaven, not hell. He's just givin' them what they want, Mr. Nice Guy that he is. So many are stumbling through life lost, thinking they are saved. We His remnant MUST speak the Truth, in love, but we must speak. Instead of shaking our heads, cry out to God for the lost within His church. We have no time to waste.!!..
ReplyDeleteI would add "mistakes/bad choices, not sin." We have a situation in our church where a young mom left her husband and two children (ages 5 and 2) for another man. The elders are meeting tonight to discuss this matter because the woman helps with our AWANA program and they feel in light of her blatant adultery she should not be involved in ministry. I am glad they are addressing this and calling her sin a sin . However, to the world, she is just making a mistake or a bad choice. I'm friends with her on Facebook, and long before this happened I would see comments from her closest friends tell her she has to do what makes HER happy. That's the other thing that softens the concept of sin--people think God wants us to be happy so they do whatever they want thinking He's OK with it as long as they are happy. ~~Linda Dodson
DeleteI wouldn't call it milk. Milk is nourishment. But heresy should never be labeled nourishment, so I would avoid belittling "milk", real or doctrinal, by associating it with Osteenism.
DeleteLinda, in light of her blatant adultery this woman shouldn't even be in the church! Paul is quite clear in his letter to the Corinthians to put out the immoral brother (or sister) if there is no repentance. I hope your elders will follow through with this difficult process.
Delete2 Peter 3
ReplyDelete16 [regarding Paul's epistles] ...which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
The gate is wide and the path broad that leads to destruction... and many enter through it.
-Carolyn
Well it's obvious that I need to buy this bible because it's "designed for everyday use", where the ESV study Bible that I currently use isn't. NOT.
ReplyDeleteRamona
Use Joel's "bible" the one week, and that other abomination, "The Message" the other week. Soon, you won't know the God of the bible at all . . . guaranteed!
DeleteJane
Oh, great! Just what we need - another way of suckering more people into that goat-pen of Osteen's
ReplyDeleteI started reading the one-star reviews on Amazon and worked my way up. This is the very first review I read in the five-star category:
ReplyDelete"This new Bible is the best I have seen. I love the Hope Notes they are just the perfect thing to give me a lift when I need one. And help to get my perspective back in line. Highly recommended! It is made simple. Joel Osteen and his team have made a difference in my life and how I nourish my spiritual needs. He has made me stronger and far better equipped to deal with the challenges in my life. I appreciate his work and am grateful for his energies! He makes it fun and I always come away stronger. God Bless their messages! Thank you for reading this review and you too should receive a blessing - on that note go out and have a good day."
How can anyone in their right mind rave about a man when they're talking about the Bible? I read a couple of pages of five-star reviews and was about the quit when I read this:
"I just purchased this and have not thoroughly read the entire book yet, but Joel makes it easier to read and understand. I always wanted to read the Bible but felt overwhelmed at the thought of doing so. Thanks Joel. Looking forward to reading the entire Bible and living my life accordingly."
I am going to pray that the Holy Spirit will use His Word to speak to this reader's heart in spite of Joel Osteen and his writings. I decided to forgo the rest of the five-star reviews since I fully expect this is the only one that isn't heartbreakingly maddening.
Can you just imagine the long-suffering of our God?!
Hello Elizabeth, I want to try and see if I can post a comment. I linked my blog to Google hoping that it will help me. Blessings to you. Thanks for your faithfulness and boldness in exposing the deeds of darkness.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth, Thanks for your reply. Hi Elizabeth, I am glad I finally found a way to comment on your blog. I really missed being able to do so.
DeleteA few days ago, I found the first post listed below on a friend´s FB page. The Lord impressed upon me that we Christians, especially the ones that have been previously deceived by New Age teachings, should intercede for unbelievers no matter how far they are removed from knowing Christ. Clearly, this lady is very disappointed with her “ spiritual” masters and is at a point where she is going to ask herself all kinds of questions. There is a personal note at the top explaining a little more of the process that takes place when we come to that point. It would be great if you have some ladies friends who could intercede for her salvation.
The other two posts I thought you might be interested because of the subjects.
I have been getting your posts on my email and I want to reiterate how much I have been blessed by their content especially the ones related to your personal hardships in the past. I can really identify with that and praise the Lord for what he has accomplished in your life.
I pray for his continued blessings of grace, peace and love on your life and for a good year with your little ones.
You will land on my new streamlined “English Only Edition” blog that I recently started for more ease of navigation. Jean-Louis.
http://lightnseed.blogspot.com.br/2014/10/world-of-channeling-rocked-due-to.html
http://lightnseed.blogspot.com.br/2014/04/attention-danger-ahead-who-is-writing.html
http://lightnseed.blogspot.com.br/2014/10/reflection-on-rainbow_22.html
Hello Jean-Louis, nice to hear from you again. Thanks so much for your kind comments. :)
DeleteI used to go to his church once in awhile a few years back and I noticed his Wednesday night sermons were less fluff and were more grounded in the Word than self help. Of course, attendance was 1/3 of what it was on a sunday and those Wed. night sermons are very rarely broadcast because he usually did not wear a suit.
ReplyDeleteThis deeply disturbed me because I finally realized he intentionally markets his self help fluff knowing it will get more attention and money. He knows his more biblical sermons will not sell, people want to hear what will make them feel good. They are aware and I'm guessing that's the bottom line (that and revenue).
He is creating such a spiritual mess that I pray his (and his wife and mothers's) eyes will be fully opened to in this lifetime.