Treating Osteenitis
by Andy Perry

Do you remember Richard Simmons? Who of us who lived in America in the 1980’s can forget our nation’s first modern guru of health and fitness who compelled millions to ‘sweat to the oldies’ and drop those unwanted, midriff ‘spare tires’? More than twenty years ago Richard Simmons’ morning exercise show was a mainstay at the Perry household. Because my mother was such an avid watcher (and participant), my sister and I often got in on the action. I’m not sure if we did much bending, jumping and sweating, but we certainly did see a lot of Richard—the ultimate exercise cheerleader. Even as a kid I remember thinking how I was attracted to him and drawn into his world. It wasn’t because he was unusually good looking or brilliant or boasted a physique to make us want to be like him. I was attracted to Richard Simmons because he was so positive, so encouraging. He made me feel good about myself and believe that with a little hard work, I could do anything.

Though he operates in a very different world than Richard Simmons, millions in America today are attracted to Joel Osteen for the same reason. If nothing else, he’ll make you feel good about yourself. Joel Osteen might not yet be the household name that Richard Simmons is, but I predict it soon will be. Senior Pastor of Houston’s Lakewood Church, Osteen is quickly becoming the most popular preacher in our land. In the late 50’s Joel’s father John, a Southern Baptist preacher turned Pentecostal, founded Lakewood Church and used his ‘word of faith’ message to grow the church close to 10,000. In 1999 John suddenly died and a less than enthusiastic Joel, who had dropped out of Oral Roberts University years before, took over. In just six years the church has tripled to an average attendance of 30,000, compelling the congregation to purchase and renovate the 18,000 seat Compaq Center, former home of the Houston Rockets, at a price tag of $70 million.

A year ago most of us had never heard the name ‘Joel Osteen’. Yet, today his name is everywhere. That is primarily due to the fact that his book Your Best Life Now has been near the top of the New York Times bestseller list for months. I remember coming across the book for the first time a number of months ago while walking past a bookstore where a large display of Joel was hard to miss. At the time I dismissed it as just another self-help book. Only later did I discover that Joel Osteen is the pastor of a Christian church. Upon discovering that, one would think my reaction would be one of joy: “Wow, a gospel-preaching pastor selling millions of books to people who would never step inside a church. Praise God!” But upon closer inspection of the book’s contents, my feelings, along with those of many discerning Christians, have been altogether different.

Osteen’s message, mixing stories with a sprinkling of Bible verses which are never truly explained to make clear their meaning in context, is simple: God wants us to think positively and use our strengths and talents to achieve our goals of comfort and happiness. Osteen lists seven steps to make it happen: Enlarge Your Vision, Develop a Healthy Self-Image, Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words, Let go of the Past, Find Strength Through Adversity, Live to Give, and Choose to Be Happy. Selectively choosing verses to promote his ‘gospel’ of self-help and earthly happiness, the Bible’s true gospel of Jesus’ forgiveness for our sins and hope in heaven never emerges. Rather, as Michael Horton correctly summarizes, Osteen, “...treats the Bible as a collection of fortune cookies.” Perhaps most telling is a recent review I read by a thoughtful unbeliever:

Many Christian readers will undoubtedly be put off by the book’s shallow name-it-and-claim-it theology; although the first chapter claims that "we serve the God that created the universe," the book as a rule suggests the reverse: it’s a treatise on how to get God to serve the demands of self-centered individuals. Os teen tells readers that God wants them to prosper, offering examples of obtaining an elegant mansion or a larger salary ("don’t ever get satisfied with where you are," he cautions)….The section on giving comes as too little, too late—Osteen’s message to remember others and "get your mind off yourself" flies in the face of the previous 200 pages….Theologically, its materialism and superficial portrayal of God as the granter of earthly wishes will alienate many Christian readers who can imagine a much bigger God.

I find it personally indicting that a non-Christian reviewer quickly is able to see through the weak veneer of Osteen’s message while millions of Christians are being deceived by his subtle seduction. Who of us doesn’t want more comfort and more success? Who of us isn’t naturally attracted to those who eagerly tell us how wonderful we are and how if we just believe in ourselves we can change the world? It shouldn’t surprise us that the masses are flocking to the Compaq Center every week. What should shock us is that many of those flocking are Bible carrying Christians and that what is being taught is claimed to be God’s truth.

Paul was right when he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths.” I cannot think of a greater myth than that God exists for the fulfillment of my happiness and that I can create my own reality by simply thinking positively. I would rather think biblically. One hopes that those who have lately been infected with a bad case of ‘osteenitis’ will soon recognize their disease and find true refuge in the Great Physician, Christ.