A Better Review

I wasn't going to say anything about this book, however, after reading the review that Tim Challies posted, I felt like I should a least post the link to his review. It's spot on. It's not a "let's trash Joel review" but rather a truthful examination of the book compared to what the scriptures say. Good, short, and very well written!

I'm sure there will be much talk about this book, and Joel himself, in the next few weeks. My hope is that those of us that are Christians can respond to those in favor of this book in love, but in that love speak unapologetic truth.

My thoughts on Joel have never been a big secret. I've been pretty articulate about him and his "ministry". But after listening to him on the talk shows and other various interviews, there is no doubt in my mind that he really believes what he is saying is true and helpful to others. I believe that this man has been deceived by a lie and has fallen for this lie hook, line, and sinker. This lie is very pleasing to the ear, which in turn has produced what the world would see as incredible results. That is why he has the platform and large audience that he has today. How could this be so bad if it's producing positive results that make ME feel good about MYself and MY life? Why would a god that calls himself loving want anything else for ME? All the while never once stopping to see what the Scriptures have to say about God, His value to Himself, and His value compared to us (His creation). Nothing but me, me, me.

However, when I sit back and really think about all of this, and then reflect upon my life, I look at some of the lies that I've bought into. This reflection brought a renewed revelation:

If it weren't for God's grace upon my life, I too, would buy into more lies!

There is not a thing that I have done to earn the grace that God has bestowed upon me that keeps me from living out a life that embraces these lies. His grace was extended to me when He chose to love me before He even formed the universe. Then His grace came down from Heaven in the form of His Son who lived a perfect life, put that perfect life to a very bloody death on a cross, and perfectly rose from the dead in order to be the only perfect sacrifice to pay for my jacked up sinful life. His grace is active in my life even in this moment. His grace is what gives me the passion I have to read The Scriptures, Study the Scriptures, and commune with the Spirit to seek His Truth according to the Scriptures. Why He would pick a messed up red head to extend such grace can only be summed up in one word, love. For whatever reason, He loves me enough to continue to extend grace to me. Wow.....

I don't think for a second that without God's grace on my life that I wouldn't believe the stuff that Joel and others like him teach. My hope is that we wouldn't just sit back and call out books and "ministries" like Joel's (Because I do believe we have a biblical responsibility to do that) but in addition to that we would also:

• BEG CHRIST to give the church a passion to teach and equip Christians to go out and be the church that His Scripture has very clearly called us to be!



• BEG CHRIST to continue to extend His grace to us!



• BEG CHRIST to extend His grace to the Joel Osteen's of the world. That they might see the Truth of what a Pastor is called to be. That they would see the responsibility that God has placed on those men with that calling, and the accountibility that comes with it.



• BEG CHRIST to extend His grace to those hearing and reading books that are just not true.



• THANK CHRIST for His grace that opened up our hearts to those of us who are called to believe the true gospel and to thank Him for the continued grace that He extends to us daily.