The Gospel As Law

In the theological circles in which I travel, most are aware of the recent discussion of Joel Osteen on The White Horse Inn. On the right side of this blog under "Places I Go" I have a link to their site. I am certain that it is not the intention of the White Horse Inn hosts, nor is it my intention to simply criticize and bash another man who at least calls himself a Christian. The intention is to protect the children of God from those things that are very dangerous. Though he smiles a great deal, though he communicates friendliness and concern through his soothing tone and his passive body language, his message, I'm afraid, is ultimately one that brings death.

Instead of the Law of a holy God: do all this and you shall live, he presents moralistic advise: just try a little harder and you'll get it right. Instead of the gospel of a merciful and just God: Christ has done for sinners all that God has commanded in His Law, he attempts to absolve his listeners of their guilt by advising them to obey God's commands and God will be obliged to make them happy. In the end, that presentation is just another form of law; there is no mention of Christ's work on our behalf: even on our behalf to give us joy, which it most certainly does. Though Osteen may mention Christ's death in some of his preaching, he does not attach it to the holy justice of God and His wrath against unbelievers, so the Osteen "gospel" becomes law. Instead of presenting the Law and commands of God: your sins have set you against God and His wrath is upon you, Osteen says, even if you don't think that you measure up, it's OK because God loves you anyway. Instead of presenting the good news: believe and repent of your sins, Osteen says: obey God's commands and He will lead you on the path of happiness and self-fulfillment.

While Joel Osteen's message is mingled with truth: God does love humanity, excessive self abasement is harmful (particularly if it does not drive one to the gospel), his presentation of "good news" is not all that good. Are you really telling us Pastor Joel, that the way we earn God's favor is by obeying His Law; the way we insure our "best life now" is to line ourselves up more strictly with a form of biblical moralism?

A few scripture come to my mind in this case:

Jude

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 2

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

I know some of my words seem harsh, but they are not nearly as destructive as the ignorance of the gospel which Olsteen's words promote.