Joel Osteen's Your Best Life Now

[LynnAnne]

Has anyone read Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen?

I attempted to read this book, but had to put it down by page 46. I found myself in extreme disagreement with this book... and was sad to think what a following he currently has.

Speaking of which, did anyone catch him live on the Larry King show?

 

[wiggbuggie]

I like Joel Osteen I saw some of his teachings on tv. He's a real funny guy too, I will probably read the book eventually. Ever read a purpose driven life by rick warren? that was good too.

-God bless-

 

[youthwalk]

Purpose Driven life changed my whole out look and value system. I reprioritised after that...it was great encouragement to submit all to God's will.

I've never read Joel Osteen's stuff though. What'd you disagree with?

 

[LynnAnne]

No, I havent read Purpose Driven Life - I'll have to look that up. Thanks for the recommendation!

I am currently reading a Prayer course by Kenneth Hagin that is just awesome!

As for Joel Osteen, I have my full review posted here for those interested: http://www.biblenewz.com/books/joel-osteen/

You can also find a lot of information on Joel through the search engines, and particularly on christian forums across the 'net.

 

[youthwalk]

Somebody may be saying nasty things about you behind your back. Your attitude should be: No big deal. God’s got me covered. He’s going to make it up to me. (p 168)

This is disturbing God has NOTHING to "MAKE UP" to ANYONE! He's GOD! I was fine up to the God's got me covered part; after you make that decision as you said, to love them and pray for them, I put it in God's hands. But the next sentence threw me.

 

[LynnAnne]

I know what you mean. And there were a lot of sentences like that throughout the book. I found myself in complete disagreement with the things that I was reading. It forced me to go back and really refresh myself on the Word. There were a lot of times that Joel would say "The bible says..." prior to making a point. So I had to dig into the Scriptures and read them there.

Too often if a man of power, or someone in a leadership position, tells his listeners "The bible says"... they take him at his word on that. It is our responsibility to know the Word for ourselves, and to 'study to show thyself approved'.

 

[tanya88]

I work at a Christian book store and its definitely a bestseller. I haven't read it and i'm not planning to. I did hear some negative things from some customers.

 

[sf49erfan]

I picked it up over the weekend, but I haven't started it yet.

 

[WashedClean]

My mother gave it to me to read, but after the first chapter, I couldn't take it anymore. He acts like God is some kind of genie and we can get him to make our lives easier and richer. I really get an uneasy feeling about him.

Anyone who has that many people following him each week and listening to him via TV, has to be tickling ears. Especially when unbelievers like what he's saying, something is definitely wrong.

 

[youthwalk]

My mother gave it to me to read, but after the first chapter, I couldn't take it anymore. He acts like God is some kind of genie and we can get him to make our lives easier and richer. I really get an uneasy feeling about him.

Anyone who has that many people following him each week and listening to him via TV, has to be tickling ears. Especially when unbelievers like what he's saying, something is definitely wrong.

that's precisely what I thought. I opened discussion in another forum on this concept of "God making it up to us" and that's how I saw it too. That God's a genie activated by prayer. I have an uneasy feeling as well.

And yes it's totally disturbing that he has so many followers. I didn't even read the book. But when I can get a direct quote like

Somebody may be saying nasty things about you behind your back. Your attitude should be: No big deal. God’s got me covered. He’s going to make it up to me. (p 168)

it doesn't matter what the context is...something is iffy there.