Two days ago, one of my biggest fears became reality. My daughter looked at me right in the eyes wearing a very serious, almost desperate expression on her face; and in fear and trepidation she asked me, “Dad, have you ever heard of Joel Osteen?”
My heart stopped. I thought to myself, “Nooooooooo, not him?” I have done everything I could to shelter my sweet innocent daughter from the terrors of this harsh world, and now she has run smack into one of the vilest enemies to a God-pleasing life: Sappy, Plastic, Delusionally-Positive, Name it-Claim it Christianity.
After gathering my wits, I replied, “Why do you ask?”
“Because a lady at work found out I was a Christian and she said, ‘Oh I love Joel Osteen, I have all his books, and I watch all his sermons. Do you like him?”‘ My daughter replied to her, “I never heard of him, but I am sure my dad has, he is a pastor.”
The lady’s eyes drooped and then she said, “Oh…he probably won’t like him…Joel doesn’t really use the Bible too much, he is not that deep, but his teaching works for me…it makes me feel good. And I love his suits.”
Hmmm…”Makes me feel good…His teaching works for me.” What does that mean? And is this the goal of Christianity, having it work for you? And what if it doesn’t work for me, should I just quit and go do something else, believe something else? Should I even stop trusting in Jesus?
American culture runs on pragmatism. This is the belief that if something works for me, helps me get what I want, brings me success, it must be right and true. Progress in my personal life is all that matters, and pragmatism is the philosophy that gets me there. Progress for Joel Osteen is being the “Best You” you can be. Including being happy, healthy, successful, having a great smile and being everyone’s best friend. And for many Christian pragmatists, this is the reason Jesus came to earth. To get you what you want.
Just open your bible, pray the right positive words, do the right things and everything will go your way. Jesus promises.
But what if it doesn’t? There are two heretical (bad and dangerous teaching) schools of thought on how to make sense of the world when things don’t go your way:
(1) It is a sign you don’t have enough faith. Some churches actually teach that most of people’s troubles are their own fault. If they only would trust God without doubting, life would “work.” Meaning riches would fall from the sky, miraculous healing would occur and that house you always wanted would be yours. And if those things are not taking place you aren’t really speaking positivity into the world and then believing. That is what some people even told my parents after they met my sister who has a debilitating disease called “Rhett’s Syndrome.” They blamed my mom and dad for her sad state; my parents were not exercising enough faith. I have never seen my dad so hot!
(2) It is a sign those rotten demons are at it again. We are told they sneak, hide in the shadows and are the primary cause of your miserable life. All you need to do is get some expert to “deliver” you or teach you how to say the right words to bind them in chains of spiritual steel, and “wah-lah” they will leave and your life will become wonderful again. Boy, it sure is a shame how the Holy Spirit in you can’t stop those pesky demons. But once they are gone, you can once again look forward to your rainbow in the sky.
But what if the bible has never promised you a rose garden? What if the bible actually says, “In this life you will have trouble” (See John 16:33)? What if some of your prayers never come true and success doesn’t fall in your lap – – has God failed you? Is he no longer to be believed or worshiped?
Right after my daughter asked me about Joel Osteen I was reading my Psalm for the day, it was Psalm 44. Listen to verses 8-17, I am not sure they are in the pragmatist’s bible:
In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
But you have rejected us and disgraced us
and have not gone out with our armies.
You have made us turn back from the foe,
and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
You have made us like sheep for slaughter
and have scattered us among the nations.
You have sold your people for a trifle,
demanding no high price for them.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
You have made us a byword among the nations,
a laughingstock among the peoples.
All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face
at the sound of the taunter and reviler,
at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.
All this has come upon us,
though we have not forgotten you,
and we have not been false to your covenant.
I have found that true worship is believing even when things are not working. In the same way, I have also found that even though it may be raining the sun is still shining behind the clouds.
I don’t believe in God because it works, I believe in God because he is God. Asking if Christianity works may be the most simplistic, narcissistic and silliest question you could ever ask. But that is America for you, everything is always about us, and truth is only found on the other side of success.
Somehow, we have bought the lie that Jesus may have suffered on the cross, but it is so I could sit on my big, fat comfy couch for all eternity asking him to keep serving me while I watch my favorite Netflix series on my heavenly TV. He gets utter humiliation, I get abundance. It’s only fair, right?
And I know that the TV I watch in heaven will never break down because God is a pragmatist. He works.
