Joel and Tom...

Did you catch 60 Minutes last night?  There were two interviews that caught my attention: one with Joel Osteen and one with Tom Brady.  The transcripts of these interviews can be found here and here, respectively. 

I have never been a fan of Osteen, the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.  My take, based only on the few times I have tried to watch his broadcast, is that he is more of a pop-psychologist than a preacher.  I fear that his feel-good, prosperity message is leading more people away from than to the Kingdom of God. Perhaps his message is aimed at the itching ears of our materialistic culture. 

I came away from the interview thinking that Osteen genuinely believes he is helping people.  The problem is, his message of health, wealth and prosperity is empty.  Isn't it interesting that it is only the preachers of health and wealth who seem to be prospering?

Tom Brady could be the poster-child for Osteen.  Brady is the quarterback of the undefeated New England Patriots.  He has won three Super Bowls and is having one of his best seasons yet.  He seems to be truly experiencing his best life now.  Yet, in the interview he said this:

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, ‘God, it's got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be.

The interviewer asked, What's the answer?

I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I love playing football and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I’m trying to find.

Looks like health, wealth and prosperity may not be all its cracked up to be. 

Thoughts?

Eric

Comments

[Jeff]

Eric,
The scriptures warn of this that the adversary will come to us as a angel of light. I wonder how much the membership dues are at his congregation? Too bad the rich young ruler isn't around- he could have gone there and felt right at home.

Sarcastically yours
Jeff

[je]

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who finds something just not quite right about Osteen; and then reading the quote from Tom
Brady - the weariness of a life searching for things that don't really matter --- such a reminder of how sad it is when people don't find the only Treasure worth searching for -- the True Joy of Life