Charlatans, Hucksters, & Flim-Flam Artists

“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I read a similar quote the other day from Dr. John MacArthur, who “graduated to glory” last year. “The only way you’re living your best life now,” MacArthur said, “is if you’re going to hell.” In other words, this fallen world is as good as it’s going to get for people who don’t know Jesus and as a result, are destined to spend eternity separated from Him.

And yet, more than 8 million people bought a copy of Joel Osteen’s heretical book, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential, placing it on the New York Times bestseller’s list for two years. Osteen, the poster boy for the modern-day prosperity gospel, pocketed $10 million in royalties on the book, keeping 90% while donating 10% to his megachurch in Houston.

Dr. MacArthur was a very vocal critic of both Osteen and his books, and here is a small sampling…

“Let me be blunt. Joel Osteen is a pagan religionist. He is a legalist, he is a quasi-pantheist, and Jesus Christ is a footnote to satisfy the critics and to give him access to Christians. He believes that men save themselves by their inherent power. He has a definitive book called Your Best Life Now. He says that anyone can create all the dreams that he desires by faith and words. You want health, you want wealth, you want happiness, success; you want a new car, a new house, a new job, a new wife, whatever, whatever; you literally can speak it into existence.”

“Let me give you quotes from his book: ‘If you develop an image of success, health, abundance, joy, peace, and happiness, nothing on earth will be able to hold those things from you. That’s the law of attraction.’”

“Another quote: ‘All of us are born for earthly greatness. You were born to win. You were born to be a champion. God wants you to live in abundance. He wants to give you the desires of your heart. Before we were formed, He prepared us to live abundant lives, to be happy, healthy, and whole. But when our thinking becomes contaminated it is no longer in line with God’s Word.’”

“Here’s another quote: ‘You’re thinking positive, and He will bring your desires to pass. He regards you as a strong, courageous, successful person. You are on your way to a new level of glory. God’s Word is not Scripture, God’s Word is the message you are hearing from God, and then you speak forth and you attract the reality that you speak.’”

Hogwash and heresy indeed! All meant for the consumption of unbelievers and immature Christians looking for a sugar-coated gospel that emphasizes blessings and self-actualization and says nothing about cross-bearing and self-denial.

I miss John MacArthur and the way he wasn’t afraid to stand up to charlatans, hucksters, and flim-flam artists posing as preachers. Something tells me that he and Dietrich Bonhoeffer would have been good friends on earth… and may very well be pals in heaven.

“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38-39 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President

Editor’s Note: If you want to read Dr. MacArthur’s sermon on this subject in its entirety, here is the link: https://www.gty.org/sermons/TMU290/rejecting-heresy-about-god-the-father