For our group we mainly focused on the direction the author took towards Chapter 5 and the specifics of why should God want us to be rich. In my personal opinion, I found this chapter very intriguing. The analysis of Joel Osteen and his mega church was of particular interest especially his views of what god wants for us and his neglecting sin as a whole. From the author's POV it seems that people in Osteen's profession seem to treat God like a proxy for a butler or some type of servant. This seems like a slippery slope for a belief in God. If one keeps telling himself " God wants me to have this" and does not get it, could that not wear away at his belief system. This act also seems like more bargaining with God than praying which completely misses the point of communicating with God. When the author talks about attending a worship service it seems like more of a rock concert where the production value is greater than the message that is being delivered. When people are looking forward to seeing themselves on a jumbo tron rather than looking forward to scripture there is a problem. In response to corporate or mega churches the author points out an Atlanta Baptist church that responds to production value and greater audiences. The church said, "...Nobody ever started a business without hoping that someday,..., it would be a big success. That is the American dream isn't it?" This is true, when referring to business that is the American dream. But when we put this in terms of religion, does God really want us to view our church in a business sense? Yes, this is the American dream, but is it God's?
i think god should be focussed on fixing the suffering in the world and not padding my bank account. any dollar that god puts in my bank account through his good graces and doesnt give to unisef or the red cross, has a starving childs blood on it. they give all the good to god bill something else for the bad stuff. ya cant have it both ways....good thing its all man made BS.
ReplyDelete