Product Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Joel Osteen presents his signature multi-million copy book in trade paperback.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54646 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Amazon.com Review
Houston televangelist Joel Osteen is well qualified to write this book, having used the seven principles he shares to achieve his own "rags-to-riches" story. At the heart of Osteen’s message is that achieving a successful, prosperous life of fulfillment can only occur when we stop worrying about the past or future to make the most of each present moment by using our God-given strengths and talents to achieve our goals. The key to doing so are the seven steps Osteen outlines: Enlarge Your Vision, Develop a Healthy Self-Image, Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words, Let go of the Past, Find Strength Through Adversity, Live to Give, and Choose to Be Happy. Mixing biblical teachings with his own personal experiences, Osteen explains each of these seven steps in an encouraging, optimistic manner that makes them accessible to anyone interested in principles of personal growth. Although written with a Christian slant, the seven steps Osteen shares will have value to anyone wanting to know more about practical steps of self-betterment, regardless of their denomination.--Larry Trivieri Jr.

From Publishers Weekly
Houston megachurch pastor and inspirational TV host Osteen offers an overblown and redundant self-help debut. Many Christian readers will undoubtedly be put off by the book’s shallow name-it-and-claim-it theology; although the first chapter claims that "we serve the God that created the universe," the book as a rule suggests the reverse: it’s a treatise on how to get God to serve the demands of self-centered individuals. Osteen tells readers that God wants them to prosper, offering examples of obtaining an elegant mansion or a larger salary ("don’t ever get satisfied with where you are," he cautions). In seven parts, he details how readers should enlarge their vision, develop self-esteem, discover the power of thought, let go of the past, find strength through adversity, give back to others and choose to be happy. The section on giving comes as too little, too late—Osteen’s message to remember others and "get your mind off yourself" flies in the face of the previous 200 pages. There are some good pockets of advice, such as letting go of past hurts and avoiding bitterness. Editorially, the book would have packed more of a punch if a third of its repetitive slogans and stories had been pruned. Theologically, its materialism and superficial portrayal of God as the granter of earthly wishes will alienate many Christian readers who can imagine a much bigger God.
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About the Author
Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Listed by several sources as America's largest and fastest-growing congregation, Lakewood church has approximately 45,000 adult attendees every week. Millions more watch Joel's messages as they are broadcast on national and international television networks. He resides in Houston with his wife, Victoria, and their children. You can visit his Web site at www.joelosteen.com.

Customer Reviews

Whats in it for me Christianity
What he teaches is a "what can God do for me?" Christianity, when in fact the opposite should be our attitude: What can I do for You Lord? God didn't put us on this earth to see what kind of a wonderful life we could make for ourselves, but simply to serve Him. I gave it 2 stars because the chapter on giving is wonderful.

The Fine Line
What I think many people miss about Joel Osteen's message (as well as the spelling of his name) is the fine line between a name-it and claim-it theology and the simple message of the Bible that God loves you. If God loves you and sent His Son to die for you (the Christian Gospel), then why would He just want Christian ministers to focus on suffering and sin instead of having a postive attitude of faith and trusting God for more. "If a earthly father gives good gifts..."

I think Joel believes that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, that there is only one way to heaven and that sin and the battle of the flesh is important, but just doesn't focus on those things - Lord knows there are plenty of hell fire and damnation preachers out there.

Joel doesn't say that if you claim something in Jesus name you'll get it. Instead, he says to have faith that God will bring you through your circumstances and wants good things for you. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for..." We've lost the hope that we should get from God's love. It is after all GOOD news.

Many people (and several reviewers) criticize Joel for not being overtly evangelistic to save souls or not preaching more on sin. Funny how few ministries are seeing the thousands come to the Christian faith like are coming through Joel's church, television programs and events and even more find the encouragement to change their lives for the better. Perhaps honey does work better than vinegar?

As far as being applicable to people of other faiths or no faith at all, truth is truth. If I don't touch the flame, I don't get burned whether I'm a Christian or not.

In a world full of uncertainty, it is good to have a messenger who will inspire us to Live Our Best Lives Now! A nation in the war on terror needs it.

Contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
I don't doubt that Mr. Osteen is a sincere man who truly desires to do good deeds. I mean no disrespect to him, or his followers by writing a negative review on his best-seller. However, after reading his book, I am deeply troubled by the "man-centeredness" of his teachings.

Jesus plainly teaches throughout the gospels for the disciple to "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me." The "abundant life" we are promised is not more idols (i.e. car, money, fame, fortune, possessions) with which our hearts would be drawn away, but rather a richness of an inner heart-life by which we would know the true G-d in/through/by His Son Jesus Christ.

The gospel according to Jesus was one of (1)recognition of one's total depravity (Paul says that in our "flesh dwells no good thing," Jesus in John 3 commands us "Ye must be born again), (2)the fact that our lives, outside of the atonement of Jesus Christ, are an offense to God, hence the need for repentence, propitiation,atonement, as well as Justification, Sanctification and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and (3)as Paul so beautifully puts it in his letter to the Colossians "...we are complete in Him."

Mr. Osteen's book would have one believe that you are entitled to "sunshine and roses" in this life, and that you can expect nothing but having the wind at your back,a song in your heart,and riches galore. Jesus is not the I AM; He is portrayed as the ATM. Again, I don't intend any disrespect toward Mr. Osteen or his adherents, but the Bible, from Genesis to Revaltions, in example and in precept, does not support the Osteen Formula for Christianity.

Again, the canon of scripture does not support his teachings; they lead the tender convert into expecting Jesus to be their "genie in a bottle" poised to grant their every wish. Nothing is mentioned about "the will of God," having our "sight set on things above," or that our "kingdom is not of this world," not to mention that John the Beloved tells "the elect lady" that "if you love the world or the things of the world, the love of God is not even in you."

Books like this would lead one to believe (if you don't know your Bible), that we are going to live on this earth forever. No exhortation exists in this pop-psychology for believers to "lay up your treasures in heaven, where moth and dust doth not corrupt." or, especially important, prepare for His glorious appearing which, He warned us "will come as a thief in the night" (The marriage of the Lamb has come and His Wife hath made herself ready).

Instead, heaven is on earth, and the believer who is not enjoying the material abundance that Mr. Osteen and his wife enjoy is simply not spiritual. So-called "christian leaders" like Osteen and Rick Warren write as if we are going to live hear forever; that sin will not be judged, and that their will be no catching away. "Beware that this day does not come upon you unawares...he that hath an ear let Him hear what the Spirit is saying..."

I would avoid this book and its heretical teachings. Read the Bible, instead; get to know Jesus Christ through the 4 Gospels and you'll see that what He teaches is far different in focus that Joel Osteen.

Earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints; seek to "know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."