Your Best Life Now - Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen can write really well. It is no wonder why this book has taken the world by storm selling over 4 million copies and then some. So let me start with some applause for Joel Osteen. It is my first time ever actually reading this book, and surprisingly I found him to quote more Scripture than I thought he would. He also believes in the sovereignty of God with great conviction, probably more than most evangelicals. And finally, he tells some awesome stories, and some that I think I might even use for an example. But alas, that is where the compliments end. One thing and one thing only bugged me to the end, chapter after chapter, page after page. Osteen does not know mercy. Mercy. He never seems to mention that it. Everything is a mercy from God, and when Osteen neglects to mention this, it misleads people to believe that they deserve a good life, a promotion, a job, a good marriage, etc (Osteen can't seem to stop mentioning these things throughout his book). This also leads to an emphasis on material things, and defines blessings as things of this life. Because of this lack of mercy, there is no need to bring in the Gospel, and as suspected, I found only a few references to Christ, all of them without reference to his atoning death for sin. Simply put, you can read this book and get encouraged; yet you will not be stirred to treasure God and cherish Christ. Since the concept of mercy is not there in the book, there is also no mention of sin. Osteen presupposes that everyone reading is a "Christian," and that they are good people. A lack of mercy also prevents Osteen from mentioning future glory. I think Osteen really means it when he says that you can have your best life now! But obviously, if the best life is now, heaven is nothing better. The book is devoid of heavenly things in the future and brings the world to the now. It is sad that our greatest joy that is yet to come is replaced by a seven-step plan to enjoy life in the now. This book exalts life, not Christ.

Pages: 306
Difficulty: Simple
Rating: 1/5
Buy or Borrow: I wouldn't struggle through this whopping 300 page book if I were you. Your time is better spent reading Desiring God, or Future Grace by John Piper. Both books are similar in length to Osteen and easy to read.