Star-Telegram | 11/13/2006 | An empty shell of faith?

Die skrywer van hierdie artikel het beslis 'n punt beet ...

"Christianity today often resembles an egg into which someone has poked a hole and sucked out all its contents," writes author Richard Smoley, "and then taken the shell, encrusted it with gold and jewels, and set it up as an object of veneration. In many ways, it remains a beautiful shell, but more and more people are finding that it no longer offers any nourishment."

Indeed, there is a growing sense that somewhere between the time that Christ walked the earth and the church of the present day, a vital part of Christianity has been lost. In its place is a brand of religion that bears little resemblance to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Osteen is far from unusual in his embrace of wealth. The Trinity Broadcasting Network's Paul and Jan Crouch epitomize what it means to wallow in materialism. Founded by this husband-and-wife team, TBN, which claims nearly all the top names in its stable of televangelists, has used the prosperity gospel as its bedrock selling point since its inception in 1973.

Over the years, the Crouches, who own numerous homes across the country, have raised millions through telethon fundraising and regular appearances by popular personalities such as Creflo Dollar. Dollar, pastor of World Changers Church International, has several Rolls Royces, private jets, a million-dollar home in Atlanta and a $2.5 million Manhattan apartment.

So what are the lessons in all this? The most important is that spirituality quickly drowns in materialism.

Can we really practice true Christianity when we worship in lavish churches while several blocks away people are starving?

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to become a disciple, Christ instructed him to give all his possessions to the poor. Christ told his followers that there were certain basic steps in being a disciple -- deny oneself and "take up the cross." This means repudiating a materialistic lifestyle and identifying with the suffering and downtrodden.