Kingdom Consciousness

A little while ago I suspected that Och might get this topic going, and I've spent a little time thinking about Joel Osteen.

It's true; I like Osteen. He's pleasant and upbeat. He's kind and considerate. He wants folks to succeed.

His prosperity message is very Old Testament, wherein God's favor is demonstrated by material prosperity, and His disfavor...well, just ask the Noah or the Sodomites.

The only problem is that Christ came along and showed us that sometimes things aren't so simple. Orthodox Christians are especially aware of the phenomenon known as martyrdom--in which material failure veils spiritual success.

I'm having trouble finding the Kingdom in Osteenism.