Science of Happiness??

Purpose-Driven Pastor, Frank Santora of Faith Church in New Milford, CT just finished a sermon series on the 'Science of Happiness'. Of particular interest were his sermons on 'Forgiving Yourself' and 'Believing in Yourself'.

Scripture does not call us to believe in ourselves it calls us to deny ourselves and believe IN Jesus Christ.

Matt. 16:24   Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

John 3:16   “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God

Scripture does not call us to 'forgive ourselves' either. That is a concept made popular by pop-psychology and is not Biblical. Instead, the scriptures call us receive forgiveness of our sins by and through Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:43 To [Jesus] all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 13:38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man [Jesus] forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,

"Pastor" Santora's messages were not Christian messages and they are more examples of the man-centered feel good preaching that is occuring in the name of being 'seeker-sensitive' and 'purpose-driven'.

Further Resources & Reading...

1. My review of these sermons on the Fighting for the Faith radio program.

2. Christless Christianity & The American Captivity of the Church - Part 1

3. Christless Christianity & The American Captivity of the Church - Part 2

4. Christless Christianity, by Michael Horton

5. Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures, by Dennis Johnson

6. Why I'm Not a Purpose-Driven Pastor

Comments

[ty]

I'm glad "Leaven" is back, Chris. I know you're trying as hard as you can to spread the truth in as many ways as possible. I'm sure your job is a difficult one but rest assured that God is helping you.
As a response to the above post: it is obvious that people will be disappointed when they cannot achieve this happiness and self-forgiveness that this "message" series promises. In addition, I don't agree with the use of the word "science." Was the word used because it would be more palatable or comfortable for the "seeker"? I know the word "science" is the knowledge of facts but the word itself has a stigma of being non-spiritual. In retrospect, perhaps it IS the correct word for this series. For those who heard this series and write in to chastize me for writing the previous sentence without hearing the sermons, notice I used the word "perhaps".

[Jimmy]

I saw the web site to this so called church and it looks more like a Chuckie Cheese.

[Shma]

PTL this site is back! So many people have no idea what's going on. I send this page out to my friends so they can inform their friends.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!!!!!!!

[Logan]

Glad to have you back too Chris, as for this baloney church...

Why is it all always about you?

I mean really.

Wasn't it GOD who created you?

Wasn't it GOD who gave you salvation?

Wasn't it GOD who has been working in your life to make you more like Christ?

That is assuming, of course, you are saved.

The tagline is just insane.

"What do happy people have in common? Is there a proven way to be happy?"

ugh, the full fruit of the purpose-driven movement.

Drive-by Religion. Wonderful.