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
