One thing that I find interesting is discovering what bits of American culture make it around the globe. Once when I asked an Egyptian last spring if he knew any American TV shows, he replied “Jerry Springer and Oprah.” Wow… What a terrible image that man must have had of American culture!
In Korea, the shocker for me has been how ridiculously popular Joel Osteen is here. I was in a bookstore this weekend, and if I had been better prepared, I could have snapped a picture of myself posing next to a cardboard bust of the smiling mega church pastor himself. Over the past few months, I’ve grown quite familiar with that face; I’ve found his books in every bookstore that I’ve visited.
At first I sort of dismissed it, assuming that he didn’t carry much weight in the Presbyterian circles here just like he doesn’t in the Reformed church at home. Not so. Many of my students loved the guy and were surprised that I hadn’t read his books or listened to his sermons online.
This got me going. I started reading online about him and also borrowed his book “Your Best Life Now” from a Korean friend. While I suppose I’m too post-modern to call anyone a heretic, I found his theology to be dangerous at best. His book revolves mostly around the idea of the power of positive thinking—the sort of psychological stuff you get from a motivational speaker. However, his theology seemed to be mostly man-centered with God depicted almost as a sort of genie who just wants to bless us. In the whole book, the focus was clearly not on the kingdom of God or the need for the redemption of Jesus Christ.
I’m not trying to throw stones at the guy although I do disagree with what he wrote in this particular book I read. However, what I’m really amazed by is not what he wrote, but how uncritically so many of my students drink it down. Questioning authority (particularly pastors and teachers) seems to be quite culturally taboo. It’s a cultural difference that’s been hard to adjust to. When I look at the situation, I see it as my students being unable to think for themselves. However, when they look at my willingness to question and disagree, I imagine that they likely critique my approach as selfish and disrespectful.
Unfortunately, I suppose we’re both at least partially right.
