Salvation with a Smile: Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and American Christianity
- ISBN-10
- 0814723888
- ISBN-13
- 9780814723883
- Category
- Religion
- Pages
- 336
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2015-11-13
- Publisher
- NYU Press
- Author
- Phillip Luke Sinitiere
Description
Joel Osteen, the smiling preacher, has quickly emerged as one of the most recognizable Protestant leaders in the country. His megachurch, the Houston based Lakewood Church, hosts an average of over 40,000 worshipers each week. Osteen is the best-selling author of numerous books, and his sermons and inspirational talks appear regularly on mainstream cable and satellite radio. How did Joel Osteen become Joel Osteen? How did Lakewood become the largest megachurch in the U. S.? Salvation with a Smile, the first book devoted to Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen, offers a critical history of the congregation by linking its origins to post-World War II neopentecostalism, and connecting it to the exceptionally popular prosperity gospel movement and the enduring attraction of televangelism. In this richly documented book, historian Phillip Luke Sinitiere carefully excavates the life and times of Lakewood’s founder, John Osteen, to explain how his son Joel expanded his legacy and fashioned the congregation into America’s largest megachurch. As a popular preacher, Joel Osteen’s ministry has been a source of existential strength for many, but also the routine target of religious critics who vociferously contend that his teachings are theologically suspect and spiritually shallow. Sinitiere’s keen analysis shows how Osteen’s rebuttals have expressed a piety of resistance that demonstrates evangelicalism’s fractured, but persistent presence. Salvation with a Smile situates Lakewood Church in the context of American religious history and illuminates how Osteen has parlayed an understanding of American religious and political culture into vast popularity and success.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2015-11-13
- 336 pages
- Ebook
- NYU Press
Similar books
-
The Prayer That Makes God Smile
By Stormie OmartianThis life–changing book about God’s everlasting love and the power of prayer from beloved writer Stormie Omartian reassures children that their prayers are meaningful to God and that He always listens to them.
-
Poetry to Bring Glory to God: And a Chuckle, Smile, or Perhaps a Tear to the Rest of Us
By Ron BlohmRon was in his forties when he ran into the fun of creating poetry on the computer, and started writing again. He has composed some other work still waiting to be published. Ron tried different styles of poetry and found them all fun.
-
The Prayer That Makes God Smile
By Stormie Omartian, Shari WarrenThis life–changing book about God’s everlasting love and the power of prayer from beloved writer Stormie Omartian reassures children that their prayers are meaningful to God and that He always listens to them.
-
Citizen of the World: The Late Career and Legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois
By Phillip Luke SinitiereIn concert with growing scholarship on his twilight years, the essays in this volume assert the fundamental importance of considering Du Bois’s later decades not as a life in decline that descended into blind ideological allegiance to ...
-
CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATIONS And HUMAN RESOURCES: A Christian Education Course Book
By Dipo Toby AlakijaRULE 2: Always put on smiles. The Chinese Proverb says: “A man without a smiling face must not open shop.” All Christians need to show the joy of salvation through their smiles and in all the things they do.
-
Salvation of a Saint: A Detective Galileo Novel
By Keigo HigashinoWhen a man about to leave his wife is found murdered and the wife has a too-convenient alibi that convinces a smitten lead detective of her innocence, Professor Manabu Yukawa is tapped by a concerned Kaoru Utsumi to solve a seemingly ...
-
Heavy Smile
By Jonathan WebbAnd in a world filled with lies and hate, can he find true love? Find out in Heavy Smile - Book 1, the first book of an inspiring eight part series written by the burgeoning new author, Jonathan Webb.
-
Salvation's Edge
By Michael O'BrienTerry asked Gretchaunway. “I just qualied for what we call the Intermediate All-Star AllRacers Marathon tomorrow,” she answered. “Congratulations,” said Terry with his big smile. “And so did you,” she said. Terry's smile disappeared.
-
Salvation's Fire
By Justina Robson... and soar with a streak of sweetness in its wake that boded very ill for him indeed. He almost forgot to add, “Isn't that right, darling?” and to smile at her with a smile that was filled with what he found to be genuine adoration.
-
Bacon Sandwiches & Salvation: A Humorous Antidote for the Pharisee in All of Us
By Adrian PlassHis smile is my smile. My low-wattage glow is their low-wattage glow. Do I dare to own whatever I find, good or bad, in my brothers and sisters? Do they dare the same? Am I prepared to laugh and weep with them, no matter what may be ...