The Crystal Cathedral Goes to the Catholic Church

"Tough times don't last; Tough people do."

One of Reverend Robert Schuller's books on the power of positive thinking carried this up-beat cliché.

I wonder how he and his staff would appraise its message now.

With their paean to modern self-importance on the chopping block, the effervescence of modern Christianity has given way to the traditions of men, no matter how religious.

Yet the movement which galvanized Schuller was older than the Catholic Church, despite their kinship in emphasizing the role of man's belief and efforts over the effectual Finished Work of the Cross.

Jesus became poor to make every believer in Him rich:

"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Corinthians 6:10)

In this verse, Paul writes of himself and his fellow laborers for the Gospel, yet this promise applies to all members of the Body of Christ.

The gospel of positive thinking was as brilliant and empty as the many window panes of the Chrystal Cathedral, both of which betray a startling emptiness:

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:" (2 Timothy 2:5)

Paul exhorts his disciple Timothy and all other believers:

"From such turn away."

It is fitting, although hardly pleasing, to see the Garden Grove fixture fall into the hands of another denomination that lifts up the hurried habits of man over the everlasting righteousness of God's sacrifice of His Son for the remission of Sin.

If anyone needs something positive to think on, look only to the Cross of Jesus Christ, by whose death we are reconciled to God the Father and made the righteousness of God in Christ (cf 2 Corinithians 2:17-21)

Not only are we made righteous by His death, but every other thing we need is imparted to us:

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

Who needs positive thinking or religious works when every believer is graced with every good and perfect gift by faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ?
)