Robert Schuller and the Cult of Self-Esteem

Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral was built upon the alluring promise of gratification: stay positive...don't offend people and they will come to your happy church and buy your happy books.  Before he ever broadcast his first television program, Schuller went door to door asking people what they'd like in a church--eventually arriving at the conclusion that sin and eternal punishment were not on the list.  The Crystal Cathedral's "Hour of Power" was born in a California Drive-In Movie Theatre, and the power of positive thinking built a televison audience of 20 million and laid the foundation for the Willowbrooks and Osteens of today.

     Before Walter Martin ever recorded this program, he met with Robert Schuller to discuss the problems with Schuller's theology--key areas where Schuller's words contradicted biblical truth.  After several unsuccessful meetings, Dr. Martin felt he had no choice but to publicly address the doctrinal errors in Schuller's theology.

     Today, the Crystal Cathedral is up for sale and the ministry of Robert Schuller faces bankruptcy.  It is the end of an era, and the lesson cannot be forgotten:  the only one we should ever worry about pleasing is God.