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Heads or Tails?

nickshell1983 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:36:15 +0000

Sometimes there’s no middle ground.

To entertain ourselves in the cafeteria after we finished our corndog and tater tot lunches, my friends and I would have contests to see who could make a quarter spin the longest on the table before it ultimately landed on either heads or tails. Fine amusement for 5th grade boys. But never once did a quarter remain on its side. It always fell on one side or the other. Heads or tails.

Today I spent my lunch break at Border’s. Browsing through the photograph books, I couldn’t help but notice the cover of a book entitled Traffik. It was a simple black-and-white picture of a Southeast Asian woman looking at the camera. She only had one eye.

It saddened me so much I pulled out the book from the shelf and sat down on a stool to read it. The book was a large collection of photographs featuring women trapped in human trafficking (forced prostitution) in Cambodia. They are often lured from the mountains and the countryside by men promising them good work.

Of course this sort of hellishly-inspired activity isn’t only currently happening in Asia. While attending Liberty University, I listened carefully to the reports of guest speaker Kay Warren, the wife of Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life). She has spent time ministering to AIDS victims in Africa.

She explained (regarding the AIDS epidemic in that continent,) that many men with AIDS commonly believe (as they are instructed by witch doctors) they can be cured if they have sex with someone who is “pure”. That’s one of the reasons many children in Africa have AIDS or HIV.

It is estimated that today there are around 29 million slaves in the world; particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. I only learned that a few months ago- I was under the impression that slavery ended 150 years ago.

So many men keep slavery alive today by capturing and selling other people. And so many other men keep slavery alive by buying or renting slaves from these decrepit “businessmen”. And that leaves innocent women and children to suffer.

When some people are given this information, their reaction is, “How could God exist if he lets things like that happen in the world?”

Others react with, “How could God not exist when things like that are happening in the world?” Because they have hope in justice. And hope in a being who is actually qualified to judge the injustice in the history of the world. Not just sit on a cloud.

Yes, we easily agree that human trafficking needs to be stopped and that’s is a horrible thing. And fortunately, more awareness of the issue is causing groups to form across to help rescue the victims, if nothing else.

Faith can’t be real if it’s not tested and questioned. And when it comes to God and a tragedy this horrific, even when we’re not directly affected, it still causes us to either draw closer or further away from God at the simple thought of it.

Heads or tails?

Dr. James White on The Manhattan Declaration

Reformed Joe — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:00:53 +0000

The Troubling Aspects of the Manhattan Declaration

11/23/2009 – James White

Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.

These words conclude the Manhattan Declaration, promulgated November 20, 2009. There is much in this document that any serious-minded Christian not only can agree with, but simply must agree with. There is no question that the forces of secularism are moving quickly, under the guise of “social advancement” and “equal rights,” to attack, denigrate, and, in their highest hopes and aspirations, relegate the Christian worldview to the trash heap of history. Evil men, and women, hold positions of power in Western societies, and since it is inevitably true that the Christian witness enrages those who love the darkness (John 7:7), they are doing all they can to subvert and silence that witness which so exposes their consciences. The general statements of the document relating to life, abortion, marriage, sexuality, and religious liberty, are well stated and timely. There is something reassuring in realizing that the concerns we have had are shared across a broad spectrum.

But there are a number of troubling things that I cannot get past in examining this document and considering its implications. When I see some of the leading ecumenists in the forefront of the documents’ production, I am made uneasy, and for good reason. Great damage has been done to the cause of Christ by those who have sought to promote the Kingdom by compromising the gospel, the only power given to the church that can change hearts, and hence change societies. By relegating the gospel to a matter of opinion and difference, but not something that defines the Christian faith, these ecumenists have left their followers with a cause without power, a quest without a solution. And though their open-mindedness fits better with our current post-modern culture, from a biblical perspective, they have truly betrayed the apostolic example.

This document presents a Christianity ostensibly based upon bare Trinitarianism. I listened to Chuck Colson speak on the Hugh Hewitt program this afternoon. He made it very clear that this is, in fact, a theological document, despite the assertions of others that it is not. He was asked why Jews, Mormons, and others, were not invited to sign the document. He said they were not asked because this is a specifically Christian statement, quoting from the Christian scriptures. Once again we are led to the inevitable conclusion that “Christian” then is “Trinitarianism plus agreed upon historical truths such as the crucifixion and resurrection, but, most importantly, without any gospel content.” It does no good to muddle this discussion with “Well, what about the medieval church” questions, since we are talking about a day and age when the issues are well known. We are not talking about a dark period of biblical ignorance. There is more light available today than ever before. And for many, the gospel is simply no longer part of the “non-negotiables.”

But I am left confused by the inconsistency of the document. Mormons are not invited. Understandable, given that the LDS faith is the most polytheistic faith I’ve ever encountered. Trinitarians only need apply. I can fully understand that. So…why are we told toward the end of this Declaration that Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote from an explicitly Christian perspective? A brief visit to Martin Luther King’s writings will reveal he was hardly orthodox even using the limited definition utilized by this Declaration. For example, writing in a paper while in seminary, Martin Luther King, Jr. said:

The orthodox attempt to explain the divinity of Jesus in terms of an inherent metaphysical substance within him seems to me quite inadaquate. To say that the Christ, whose example of living we are bid to follow, is divine in an ontological sense is actually harmful and detrimental. To invest this Christ with such supernatural qualities makes the rejoinder: “Oh, well, he had a better chance for that kind of life than we can possible have.” In other words, one could easily use this as a means to hide behind behind his failures. So that the orthodox view of the divinity of Christ is in my mind quite readily denied.

So why put forth King as explicitly Christian, but not invite the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who would “quite readily deny” the deity of Christ as well? Perhaps a document that identifies Papal actions as explicitly Christian actions can be excused for its inherent self-contradiction.

There is no question that all believers need to think seriously about the issues raised by this declaration. But what is the only solution to these issues? Is the solution to be found in presenting a unified front that implicitly says “the gospel does not unite us, but that is not important enough to divide us”? I do not think so. What is the only power given to the church to change hearts and minds? United political power? Or the gospel that is trampled under foot by every Roman Catholic priest when he “re-presents” the sacrifice of Christ upon the Roman altar, pretending to be a priest, an “alter Christus”? Am I glad when a Roman clergyman calls abortion murder? Of course. But it exhibits a real confusion, and not a small amount of cowardice, it seems, to stop identifying the man’s false gospel and false teaching simply because you are glad to have a few more on the “right” side of a vitally important social issue.

This takes me back to my original response to the ECT document. I have seen so many re-organize their priorities in light of having made “common cause” with those who have a false gospel all in the name of doing social good. I am glad Rome retains elements of God’s truth and morality. But when did being good or moral bring one salvation, as if anyone is ever truly good, or truly moral?

These are the matters that truly concern me about the Manhattan Declaration. Why does God have the right to determine human sexuality, marriage, and to define life itself? It all goes back to the gospel, does it not? If we are going to give a consistent, clear answer to our culture, we dare not find our power in a false unity that overshadows the gospel and cripples our witness.

The Celebrities

kari8 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:20:04 +0000

Pastor William Poss

Bread of Life Fellowship

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7290923774

The church’s mission is to preach Christ and Him crucified – to reveal the righteousness of Christ and His work. Yet today’s celebrity preachers with one voice teach and preach self-love, self-esteem, and health and wealth. Some even teach that every man is himself a little god. Many of these celebrities have become gods themselves, as people flock from all over to see them. Many of them rely on television as a media – which even furhter trivializes their message.

In this the third of three in a series on the false doctrines that have risen out of a false understanding of Romans 10:10, Pastor Poss exposes many false teachers by name. There is a particularly challenging application at the conclusion which challenges even doctrinally sound Christians to be sure that they are not idolaters who worship the celebrities.

Se Sarah Palin convince Graham

pj — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:35:17 +0000

Mentre Rick Warren sbarca in Europa per promuovere il suo “Purpose & peace plan” ded

Brannon Howse On Mixing Things

donjobson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:18:39 +0000

“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” 2 Corinthians 6:17

2 Cor 6:14,15,17-BE YE (that is you) NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS: FOR WHAT FELLOWSHIP HATH RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH UNRIGHTEOUSNESS? AND WHAT COMMUNION HATH LIGHT WITH DARKNESS?…WHAT PART HATH HE THAT BELIEVETH WITH AN INFIDEL (an unbeliever)? WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE (that is you) SEPARATE, SAITH THE LORD

Brannon Howse in his latest missive brings out the importance of the Pure Biblical Doctrine of Separatism. Here is the first paragraph from his laxative missive:

The Emerging Third Way of Apostate Pastors and Globalist Leaders

By Brannon S. Howse

The following is an excerpt from the just released book by Brannon Howse, Grave Influence: 21 Radicals and Their Worldviews That Rule America From The Grave (368 pages, hard-cover)Click here to order your copy today:
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/secure/store/product.php?ProductID=1044

The leaders in the educational establishment, the apostate Church, occultism/pagan spirituality, or the government-corporate complex want the idea of social and spiritual evolution embraced worldwide in order to bring about their desired “new order” or “new world order.” Secular humanist and Fabian Socialist Julian Huxley (brother of Aldous) was the First Director General of the United Nations Educational, Science, and Culture Organization (UNESCO). He explained, “The task is to help the emergence of a single world culture…”[1]

Did you hear that strong separtist language? That’s right America should not be separated from the other nations as they are not are Pure and are not full of darkness. This is why GOIP Labs is working on secret technology to totally separate America God’s Chosen and Holy Nation from the darkness of all those other heathen nations–especially Canada, Russia and France.

Keep ye separate from heathen political parties and do not mix with their ideologies. This is another non-essential subjective opinion on a non-Absolute biblical truth highlighted in Brannon’s forceful farceful fartful succint essay:

This “task” is even at work in America’s political arena. Bill Clinton’s mentor and former professor Carrol Quigley made this clear in his book, Tragedy and Hope:

The chief problem of American political life…has been how to make the two Congressional parties more national and international. The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can “throw the rascals out” at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy.[2]

And it’s working. While there are some truly conservative Republicans, most embrace the same worldview and agenda of their fellow politicians across the aisle. This is a form of Marx’s dialectic process, the true intent of which is revealed by Julian Huxley:

…at the moment, two opposing philosophies of life confront each other…You may categorize the two philosophies as super nationalism, or as individualism versus collectivism…or as capitalism versus communism, or as Christianity verses Marxism. Can these opposites be reconciled, this antithesis be resolved in a higher synthesis? I believe not only that this can happen, but that, through the inexorable dialectic of evolution, it must happen.[3]

Those who buy into Darwinian or neo-Darwinian evolution and apply it to society embrace this concept of social evolution. There are others who apply it not only to the social and cultural arenas but also to the spiritual world. Generally, these are New Age devotees of the New Spirituality. Generally-but not always.

We agree that mixing political parties is like the non-evilness of Progressive Christians mixing with Athiests against their commmon foe the nutcase Brannon Howse period. Clearly Athiests and Emergents are not to blame for all of our political problems.

Emergent Books

nazarenepsalm113 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:25:23 +0000

From my friend and brother in the Lord the ever biblically solid Gary Gilley

Emergent Books.

The Two Tree's

nazarenepsalm113 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:10:18 +0000

Great article from my friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord at Herescope

He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
(Psalm 107:20)

Meditation that is not founded upon the Word of God, like alabyrinth, is a maze that ultimately ends up in futility, going nowhere but endless spirals.

Those who have practiced Eastern-style meditation, with its emptying of the mind and/or visualization (imagery), often do so because they desire to acquire peace, or because they are hurting and desire their inner psycho-spiritual needs to be met. Yet they will eventually find that their needs are not met, and they are more empty than ever. Further, this type of meditation opens one’s mind to occult spirituality – even if it is done under the aura of being “Christian.”

Those who engage in the pantheon of contemplative practices need to beware that it is described as “two intentions that are the foundation of all contemplative practices: cultivating awareness and developing a stronger connection to God, the divine, or inner wisdom.”[1] See “The Tree of Contemplative Practices” posted HERE. This is a graphic representation of how the “roots of the tree encompass and transcend differences in the religious traditions from which many of the practices originated, and allow room for the inclusion of new practices that are being created in secular contexts.”[2]

Looking at this tree, it is obvious that what passes for “Christian” meditation in our modern era springs from the Gnostic roots of this occult tree. Is it any wonder that this tree then bears corresponding occult fruit? Note that this contemplative tree does not promise life, only “wisdom,” which just happens to be what the serpent promised Eve if she ate of the fruit of the tree in the Garden of Eden.

But what about the person who is truly needy? One who is experiencing a crisis of faith? Who is being persecuted? The fragile believer who feels that their faith is floundering or drying up? These struggling believers are being encouraged to run to this “contemplative tree” of eclectic spiritual practices to find refuge, solace and comfort. After all, it istrendy to run to this contemporary contemplative tree, despite its antiquated roots buried in the deep strata of occultism.

This alluring multifaceted tree promises healing, renewal, insight, rest, wisdom and access to God. But, warning! Eating its fruit results in spiritual blindness and deafness, bondage and emptiness.

The Tree of Life

There is another tree, which is found in Scripture. It is based on the Word of God. Psalm 1 describes the believer who finds his ”delight in the the law of the LORD” and says that in this law (God’s Word) ”doth he meditate day and night.” If a believer does this he is promised that he shall ”be like atree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (verses 2-3, emphases added). What a promise!

Meditating on the Word of God produces beautiful fruit in the lives of Christian believers. There are many other promises in Scripture for the believer who meditates upon God’s Word. These are personal promises that apply not only to daily living, but also to a wide variety of life crises, feelings, situations, hurts, pains, persecutions, trials, trouble and dangers. Here is just a brief sampling, starting at Psalm 119, which is a treasure trove of promises to those who meditate on God’s Word; i.e. His precepts, commandments, judgments, law and testimonies:

vs. 25 - My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy Word.
vs. 28 - My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthenthou me according unto thy Word.
vs. 97 - O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
vs. 104 - Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
vs. 105 - Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a lightunto my path.
vs. 130 - The entrance of thy Words giveth light; itgiveth understanding unto the simple.
vs. 133 - Order my steps in thy Word: and let not anyiniquity have dominion over me.
vs. 134 - Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
vs. 161 - Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy Word.
vs. 162 - I rejoice at thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Proverbs 30:5 further promises that ”Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

Isaiah 29 warns about idolatrous hearts (vs. 13) and says that the ”wisdom of their wise men shall perish” (vs. 14). Then Isaiah 30 speaks to those who ”despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon” (vs. 12), but promises that ”in returning [i.e., repentance] and rest shall ye be saved.” This same verse promises the very thing that contemplative practices claim to accomplish -rest! And it further promises that ”in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” But, sadly, the verse concludes with the tragic statement: ”and ye would not.”

God’s ways are not hidden like the obscure “wisdom” of the occult that must be meditated upon in endless ways that never satisfy. He has given us His Word openly. Twice in Isaiah God says, ”I have not spoken in secret” (Isaiah 45:19 and 48:16). God’s Word does satisfy, and we are promised in Isaiah 55:11 that: ”So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

The New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts, records the power of the Word of God to change human lives. The backdrop to the events in Acts is strikingly similar to our modern era with its rapidly rising idolatry and occult spirituality. God’s Word alone has the miraculous power to change lives. Paul told King Agrippa that the purpose of preaching the Gospel (i.e., God’s Word) was ”To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). And in Romans Paul states that the Gospel of Christ ”is the power of God unto salvation”(vs. 16).

Many today avoid God’s Word. They do not run to it as a source of strength and sustenance. They will do anything butread God’s Word! In Jeremiah 2:13 we read how readily people will substitute an inferior man-made product for The Way: ”For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”

Perhaps the reason for avoidance of God’s Word is because His Word is uncomfortable – it is ”quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word provokes believers to have their conscience quickened to sin in their hearts and lives, and it encourages them to ”Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8)!

Many Scriptures warn about hardening of the heart, which is the consequence of not obeying the Word. These are not popular verses in our era, particularly the ones that refer to hardness of heart being wicked!

John 12:40 - ”He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”
Romans 2:4-5 - ”Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;”
Proverbs 21:29 - ”A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.”
Proverbs 28:14 - ”Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”
Proverbs 29:1 - ”He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Hebrews 3:8 warns particularly, ”Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness,” which is followed by verse 11, ”So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.” This is that true rest which can only be found in obedience to God’s Word. It cannot be obtained through the pursuing of meditative mechanisms.

Eating the fruit of “The Tree of Contemplative Practices”cannot result in either repentance nor rest, but rather in an increasing tolerance for doctrinal ambiguity, sinful living, ecumenism, and mysticism. Romans 1 describes the downhill progression that begins with being ”vain” in one’s”imaginations.” This vanity seems an apt description of all entry-level contemplative practices. It quickly degenerates into one’s ”foolish heart” becoming ”darkened.” Romans 1 indicates that this downward spiral becomes outright idolatry, vile affections, a reprobate mind, and a long list of evil practices.

Where is God’s sovereignty and majesty? Job was chastised by God for his inadequate and inferior view of Him. Couldn’t the same thing be said today to those who worship at “The Tree of Contemplative Practices”? While they pursue their various pilgrimages, meditations, chantings, journalings, sweatlodges and visionquests, God is saying to them:”Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding?” (vs. 4).

Likewise, Isaiah 66:5a cries out: ”Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word.” Does anyone tremble at His Word anymore? Jeremiah Burroughs, in his classic workGospel Fear: Developing a Tender Hart that Trembles at the Word of God (1647)[3], describes the effects of having a”fear of the Lord” which is the ”instruction of wisdom,” as stated in Proverbs 15:33, and notes that those who tremble at the Word must have a “teachable disposition.”[4]. Citing Proverbs 17:10 (“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool”), Burroughs asks: “Do you find your heart so tender that a word works upon you? This is a sign of the wisdom of God that is in your soul.”[5]

Once again, ironically, the very thing that those who pursue after contemplative mysticism desire - wisdom - is there all along for those who immerse themselves in God’s Word! It is interesting that Proverbs 3, especially verses 13 and 18, promises wisdom, saying that it is a ”tree of life” - ”Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding… She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”[emphasis added]

The Truth:

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

Endnotes:
1. “The Tree of Contemplative Practices,” the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree.html
2. Ibid.
3. Jeremiah Burroughs, Gospel Fear: Developing a Tender Hart that Trembles at the Word of God (Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 2001), www.SDGbooks.com.
4. p. 46.
5. p. 86, emphasis added.

The New [Age] Spirituality: The Folly of the Ages

nazarenepsalm113 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:06:12 +0000

The New [Age] Spirituality: The Folly of the Ages.

Rick Warren is a Pastor to a Pornographer

redeemedhippiesplace — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:37:34 +0000

Rupert Murdock also owns FOX news. Just because one is a conservative does not make them any more of a christian than some looney toon leftie. It is all about money among the rich, famous and the eletists both within the church and outside. In all political parties. What is the common goal? I think it is the New Wordl Order. People such as Rick Warren pretending to be christian, whoring around with daddy warbucks, compromising the gospel for money!

godsplumbline:

Breaking News: Ken Silva Can Read The Bible

donjobson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:47:45 +0000

You heard it here first—Ken Silva can read the Bible. But you know who can’t? Rick Warren, of course. Here Rick Warren is seen Absolutely not reading the Bible:

This image speaks for itself. We are also concerned about Warren’s political ties for when he was asked ‘about his role in passing Prop 8—California’s gay marriage ban’:

The Southern Baptist preacher’s response:
“If you want to ask about gay marriage, there are 30 states that have voted it down,” Warren said good-naturedly. “Ask those people. Why ask me?”Why ask you, Rick Warren? Maybe because the reporter expected that a pastor should have a Biblical response, not an evasive, political response.

Afterall, we of God’s Only Inerrant Party are not political:

Caritas in Veritate, Pt. 1 - “What on Earth am I here for?”

chris — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:43:08 +0000

To begin our exploration and reading of the encyclicals, we’ll look at Caritas in Veritate, the latest encyclical released from Pope Benedict XVI.

Caritas in Veritate literally means, “Truth in Love,” but the exploration of love in the Pontiff’s writing is not friendship love, romantic love, sexual love or even the all-encompassing love of God. Rather, the word caritas could easily be translated “charity,” instead of love. For this reason, it is easiest to say “charitable love” when translating the word “caritas” in to English.

Pope Benedict XVI says, that charitable love is, “an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace.” It is the same type of love, he says, that Jesus lived in his earthly life and ultimately embodied in his death and resurrection. Charitable love “finds its origin in God, Eternal Love and absolute truth,” and we are most like the person of Christ when we are living out a life filled with acts of charity. However, this charity, Pope Benedict says, is lived out by each of us in different ways.

A few years ago, a book called The Purpose Driven Life seemed to be everywhere. Written by Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA, the book asked a simple question, “What on Earth are you here for?” All told, more than 30 million copies of the book were eventually published, as men and women across the country sought to find their essential purpose.

In many respects, though he expects a far different answer, Pope Benedict asks a very similar question of you and me. If charitable love finds its origin in God, then we must be connected to this type of love. It is written in our hearts and on our souls. Each of us has “the interior impulse to love authentically,” which God has planted in the “heart and mind of every human person. “ This longing, though often ignored, cannot be squelched. Each of us MUST find a way to express it because, in so doing, we find true freedom.

Thus, the question, “what on earth are you here for?” Are you called to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide fresh drinking water to the millions without? Are you called to preach the truth, with your life or your words? You are called to some purpose bigger than meeting the needs of yourself. In answering this call, you answer the call to authentic discipleship and embodying the love of Christ.

Comparison: Rick Warren vs. Truth... Is Purpose Driven Church Deceptive?

truthinator — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:16:26 +0000

Deception Driven Church? You decide…

Stuart L. Brogden compiled this comparison between what Relevant Rick teaches in Purpose Driven Church and what the Bible teaches.

All the work of all men contains error. That I perceive error in Rick Warren’s work is not note worthy. But the repeated patterns of false teaching over 20 or more years and 25 million or so books combine for something to take notice of. This book proclaims an Armenian, man-centered view of the world and its Creator, claiming all the while to be a Biblically sound God-centered work. I think it is actually Biblically bankrupt, gilded with the false gospel of pragmatism. As subtle and dangerous as the serpent in the garden, Warren calls us to believe a lie.

Curious – Many people have criticized Rick Warren by calling him a disciple or associate of Robert Schuller. Warren has denied in this in myriad letters and articles, wanting to put distance between himself and the father of “possibility thinking”. So why does Warren include Schuller’s effusive endorsement of this book (on the third page of the endorsements in the front of the book)? And why does so much of Warren’s instruction sound so much like Schuller (see quotes at the end of this review)?

“The Purpose Driven Church” (PDC) is a humanistic, psychological view of how to handle a church, sprinkled with scripture in whichever translation or version can most easily be used to allegedly support Warren’s claims. Whereas “The Purpose Driven Life” started out with a truth and spent itself in contradiction, so does PDC – claiming rightfully (page 14) “Only God makes the church grow” – and spending nearly 400 pages telling man how to manipulate people into something that only looks like church growth.

The foreward is a sugary sweet, sappy tribute from a once credible W.A. Criswell. In his opening statement, Criswell declares that “God could not have a given me a more beloved and effective ‘son in the ministry’ than Rick Warren.” You know a man is wrong when he limits God or assigns human characteristics to Him. Criswell claims Saddleback “has grown without compromising the mission or the doctrine of a New Testament church.” (Italics in the original.) We shall see. Criswell parrots the Schuller/Warren principal – “If churches are to be successful in evangelizing our society, which is becoming more pagan by the day, they must learn to think like an unbeliever.” (Sic) Right there, Criswell shows that he has lost sight of the New Testament church.

In what appears to be the introduction, Warren tells us the church must “look for the spiritual waves” of church growth, saying “because our churches haven’t been taught the needed skills, we are missing the spiritual waves that could bring revival, health, and explosive growth to our churches.” Evidently, Warren’s Bible is not adequate instruction to the church or its members on the topic of spiritual outreach and discipleship. He shows us right off that he is focused on “growth”. And in this introduction, as well as throughout the book, Warren pays lip service to God while heralding and teaching humanistic methods.

It appears, even in the introduction, that Warren has slipped into an Armenian worldview, saying churches need to ask, “What barriers are blocking the waves God wants to send our way?” (pages 15 & 16) Poor, God Almighty – needs the church to move barriers out of the way. Warren tells us (page 17) “the key issue for churches in the twenty-first century will be church health, not church growth.” He then goes on to tell us, same page, that he’s “been a student of growing churches” for over twenty years.

On page 18, Warren rightly lauds the Bible, and then declares, “My greatest source of learning, however has been watching what God has done in the church I pastor.” This pragmatic view – study men and how to motivate them – pervades this whole book, and everything of Warren that I’ve read.

In Part One, page 26 & 27, Warren reciprocates Criswell’s sappy sweet foreword, quoting a Criswell prayer/prophecy of church growth for Warren, convinced that God had called him to pastor a church – sounding much like a mutual admiration society. Warren admonishes us (page 27) to not “copy things we did without considering the context”, but to look at the “transferable principles”. We will see what these “transferable principles” are shortly.

Still on page 27, Warren states, “Very little of Saddleback’s ministry was preplanned.” Remember this claim. He then devotes the balance of chapter 1 describing all the planning that went into the “planting” of Saddleback. His research led Warren to conclude that the pastor is the key figure in the health and growth of the church, describing the pastor as the “daddy” of the church! Any church that has this view of its pastor has already failed.

In spite of telling us that only God grows the church, Warren’s research drew him to the fastest growing population center in the country, a fact that “grabbed me by the throat and made my heart start racing.” Lots of people moving into an area typified by upper middle class Americans certainly set a solid stage for numerical growth – a very pragmatic view.

On page 38, Warren recommends a list of preachers he heard on the radio. While several on Warren’s list are sound pastors, he recommends to his reader Robert Schuller and John Wimber as well. No disciple of Christ should recommend these false teachers to anyone, much less the wide and long term audience of a book.

And on the next page, Warren says that, with Saddleback, he ”determined to begin with unbelievers, rather than a core of committed Christians.” Consider this statement carefully. In the first case, the church is comprised of believers, not those who don’t believe. By purposefully refusing to build his church surrounded by mature saints, there was nobody to hold Warren accountable as a preacher. Who in this group of lost folks that he gathered could understand anything spiritual? The Bible tells us those who are lost cannot discern spiritual matters. A “pastor” with only lost people in his “church” is no pastor. What Warren started was an evangelistic outreach to middle class lost Americans – not a church. Near the end of this page Warren tells us he spent 12 weeks studying lost folks in order to know what his “church” should be like. “No planning” went into the founding of Saddleback, he told us. Studying heathens, rather than scripture, was how he planned Saddleback. Apparently without any elders or other biblical safeguards, he was swept away by one of the “spiritual waves” he was surfing for.

Page 44 – “pastor” Warren excitedly recounts how Saddleback “caught a wave”, when over 200 heathens showed up to the service designed with them in mind. While many churches have operated in temporary settings, Warren touts Saddleback’s “homeless” years as if they were a special virtue. Thankfully, he recounts a proper understanding of the Great Commission (page 46), yet he leaves this reader wondering how many of his “seekers” make it around the “bases” to becoming a “servant-hearted Christian.”

Starting on page 47, Warren uses “conventional wisdom” to create several straw-man myths to knock down.

“Myth #1: The Only Thing That Large Churches Care About Is Attendance.” While many have rightfully pointed out the tendency of many large churches to focus too much attention on attendance, I have never heard of any rational person saying it’s the only thing. Warren’s own words, with the series of “if” statements leave out the essential bit of the Gospel, wherein the lost are confronted with their sin and the attendant need of a Savior. He “validates” his Gospel-lite by observing, “it’s happening all over the world.” On page 49 we are told that “Intentionally setting up a strategy and a structure to force ourselves to give equal attention to each purpose is what being a purpose-driven church is all about.” None of Warren’s 5 listed purposes (page 49) convey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Myths 2, 3, & 4: Once again, Warren touts all-or-nothing myths that are, in truth, common failings among many churches. In talking about purpose #4, Warren discloses that his view of church discipline consists of dropping from membership those rogues who fail to fulfill the membership covenant. I don’t think that’s what the Lord tells us in Matthew 18.
“Myth #5: If You Are Dedicated Enough, Your Church Will Grow.” Any pastor who believes this “myth” has lost sight of Who builds the church. To counter “good, godly pastors” who are dedicated yet have churches that are not growing, Warren provides a prescription that follows the same rabbit trail as his “myth” – relying on human effort.
“Myth #7: All God Expects of Us Is Faithfulness” In the short list that follows, Warren tells us we must also bear fruit (true) and makes it sound as if we can make ourselves be fruitful. Bearing spiritual fruit is the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of saints, not a trait the person can develop.

Let me take a break and say that I think pages 64, 65, 68 – 79, and 393 & 394 are sound teaching. Not all in this book is worthless or dangerous, but even these passages are mere “spiritual cotton candy”.

On page 77, Warren uses metaphorical, non-Biblical definitions to build a case for churches being driven. In Scripture, the word drive and derivatives are used in conjunction with people being punished. Those being treated kindly by God are led, as sheep, not driven. Context is key to proper interpretation, and Warren strips a word out of its Biblical context and uses its tertiary meaning to lay the foundation for his whole trademarked “driven” model, pulling people away from the Biblical view of how God leads His children.

Near the bottom of page 79, Warren gives a welcome warning to not “allow seekers to drive the total agenda of the church.” – but I must confess that this book, as a whole, leads me to believe Warren allows “seekers” to drive entirely too much of his church’s agenda.

After listing, on pages 77 – 79, seven things that should not drive churches (tradition, personality, finances, programs, buildings, events, and seekers), he reveals, on page 80, “What is needed today are churches that are driven by purpose instead of by other forces.” And, “You must begin to look at everything your church does through the lens of five New Testament purposes”. Warren’s 5 purposes are culled from scripture, but, again, churches and saints are to be led by the Spirit of God – not driven by anything. And his 5 purposes are not “the lens” of the Word.

On pages 86 & 87, Warren uses different Bible paraphrases to ensure the word “purpose” is used. On page 91, he tells us that the church in Philippi was “captivated by Paul’s mission” (Philippians 4:15); whereas Paul makes it clear that he preached Christ crucified and resurrected – people were captivated by Christ and led by His Spirit, not Paul’s “mission”.

On page 93, we are pointed to scripture for the correct question, but led to Warren’s self-proclaimed mentor, heathen business guru Peter Drucker, for the diagnostic standard: “Your church’s purpose statement must become the standard by which you measure your congregation’s health and growth.” Oops. I thought the Bible and the Holy Spirit give us everything needed to live a righteous life in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 2:1 – 3)

Page 95: Warren tells about a church that he claims was “theologically sound” and “sound asleep”. He says, “the church leaders had become lazy and lethargic.” That does not sound like a “theologically sound” church to me. It appears to be labeled as such to create a straw man to be knocked down by Warren.

On the next page, Warren tells us, “Prior to starting Saddleback Church I took six months to do an extensive, personal Bible study on the church”. Remember page 27 – not much planning went into Saddleback? As part of Warren’s Bible study on the church, about a third of his listed scripture passages are from the four Gospel accounts – they describe Christ’s life, but not the church. Remember – most of the life of Christ took place before the New Testament church was founded.

In Part Two, Warren describes “the 5 purposes for the church” – Biblically sound purposes but not completely sound in his exposition on them. “Purpose #3: Go and make disciples. This purpose we call evangelism.” One must indeed evangelize (preach the Gospel to) lost folks before they can be discipled, but the focus of this aspect of the Great Commission is on the making of disciples – not evangelism. Seeker sensitive churches are widely critiqued as being ineffective in discipleship – this error may explain that, in part.

In describing Saddleback’s purpose statement, Warren notes “three important distinctives”, the first of which is, “it is stated in terms of results rather than in terms of activity.” This is a common failing of man – trying to control the results of his activities; pragmatism defined. (From John MacArthur: “What is pragmatism? Basically it is the philosophy that results determine meaning, truth, and value–what will work becomes a more important question than what is true. As Christians, we are called to trust what the Lord says, preach that message to others, and leave the results to Him. But many have set that aside. Seeking relevancy and success, they have welcomed the pragmatic approach and have received the proverbial Trojan horse.”) Throughout His Word, God calls His people to obedience – not to results. Often, the results He brings about are not what man expects or would seek. I believe the Biblical pattern is to remind us that our efforts have no merit before God – only the work of Jesus does.

On page 109, Warren sums up his argument for your church to adopt his purpose-driven model by saying, “To do less is to leave to chance the great responsibility we’ve given by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (emphasis mine) This is another glimpse into what appears to be Warren’s Armenian view of God. And if recommending Schuller and Wimber are not enough, Warren touts David (or Paul) Yonggi Cho’s occult Central Church in Seoul, Korea. This man has written “You can create the presence of Jesus with your mouth. He is bound by your lips and by your words.” He and Schuller are fans of one another and disciples of the risen Lord Jesus should view neither of them credibly.

In chapter 6, Warren teaches pastors how to communicate their purposes. He reviews the narrative of Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem and discovers what he calls, “the Nehemiah principle”. Since the Jews working on the wall grew discouraged after 26 days of work, Warren projects that onto every church and declares, “Vision and purpose must be restated every twenty-six days to keep the church moving in the right direction.” Certainly, a degree of repetition is a hallmark of effective communication. But the larger issue is that of deriving a key principle from a narrative contained in scripture. This is a dangerous practice, the best example I can think of being Bruce Wilkerson’s subtly deceptive book, “The Prayer of Jabez”.

On pages 113 and 114, Warren encourages good personal management techniques – once again showing how to create “good results” by manipulating people and calling it God’s work. “People tend to do whatever gets rewarded, so make heroes of people in your church when they do the work of the church.” God tells us not to seek the applause or rewards of men, but to trust God who is faithful to reward those walk by faith, not by sight. Biblical leadership often flies in the face of accepted “good personal management techniques.”

Warren stays on track into chapter 7, opening with a story about George Whitfield and John Wesley. Whitfield preached 18,000 sermons to 100,000 people but left no organization behind, whereas Wesley left us the Methodist denomination – as if what we can see today determines the value of the work these men did. And as far as I can tell, the Lord Jesus did not leave us much of an organization – what would Warren say about His legacy? Further in this chapter, pages 126 & 127, Warren recommends false teachers among others who are Biblically sound. Check out the teachings of Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Peter Wagner – men who think themselves modern prophets and apostles of the church.

In discussing Saddleback’s “5 Circles of Community”, pages 131 and following, Warren tells us he focuses evangelism efforts on those who have already attended his church. He is either derelict in failing to send witnesses out into the lost world or admitting his “church” is fairly well full of lost folks. He admits that a heathen cannot worship God, but is “convinced that genuine worship is a powerful witness to unbelievers if it is done in a style that makes sense to them.” Genuine worship is a spiritual act and impossible for a lost person to comprehend. But note that Warren emphasizes the style of worship, as if the emotional connection with the music can save anyone. And this from a man who adamantly maintains style and methods don’t matter in justifying his use of all sorts of culturally relevant music and drama. He goes on to say, “If an unbeliever makes a commitment to regular attendance at Saddleback, I believe it will be just a matter of time until he accepts Christ.” With Warren’s declared determination to avoid preaching the law or anything that would convict a lost person of his sin, one wonders what in Saddleback would cause anyone to be saved. Time hanging with supposed saints won’t save anyone unless the Gospel is preached – which does not appear to happen at Saddleback.

On page 133, Warren describes Saddleback’s membership covenant, which requires “a commitment to three spiritual habits: (1) having a daily quiet time, (2) tithing ten percent of their income (Nowhere in scripture are Christian instructed – even implicitly – to tithe, but give as the Spirit of God leads and not under compulsion. – 2 Corinthians 9:6 & 7), and (3) being active in a small group.” This sounds like the chains of legalism – whereas the Bible tells Saints to be led by the Spirit in such matters. He sets up this disclosure by describing people who are “dedicated to growing in discipleship” … “but they have not yet gotten involved in ministry.” This is a contradiction in terms, indicating that pastor Rick has a non-Biblical definition of discipleship.

Warren says, “Jesus started where people were – at their level of commitment – but he never left them there.” I do not see this when I read the Bible: lost folks have NO commitment to Christ. He says Jesus “didn’t lay any heavy requirement” on John and Andrew, but every Jewish boy knew the total commitment required when a Rabbi bid one, “come”. Further on page 135, Warren claims that Christ did not issue “his ultimate challenge to the crowd” until these people had hung around Him for three years and saw the ways in which He loved them. “Jesus was able to ask for that kind of commitment only after demonstrating his love for them and earning their trust.” Unlike sinful man, Jesus the Christ does not need to earn anything before He speaks Truth to anyone. Warren puts too much emphasis on the lost person rather than on the Gospel.

In chapter 8, Warren tells us “There are ten areas you must consider as you begin to reshape your church into a purpose-driven church.” Where in Scripture are pastors advised to “reshape” the churches they shepherd? He says he cautions other churches to not clone Saddleback, yet lists 10 mandatory “principles”, 5 purposes, and his own “circles of influence” that these churches must embrace. “Notice that I suggest you grow your church from the outside in, rather than from the inside out.” Read the book of Acts – the church was made up of saints and disciples who were sent out into the cities, the reverse of what Pastor Rick suggests. “The problem I have found with an ‘inside-out’ approach is that by the time the church planter has ‘discipled’ his core, they have often lost contact with the community and are actually afraid of interacting with the unchurched.” This is another indication that Pastor Rick knows very little of Biblical discipleship, but at least gives credit for this backwards idea where it is due – false apostle C. Peter Wagner!

On page 139, we find out that the first year of Saddleback, when ostensibly everyone was lost except (?) Pastor Rick, he “preached very simple, straightforward evangelistic series such as ‘Good News About Common Problems’ and ‘God’s Plan for Your Life.’” There are pop-psychology messages with a Bible flavor – not evangelistic, or Gospel, presentations. How can he say that “most of them (the 200 attenders) were brand new believers.” considering his messages? God’s Word shows the error of this approach: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 – 14

In a highlight box on page 156, we are admonished, “Never criticize any method that God is blessing!” Yet all the criteria Warren urges us to use are that which the eye can see, and ignores the Biblical command to “test all things, hold on to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), with “good” being in accordance with God’s view. On page 157 we are urged to use market research to determine “when, where, and how” evangelism should be pursued and on page 158 tells us a church “driven by market forces rather than the Word of God” will be “unstable and unbiblical.” One page is wrong, one is right.

Page 160, Warren continues in his study of man as first priority: “I must pay as much attention to the geography, customs, culture, and religious background of my community as I do to those who live in Bible times if I am to faithfully communicate God’s Word.” The Word of God cannot be understood or communicated unless one seeks to know the literal, grammatical, and historical context of the text. Nobody in scripture paid that much attention to the spiritually dead people they encountered. They proclaimed the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and commended men to believe on Him!

Pastor Rick advises us to tailor the presentation based on the worldly concerns our “crowd” is perceived as having – resulting in a false gospel that might as well be delivered by Joel Osteen. By telling lost folks how God can make their marriage better, we teach people to look to the Lord for temporal rewards that satisfy our flesh. But in truth, lost people need to know they are dead in sin, convicted by the Law, so they might realize their deepest need and cry out to the Lamb of God for mercy. If “god” makes their life more comfortable and they are not confronted with their rebellion against the Holy Creator God, we have made their path to hell all the more pleasant – heaping judgment on ourselves (James 3:1).

Opening up chapter 10, page 173, Warren declares, “Even a casual reading of the New Testament will show that the Gospel spread primarily through relationships.” Relationships are important, but the Gospel was and is spread through the preaching of it – mostly to people the preacher knows only superficially. In the next page, we are told, “The people your church is most likely to reach are those who match the existing culture of your church.” This is true if you do not make disciples and send them out into the world to proclaim the Gospel to all tongues and nations. The church is not intended to be a reflection of the culture – it is, by definition, counter culture and intended to make a difference in the world. Warren’s advice is for the church to be conformed to patterns of the world, contrary to Romans 12:1 – 2.

Pastor Rick reinforces this un-Biblical nonsense on pages 188 – 189, where we are told to think like lost people. This is Warren’s interpretation of the scriptural mandate to “understand the times”? He shows a shallow view of the Lord: “Jesus often knew what unbelievers were thinking. He was effective in dealing with people because he understood and was able to defuse the mental barriers they held.” (emphasis mine) We are to believe that Jesus sometimes did not know what people were thinking – a limited God. Warren tells us Christ relied on popular psychological theory in order to effectively deal with His creatures. And we are once again told, “We must learn to think like unbelievers in order to win them. … “The problem is, the longer you are a believer, the less you think like an unbeliever.” The Bible tell us the old man is dead – we have been re-born as children of God and are now “a peculiar people”; that we are to be salt and light; that lost folk love darkness because their deeds are dark; and that we are not to hide our light under a bushel. Pastor Rick thinks the church exists to be valued by pagans! Paul gives a different prescription in 2 Corinthians 4:3 – 6: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

You can read many objections from Rick Warren anytime someone publicly associates him with Robert Schuller. But again, on page 190, Warren shows us how big an impact Schuller had on him. It should not be a surprise that so many of Schuller’s people pleasing ways are embraced and endorsed by Warren. Near the bottom of Page 191, this pearl: “The unchurched aren’t asking for watered-down messages, just practical ones. They want to hear something on Sunday that they can apply on Monday.” Warren’s idea of church is to help lost folks have a better life, according to the world’s standard. The Creator’s idea of church is for the saints to come together for worship, discipleship, fellowship, and be sent into the world proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And yes, we welcome lost people into the church – we simply don’t expect them to be comfortable there. They should be confronted with the Word of God and their sinful nature.

Warren’s own “tale of success” in the early days of Saddleback tells the sad truth in what is left unsaid. He defined Saddleback as “a church for the unchurched”, and he attracted many of them, summing up with, “You have to decide who you want to impress.” Warren wants to impress lost folk – his charge, however, is to honor God. On page 195: “This is the heart of Saddleback’s evangelism strategy: We must be willing to catch fish on their own terms.” Fish don’t want to be caught! And lost men do not seek after God. His Word doesn’t tell us to be on the same wavelength as lost men, He tells us to be fishers of men – different from them, with a mission they cannot understand. Warren tells us (page 197) that he has determined that Jesus had no “standard approach” in evangelism. He is talking about “style points”, not content or motive. I am convinced that a careful reading of the New Testament shows that Jesus did have a “standard approach. Evangelist Ray Comfort sums it up thusly – “With the Law we break the proud heart; with the gospel we heal the broken heart.” And, “If we care about the lost, we will not hesitate to speak to them about sin, righteousness, and judgment … the way Jesus did.” In Mark 10:17 – 22, the Lord used the law to expose the rich man as idolater, in John 5:45 – 47, Jesus confronts the Jews with the accusation of the Law of Moses. In John 4:4 – 26 the Lord seeks out the woman at the well and uses the law to gently confront her with her sin – violating the 7^th commandment.

On page 219, Pastor Rick says, “Jesus often established a beachhead for evangelism in a person’s life by meeting a felt need.” And he cites not one example – because there are none. Dr. Luke records this encounter with the “crowd”: “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25 – 27) The Apostle John recorded this encounter (John 6:24 – 27): “When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” And in verses 52 – 61: ”The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?” Culminating in verses 65 & 66: “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

Jesus doesn’t sound like Rick Warren. To Whom shall we listen?

Ever the pragmatist, Warren tells us (page 224) that a passage in Luke 4 is all about Jesus “meeting needs and healing hurts.” Jesus used that well known passage from Isaiah to establish His claim as Messiah, not “meet needs or heal hurts”. On page 230, he beats the same drum: “The unchurched are not asking that we change the message or even dilute it, only that we show its relevance. … I’ve found that the unchurched in America are very interested in Bible doctrine when it is applied in practical and relevant ways to their lives.” What I’ve observed is that lost folks – whether they be “churched” or “unchurched” – want their ears tickled. They want to be told that God loves them and wants them to be healthy and wealthy – things that are “practical and relevant”. This is why prosperity gospel pimps such as T.D. Jakes and Joel Osteen can fill up stadiums! The Word of God tells us to preach the simple Truth and not work to earn the approval of men. Lost folk do not need motivational messages on how to “live large with Jesus” – they need to repent and be saved.

Warren thinks (page 232) that the major purpose of Christ’s parables was to entertain folk and ensure they would remember His story. But in Matthew 15, Mark 4, Mark 7, Luke 8, John 10 and other passages, His very own disciples failed to understand the parable and sought an explanation. And while Pastor Rick cites Matthew 13:34, he did so as a proof-text, as verse 35 makes clear: He spoke in parables to fulfill scripture, not to satisfy the felt needs of unchurched Harry. But if His purpose was as Warren claims, why did so many people need – and still need – an explanation of them? To close this question, the Lord Himself gives us the answer in Matthew 13:10 – 13 (And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.) And Luke 8:9 – 10 (And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.)

On page 241, “America’s Pastor” tells us “More people are won to Christ by feeling God’s presence than by all our apologetic arguments combined.” This is a false argument: apologetics is not what wins people to Christ – the Gospel does that. It is by preaching the Word of the Lord that people are saved – not by feeling anything. He ascribes the salvation of the 3,000 people recorded in Acts 2 to their having felt God’s presence. But the Bible makes it clear that the Spirit of God empowered Peter and it was the Word of God proclaimed by Peter that caused the response. Read Acts 2:1 – 36 to see the set-up and the message of Christ crucified. Then in verses 37 – 41: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Do you perceive these people were saved by having “felt God’s presence” or by the Word of God piercing their sinful hearts?

Page 243, Warren joins countless seeker sensitive fans by misappropriating 1 Corinthians 14:23. Paul’s main argument was not to restrict the use of tongues so lost people wouldn’t think them foolish – this is a final argument in Paul’s long, passionate discourse against the improper use of this spiritual gift. His main point was to encourage the saints to speak in a known tongue so others in the church could understand them. It’s almost “and by the way, don’t you see how a heathen who might wander in here could think you mad?” It was not normative in the early church for lost people to fill up the meeting place. The church was of and for believers.

On pages 244 and 245 Warren furthers his humanistic view that unchurched people ought to have their felt needs addressed from the pulpit. He again tells us these unchurched “expect to hear the Bible when they come to church.” How would such a person know what to expect from the Word of God? Go back to 1 Corinthians 2:12 – 14. Pastor Rick tells us “They are looking for solutions, not a scolding.” The problem for Rick and other seeker sensitive pastors is that unless a lost person is confronted with his condition (being dead is sin) he will not see any value in the Lamb of God. The Gospel is not a scolding – but neither is it offering solutions to life’s circumstantial problems. Warren instructs, “Design one worship service to edify believers and another service to evangelize the unchurched friends brought by your members.” He then describes how he has marginalized the Saints by devoting weekends at Saddleback to lost folks. We can readily surmise that Saddleback is a church on Wednesday evenings, but not on Saturdays or Sundays.

In chapter 14 – Designing a Seeker-Sensitive Service, Warren once again relies on and recommends a false prophet to make his point – citing “Apostle” Peter Wagner on page 267: “When you run out of space, you experience what Pete Wagner calls ‘sociological strangulation’.” But many churches have experienced true fellowship and spiritual growth while struggling with the logistical constraints of what experts see as too little space. My wife heard a pastor in such a situation say, “Some pastors think you need 200 square feet per person. We have 200 people per square feet!” And he was praising God – not complaining about being “sociologically strangled.”

On to chapter 16 – Preaching to the Unchurched, Pastor Rick says, “The common ground we have with unbelievers is not the Bible, but our common needs, hurts, and interests as human beings.” This is fine guidance on how to start a fraternal organization, such as a Rotary Club – the Bible tells us that unbelievers’ greatest need is salvation. That we saints share some of the same sinful “habits and hang-ups” as the “unchurched” can be an encouragement to the lost, as we teach them that all are unworthy apart from Christ. Nowhere in this chapter does Pastor Rick advise the use of the law to convict people of their sin; he only wants the lost folk to know they are valuable and loved, etc. They may well go to hell thinking this, having never been convicted of sin or saved by grace. Good feelings save nobody.

On page 312, Warren poses a handful of questions that unchurched people want answered before they are willing to join the church:

Do I fit here?
Does anybody want to know me?
Am I needed?
What is the advantage of joining?
What is required of members?

Rick shows us, once again, that his focus is on growing the “church” by answering the “felt needs” of the flesh – not following the Biblical mandate on how to lead a flock of believers. He is building a social fraternity and calling it “church”.

In chapter 16 – Turning Members into Ministers, Warren mixes some solid Biblical instruction with a humanistic, Jungian psychological matrix appraisal of people – his five SHAPE factors. A detailed comparison of Warren’s SHAPE to Jungian psychology and God’s Word can be found at the end of this review.

Page 384, Warren again confirms he sees man as more important than does our Creator: “The most critical factor in a new ministry isn’t the idea, but the leadership.” Jesus, the most important human ever, said this about Himself vs. the message (or idea): “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (John 8:28)”, “but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, (John 15:15b – 16a).” The Bible tells us the main thing is the message, not the messenger.

Lastly, page 395 – “Purpose-driven churches are led by purpose-driven leaders.” Although I care nothing for Warren’s penchant for using “purpose-driven”, leave it aside. Consider this – Churches are led by leaders. Now consider the Words of the One Who “wrote the Book” on “how to do church”: “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1 – 2) And recall the Words of Jesus, above – He spoke and worked only what His Father told Him. The only leadership is from God and the truly effective pastor will be purposeful and Spirit led.

Quotes from Schuller – or is it Rick Warren?

Rick Warren denies virtually every connection and influence with or of Robert Schuller. But judge for yourself – read a few choice quotes from Schuller and see if Warren’s teaching doesn’t line up near perfectly. Read more at http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac23.htm

“Yes, here is a theology for church growth. Here is a theology for success, for the secret of success is to find a need and fill it. Truly, when the church reforms and refines all of its theological expressions around every person’s daily need for self-affirmation, it shall flourish ‘like trees planted by rivers of water.’” (Robert Schuller, “Self-Esteem: the New Reformation,” page 175)

“People who have studied our work and read our materials have said that historically we are not like other churches. Denominations and religions started with teaching a theology about God. Whenever there was disagreement with each other about a certain detail, the result was to establish a new religion or branch thereof, so today there are many different denominations and lots of different religions. When I started this ministry, I chose to focus on human need and said,

“Let’s ask what a human being really is? What does he need?” And is there a God who can provide for those needs and what kind of God does he need? So we started talking about the needs in humanity and we defined the single deepest need of the human being.”

(Robert Schuller, “Mirror or Window People: Which Are You?” August 2, 2004)

“Classical theology has erred in its insistence that theology be ‘God-centered,’ not ‘man-centered’.” (Robert Schuller, “Self-Esteem: the New Reformation,” page 64)

“The classical error of historical Christianity is that we have never started with the value of the person. Rather, we have started from the ‘unworthiness of the sinner,’ and that starting point has set the stage for the glorification of human shame in Christian theology.” (Robert Schuller, “Self-Esteem: the New Reformation,” page 162)

Home

CHARTING THE WARREN-JUNG CONNECTION

(extracted from http://www.sacredsandwich.com/warren_jung_chart.htm)

THEIR CONNECTION ON PERSONALITY THEORY

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you, you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness.” (The Purpose Driven Life, p. 246)“…when you are forced to minister in a manner that is “out of character” for your temperament, it creates tension and discomfort, requires extra effort and energy, and produces less than the best results. This is why mimicking someone else’s ministry never works. You don’t have their personality.” (PDL, p. 245)

“…the ultimate aim and strongest desire of all mankind is to develop that fulness (sic) of life which is called personality… To the extent that a man is untrue to the law of his being and does not rise to personality, he has failed to realize his life’s meaning.” (The Development of Personality, Collected Works 17; from The Essential Jung, pg. 191, 207)

There is absolutely no biblical precedent for this position. Personality typology has never been a criteria for God choosing someone for ministry, but is in great part grounded in Jungian psychology. Did Paul rely on personality assessment to guide his ministry? Hardly…

“God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God.” 1 Cor 1:27-29

“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:9-10

THEIR CONNECTION ON A MUTUAL BELIEF IN THE “UNCONSCIOUS”

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“You may be driven by a painful memory, a haunting fear, or an unconscious belief.” (PDL, p. 27)“(Guilt-driven people) often unconsciously punish themselves by sabotaging their own success.” (PDL, pp. 27-28)

“The unconscious . . . is the source of the instinctual forces of the psyche and of the forms or categories that regulate them, namely the archetypes.” (The Structure of the Psyche, CW 8, par. 342)“Constant observation pays the unconscious a tribute that more or less guarantees its cooperation. One of the most important tasks of psychic hygiene [is] to pay continual attention to the symptomatology of unconscious contents and processes.” (The Portable Jung, New York: Penguin Books, 1986, p. 156)

The “unconscious” is the foundational concept of both Freudian and Jungian psychology, and has no biblical basis whatsoever. In fact, Scripture does not allow for the idea that people are “driven” by an “unconscious belief.” By endorsing the idea of the unconscious, Warren is promoting the Jungian belief that people must analyze the forces of the unconscious to discover their life’s purpose. According to Scripture, any driving force outside of God’s will is sin, no matter where it resides. Psychology, however, downplays our personal accountability for sin by making the “unconscious” the ultimate reservoir and bastion of unavoidable human instinct.

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23

THEIR CONNECTION ON UNCONSCIOUS METAPHORS & IMAGES

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“If I asked how you picture life, what image would come to your mind? That image is your life metaphor. It’s the view of life that you hold, consciously or unconsciously, in your mind.” (PDL, pp. 41-42)“Your unspoken life metaphor influences your life more than you realize. It determines your expectations, your values, your relationships, your goals, and your priorities.” (PDL, p. 42)

“An archetypal content expresses itself, first and foremost, in metaphors.” (“The Psychology of the Child Archetype,” CW 9i, par. 267)Archetypes are not inborn ideas, but “typical forms of behaviour which, once they become conscious, naturally present themselves as ideas and images, like everything else that becomes a content of consciousness.” (Collected Works 8, par. 435)

“Indeed, the fate of the individual is largely dependent on unconscious factors.” (“Conscious, Unconscious, and Individuation” CW 9)

The analysis of “metaphors” housed in the unconscious is a trademark concept of psychology, not of Scripture. The use of images, fantasies, and dreams to better understand our “unconscious” is a signature feature of Jungian psychotherapy that borders on the occult.

THEIR CONNECTION ON USING JUNGIAN TERMINOLOGY

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“God made introverts and extroverts… He made some people ‘thinkers’ and others ‘feelers.’” (PDL, p. 245)“Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. For instance, two people may have the same gift of evangelism, but if one is introverted and other is extroverted, that gift will be expressed in different ways.” (PDL, p. 245)

“Ask yourself questions:… Am I more introverted or extroverted? Am I more a thinker or a feeler?” (PDL, pp.251-252)

“Two types (of typical differences in human psychology) especially become clear to me; I have termed them the introverted and the extraverted types.” (“Introduction” Psychological Types, CW 6 par. 1)“I have found from experience that the basic psychological functions, this is, functions which are genuinely as well as essentially different from other functions, prove to be thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition. If one of these functions habitually predominates, a corresponding type results. I therefore distinguish a thinking, a feeling, a sensation, and an intuitive type. Each of these types may moreover be either introverted or extraverted…” (“Introduction” Psychological Types, CW 6)

Warren is explicitly using the specific terminology of the psychological typology theory originally conceived by Carl Jung. Despite the claims of his supporters, Warren has clearly based his Personality Theory (the “P” in his SHAPE teaching) on the unbiblical foundation of Jungian psychology.“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” 1 Cor 2:12-13

THEIR CONNECTION ON THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“The Bible gives us plenty of proof that God uses all types of personalities. Peter was a sanguine. Paul was a choleric. Jeremiah was a melancholy. When you look at the personality differences in the twelve disciples, it’s easy to see why they sometimes had interpersonal conflict.” (PDL, p. 245)“There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ temperament for ministry.” (PDL, p. 245)

“…the physicians of ancient times…tried to reduce the bewildering diversity of mankind to orderly groups… The very names of the Galenic temperaments betray their origin in the pathology of the four “humours.” Melancholic denotes a preponderance of black bile, phlegmatic a preponderance of phlegm or mucus, sanguine a preponderance of blood, and choleric a preponderance of choler, or yellow bile.” (“Psychological Typology” CW 6)“The whole make-up of the body, its constitution in the broadest sense, has in fact a very great deal to do with psychological temperament…” (“Psychological Typology” CW 6)

Despite Warren’s claim, the Bible never gives “proof” of the classification of personalities; it is a purely pagan concoction. The four temperaments, as conceived by Hippocrates and later developed by Galen, was a prevalent Greek philosophy during the time of Paul’s apostolic ministry. Unlike Warren and Jung, however, Paul did not implement these Greeks ideas into his teachings. In fact, he categorically rejected them and “determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (I Cor 2:2).“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” I Timothy 6:20

Worse yet, Warren is teaching that a person’s “no right or wrong” personality is somehow unaffected by the fall and is always beneficial for ministry. How, we ask, does a “phlegmatic temperament” towards laziness and slothfulness serve God’s purpose in ministry?

THEIR CONNECTION ON PERSONALITY TESTING

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“Today there are many books and tools that can help you understand your personality so you can determine how to use it for God.” (PDL, p. 246)

MBTI is “based on Jung’s theory of psychological types.” (Isabel Briggs Myers, Introduction to Type, Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, 1983, p.4)“The (MBTI) Indicator was developed specifically to carry Carl Jung’s theory of type (Jung, 1921, 1971) into practical application.” (Dr. Gordon Lawrence, People Types & Tiger Stripes, p. 6, also p. x)

“Carl Jung’s psychology lies behind…the MBTI.” (Robert Innes, Personality Indicators and The Spiritual Life, p.8)

Without qualifying this statement, Warren is promoting any and all Jungian personality and temperament tests and theories, including the widely-used Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Kiersey Temperament Sorter (an offshoot of the MBTI), and the Enneagram Test, which has its origin in Sufism, a mystical offshoot of Islam. (Click here for more information on Enneagram).Despite the contrary advice offered by Warren, Christians must acknowledge the Bible as the only book needed to understand the human condition:

“For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

(See also II Timothy 3:16-17)

THEIR CONNECTION ON THE ENDORSEMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude. God revealed this thousands of years before psychologists understood it.” (PDL, p. 181)

“(Unconscious phenomena) manifest themselves in the individual’s behaviour… ” (“Conscious, Unconscious, and Individuation” CW 9)“Modern psychological development leads to a much better understanding as to what man really consists of.” (“Psychology and Religion” CW 11)

Warren is suggesting here that psychologists have the same understanding as God on the issue of human behavior, thus putting man’s “wisdom” on equal footing with God’s revelation.If Warren truly believes in the preeminence of God’s revelation to understand man, then why does he rely so heavily on the “useless wisdom” of psychology instead of Scripture?

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, ‘He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS‘; and again, ‘THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS.’” I Cor 3:19-20

THEIR CONNECTION ON FINDING AND DEVELOPING PERSONALITY

WARREN

JUNG

BIBLE

“The best use of your life is to serve God out of your shape. To do this you must discover your shape, learn to accept and enjoy it, and then develop it to its fullest potential.” (PDL, p. 249)The SHAPE program states: “To discover your S.H.A.P.E. is to discover where God is calling you to do His work in the world.”

“Only the man who can consciously assent to the power of the inner voice becomes a personality.” (“The Development of Personality” CW 17)“The achievement of personality means nothing less than the optimum development of the whole individual human being.” (“The Development of Personality” CW 17)

“In so far as every individual has the law of his life inborn in him, it is theoretically possible for any man to follow this law and to become a personality, this is, to achieve wholeness.” (“The Development of Personality” CW 17)

Finding your SHAPE has no biblical support. Warren’s teaching that one must “discover his shape” is philosophically and systematically akin to Jung’s teaching that a man must “consciously assent to the power of the inner voice” and be true to “the law of his being.”While Warren has rightly acknowledged God’s sovereign purpose in creating us, he has mistakenly made God’s divine purpose synonymous with our so-called “shape” by advocating the Jungian idea of developing the personality to “achieve wholeness.” This Jungian process, however, does not serve God, but serves the god within us.

Scripture calls for an active, heartfelt obedience to God’s will through the transforming power of the Spirit, not a misguided exploration of our natural psychological makeup to define our God-given purpose.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“…your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Cor 2:5

CONCLUSION: THIS IS NOT SIMPLY “GUILT BY ASSOCIATION”

Yes, Jesus associated with sinners, but he certainly didn’t borrow his teachings from the Pharisees or any other false teachers. Clearly there is a very tangible connection between Rick Warren’s SHAPE teaching on personality and the psychological theories of Carl Jung. Not only does Warren base his teachings on parallel psychological concepts, but he uses exact Jungian terms to make his case. By focusing on assessing and developing one’s personality as the key to a successful life or ministry, Warren, like Jung, is promoting a reliance on one’s inner self instead of on God’s transcendent truth and the working of the Holy Spirit. As a popular Christian teacher, how can Warren ignore the crucial biblical truths of the sufficiency of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit to perfectly furnish every Christian with the ability to minister according to God’s purpose?

Stuart L Brogden Home

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More on Homosexual Uber-Rights: Where Will It End

thomastwitchell — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:27:09 +0000

Dr. James White writes:

I have been saying for years, homosexuals do not want equal rights. They want uber-rights. They want to silence anyone who would identify their sexual perversion as sin. Why? Romans 1 tells you. Suppressing the truth is tiring, and for the homosexual, it is a full-time job. They cannot silence their conscience, but they can try to silence anyone who would remind them of it. And so, they seek to force us, by rule of law, to honor, or admire, in the words of President Obama, their sin. Note this article from the UK:

Homosexual activists are lobbying to change the law hoping that, in the future, churches may be forced to host gay civil partnership services.

At present the gay lobby group Stonewall is seeking an amendment to the Equality Bill which will allow churches to host the services if they wish.

But Ben Summerskill, head of Stonewall, said: “Right now, faiths shouldn’t be forced to hold civil partnerships, although in ten or 20 years, that may change.”

Mr Summerskill said his organisation was working with the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) and the Metropolitan Community Church.

Rev Sharon Ferguson of the LGCM told Pink News, a gay news website, she wanted “equality” for civil partnerships and marriage.

This is why there is no protection at all in the addition of “free speech” protections in hate crimes laws, etc. We need to realize they are taking things one step at a time: get the law in place, then whittle away at the protections until you accomplish your goal. Do it slowly enough not to raise too loud an alarm, but never, ever give up. And given that these people define themselves by their deviancy, they will dedicate themselves each and every day to their task.

As I have said before this battle was lost nearly forty years ago when the idea of open homosexuality was first embraced by the U.S. culture. The path of incrementalism, often known as the slippery slope, is exactly what Dr. White has stated it as being. When leading spokes-figures for the Southern Baptist Convention, like Rick Warren, endorse homosexual partnerships while at the same time denouncing homosexual marriage, one must wonder. When the Convention will not take action against him for his pro-homsexuality, when money speaks louder than convictions, the snowball has already reached the bottom. How then will the SBC stand against a government that will gag its pulpits if it is not speaking as a unified voice already? Is it now allowed to speak out in foreign countries? Does the SBC adhere to the new sharia in the EU? And if it does, what will be its defense when it comes to the United States?

Time will tell if the so bold when no one is pointing a gun at them Southern Baptist conservative resurgents, when they see their mansions, fat salaries and rich benefits and golf tourneys theatened, will then find the backbone they so brag of having had when they stood up against other encroachments of liberalism. Even though they would throw non-consequential churches out for a breach of the SBC Constitution, they will not even begin to question those whose wallets are fat, whose concessions in public pronouncements to the liberal, politically correct, culture are far more influential.

Now is the time to speak loud and clear, far and wide, and to be relentless. Not in the way of the fat-boy figures of the Moral Majority and its cultic political expressions of manifest destiny. But, now is the time for publication as a unified voice against the diseases producing the cultual malaise. Not for political gain, not for enshrinement in history, but the glory of God and his Christ, it should be done. That is unlikely when pop SBCer’s show up to endorse the Obamasiah, in one venue or another, when they campaign on his behalf, when they take phony appointments to showpiece commissions.

The SBC is in the throws of finding its idendity (such a pop-psych thing to do). Some myopic fundamentalist, obscuratist reactionaries within it find pushing a “Fundamentalist” pseudo-orthodoxy (Peter Lumpkins and the BI Movement faction) more to their liking, attempting to erect a Southern Baptist Ecclesium that is removed from SBC roots. It is true the SBC lost its center, but that was when the first BIMmers found their way along a so called Trail of Blood (a cultic assertion within Southern Baptistism).

The real fight, though, is standing against and condemning the corruptions of all that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and preaching a clear Gospel that convicts of sin and commands repentance everywhere. That is also unlikely to happen since the idea of a great commission lacks the necessary requisite among most in the SBC of knowing what the Gospel is. For the most part, the SBC has embraced the liberalism of the semi-Pelagian and free-will teaching of the apostate Roman Catholic Church. It is a theology rejected by the Protestant movement and the reformers afterward and reintroduced through by kind of theological liberals who are for the most part, Arminians.

It has been more than a century since this creaping vine of Romanism began to grow in the SBC along with its pragmatism and social gospelism. When will they learn? When will they reject the American plush-life consummerism which they so idolize as their Providence? Or can they even recognize the difference anymore?

Much good work can be found among those who are being attacted within. There is a part of the SBC that is doing the job of fighting the good fight of faith and not fighting for membership first, or to have statues erected to themselves. Among that work is that which is being produced by the likes of Al Mohler. At the same time he and others who see the fight for what it is are being undermined by the weak doctrines of the “Nons” factions within the SBC, some of whose legalisms are not far removed from Rome. Among the Nons are also those who refuse to define themselves. Like good emergents and other post-moderns, they find solace in their faux humility. As Timmy Brister has recently said (though, I think he doesn’t understand that the agenda of the Nons is to remove his kind from the SBC):

On the other hand, if I may, let me speak to Ashford, Akin, and my other “non-Calvinist” friends about cooperation with Calvinists. In numerous ways and at various times, the call has been made for Calvinists to “put their theological cards on the table” and be up front with churches with what they believe. (While all Calvinists should be transparent and clear with what they believe, this assumes that those with whom they are talking about understand exactly what Calvinism is. But that is besides the point.) I want to encourage my non-Calvinist friends to do the same. You are defining yourself in the context of cooperation with a nondescript label. You are what you are not. Okay. That could mean anything. Arminian? Amyraldian? Semi-Pelagian? Biblicist? “Cal-minian”? Who knows?

The desire for revival, the desire to see a Great Commission Resurgence, cannot center around sectarian infighting, especially that which is driven by the liberalism of conservatives that claims that two opinions can stand in oppostition to one another in the same pulpit. Until the SBC settles the issue of authority- just what the inerrant word of God means -there is no chance that they will be able to stand when the winds of war come to their shore.

Oprah and the Evangelical Church: Where Is the Difference?

Aaron — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:33:43 +0000

Ranked as the world’s most influential woman, Oprah Winfrey is undoubtedly a woman who has inspired millions with not only her wisdom, her wide circle of connections, but also with her very own rags to riches story. Although much ink has been spilled over her questionable influence in matters of spirituality, this post is not about her, instead it is about the church.

In 2005 a national survey of pastors was conducted, asking each of them to name the books that have most influenced them. The Purpose-Driven Life was the most frequent response. Authored by America’s pastor, Rick Warren, the book which has sold the most copies of any book in print, excepting only the Bible. Warren, who has amassed significant wealth as a result, retains a significant level of influence including the ear of the President of the United States.

Here is where we play the game regularly found in copies of the children’s magazine Highlights: circle the differences in these two pictures.

It’s a Little Hard to Tell

On the cover of this month’s issue (November 2009) of O: the Oprah Magazine is a byline touting the phrase “Who Are You Meant to Be?” Standing in the line at the checkout of our local Target store, I made a bet with my wife: this article must have been written by purpose-driven himself. Alas, my wallet was a bit lighter because instead of Rick Warren, this was a series of articles written by a number of people with a handsome number of different perspectives on the topic.

Oprah herself begins the series, talking about her own humble beginnings and her determination to be something more than her surroundings dictated.

I believe there’s a calling for all of us. I know that every human being has value and purpose. The real work of our lives is to become aware. And awakened. To answer the call.

No doubt that Oprah, deep down inside, believes that the strength of her determination has made her what she is. Literally living in the lowest parts of society, she wanted to have more and to be more than she was. However, it was not just her belief and determination that made her special. She also had ability, talent, tenacity, and other character qualities that gave her an edge. She is also intelligent with a great voice and charismatic personality. Plenty of other women and men have believed and worked very hard, but have not achieved the stature of wealth and influence that is Oprah.

This bell rings with a similar pitch to what we hear in churches these days. Joel Osteen is one who is eager to hold himself up is his best example of a life that can lived to its fullest potential. What Oprah seems to forget is that if we all became her, then who would be at home to watch? If we all stood at the top then who would be there to support us?

Tapping Into the True Self

Author, Ann Lamott

“We already are… who we were born to be,” says Anne Lamott who has written books called Traveling Mercies and Grace (Eventually), both of which have been acclaimed by Christians as raw and real thoughts on being a Christian. In her article which appears immediately after Oprah’s introduction, does not mention Christ or the church, even in passing. Yet she freely acknowledges what many a purpose-driven pastor is hesitant to say: to preach this message, no god is required.

Lamott shares what seems to be a “spiritual” way to seek for the inner self, the inner purpose, and ultimately the inner peace. She encourages readers to seek deep within to find what is really true for them and how they can live in resonance to the rhythm that their life is playing. “I pray that your awakening comes with ease and grace,” she says, offering no divine connection at all.

Finding purpose in life is something that, when you listen closely, Rick Warren agrees does not require God. In his TED talk, he encouraged those unbelievers he was talking to by telling them that “God smiles when He sees you be you.” In essence he tells people who are successful without God that it is their very success that is driving them toward God’s favor.

I Don’t Need God for That

Just this week I had a conversation with my mother-in-law about her son whose recent reason for not wanting to attend church was that being good does not require a god. He cited the Code of Hammurabi and how it predated the Ten Commandments by 400 years, and how that code was not given by God. She was frustrated with him, but I assured her that he is right.

After catching her breath, I explained that when we begin to think of Christianity as simply a way to find our purpose in life and to live that life with impeccable morals, well he is exactly right. No where is there an indication that the Code of Hammurabi was divinely inspired. Not a single connection is made between the story of the Bible and the giving of that moral code. Other than the first commandments which are unique to monotheism, the Ten Commandments are contained within not only the Code of Hammurabi, but also the scores of other such codes for conduct.

Christianity is not moralism.

Christianity is not about self-actualization or finding my life’s purpose.

Today is Friday, November 20th, 2009. Today Oprah Winfrey will address her throngs and tell them that she is ending her talk show within the year. What will be next? She may decide to join the likes of Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, Creflo Dollar, and Joyce Meyer and begin her own ministry. And why not? If “pastors” preach the same message on Sunday that she has been giving people five days a week, it will be a walk in the park for Oprah.

I DO Need God for This

If what we mean by self-actualization we mean that when reading the Bible you realize that at your core you are a wretched sinner in desperate need for a savior. After all, if we do work out the journey of self-actualization to its stated goal, that is all we will find. It is the message of the layers of rules and regulations that protesters enjoy reminding Christians of when having moral debate. To teach that at the core of every human is a beautiful purpose not only undermines the teaching of the Bible, but when we lie in bed at night, we know it violates our very existence.

This is indeed bad news: it is the news that there is nothing good within me and there is no part of me that seeks good. Yet, it is that core realization which opens wide the doors to the love of Christ and the Gospel. When we are able to face the bad news, the good news is truly just that. It is the reality of our sin that displays the beauty of what Christ has done. It is as simple as the placards that people hold up during basketball games: John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Only when we embrace the bad news is the Good News sweet.

The Gospel is not about being good enough. The Gospel is not about finally finding your life’s purpose. And the Gospel does not end. Christianity is about the sacrifice of Christ being enough, and that nothing else matters. The Gospel says that there is nothing that you can do to make God love you any more and nothing you can do to make God love you any less.

This is what Christ has to offer. Anything else is counterfeit.

40 Days Of Purpose

I'm Brook James — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:28 +0000

Ha. No, I’m not talking about the Rick Warren stuff. I started reading the Purpose Driven Life one time. Anyway, I’m referring to something else. A goal I set for myself a while back to be precise. It has officially been 40 days since I last took a break from blogging. That’s right! 40 days in a row! I posted this several weeks ago explaining that my new goal was to take my blog to the next level. Part of that was to start blogging every day. I don’t know how long I will be able to keep it up, but I’m gonna shoot for the next 40 days again and see how that goes. Who knows! Maybe I’ll just get on a roll and make it 365 days in a row. That would be pretty insane (not to mention that I will have a new baby as well).

I would love to see this become even more of a tool for my ministry. I am not really sure how exactly to take it there, but I’m gonna try. This is just another step in that direction. So now thanks to Rick, I have had 40 days of purpose…ful blogging! Guess I’ll have to start hosting brookjames dot com on my own now. Bring on the next 40!

Quotes about Sarah Palin going Rogue

Eyquem — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:31:31 +0000

Irritatingly we cant avoid former Alaska Governor aka Sarah Palin going Rogue, here’s the few things you need to know in case you dont want to buy the book and certainly dont want to be stuck in those fancy boring DC cocktails conversations.Thanks God, The Post has provided a guide to what she said about major public figures, with a special focus on the 2008 presidential campaign.

On Alec Baldwin

Key mentions: p. 313-314

Actor

Baldwin appeared with Palin on Saturday Night Live. Palin writes that the campaign haggled with producers and writers to come up with appropriate lines for the two, deciding on something poking fun at Baldwin and his actor brother Stephen, after they turned down a line she suggested to poke fun at the actor’s claim that he would leave the country if George W. Bush was elected in 2004.

Baldwin’s Response: According to EW, Baldwin’s rep says the reason that line was turned down was because the actor never made that claim. “‘They nixed the joke because the underlying premise just wasn’t true,’ Baldwin’s rep, Matt Hiltzik, tells EW on behalf of Baldwin. . . . ‘But once Palin knew that, after telling her [it wasn't true], she said, “Well, let’s say it anyway,” like she needed it to be true.’”
Rep for Alec Baldwin and Katie Couric responds to ‘Going Rogue’ »

On Joe Biden

Key mentions: p. 288-289, 296-298

Vice President of the United States

Palin writes that she respected Biden’s experience, but thought he lacked understanding national energy security and “opposed sensible innovations” on the issue. The book says it was adviser Randy Scheunemann’s idea to ask permission to call Biden “Joe” during their debate, as Palin kept accidentally calling him “O’Biden” in debate prep. Palin recalls Biden’s debate “game face,” remarking that he looked “impeccable. . . tall and confident . . [with] distinguished silver hair” before noting that Scheunemann reminded her to think “hair plugs” during the debate.

On Hillary Clinton

Key mentions: p. 287

U.S. Secretary of State

Palin says in the book that she feels Obama got a “free pass” when compared to Hillary. Palin says she and Clinton would disagree on many issues, if they ever sat down for coffee, but that her “hat is off to [Hillary] for her hard work on the campaign trail.”

Clinton’s Response: “I absolutely would look forward to having coffee,” Clinton said from Singapore during an interview aired on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Obviously we’re going to hear a lot more from her in the upcoming weeks with her book coming out and I would look forward to having a chance to actually get to meet her,” Clinton told ABC’s “This Week.”
Hillary Clinton is open to coffee with Sarah Palin »

On Bill Clinton

Key mentions: p. 82, 286

President of the United States

Palin says she sensed in her meetings with Clinton “an unspoken mutual disappointment with the media’s serial unfairness to some presidential candidates in the 2008 race.”

On Katie Couric

Key mentions: p. 255-256, 271-279

Anchor, CBS Evening News

Palin asserts that aide Nicolle Wallace convinced her to do the interview with Couric explaining the anchor “needed a career boost,” had “low self-esteem” and “wants [Palin] to like her.” Palin attributes some of her stumbles to being “annoyed and frustrated with many of [Couric's] repetitive and biased questions.” She claims CBS sought out the worst moments to advance Couric’s “partisan agenda.” She explains that the reason she didn’t answer the “what do you read” question was because its “condescension irritated me.”

Couric’s Response: Couric’s representative Matt Hiltzik lashed back at Palin’s claims, saying that “the interview speaks for itself.”
Katie Couric’s rep issues response to Sarah Palin’s book »

On David Letterman

Key mentions: p. 351

Late Night Host

Palin recounts her run-in with the late night comedy host as part of a section describing the media focus even after the campaign ended. Of the verbal conflict, Palin writes: “No, I guess I can’t take a joke that suggests it’s funny to humiliate a young girl and pretend that statutory rape. . . is something to laugh about.”

On Cindy McCain

Key mentions: p. 221-222

Palin speaks highly of McCain and her work, and describes her as “one of the most striking women I’ve ever seen,” as well as a version of a 1950s elegant mother.

On John McCain

Key mentions: p. 209-210, 221-222

Senator, Senate

The book doesn’t go into much detail of the relationship between the Palin and the presidential nominee, but she frequently praises McCain, whom she says she had “always admired … for his independent spirit and passion for keeping the homeland safe.” She describes McCain as being “full of inspiring inner joy.” In the closest things to criticism of the Arizona senator, Palin questions McCain’s decision to halt the campaign during economic meltdown (“The VP half of the ticket didn’t know the strategy on that one.”) and also notes that she was kept out of the loop on the campaign’s strategy to pull out of Michigan in October, a decision with which she strongly disagreed. In one of the few exchanges documented, Palin writes of how McCain made the final decision that she would not speak on election night.

McCain’s Response: “I’m just moving on, and I’ve got too many other things to worry about except to say that I’m proud of my campaign.”

McCain mum on Palin’s campaign account »

On Barack Obama

Key mentions: p. 227, 278, 307

President of the United States

According to the book, Palin thought Obama was a gifted speaker, but feared “his smooth style would obscure” the fact that he wasn’t saying much. She says the true Obama, the one who associated with William Ayers and Jeremiah Wright, was “concealed in centrist campaign-speak,” but has been revealed since taking office. Palin calls Obama extreme on abortion and argues that Obama got a “free pass” in the Democratic primary when compared to Hillary Clinton.

Obama’s Response: Asked whether he plans to read a new book by former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Obama said: “You know, I probably won’t.”
Obama says he is seeking ‘end game’ to Afghan conflict »

On Michelle Obama

Key mentions: p. 269

First lady of the United States

Palin describes Michelle Obama’s actions and words during the campaign as emblematic of “the other side’s ‘Blame America First’ impulse.”

On Rick Warren

Key mentions: p. 302

California, Non-denominational

Palin mentions talking to and praying with Warren while in the shower, “in a few inches of water with a shower curtain for a wardrobe.”

On Jeremiah Wright

Key mentions: p. 307

Illinois, Evangelical

Palin is critical of the campaign for telling her to avoid discussing Obama’s connections to Rev. Wright. “I will forever question the campaign for prohibiting discussion of such associations.”

On Joe Wurzelbacher

Key mentions: p. 304-306

“Joe the Plumber”

Palin criticizes the media for its treatment of Wurzelbacher, better known as ‘Joe the Plumber,’ while not pursuing the connections between Obama and Weather Underground radical William Ayers. Palin celebrates Joe the Plumber as a symbolic everyman, and discusses at length the inspiration he provided for other supporters.

Why Many Modern American Evangelicals Don't Like Reformed Baptist Preaching by James White

davidjosephhorn — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:49:10 +0000

Why Many Modern American Evangelicals Don’t Like Reformed Baptist Preaching

11/18/2009 – James White

Humanists with a thin coating of religion won’t put up with this for long.

Reformed Baptist Churches tend to be between 50 and 350 congregants in size, generally. Here is a contrast. A “church” with 16,000 in attendance. Listen to the message.

While I did not add the text to this video, the final verse provided says it all.

07:39:44 – Category: Reformed Baptist Issues – Link to this article -

This blog was copied from http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3630

Real Servants, by Rick Warren

keishacory — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:28:33 +0000

I was doing my devotional this morning and this stung me when I came across it. We can always do better when it comes to serving!!

Real Servants Pay Attention
Wednesday November 18 2009
Posted by Rick Warren

Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. Proverbs 3:28 (TEV)

*** *** *** ***

Real servants pay attention to needs. Servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it, just as the Bible commands us: “Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10 GWT).

When God puts someone in need right in front of you, he is giving you the opportunity to grow in servanthood. Notice that God says the needs of your church family are to be given preference, not put at the bottom of your “things to do” list.

We miss many occasions for serving because we lack sensitivity and spontaneity. Great opportunities to serve never last long. They pass quickly, sometimes never to return again. You may only get one chance to serve that person, so take advantage of the moment.

“Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now” (Proverbs 3:28 TEV).

John Wesley was an incredible servant of God. His motto was:

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.”

That is greatness. You can begin by looking for small tasks that no one else wants to do. Do these little things as if they were great things, because God is watching.

Integrity - It is all or nothing

Jeremiah Ivins — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:07:58 +0000

“Integrity is not a 90 percent thing, not a 95 percent thing; either you have it or you don’t.” – Peter Scotese

Sort of like you are either pregnant or your not.

Integrity is the foundation of character. Character is the light of one’s personality.

Integrity has has been washed away and diluted in a sea of apathy and pragmatism. It no longer matters how one got to where he/she is at just that they got there. The ends justify the means even if the ends has no real value. Society today bases integrity from a subjective, Survivor-type mentality. People will do eveything they can to build a facade of integrity. However, when circumstances of life come calling to test one’s true character many readily embrace a pragmatic mind-set that contradicts their facade. A mind-set that will do anything to get ahead or to keep one from experiencing challenging consequences of a decsion based on integrity.

“We all make mistakes.”, “I am not perfect”, or Christian sin to.” – These are all true statements, but they are not statement to be used for sentimental purposes of easing one’s conscience about mistakes, inperfections, or sins. These cliche’s are used to justify a lowered standard. Another conscience easing trick is to tell one self and other -” I want to go in such and such a direction”, but continue heading in a different direction. More important is the direction one is heading. Mistakes and sins only have redeeming worth if one is heading in the right direction. Mistakes will be made and sins committed. the battle lies in which direction one is heading. When one is heading South when he/she should be heading North and continues on such a course after being advised the direction is wrong will only end in failure in the end.

The deceiving aspect of direction is the wrong direction can feel like the right direction. Heading in the wrong direction can be easier than heading in the right direction. Many times success seems evident while heading in wrong direction. When one becomes secure and content to head in the wrong direction it is hard to turn them back, especially when the right direction probably will be more challenging with great obstacles and less comfort. Ultimately, the journey is not about what we are to the world or about what stuff we accumulate, but about who we become in the process and how we impact others in what they become.

With the loss of integrity comes the loss of true excellence because without integrity pragmagtism takes over and the primary goal is to feel good about oneself and just get along without a true sense of standard. It is human to think and then portray ourselves as something more than we truly are. It is men and women of integrity who step outside themselves to see who they truly are in order to realize what excellence is and how to successfully get there.

These men and women know it is not about them – their careers, their comfort, or their reputation. They believe it is about doing what is right no matter the cost. They live it and just don’t talk it. None of their time is spent waxing and buffing how they want people to perceive them. If any of their time is wasted it is in finding apathetic and cowardly standards.

The following link below is to PBS Frontline -The Warning

It is about a women of integrity – Brooksley Born She stood up against the establishment of Alan Greenspan and his cronies and lost her job. What she predicted has come true. Alan Greenspan in the end admits his economic theory of 30 plus years was flaud. This is a man who everyone worshipped. American leaders blindly followed his leadership. His decisions and thinking has led American down a destructive path. Greenspan’s theories were wrong because he lacked integrity.

Brooksley Born had integrity and courage . She stood her ground not for her benefit but for the benefit of the American people. She is a true patriot, a true person to follow after.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/warning/?utm_campaign=homepage&utm_medium=bigimage&utm_source=bigimage

Rick Warren's Forked Tongue

redeemedhippiesplace — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:07:32 +0000

GoodFightMinistries:

Rick Warren at ISNA

Seere — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:37:51 +0000

This is the transcript of Rick Warren’s speech at the Islamic Society National Association 200

Advent (start a new Ancient tradition)

lisacolondelay — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:33:12 +0000

As some of you know, I have been involved in the Tyndale Publishing, New living Translation, project

Rick Warren - Respuestas a las Dificultades de la Vida

Sergio Briones — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:23:27 +0000

Mucha gente sabe que las respuestas a las preguntas más difíciles de la vida se encuentran en la Biblia, pero no entienden cómo encontrarlas. Este libro ayuda al lector a descubrir los pasos bíblica os básicos para lidiar con temores y problemas. No solo ayudará al lector sino que el lector podrá ayudar a otros. ¿Se ha preguntado alguna vez…? -¿Cómo lidio con el estrés? -¿Cómo me recupero del fracaso? -¿Cómo vencer la depresión? -¿Cómo vivir por encima de la mediocridad? -¿Cómo tener tranquilidad? -¿Cómo supero mis problemas? -¿Cómo confiar en medio de la crisis? -¿Cómo me metí en este lío? -¿Por qué me sucede esto? -¿Cómo supero la soledad? Muchas personas saben que las respuestas a las dificultades de la vida están en la Biblia, pero no saben dónde ubicarlas. En este libro descubrirá los pasos que debe dar para lidiar con los temores y problemas que enfrenta a diario. Además, podrá ayudar a otros.

DETALLES Autor: Rick Warren.

Editorial: Zondervan / Vida.

ISBN: 0829732985.

Año: 2002.

Páginas: 64 (127 Escaneado 2 páginas por hoja).

Compresión: RAR.

Archivo: PDF.

Peso: 4.52 MB.

Link para descarga: http://www.mediafire.com/?ytzcxlgzmqy

Boycotts and Book Burnings...Are they beneficial to our cause?

truthinator — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:59:55 +0000

Recently, you without a doubt heard of the church in NC that was planning to burn non KJV Bibles and other superfluous writings on halloween. This morning I heard that the American Family Association was organizing a boycott of a large clothing retailer because of their non-Christian beliefs and actions.

I am not saying there is no merit to the concerns of groups that coordinate boycotts and burnings. I am asking whether boycotts and burnings are the best use of our time.

The problem I have with these protests is that the boycott and the fire get all of the attention and the reason for them gets little if any… Remember about 15 years ago when a Christian group was boycotting Disney? I do.

I remember this coming up in conversation with a friend. They said they were glad the Christians were boycotting Disney. Maybe Disney would not be so crowded for them… Wow, is this what a boycott accomplishes?

I offer a suggestion. Prior to boycotting or burning, why not schedule a series of meetings to discuss with the community why you have reason to boycott someone or to burn something? This way, you can use scripture to teach a lesson. If the plan to boycott or burn gets a bunch of attention, at least you can direct some of that attention to the meetings and the information you will provide.

Just a thought… What do you think?

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Fighting for the Faith - No Christians Allowed??

Reformed Joe — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:27 +0000

For some time I’ve noticed a disturbing tend with some of these Purpose Driven and Emergent guys substituting the phrase Christ Follower in the place of Christian. Chris of Fighting of the Faith does excellent job picking part this methodology in the sermon review here.

November 19, 2009

No Christians Allowed??

- - - • Seeker Driven Pastor Answers the Question, “Are Mormons Christians?”
      • Archbishop of Canterbury Claims Higher Taxes Would Be Good for Society
      • The Parable of the Talents is NOT About Time Management
      • Sermon Review, “No Christians Allowed” by Bill Maye of Brick City Community Church, Sanford, NC

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Quotes about Sarah Palin going Rogue

On Alec Baldwin

On Joe Biden

On Hillary Clinton

On Bill Clinton

On Katie Couric

On David Letterman

On Cindy McCain

On John McCain

On Barack Obama

On Michelle Obama

On Rick Warren

On Jeremiah Wright

On Joe Wurzelbacher

Why Many Modern American Evangelicals Don't Like Reformed Baptist Preaching by James White

Why Many Modern American Evangelicals Don’t Like Reformed Baptist Preaching

Real Servants, by Rick Warren

Integrity - It is all or nothing

Rick Warren's Forked Tongue

Rick Warren at ISNA

Advent (start a new Ancient tradition)

Rick Warren - Respuestas a las Dificultades de la Vida

Boycotts and Book Burnings...Are they beneficial to our cause?

Fighting for the Faith - No Christians Allowed??

No Christians Allowed??

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