January 3, 2005

Purpose Driven "Evangelicalism"

In my last writing, I had just watched another of many interviews with Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church and author of the books, 'The Purpose® Driven Church and 'The Purpose® Driven Life,' and had made comments on Rick's failure to use an opportunity once again to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of TV viewers. Many church leaders consider Rick Warren to be a great evangelist, on the par with perhaps Billy Graham, only because of the millions of books he has sold and the "positive" impact he thinks it is having in the body of Christ.

I recently read several in-depth articles critiquing his books and programs which could have blasted him out of the water with guns a-blazing but instead, gave his works an in-depth examination. Maybe this was an act of mercy on their part but could there be the possibility that many are afraid to confront the issues without causing a backlash against their own ministries, the cost of standing for the truth. ( The 9 Marks Purpose Driven Reviews )

Although I carefully read through each of these articles and I did find their approach refreshing I do have a disagreement with their views on Rick Warren's concern for evangelism. I have watched many video clips and listened to many audio clips of Rick Warren speaking outside the walls of his church and without fail he never seems to get to the real issues of evangelism; quite the opposite, he willingly avoids anything that could cause possible controversy. To be fair Rick may be telling his own congregation and others at conventions and conferences something different about his evangelistic methodology but I am most deeply disturbed by his public presentation or lack thereof.

Rick Warren and many other postmodern types of ministries have approached evangelism from a new paradigm. This model has changed from using the Word of God, to building relationships and becoming friends and then eventually Christianizing them, not to a real conversion in Christ, but to the tune of a different gospel, even a different (view of ) Christ altogether. I have seen this happening as the major emphasis on evangelism has changed through the efforts of the International Congress on World Evangelization and the Lausanne Covenant. YWAM has been using this same model for years through the input of C. Peter Wagner and Fuller Theological Seminary where Rick Warren was involved. A course is being taught internationally called "The Perspectives Course" and this is being embraced by all denominations across the board as the new view to evangelization, throwing out the biblical models as not being relevant any longer.  ( Neo-Evangelicalism )

When asked directly, Rick Warren avoided the opportunity on the Larry King show to bring the real message of salvation to those watching, and when Larry King pushed him on this issue, Rick changed the subject and rushed into telling a story having nothing to do with Larry's attempt to get Rick to speak of Jesus Christ. I think Larry King even realized something was not quite right here. ( For more, read Mike Oppenheimer's article One Mans Opinion )

Some of my emails have come from people who have left Saddleback. They tell me hardly anyone carries a Bible anymore and the gospel is not being preached, and the writers of these emails have said they were encouraged not to carry their Bibles or to use personal evangelism with anyone on the Saddleback campus and even in their approach to evangelism in their communities. This caused them to look elsewhere for a Bible believing church.

How long will we continue to pander and flatter each other and not face or speak the truth concerning one another. We support each others ministries so as to be spiritually and politically correct at the expense of the many souls perishing because of the need to enhance our image and build our own kingdoms to impress each other. We have written many times to ask the question with no answers.

When a ministry is more concerned about growth in the church numerically using any method of success the world has produced rather than preaching the gospel making real disciples for Christ ( Luke 14:26-33 ), the results are twisted and distorted and look more like New Age spirituality than Biblical Christianity.

Anyway, these are just a few of my concerns with this behemoth ministry of PD programs that lead us only to an increase in ourselves and a decrease in the real Jesus Christ.
 

.Steve Muse, Eastern Regional Watch

Please send us any comments at: smuse@erwm.com