The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
False Teachings, False Teachers, and Contradictions in Rick Warren's
Purpose Driven Life Book and Program
Subtitle: Your Virus Protection & Firewall for Purpose Driven Life Theology
by James Sundquist
Part 2
PAGE 106
Rick Warren: “Matt Redman banned singing to teach his church how to worship.”
Does the sound like good advice when at the meeting of Jesus and his Disciples when it is recorded “”before they went out, they sang a hymn?” Does this sound like Paul's advise regarding singing in Ephesians 5:19-20?
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
or
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Or
Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness
or
1Cr 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Hbr 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Or
Jam 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
So does this sound like good advice to be telling the saints to not sing in order to learn how to worship? Singing is PART of how we worship. Now no sooner does Rick Warren give this advise to not sing to learn how to worship then he contradicts himself in the book advising us to sing a new song. No wonder people are confused!
“DAY 14 When God Seems Distant” begins on Page 107
PAGE 107
Rick Warren quotes Philip Yancy. Another false teacher. Here is the proof:
Pastor Gary Gilley at Southern View Chapel writes this expose on his teaching:
http://www.svchapel.org/site/ThinkOnTheseThingsMinistries/publications/pdf/pain1.pdf.
Also see:
http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/yancey/yancey.htm
PAGE 108
Rick Warren quotes two more Catholic Theologians Henri Nouwen and John of the Cross in glowing terms. Let's see what they had to teach us: For John of the Cross, see Page 88 above. For Henri Nouwen:
“WHAT DID HENRI NOUWEN REALLY BELIEVE?
Did Nouwen believe Jesus was the only way to God?
"Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God's house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God."
(From Sabbatical Journey - Henri Nouwen's last book ) A Time of Departing, Ray Yungen, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2002 speaks on Henri Nouwen:
"The doctrines (instructions) of demons (no matter how nice, how charming, how devoted to God they sound) convey that everything has Divine Presence (all is One). This is clear heresy, for that would be saying Satan and God are one also. If what Henri Nouwen proclaimed is true when he said, 'We can come to the full realization of the unity of all that is,' then Jesus Christ and Satan are also united. That, my friend, is something only a demonic spirit would teach!"
Did Nouwen believe all is one?
Prayer is soul work because our souls are those sacred centers where all is one, ... It is in the heart of God that we can come to the full realization of the unity of all that is. (From Bread for the Journey) "a place for everyone in heaven" (Life of the Beloved - p. 53)
“to become the Beloved, we must claim it" Nouwen says we are all the chosen ones. (Life of the Beloved)
Is Nouwen Accepted by Evangelicals?
"Many pastors and professors are greatly attracted to his [Nouwen's} deep thinking. In fact, one of his biographers revealed that in a 1994 survey of 3,400 U.S. Protestant church leaders, Nouwen ranked second only to Billy Graham in influence among them." (A Time of Departing -p. 61)” SOURCE: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/nouwen.htm
********
Rick Warren quotes A.W. Tozer. This is very surprising because Tozer is a highly revered scholar. But if anyone has every read any of his work, you would easily see that Tozer would oppose the Purpose Driven Theology of Rick Warren. Here are some quotes from A.W. Tozer:
"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
and
“That religion and amusement are forever opposed to each other by their very essential natures is apparently not known to this new school of religious entertainers.”
“The emotions have had a beautiful time, but the will is left untouched.”
“The best they can do is to appeal to the world's psychology or repeat brightly that “modern times call for modern methods.”
SOURCE: The Menace of the Religious Movie by A.W. Tozer
These quotes of A.W. Tozer do not resemble the philosophy and theology of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. I am confident that Tozer would kindly thank Rick Warren to not quote him and create any false impression that he would have supported his theology.
Rick Warren quotes Floyd McClung. For those of you who don't know who he is, Floyd McClung was another champion of the Shepherding Movement which is responsible for many Christians suffering from spiritual abuse of authority.
“Floyd McClung, when he was a top leader in Youth With A Mission, told people they should obey him even if they thought or knew him to be wrong. He justified this by claiming God would reward people for obeying their leaders. Questioning was seen as a form of "rebellion". SOURCE: Apologetics Index: http://www.apologeticsindex.org/s00.html
PAGE 109
Rick Warren: “The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than God.”
If this is true, then why is the “E” in his SHAPE program stand for “experience”? Why does he endorse Nicky Gumbel and his Alpha Course from which the Toronto Blessing originated? For a complete expose documentary on the Alpha Course I refer you to the book: Alpha - the Unofficial Guide Overview by Elizabeth McDonald & Dusty Peterson, St. Matthew Publishing, 2002. Note particularly Appendix B for the list of Nicky Gumbel's false teachings. Website: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~emcd/index.htm
and http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/AlphaBrochure.pdf
Rick Warren later describes how we can improve our Gift(s) of the Holy Spirit with practice, i.e., by experience. So, first he demotes the value of experience then he promotes it. Which is it?
PAGE 110
Rick Warren quotes Job 29:4 NIV “God's intimate friendship” Once again the KJV makes no mention of “friendship” but says “secrets of God.” Using terms not even in the originally text is a persistent pattern of Rick Warren adding to, subtracting, and changing words and concepts in the Bible.
Rick Warren quotes V. Raymond Edman: “Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.” But it was into the darkness that God brought the light. It is V. Raymond Edman who is walking in darkness for teaching that a Christian can be demon-possessed. Source: http://withchrist.org/MJS/ungerm.htm
The belief that a Christian can be demon-possessed or have a generational curse is prevalent in the Word of Faith Movement. Some of those who teach it or have taught it include: Dr. Neil Anderson, Derek Prince, Bob Mumford, Mark Bubeck, Joyce Meyer, and Marilyn Hickey. For some great resources and some of the best articles I have ever read which reveal whether or not this teaching can truly be biblically supported see:
Pastor Bob Dewaay's article on generation curses:
http://www.twincityfellowship.com/cic/articles/issue68.htm
and his article whether or not Christians can be cursed see:
ARE CHRISTIANS CURSED?
http://www.twincityfellowship.com/cic/articles/issue40.htm
I also recommend Dr. Opal Reddin's article:
GENERATION CURSES, STRONGHOLDS, BINDING AND LOOSING, DELIVERANCE MINISTRY ENCOUNTERING "GENERATION CURSE"
http://www.zyworld.com/Discernment/1999_SeptemberOctober.pdf
For a brief but very articulate condensed view whether a Christian can be demon-possessed, visit:
http://www.gospelcom.net/uplook/resources/just_the_facts/demon_possession.html
PAGE 113
Rick Warren quotes II Cor 5:21 TEV which states “God made him (Jesus Christ) share in our sin.” [parenthesis mine] No, Jesus Christ did not share in our sin, he became our sin on the Cross!
“DAY 15 Formed for God's Family” begins on Page 117
“DAY 16 What Matters Most” begins on Page 123
PURPOSE TWO SECTION: “YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD'S FAMILY”
PAGE 120
Rick Warren: “Why is baptism important? It symbolizes God's second purpose for our life: participating in the fellowship of God's eternal family”
Where does it say that in the Bible? No, if anything, it symbolizes the first purpose in your life which is to be born again. So what it really symbolizes is our death, burial and resurrection, passing from death unto life....not participating in fellowship.
PAGE 125
Rick Warren endorses another Roman Catholic, Mother Teresa. I realize that even most Evangelical Christians virtually define being a saint by comparing themselves to Mother Teresa. Nevertheless we are to still judge her teaching. In this regard, for proof that her teachings are heretical, I direct you to one of a host of valuable discernment ministry websites that articulate her positions. Here are just two quotes from Mother Teresa, but I invite you to read the entire document:
1. When "Mother" Teresa died, her longtime friend and biographer Naveen Chawla said that he once asked her bluntly, "Do you convert?" She replied, "Of course I convert. I convert you to be a better Hindu or a better Muslim or a better Protestant. Once you've found God, it's up to you to decide how to worship him" ("Mother Teresa Touched Other Faiths," Associated Press, 9/7/97).
2. The April 7-13, 1990, issue of Radio Times tells the story of "Mother" Teresa sheltering an old Hindu priest. "She nursed him with her own hands and helped him to die reconciled with his own gods."
SOURCE: http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/teresa/general.htm
And regarding Rick Warren's promotion of Mother Teresa:
“To laud Mother Teresa without mentioning her stand on the Gospel is a denial of the Gospel. Here is what Mother Teresa thought of the Gospel: “I love all religions. ... If people become better Hindus, better Muslims, better Buddhists by our acts of love, then there is something else growing there.” She upheld that there are many ways to God': “All is God--Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, etc., all have access to the same God.” (12/4/89 Time, pp. 11, 13) While we can agree to love all religions and people there is a vast difference as accepting them as valid. Mother Teresa told everyone no matter what their religion: “If in coming face to face with God we accept Him in our lives, then we are converting. We become a better Hindu, a better Muslim, a better Catholic, a better whatever we are. ... What God is in your mind you must accept” (from Mother Teresa: Her People and Her Work, by Desmond Doig, (Harper & Row, 1976), p.156))” SOURCE: http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/ditc11-4.html
“DAY 17 A Place to Belong” begins on Page 130
PAGE 134-135
Rick Warren: The body of Christ is to “admonish each other”, yet Rick Warren himself refuses correction, having been admonished by a number of ministries. He invites you to email him in his book but he has never once responded to my appeals by email. It is ironic that he would advise that if you know people who have wandered from the truth to go after them (he quotes the Book of James), yet when God-fearing brothers take his advice to go after him, he is exempt and refuses to respond! He touts the spiritual protection of godly leaders. But what protection can his false teaching provide? What protection is he providing with the false teachers he endorses and promotes and does not mark as false teachers such as I and many others have documented in this commentary. What protection is provided by his working directly with Dr Robert Schuller who has redefined the foundational doctrines of the Apostles once and for all delivered to the saints, such as “sin” and “hell?” (See resources on Schuller at the end of this document).
PAGE 137
Rick Warren: “You become a church member by committing yourself to a specific group of believers.” Simply not true. You become a church member the day you become a member of the Body of Christ, which is the day you become a believer. Of what specific local church was Paul a member? Titus? Timothy? They were committed to a number of churches!
“DAY 18 Experiencing Life Together” begins on Page 138
PAGE 140
Rick Warren: “It is only when we become open about our lives that we experience real fellowship.” He quotes I John 1:7-8 NCV “If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other”.
But being open with each other about our lives does not define walking in the light. You could be open with each other and walking in total darkness. Rick Warren's statement does not even agree with the very Scripture he quotes. Furthermore, we don't walk in the light because we have fellowship. We already have fellowship by definition by walking in the light! And by walking in the light, God supplies the fellowship, or adds unto the church as should be added. Rick Warren's thinking is the critical flaw and fatal attraction to the Church Growth Movement he espouses.
“DAY 19 Cultivating Community” begins on Page 145
PAGE 145
Rick Warren quotes Ephesians 4:3 NCV which says: “You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.”
But if you read the the KJV you will see the glaring omissions where he leaves out “one body, one spirit, and one hope.” The word “one” is so important that it is repeated four more times in verses 5-6. Without these qualifying verses we have no context for even understanding what is meant by unity.
Eph 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace.
[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in
one hope of your calling;
One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in
you all.
PAGE 147, 150
Rick Warren opposes a code of silence, yet he supports AA based Celebrate Recovery which champions anonymity. For more information why this is an unbiblical teaching, please see the article below: Celebrate Recovery vs. Scripture. After he opposes a code of silence, then he says: 'What you say in the group needs to stay in the group.” What group? There certainly a season in which only two or more people are exposed to the truth in the case of confronting a brother, whereby the whole congregation does not need to be apprised of every sin in the body. But that is only if the brother or sister repents and only if the offended parties does not affect the entire church. Matthew 18 would be impossible to fully carry out regarding Church Discipline if we were to take Rick Warren's advice. There can be no code of silence with respect to false teaching. So it is difficult to tell where Rick Warren stands since he contradicts himself.
****************
RICK WARREN'S "CELEBRATE RECOVERY" SEMINAR REVIEW
By James Sundquist
Rock Salt Publishing
THE TITLE BANNER ON Rick Warren’s CELEBRATE RECOVERY WEBSITE READS:
"What can you do when preaching a sermon is not enough?"
I am still picking myself up off of the floor with that statement which is the promotional banner of Rick Warren's recovery seminars! Can you imagine walking up to Jesus after he just delivered the Sermon on the Mount and telling him...that was very nice, but your sermon was not enough." I say enough of Rick Warren's teaching. I would remind Rick Warren of two Scriptures which warn about adding and subtracting from God's word, and the last verse of Revelation which was given to the Apostle John. Which of Paul's sermons would you say to Paul that were not enough? Or Peter, saying "to whom else should we turn...you have the words of Eternal Life." What about Stephen's last words while being stoned to death? "Your sermon was not enough?" Jesus might ask Rick Warren: "If My words are not enough, what words would you suggest?"
I don't know how wide the road to Hell is which would qualify a statement to be an abomination ...but if that statement does not qualify, I don't know what would!
I read the eight principles of Celebrate Recovery and the corresponding Scriptures....I can't see how they go together, plus the Scriptures themselves are taken from a corrupt translation. Since when does the word "Blessed" now mean "Happy"? Right before Jesus ascended into Heaven he "happied" his Disciples? At one point in the history of language, happy may have had more of a context of blessing, but to use that word now with all of its self-consumed, self-indulgent meaning....what a misleading term to use for the word "blessed" in today's vernacular.
Like Alfred E. Newman (Mad Magazine character) would say: "What me worry?" Or in the words of a contemporary pop song: "Don't worry, be Happy!" Does this mean "Don't worry be Blessed?" Happiness is recovery? Then ultimate happiness is never possible because you are ALWAYS in a perpetual state of recovery. And assuming that your problem is a real disease vs. imaginary, why would you want to be restored to the old man, if as a New Creation, all things become new and the old man has passed away?
Rick Warren tells us that his Celebrate Recovery Program is biblically-based. But all of the compromised translations we are told are also biblically-based. Rick Warren tells us that Celebrate Recovery is based on the Beatitudes, when in reality it is based on the foundation of Bill Wilson's 12 Step Program which is anything but Christian, particularly because, by Bill Wilson's own admission, he considers occultist, evolutionist, Necromancer Carl Jung who practiced divination to obtain his psychology, his co-founder. Rick Warren creates the impression that it is adhering to the Principles of Christ that brings about Recovery, while the Bible teaches that it is the Person of Christ that brings about Repentance and Sanctification. SO THIS IS WHAT THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT HAS COME TO?
Because Rick Warren's Celebrate Recovery and his 8 Principles are based on the 12 Step Program, it would be most illuminating to include my letter to the Director of the 12 Step Program at Willowcreek Church, the other major pillar of the Church Growth Movement which promotes virtually the same philosophy as Rick Warren. (Lee Strobel, who endorses Rick Warren's book and is now a pastor at Rick Warren's Church, was a pastor at Willowcreek Church.)
Dear Erik (Director of 12 Step Program at Willowcreek Church),
First let me say that it wasn't exactly an inquiry except in general sense of inquiring why Willowcreek has implemented 12 Step Programs. The way I would prefer phrasing your question is not my inquiry of you but rather to we Christians as God's people, the word "inquire" should mean as the Prophet Isaiah puts it as to WHERE we direct our inquiry. Your question to me might better be put "Do you have a Biblical basis for questioning or opposing the 12 Step Program in the Church?" Or by what authority are you asking this question?" I am very glad you asked. This is a perfectly legitimate question. In fact, these questions should always be asked. And any Christian ought to be able to ask the question. And every Christian must be able to give an account and respond if the teaching being promoted is of the Lord! To clearly answer your question about my interest in the Christian 12 Step Program you are offering at Willowcreek is the urgency of what I view as a clear and present danger to the Church today, that is the promotion of Carl Jung and Psychology. From what I can tell from your emails, you appear to have very good intentions in leading this program. My mission is to try to convince you whether or not your programs are truly Biblical.
We need to do as Isaiah commands: "Shall we not inquire of our Lord" not diviners and astrologers. It is not a matter of what we want to do for the Lord what we think will help people, but what the Lord requires of us. Or as the Psalmist puts it "from whence cometh our help?" Our help comes from the Lord!
Psa 121:1 [[A Song of degrees.]] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Psa 121:2 My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2
The New Testament reaffirms who our true helper should be when the Holy Spirit Himself is referred to as our helper (Paraclete in Greek).
Isaiah records:
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits,
and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their
God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak
not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them."
Isaiah 8:19-20
Later in this letter I will share the Scriptural reasons why as a Christian, I am responsible to the Lord to expose false teaching. So part of the reason I must write you is because I am Biblically commanded and mandated to do so. I am somewhat astonished that you would still ask the question why I would inquire about why you are teaching the 12 Step Program conceived by Bill Wilson, after I supplied you with the incontrovertible comprehensive proof that Bill Wilson in no sense could be considered Christian. His own statement (and Step) states "whatever or whomever you deem that higher power to be" so that any higher power is acceptable in his eyes...that would include Satan himself who masquerades as an angel of light (I have come to "help") you. But Isaiah says that the Lord says "I will share my glory with NONE other."
Your argument for defending the 12 Step Program (and the common argument used by Christians and Church leaders) is that we will just substitute Bible verses for the steps and just say that Jesus endorses it or has signed off on it. But devising a man-made system, then simply calling it Jesus does not make it Jesus. That is not how we test the spirits to see if they be of God.
One of the very best ways to see if something is of the Lord is to ask the questions: Where did these ideas come from? Who is the author? What did the author believe about Jesus? What did the author believe about other false prophets (in this case what did Bill Wilson think of Carl Jung's ideas)? If Bill Wilson were truly of the Lord, he would have exposed Carl Jung who practiced the occult, necromancy, astrology, and believed in evolution. Carl Jung was an enemy of Christ. Carl Jung derived much of his psychology from a demon....a spirit guide named Philemon...from his own testimony. So what was Carl Jung, whom Bill Wilson admired, doing consulting the dead? And worse, what are Christians doing using the information that Carl Jung obtained from practicing magic arts by consulting the dead? But what does 12 Step Founder Bill Wilson do? He calls Carl Jung a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. So Christians should not be promoting AA or Bill Wilson's 12 Step Program, but rather renouncing it. They should be running from it!
Christian 12 Step Programs such as Celebrate Recovery all are branches off of the same AA thornbush that Bill Wilson founded. Don't Christians ever ask, "Where did that idea come from? Who is Bill Wilson? Did he fear the Lord?” Without that he did not even have the beginning of wisdom! Many Christians have the idea that they can use a man-made system replete with pagan and occultic content and simply say that Jesus is the "Higher Power." Since when did the Lord ever bless or borrow from any pagan system or religion, science falsely so called, or principles of this world to put his seal of approval on it? This is another Jesus....a conjured Jesus. Besides, Jesus is not a string of principles we follow, he is a person we follow. He is not a “higher power.” He is the highest! “Glory to God in the Highest!” And he is all powerful!!
Carl Jung, whom Bill Wilson admired so much, also believed in an Aryan Jesus. Do you have any idea what this "another Jesus" is that Paul would have said that Carl Jung follows? The answer is that Carl Jung's (another Jesus) ideas about Jesus were derived from Aryan pagan mythology. Yet they keep saying "but this has helped me and so many other people." But this is the same echo I hear from people in cults, such as The Way International, that my family member was in. Who decides what help even means? Our own subjective definition of help, or the Lord's objective Word and plumb line?
Did Carl Jung inquire of the Lord or familiar spirits? Did he fear the Lord? So
what business does Bill Wilson have in claiming Carl Jung as a co-founder? More
importantly, what business does a Christian have in saying that there is any
light in them? Isaiah asks why are God's people seeking the answers from the
dead. Jesus asked a similar question: "Why seeking ye the living among the
dead?" Today I ask the same question: Why are Christians seeking help from
consulting with the dead? Why are not Christians asking what God requires of
us? Why do they continue to seek counsel from the ungodly? Why are they using
the scrolls of someone who received their blueprints from the dead. The early
Christians in the Book of Acts did not think this was a good idea! They burned
the scrolls containing magic arts!
But what is the Church doing today? They've turned Psychology and the 12 Step
Program into a billion dollar industry....and if we oppose them, they claim it
is we who have lost our way! It is we who are forced out of the church.
Believe me, I can document families that were removed from their church because
they rightfully opposed Rick Warren and Bill Hybel's teachings and programs as
unbiblical.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest,
whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things
[are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue,
and if [there be] any praise, think on these things." Philemon 4:8
So what is pure about ideas drawn from paganism, astrology, divination,
necromancy, evolution, as that is precisely where Carl Jung got his ideas, from
his own testimony? The Lord calls all of these an abomination. The Church now
calls it "help for the hurting!"
It is amazing to me that Christians would be so passionate in saying that there is no such thing as Christian Astrology, Christian Paganism, Christian New Age, Christian Eastern Meditation, Christian Atheist Communism, Christian Nazism, Christian Divination, Christian Baal Worship, Christian Necromancy, Christian Evolution (i.e, that Christ descended from an Ape), and Christian Numerology. But as soon as you oppose Psychology, Personality Profiling, and 12 Step Programs as not being Christian, they oppose you even to the point of removing you from the church.....even though Personality Profiling and the 12 Step Program are derived from many of these very same doctrines of demons. Christians just don't get it. Jesus could not be more clear when he stated that you can't get figs from a thornbush.
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” Mathew 7:16
“For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.” Luke 6:44
The Apostle James agrees:
“Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” James 3:12
But Christians following Carl Jung or his disciple Bill Wilson think you can. They argue "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." Where in the Scripture is that teaching? And even if true, what about Bill Wilson who says other higher powers are OK too (this is the baby)? No, you should throw out the baby and the bathwater. Where in the Bible is there one single precedent for the Lord sanctifying, integrating, adding unto any other religion or philosophy in the Bible? Did he take the best (the baby) out of the Mystery Religion of Babylon? Did he borrow from Molech? Asteroth? Baal? Anything from sun worship in Egyptian? Here is Jeremiah's answer to the idea that we can just take the good things from the teachings of false prophets or teachers (keep the baby...throw out the bath water):
Jer 23:31-32: Behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
Did Paul borrow from any of the Greek Pagan Philosophies or Religions? The answer is absolutely NO! Paul did not borrow from any of them! So, let's see what Paul thought about integrating ideas from the world's wisdom of philosophy and psychology:
1 Corinthians 1:17 ...but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Well maybe Paul left it out for us to add. Let's see what he says about that idea:
1Cr 4:6: And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another
Paul said in Acts 20:26,27, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
So, what counsel did Paul leave out?
So what Scriptural authority are you using to integrate, add, or sanctify Bill Wilson's 12 Step Program? Isn't this a classic case of changing the names of the guilty to protect the guilty?
Now more specifically to answer your question why I am inquiring. My basis for inquiry regarding teaching is always based on believing that the Bible is our ultimate and final authority. So my inquiry to you is the same question. Ezekiel would ask, that Isaiah would ask, and what the Apostle Paul would ask and commands us to ask. But also, it is the Scripture that tell us what we are to do about it..i.e, we must go beyond informing, we must warn, guard the sheep, expose false teaching, and rebuking false teaching. We can't agree to disagree about the “nuances” as you call them.. We are commanded to contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. How do we expose the deeds of darkness, and reprove them, if indeed such deeds are purely subjective.....whose to judge? Here are the Scriptures::
Tts 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tts 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
Does this Scripture sound like "debating over nuances" to you?
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Does this Scripture sound like "debating over nuances" to you?
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Does this Scripture sound like "debating over nuances" to you?
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Once again, One of the surest ways to establish whether something is a doctrine of the devil is to inquire where an idea came from and what does the person teaching it believe about Jesus? The second sure test is if ANY of the ideas of this person are specifically prohibited in the Bible or even called an abomination. That is how we know that Carl Jung and Bill Wilson's teachings do not line up with Scripture. So instead of promoting them, we need to repent of believing their ideas. But we must also doubly repent if we are teaching and promoting their ideas. A teacher is held to a stricter accounting. And anyone who stumbles the least one of these my children, Jesus says of them it would be better to have a millstone tied around their neck and tossed into the deepest sea! And there is a third test like the first two. This test is not whether something is subjectively determined to be helpful or pleasing to the Lord. This was Saul's argument for using some of the plunder for a "helpful" and "pleasing" sacrifice to the Lord. Saul justified in the same manner that you are justifying the 12 Step Program...and he did the same thing...he wrapped his idea in the Lord's Name and brought forth the sacrifice in the Name of the Lord and for the Lord. But God rejected his offer in saying that "obedience is better than sacrifice." In the end Saul's disobedience cost him his life. See: I Samuel Chapter 13. Also see I Samuel Chapter 28 where Saul visits the Witch of Endor and practices divination and necromancy in bringing up Samuel. (Carl Jung practiced exactly the same thing when he conjured up the demonic spirit guided Philemon.)
Hebrews Chapter 3 reiterates this exact same point about obedience in saying that the NO ONE entered God's rest who was disobedient! The Lord destroyed a whole generation. So my question for you is: "Is the 12 Step Program" obeying the Lord...even though it is wrapped in the language of Zion?" Do you really believe that you can enter God's rest, if there is anything disobedient in the 12 Step Program? I have proved with the Scriptures above in testing the ideas of Wilson and Jung (as have many God-fearing scholars that I have sent you) that no one would be obeying the Lord that following this man-made model of works! You can't borrow Bill Wilson's ideas, then called them sanctified before the Lord! And if it is not sanctified, it is disobedience. So your proposition that this is a Biblical model completely collapses. You cannot simply construct an edifice on top of a false foundation and because you call it Christ too by substituting Scriptures that this is pleasing to the Lord. Bill Wilson's 12-Step House is not built by the Lord.
"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain." Psalm 127:1
Some of your argument for the 12 Step Program and again the one commonly used is:
"The 12 Step program works and thru it, I learned about Christ and gave my life to him, at which point my drinking stopped and living began."
My question for you is how did people with a drinking problem for the last nineteen hundred years come to Christ who did not have the 12 Step Program? The Bible says "faith cometh by hearing"....Scripture. There is not another way. And there is not a way that combines two ways into one. I stopped drinking about seventeen years ago without the 12 Step Program. It took one step: I repented!! But that should not be a surprise...and there is nothing special about me, as the Scripture says God is not a respecter of persons. EVERYONE is required to do it the same way...whether it was at the time of Jonah and the City of Nineveh, the time of Jesus, the time of Paul, or today! So there is ONE Step to stop and then sanctification begins which once again only the Holy Spirit can do via his Scriptures. Sanctification (not even mentioned in Bill Wilson's 12 Step Program) is a life long process that uses the ENTIRE BIBLE. ALL SCRIPTURE.....not a mere 12 verses that even Bill Wilson did not use. Where in any of Bill Wilson's teaching is the concept of sanctification? And subsequent to Salvation there is no Biblical justification for the order of the 12 Steps. Where are the other thousands of verses of Scripture in The 12 Step Program?
"All scripture (not just 12 verses for 12 steps)* [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3:17 *parenthesis mine
So, if a man of God is made perfect with the Scripture alone, what does adding Bill Wilson's 12 Step Program add? The above Bible verse teaches that a man is now "thoroughly" furnished. The 12-Step Program suggests that he isn't. All Scripture enables a man to do ALL good works. So what is lacking in ALL? Doesn't all mean all? What good work does the 12 Step Program enable us to do that Scripture is deficient or anemic in its ability to do this everything? Isn't it amazing that all of the martyred and persecuted saints and all those Christians, all over the world, for nearly two thousand years, somehow managed to achieve everything the 12 Steps are purportedly able to do but WITHOUT the 12 Step Program? This would apply to the majority of Christians throughout the world even today who have never heard of the 12 Step Program ("Christian" or non-Christian version). Somehow all of these Christians were made perfect with Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura....what the whole Reformation was about)! Somehow they were thoroughly furnished! Somehow they were able to do all good works. That is until the 12 Step Program came along. Right? Of course not! Then this Scripture no longer applied or only partially applied, or was integrated with a Jesus version. It is a good thing too, because we might never have found Jesus to follow and obey were it not for this program.
Another common argument : "We believe in the program and have Willowcreek's blessing for doing what we are doing. Does any of the rest matter except for those that like to debate the nuances?"
The issue here is not whether you have Willowcreek's blessing, but whether you have the Lord's blessing. The Lord's blessing is not determined because even a large number of people feel blessed or "experience" a blessing, or a burning in the bosom. The criteria for blessing must first meet the litmus test of Scripture. It is objectively determined NOT subjectively determined. And there is not "the rest of the matter." Once an idea does not meet Scriptural criteria we don't even get to "the rest." Secondly this is not a matter of debating "nuances". It is a matter of sound doctrine. It is a matter of another Jesus. It is a matter of another gospel. Paul would not say it does not matter. He would say "let those who preach another gospel be eternally condemned." Galatians 1:9 That is unless they repent! In the last two documents, and in this letter I sent you it is clearly demonstrated how the 12 Step Program does not line up with the plumb line of Scripture.
Now there is another major problem with the 12 Step Program whether or not it is somehow "Christian," that was not addressed in the earlier documents I sent you. That has to do with Church Discipline. This is very crucial, because it determines whether or not Jesus or the Apostle Paul would endorse or sign off on this Program. I addressed this issue in my article entitled: "Sinners Anonymous!"
SINNERS-ANONYMOUS---IS THIS A BIBLICAL MODEL?
This morning I was curious why the word "anonymous" is in Alcoholics Anonymous, particularly since Anonymous groups are pillars in the PDC/CGM Theology through such programs as Celebrate Recovery. So I went to the AA website and found out. Something seemed rotten in the State of Denmark, but I could not quite put my finger on it. I knew the CGM/PDC has a host of Anonymous Programs in its churches and curriculum, including a sexaholics anonymous type of program. There are several problems I have with the program in general, Biblically speaking, such as we are "powerless." Would a sex offender say he is powerless to obey God? Or if he has a victim mentality, would he say, "I just can't help myself from molesting children"? These issues, including the concerns over “a higher power” are well known and addressed already. But the "anonymous" issue stuck in my craw. This was not as easy to discern, as there are issues of sin in our lives which could remain anonymous, or at least known to only those involved in the offense (both the perpetrator and the victim(s) and to one or more who are spiritual to help lead them to repentance.) But here is the major breakdown with "anonymous" regarding what the Bible says about it. First, I can not find anywhere in the Bible where it recommends putting all of the people with the same problem in a targeted group where they can commiserate and help each other "recover". If you have seven pedophiles in the church, do you create a class and put them all together? Doesn't I Corinthians 15:33 read "Do not be deceived: "bad company corrupts good morals." Does it say put them in the same group? Or do you mark each and every one of them to identify them and then separate them out from the flock (and each other)? The Bible teaches that you would surround each one with good examples and the spiritually mature. Another glaring problem I see is that the Anonymous charter gives a type of diplomatic immunity, whereby the individual NEVER has to be exposed publicly, or before the congregation according to Matthew 18 or Ephesians Chapter Five, unless, the individual chooses to do so. And this anonymity is supported and defended by the "anonymous" charter. So, for example, if a brother in the Church (whether a member or not) were confronted for sexual adultery or fornication, was confronted by one or more other brothers or sisters (still note no group of other like offenders), then the Elders if he or she still has not repented (still no group), then before the entire congregation (still no group of like offenders), the Biblical procedure of Church Discipline is preserved. Finally, should the brother or sister not repent, removal from that local Body of Christ should be Biblically exercised and mandated. But even then, after this sinner is turned over to the other "higher power", Satan himself, there is still a pathway of restoration left open for this fallen brother or sister to return to the church. But this person must still repent and once restored demonstrate the fruit of his or her repentance. But with the "anonymous" model or charter, such as a Sexaholics Anonymous type group that is promoted by a host of PDC/CGM programs, the person committing these ongoing acts could cling to the pre-agreed arrangement and charter position of remaining "anonymous." Who could then pierce this veil of unbiblical protection? This person could remain sexually anonymous...and active, and repent publicly only at his or her own behest, and remain so forever. If someone were to confront him or her, this person could say "but you told me I could remain anonymous, and besides the charter permits me to remain anonymous....and you can't violate my anonymity and confidentiality!" Should any who is wise among them decide to act Biblically, they would violate the "anonymous" charter, and the person in this group would easily be able to challenge any person who broke this confidence. Of course, were a brother to decide to act Biblically in this example, he would be branded intolerant, unforgiving, and insensitive to Harry or Mary's felt needs! So sin in the body, or such leaven could continue to work until the entire lump is leavened with impunity.
So let us examine more thoroughly if, in fact, the Bible really does support the idea of "anonymous" groups within the ongoing body life of the church as well as it pertains to the procedure for Church Discipline.
Does "anonymous" sound like what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:7: "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."?
Is "anonymous" what Paul meant in Ephesians 5:11 when he writes: "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."
Is "anonymous" what Paul meant in 1Timothy 5:20 when he writes: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."
Is "anonymous" what Paul meant in 1Corinthians 5:1-11: "It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you.... when ye are gathered together (i.e, in the church).... To deliver such an one unto Satan (in other words REMOVE him from the church) for the destruction of the flesh.... Your glorying [is] not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? But now I have written unto you not to keep company (or does it say form a fornicators anonymous group and keep them in the church?), if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
Is "anonymous" what Paul meant in: 2 Corinthians 13:1 "This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."
13:1 Deut. 19:15
Does "anonymous" sound like what Ezekiel meant in: Ezekiel 33:6 “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand."
No, Sinners-anonymous groups have no place in church life because there is simply no foundation for it Biblically. (Plug any word you want in front of the word anonymous...see "anonymics anonymous" below.)
In terms of conversation and story-telling in anonymous or Celebrate Recover Groups, Scripture actually gives the opposite counsel about what not to speak about what these people do in private. The inverse of this is what we are to speak...
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Jam 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.
Finally, the Bible does not speak of rounding up a group of like, or targeted sinners that I can recall, except to destroy them, e.g., the earth swallowing up the murmurers and God slaughtered of the company of false prophets. It is he or she who is more spiritual, one who first goes to the fallen brother to gently restore him or her. The only time a group appears is when the many who are spiritual go to the ONE brother or sister to confront...the next group is the congregation. But it is always a process of putting the sinner in good company, not bad company with more bad company to corrupt their morals even further. There is absolutely NO model in Scripture for this “group think.” The only example I can possibly think of is a hospital...and you could argue that the church is a hospital of sinners. But carefully note that no one goes to the hospital to hang around and get well from someone else with the exact same disease....it is the doctors and nurses and equipment they surround themselves with...but these are all WELL PEOPLE, and medically trained staff, all of whom would be disqualified in an Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery Group, RIGHT?
If the church uses AA or any one of its many 12 Step hybrids, why don't they call alcoholism what the Bible calls it: "drunkards." It never ONCE calls it a disease! IT never once calls a drunkard a victim, though there certainly are victims of drunkards, such as car accident victims and battered wives. And even if the higher power is Jesus (as though Jesus could be a force vs. a person, or a Tarot Card, or a Ouija Board, or a Crystal Ball....as though Jesus can be summoned up...that is pure sorcery), it is of no value, because the prayer is asking the higher power for something Jesus would never ask us to pray. He never told us to pray that we recover from being a nonexistent victim. He never told us to pray that we recover from having a nonexistent disease. He never told us to pray that we recover from being born a drunk. He would never ask us to pray a prayer that we are powerless to obey, when he already told us that obedience is ALWAYS an option over disobedience (Romans 1:21 says that NONE are with excuse). He never told us to pray that we will always be in a perpetual state of being a "recovering alcoholic", so Lord, help me stay in a state of recovery, but never be FREE or delivered. He never told us to pray that we recover when he already told us to repent. I did a search for the word recovery throughout the entire Bible. It always meant either property or land being recovered, or recovering from a physical disease, so that recovery meant being restored to a previous state of being healthy physically. Never once did it refer to behavior or recovering from what comes out of the heart of man. Never!!
Phl 4:6 Be careful (anxious) for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.
Phl 4:7 And the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.
If we do this how does this leave any room or any need for AA, THRIVE, PDC, CGM, SHAPE, Temperament Tests (based on theories of Occultist and atheist Carl Jung), or Celebrate Recovery? Note further that the peace of God exceeds understanding, or leaning unto your own understanding. So at best, even with hidden knowledge of ourselves revealed to our understanding, we are still left with only our understanding which can NOT release the peace of God. So our hope of peace is crippled on both counts and can never walk if gleaned from any form of Psychology or Anonymous Group.
Now I could not help but wonder what would happen if someone in a recovery group DID violate the anonymity agreement of confidentiality? Would they be kicked out? Are you kicked out of the membership of just the group, or the group and the church? Can you be a member of the group without being a member of the church? Now, assuming the worst, and they are kicked out for violating anonymity, do they go form a separate Celebrate Recovery Group and entitle it:
Anonymics Anonymous
(a group of people who are struggling with keeping their mouths shut)?
When you join this group you vow to keep everything said in the group confidential, the only way you are kicked out is if you gossip....three times and you're out. I have never heard of such a group, and if it did ever exist, it could only last a nanosecond, as who could keep their mouths shut any longer? Now, do I have any takers? Imagine standing up before the group and announcing "I am a recovering anonymic", then tell your story about your history of telling these strangers all the names and places of people you know things about, but I just can't help myself telling you about them. Then another anonymics victim stands up and says "that's nothing", you should hear about all of the people I have talked about, and after you just stood up and gave your testimony, I just could not help myself and had to stand up to tell my story too! What is really great about this group, is that everyone in here has a story to tell...no one in here who does not struggle with keeping anything in confidence... Now I take it when everyone has reached a state of recovery, the testimonies will dwindle and their testimonies will be shorter, eventually, the group will have no members.
Strange Fire in the Theater
So much for casting down vain strongholds of imagination! Anyone who yells fire in a crowded theater has done a favor to everyone by warning them to evacuate immediately. However, if they discover there is no fire and he yells fire on a future occasion, no one would listen, thinking the man is a fool. So one day there was a real fire..and he yelled fire.. Of course, no one listened and only the fool was saved..everyone else burned to death in the theater. Today we have a different twist on this story. Today we have a raging strange fire in the theater (church), but NO ONE is yelling fire and no one is evacuating. No one is sound an alarm on His Holy Hill! In fact, multitudes more are actually crowding into the theater to hear the strange fire and recruit more multitudes, even going into the highways and byways to compel people to come into this feast of strange fire...like myriads of moths drawn to the flame. But in the end there will be only dead spiritual carcasses, but you who are truly redeemed will hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, and you will listen to him who with a still small voice is speaking to your heart that there is a fire in the theater, but it is not the God’s fire of Pentecost, but strange fire, and you will flee the theater, hating even the garments that have been singed and scorched, abhorring the smell of the smoke of the strange fire in the garments. But praise the Lord, you will be saved out of it.....that is if you obey the voice of the Lord and flee and don't look back!
Kindest regards in Christ,
James Sundquist
“DAY 20 Restoring Broken Fellowship” begins on Page 152
PAGE 154
Rick Warren quotes Matt 5:23-24 MSG. This is another corrupt translation because the text in the Greek does not say the offended brother has a grudge. That makes it appear that the victim is the one with the problem. The offended brother might have a legitimate grievance!
PAGE 155
Rick Warren quotes Job 5:2, 18:4 where he recommends following Job's friends' advice. But the Lord stated to Job that his friends needed to repent of their advice. Rick Warren knows that as he later even quotes the verse in Job where the Lord tells Job that it is his friends that need to repent.
PAGE 158
Rick Warren quotes Matt 5:9 MSG: “You're blessed when you show you can cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you are and your place in God's family.” Compare this translation to the KJV:
Mat 5:9 Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
This translation is so far off the mark, you have to wonder if you have the same verse.
There is nothing about competing and fighting. Paul competed to run a good race to win the prize, and he fought the good fight. Omitted or taken away from the Scripture is “children of God,” and added to Scripture is a completely foreign idea of the New Age concept of “self-discovery.” Competitive vs. Cooperation is an idea we can trace back to Aristotle who wrote that it is those who cooperate who are happy. These terms have also now been integrated into Carl Jung's evolution based personality theory (Source: http://www.hrdt.bigstep.com/generic74.html & http://www.braintypes.com/16_types.htm). Rick Warren has done the same by integrating Jung's Theory into his SHAPE Program. Jung's name is not mentioned, but his fingerprints and terms are all over Rick Warren's SHAPE Program. All of the pastors who read this book and implement Rick Warren's SHAPE program should have recognized this corrupt rendering. Any Christian reasonably grounded in His Word should equally recognize it. In addition to the documentary above exposing these facts, you can also confirm it by obtain the SHAPE profile directly from Saddleback Church which Rick Warren recommends in his resources in Appendix 2. Look for the “P” Questionnaire in his SHAPE Questionnaire which will be approximately pages 14-15. Also see Pages 251-252 Commentary below for more proof that Rick Warren employs these terms in his SHAPE Program.
PURPOSE THREE SECTION:
“YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST”
“DAY 21 Protecting Your Church” begins on Page 160
PAGE 160-161
Rick Warren: “Unity is the soul of fellowship.” “But for unity's sake [emphasis mine] we must never let our differences divide us.”
This is the great argument for ecumenism in which Rick Warren reveals his true colors throughout this book as I have documented. But unity can never be at the expense of truth! The fact is that doctrine DOES divide and it is intended to:
1Cr 11:19 For there must be also heresies (divisions) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Tts 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
No, unity is not the soul of fellowship, truth is the soul of true fellowship. Light can not have fellowship (unity) with darkness. What does the cup of Belial and the cup of the Lord have in common? If we don't let our differences divide us (other than non-essentials such as days and diet) we are on a sure path to heresy!
PAGE 162
Rick Warren: “Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to less important things.”
Tell this to Martin Luther who penned the 95 Thesis in which conflict was the focus of the MOST important things! Rick Warren then calls interpretations “disputable matters.” Interpretation of Scripture is not a less important thing nor is it a disputable matter. Peter says that “No Scripture is open to private interpretation.” So private interpretations SHOULD produce conflict and correction! Rick Warren then calls styles and methods disputable matters that we should not engage in, yet disparages a host of other church styles and methods in his Purpose Driven Church book.
PAGE 163
It is ironic that Rick Warren quotes Dietrich Bonnhoffer regarding disillusionment with the church during Hitler's reign so that we should not divorce the church. But thank God Bonnhoffer DID divorce the church for its allegiance to Hitler and then help build the underground church. Finally we are not really married to the Church in the first place, we as the Bride of Christ (both individually and corporate) are bethrothed to Christ the Groom. For a Christian to be married to the Church would mean they are married to themselves.
PAGE 164
Rick Warren: “God warns us over and over not to criticize, compare, or judge each other.” “Whenever I judge another believer, four things instantly happen: I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride, I set myself to be judged by God, and I harm the fellowship of the church.”
Many have asked what problems I had with any of his specific purposes. Well I don't even agree with his first purpose. In fact, we don't even have to proceed past Rick Warren's Purpose One, which is: “Your were planned for God's pleasure” because it is found nowhere in Scripture. So if somehow, you have gotten this far in his book and still have not rejected in outright, this should give you grounds. We do find God's purpose for man in the following Scripture, and note there is only one purpose, not five.”
"Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." Isaiah 43:7"
This statement is under his Purpose Three Section “You Were Created to Become Like Christ.” Except for the connotation that the Word of Faith Movement gives this phrase that we can become gods and can do what God does, I can agree that we are to be conformed to his image and will be like him when Christ returns. But if we are to be like Christ, we must obey him and his Scripture. So his statement collides with a number of Scriptures; thus I can't agree with his purpose since its subtitles and paragraphs contain untruths! So this is just one example of how God's purpose differs from Warren statement of Gods' purpose.
Yes there are Scriptures that teach us not to judge, but Rick Warren is leaving out the Scriptures that do teach us to judge and how to judge. Rick Warren's teaching that we are not to criticize nor judge each other (that you and I can “agree to disagree”) does not conform with a host of Scriptures, commanding us to correct, admonish, reprove, rebuke, and in some cases even rebuke sharply.
Ezekiel's Watchman passage applies to a righteous man, not just to Ezekiel. We can “agree to disagree” with non-essentials such as diet and days of the week; however, we can't agree to disagree about Doctrine. We are commanded to contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. If these deeds are purely subjective, then how are we to obey God’s Word, thereby exposing and reproving the deeds of darkness? And if we don’t follow God’s Word in this matter, then what person is it who can judge?
Here are some of the Scriptures which collide with Rick Warren's advice:
Tts 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
(See page 4 of this document for the Greek rendering of this passage.)
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Does this Scripture sound like “It's the Devil's job to blame, complain, and criticize members of God's family” as Rick Warren advises?
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Again, does this Scripture sound like “It's the Devil's job to blame, complain, and criticize members of God's family,” as Rick Warren states?
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
I don't know how many times I have heard the expression “Don't criticize what God is blessing” in defense of Rick Warren's teachings and movement. This presumes, of course, that Warren’s teachings and movement are indeed being blessed of God! Defending Rick Warren by using the above expression, also has a distinct way of silencing any who would speak out against him!
However, we have a clearly different example in Scripture. The Apostle Paul criticized Peter because he was clearly in the wrong and Paul acted righteously in opposing him. According to Warren’s warning (above) Peter should not have experienced further blessings, and Paul would suffer because he judged and criticized Peter! And we know by God’s Word that neither of these things is true.
Furthermore, Paul did not “expose his pride or lose fellowship with God?” Did he not “set himself up to be judged by God”? And he certainly did not “harm the fellowship of the Church” by opposing Peter, Hymenaus & Alexander, and many others whom he named, as Rick Warren confesses were his consequences for acting in the same manner. Paul's criticism not did not harm the Church but safeguarded the church, as he opposed these men publicly before the whole church that ALL might fear the Lord.
Upon inquiring of the various ministries and individuals who have challenged or opposed Rick Warren's teaching, I learned that these Christians (who were simply trying to be good Bereans in searching the Scriptures to see if these things be so) have often been accused of: attacking a brother or sister in the Lord, bashing, smearing, touching God's anointed, not following Matthew 18, etc. It is getting to the point that even with the meekest and gentlest and kindest of voices you cannot and dare not correct or reprove a Christian leader.
I am desperate to know if there is ever any situation in which these people think that correcting, opposing, rebuking, rebuking sharply, reproving, warning, silencing voices which ruin whole households, entreating, bringing an accusation against an elder with two or more witnesses, taking a brother before the entire church, turning a brother over to Satan, calling for repentance, admonishing, warning, appealing, expelling (which are all verbs the Apostle Paul used) is NOT harming these great leaders or tearing down the Church.
Furthermore, it does NOT mean those who obey God...by correcting a church leader...are like the Devil, the accuser of the brethren as Rick Warren suggests. Rather, they are actually helping these leaders and the church.
One of the best articles I have ever read that refutes Rick Warren's position that Christians should not judge Christians, is entitled “Is It Right To Judge” by HORATIUS BONAR and may be found at:
http://cnview.com/on_line_resources/is_it_right_to_judge.htm
Finally, isn't Rick Warren unrighteously judging another Christian when he first assesses whether or not they can even become a member of his church, and when he later removes them from membership if they fail to participate in his plans?
PAGE 167
Rick Warren: “At Saddleback Church, every member signs a covenant that promises to protect the unity of the church.”
Two problems with this statement. One is signing a covenant which is addressed in the commentary on Page 13 above and the other pertains to unity at what price addressed in the commentary on Page 160-161 above.
“DAY 22 Created to Become Like Christ” begins on Page 171
“DAY 23 How We Grow” begins on Page 179
PAGE 181
Rick Warren: “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.”
The truth is that psychologists NEVER understood it and still don't because their world view is the opposite of Christianity's. But is not surprising that Rick Warren thinks that psychologists understand it now because he promotes and endorses so many of them and has integrated psychological profiling into his SHAPE Program. He quotes Proverbs 4:23 to prove this. But this verse states:
Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
Jesus reaffirms this:
Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Psychologists don't believe the above Proverb anymore than they believe the Proverb that says the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
But psychologists such as Jung, that Rick Warren uses in his personality profiling, believe that it is out of our unconscious and collective unconscious pour the issues of life. Psychologists don't agree on much, but they do agree that the nature of man is not what is described in the Bible. For those who are still not sure whether or not psychologists even presently understand why we behave the way we do and what is the solution, I invite you to read my book review of Psychology Debunked, then read the book at:
http://www.psychologydebunked.com/sundquistreview.htm
PAGE 184
Rick Warren quotes Romans 12:2b TEV: “Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”
It is surprising to me that Rick Warren would quote this verse which tells us that the perfect will of God in a believer can be achieved by the renewing of our mind which we are able to fully do with Scripture alone and prayer, that Rick Warren would suggest we need his SHAPE program in order to find God's will and purpose for our life. This is one of many verses I would quote to refute Rick Warren's theology.
“DAY 24 Transformed by Truth” begins on Page 185
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