Rick Warren/Purpose Driven Expose' Thread

[bygrace]

Rick Warren's teachings compared to the Bible

Rick Warren teaches: "Learn To Love Yourself!"

The Bible teaches: "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal," John 12:25.


Rick Warren teaches: "Be true to yourself"

The Bible teaches: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9.   


Rick Warren teaches:  "God accepts us unconditionally"

The Bible teaches: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him," John 3:36.


Rick Warren teaches: "Self-esteem still wobbly after all these years?"

The Bible teaches: "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not....Wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Romans 7:18, 24.


Rick Warren teaches: "God doesn't expect perfection, but he does insist on honesty."

The Bible teaches: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," Matthew 5:48.


Rick Warren teaches: "Believe in yourself"

The Bible teaches: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16.


Rick Warren teaches: "You can believe what others say about you, or you can believe in yourself as does God."

The Bible teaches: "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.  But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man," John 2:23-25.


Compare The Command Of Jesus To The Self Love Man Centered Preaching Of Rick Warren

[eastwood]

Very timely bit of stuff! I think it belongs in the KJV Bible Study... "something" just seems to tell me that.

I wish that comparison was on the back cover of every one of RW's books. 

[menas]

I wish that comparison was on the back cover of every one of RW's books. 

Do you think it would make a difference east? Maybe I am a pessimist, but imho I think it would not. Most of those people HAVE read their Bible and DO know that there are differences of 'opinions' between the two books. But they CHOOSE to ignore the one and prefer the other. Each one for ones own reasons, and there are many of those excuses available. But the end result is the same.

The very same thing happens with many many many other teachings which men prefer over the Word. And I am not refering to unbelievers but to believers all around the world.
The most common of those teachings are called "traditions of the fathers" and can be found in various denominations. When the comparison shows a different p.o.v. they choose to put their faith in men.

And one can easily foresee how a great number of believers will swallow the great delusion. Since if they do not love the truth enough to choose the right side between the words of men and the Word of G d, how can they do so when the word of the adversary himself comes into the scene and both the degree of the deception AND the numbers of its followers will reach a climax. If one cannot swim against a small current, how will one swim against a flood!

Unfortunately, there is nothing that WE can do to help them. Even if we did print the comparison at the back of each book, the end result would be the same. It has been happening for more than two thousand years. And indeed it IS a mystery howeven well versed people can suddenly become so blind. A mystery of iniquity.

Does this mean that we must stop speaking out the Truth? No way. Just that we should lower our expectations of making any difference. Only He can make any difference, as we all know well by now.

All WILL have their fair chance to open their eyes and reallign their priorities. Believers and unbelievers. Even through fire. But only few will. VERY few. 

in Him
m   

[eastwood]

I hear you, menas...

Maybe I am just foolish, but I still think that there are quite a few lazy Christians who "don't have the time in their busy schedules" to do their own leg-work with the Bible. They prefer to have pastors that they trust, who spoon-feed them little golden nuggets (which tend to have the quailty of a Chicken McNugget, rather than gold!).

I was like that when my career was young... zoom, zoom, zoom... never enough time. My 15 minutes of "radio preacher on the way to work" felt like enough "Bible" for the day. It wasn't that I felt unconfident of my ability to understand the Bible, however... I just didn't have any more time than that for Him.

I fear that many "believers" also believe the lie that they need a pastor to teach them, rather than just letting the Holy Spirit do His job.

They trust in man, rather than God. Impatience seems to be what kills...

[Linda]

I think that you are right Eastwood. People do think they need someone to teach them and they think because one stands behimd a pulpit or has a TV show or a book on the Best Seller's List they are an authority. This is because few understand Biblical Authority period.

I read a recent Barna Poll that said that more than 50% of America's pastors do not have a Biblical Worldview.

Then you take that and the people that are taught by them and put them in front of the Boob Tube and give someone that has not been sent out and has no spiritual elders and has no form of acountibility from anyone but themselves and maybe or maybe not has a seminary education from some college where the professors also do not have a Biblical world view and you wonder why there is no power in the church and why the church is as steeped in divorce, and depression, and financial ruin, and all other manner of things that plague the world.

Whom the SON sets free is free indeed, but few, very few have been set free and it is to our shame!

1 Corinthians 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, [/u] that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

[bygrace]

 

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5)


"An empty mind seeks pleasure as a substitute for happiness."

[SoftTouch]

If you want to TRULY Understand what is WRONG with “The Purpose Driven Life” and Warren's teachings then I Highly recommend you read these two articles.

The Adulation of Man in the The Purpose Driven Life
http://www.bereanbeacon.o...warren_purpose_driven.htm


The Purpose Driven Life: Demeaning the Very Nature of God
http://www.bereanbeacon.o...rren_purpose_driven_2.htm


They are just too long to post here, but they explain (Scripturally) WHY what Warren is teaching is a False Gospel and is deceiving SO Many People!

[bygrace]

I just received in the mail, from our former church- they are now starting the 40 days of community program.

I still have a few friends there and have emailed info regarding the problems with the pdl stuff...they aren't listening.

I just wanted to puke when this came in the mail, it is so far away from what that church taught originally 5 yrs ago.

they went through the 40 days of purpose two yrs ago- abnd gradually went downhill, so we left.

Here is an excerpt from the newsletter we received:

What will happen in the 40 days of Community Groups?

God has created humankind to exist as social beings, but we live in an increasingly isolated world. These groups will give each person an opportunity to get to know other people at (church name) as you learn and minister together. This is a huge part of what being the church, the body of Christ is all about!

and it goes on...

I don't know where to begin when talkibg with my friends that are still there.
I am just sick over the whole thing.

bygrace

[SoftTouch]

You might want to pick up a copy of this book:  "Who's Driving the Purpose Driven Church"  by James Sandquist.  It goes through a lot of the 40days stuff and shows how it is unBiblical.  You can get it at the Cutting Edge Ministry here:  http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=992

It's only $14.95

Here's the description:

The "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren has become a #1 bestseller and has been distributed to over 180,000 pastors worldwide. His theology has infiltrated almost every Christian denomination, coming like a flood into a city, leaving no house untouched. It is imperative we "test the spirits" of his teachings to see if they come from God.

This book complements both "Deceived On Purpose" and "Outcome-Based Religion". This book exposes Rick Warren's SHAPE Program and its Carl Jung occultic foundation. This shocking revelation proves that Rick Warren is really practicing sorcery and even enforcing on members of his own congregation.

185 pages

(you might want to send it to your friends too, IF they'd read it)

[SoftTouch]

Seeker Sensitive/Purpose Driven EXPOSED for what it is!

I HIGHLY Recommend This Video!  This topic has been discussed at length on this and other boards, but this video shows the Path this 'movement' is leading towards in a very Clear and Eye Opening way!

http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=674

VHS  Manipulating The Christian Church Into Globalism  Diaprax - Video by Dr. Robert Klenck

It's on Sale now for $12.49 at the Cutting Edge.

Here's a little write up on it's content:

Jesus foretold that, at the End of the Age, a church would arise that would look and sound religious, but would lack the power thereof! This is a synopsis of what the seeker-sensitive or Church Growth Movement (CGM) is all about. Anyone with spiritual "ears to hear" and "eyes to see" should avoid this Latter Day apostasy at all costs.

Ian and I have just finished watching this video and have Every Intention to Share It with our Pastor and Elders.  I Pray others will do the same!

[pinky]

I can't wait to go home  .



http://www.talk2action.or...tory/2006/5/29/195855/959

The Purpose Driven Life Takers (Updated)

Imagine: you are a foot soldier in a paramilitary group whose purpose is to remake America as a Christian theocracy, and establish its worldly vision of the dominion of Christ over all aspects of life. You are issued high-tech military weaponry, and instructed to engage the infidel on the streets of New York City. You are on a mission - both a religious mission and a military mission -- to convert or kill Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, gays, and anyone who advocates the separation of church and state - especially moderate, mainstream Christians. Your mission is "to conduct physical and spiritual warfare"; all who resist must be taken out with extreme prejudice. You have never felt so powerful, so driven by a purpose: you are 13 years old. You are playing a real-time strategy video game whose creators are linked to the empire of mega-church pastor Rick Warren, best selling author of The Purpose Driven Life.


.....Is this paramilitary mission simulator for children anything other than prejudice and bigotry using religion as an organizing tool to get people in a violent frame of mind? The dialogue includes people saying, "Praise the Lord," as they blow infidels away.

....."We hope teenagers like the game," Mr. LaHaye told the Los Angeles Times.

....."It's absurd," said the video critic. "You can be the Christians blowing away the infidels, and if that doesn't hit your hot button, you can be the Antichrist blowing away all the Christians."

[SoftTouch]

This has to be the Sickest thing since the Crusades and the Inquisition...   

I sincerely hope everyone who reads this will WARN their Pastors and Brethern against this Anti-Christ Game!

[Kindgo]

http://www.abrahamic-fait...om/James...eace-plan.html

1. OPENING SONG AT RICK WARREN'S Global P.E.A.C.E. PLAN INAUGURATION


PURPLE HAZE

Rick Warren launched his Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan April 17, 2005 during Saddleback Church's 25th Anniversary celebration. During the unveiling he sang the Purple Haze song, written by Jimi Hendrix about the psychedelic drug LSD and demonic visions. Here are the lyrics:


Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze Lyrics


Purple haze all in my brain

Lately things just don't seem the same

Actin' funny, but I don't know why

'Scuse me while I kiss the sky

Purple haze all around

Don't know if I'm comin' up or down

Am I happy or in misery?

Whatever it is that girl put a spell on me

Purple haze all in my eyes

Don't know if it's day or night

You got me blowin', blowin' my mind

Is it tomorrow, or just the end of time?


(c)1967 Jimi Hendrix, Smash Hits album[3]

2. WHAT IS MISSING


What is startling about Rick Warren's Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan is not so much what it contains, but what it does NOT contain.

There is no mention of our Adversary in spiritual warfare. There is no mention of the Holy Spirit in Rick Warren's Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan. Bob DeWaay exposes this fatal flaw in his new book Redefining Christianity, Chapter Nine, Understanding the Purpose-Driven Movement, 21st Century Press, 2006.

Where is the Prince of the Power of the Air described in Scripture, which any Biblical Peace plan must take into account?

3. WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF EVIL?


If anyone on the earth should be able to define “evil”, it should be “America's Pastor,” but this is not the case. Here are some excerpts of what Rick Warren said at the July 2005 Aspen Institute, an organization that promotes the New Age [more accurately, the New World Order], where he was a featured speaker on the panel entitled: The Problem of Evil.[9]

“In fact, I don't think evil and sin are the same...


"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20


4. WHO'S LEADING?

Rick Warren expects to train and lead a billion-man Christian army.[22]

The obvious fuzzy math problem with this proclamation is that there aren't that many true Christians on the earth -- the majority will choose the wide highway to Hell:

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14 also see Matt. 20:16 and 22:14

“I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8

Warren's Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan contains no enforcement clause or declaration of who will enforce it whereas in Jesus Christ's worldwide peace, Jesus himself will rule with a rod of iron:

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” Revelation 12:5

It is Jesus Christ who will enforce the rule of ALL the nations, including the global governing of his worldwide plan of Peace (i.e., the Millennium). He will not be initiating Rick Warren's Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan; he will be enforcing his own.


In promoting his Plan, Warren is redefining the mission of the church. His idea is that we are to wipe out world problems and make the world a better place to live in before Christ returns. His program screams of Dominionist Theology[27] which teaches that Christ can't return until the Church takes over the earth. And his billion man army reminds me of two other “army” movements in the name of Jesus: The Army of Joel and the Manifest Sons of God who promote the false teaching in which they think the Lord has given them a mandate to take over the earth for Jesus so that he can return.

[artbook1611]

If I ever meet Mr.Warren on the street, I may just quickly cross over to the other side.  That would be alright, wouldnt it?

 

As for Purple Haze, thats the song I used to play while high on LSD. Later Hendrix died of an overdose ,if Im not mistaken.

[desertrose]

This guy is so scary isn't he?? What is even scarier is that so many churches got sucked into the 40 Days of Purpose programme and will continue blindly into his lair....

I have even read several books lately - which whilst most of the information in them has been really good - the sinners prayers offered in them to lead the unsaved readers to Christ....contain no mention of sin, repentance or forgiveness...just say " God I believe Jesus is Your Son and that He died for me..thank you for accepting me into Heaven".....we need to be really discerning in these last days !!

[SoftTouch]

This was sent to me via Email so I don't know where it originated (I'm guessing The Berean Call):

COMMENTARY
Fox News: "Can Rick Warren Save the Word?"

Every week I receive a copy of Rick Warren's e-newsletter that goes out to pastors and other church and ministry leaders around the world. And every week, I watch as this newsletter endorses, promotes, and exalts the names of people, books and organizations whose spirituality opposes biblical Christianity. In essence, this newsletter is like a slap in the face to those who, in years and centuries gone by, have died defending the true faith and the gospel message of Jesus Christ and did not compromise even unto their deaths.

In this week's newsletter, Rick Warren quotes Henri Nouwen, ( Dutch Catholic priest and Nouwen was thought to have struggled with the question of whether or not he was homosexual.)who, at the end of his life, said he was uncomfortable with those who say Jesus is the only way to salvation and that he wanted to help people find their own path to God. Nouwen is mentioned in nearly a dozen other newsletters by Rick Warren, and in one newsletter, Warren says his wife Kay loves the Nouwen book In the Name of Jesus, which has a chapter on contemplative prayer. In one week's newsletter, Warren devoted most of the issue to the emerging church, even posting a response to criticism by Emergent Leaders Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke and Tony Jones. McLaren is favorably quoted or mentioned in about seven other issues. Organizations like The Ooze (promoting the emerging church, contemplative and New Age spirituality) is recommended in three issues. Spencer Burke, director of The Ooze, affirms his contemplative sympathies when he says:

I stopped reading from the approved evangelical reading list and began to distance myself from the evangelical agenda. I discovered new authors and new voices at the bookstore- Thomas Merton(Buddhist/mystic), Henri Nouwen and St. Teresa of Avila. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. Contemplative spirituality seemed to open up a whole new way for me to understand and experience God. I was deeply moved by works like The Cloud of Unknowing, The Dark Night of the Soul and the Early Writings of the Desert Fathers."
The majority of Rick Warren's newsletters have at least one contemplative or emerging quote, endorsement or recommendation. Some of these weekly promotions include Youth Specialties, Leonard Sweet, Thomas Merton, Ken Blanchard, Laurie Beth Jones, Jim Wallis, and the list goes on and on. Basically, Rick Warren believes that contemplative/emerging spirituality is great and will lead many people closer to God!

This Sunday night, Fox news will be presenting a program called, "Can Rick Warren Change the World?" One Fox headline for this show said, "Can Rick Warren Save the World?" As church leaders and secular leaders alike have found themselves in awe of this man's Purpose Driven paradigm, I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, have been in awe too. But my amazement isn't over Rick Warren's plans to save the world; no, my amazement is over Christian leaders and their blindness to what is really taking place. They have been overtaken and lured by a seductive spirituality that calls itself Purpose Driven, emerging church, seeker-friendly and a number of other names but has its origin in the Garden of Eden when the serpent said, You will be like God.

Alice Bailey, the theosophist who coined the term New Age, said that the age of enlightenment (when everyone realizes they have divinity and are united with each other and creation) will not come to the earth around the Christian church but rather through it. When a New Age sympathizer like Leonard Sweet (author of Quantum Spirituality) can talk about global connectedness and God in all in one book then do an audio series with "America's pastor" just a few years later, and no one blinks an eye, then maybe Alice Bailey (who was instructed by her spirit guide)was right.

The Lord will preserve those who are His, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church, but the Bible also says that a great falling away will take place before the return of Christ, and if possible, even the elect will be deceived. May we, as believers, by the grace and strength of God, cling to that old rugged Cross that is offered so freely to those who call upon the name of the Lord. And may we stand boldly, as our brothers and sisters of past times did, defending the one message that can save.

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Apparently Fox News is airing a story about Warren:



Sun., August 20 at 8 p.m. ET
Hosted by David Asman

He's an evangelical superstar. His runaway best seller has transformed lives. But can Rick Warren's message change hell-on-Earth or has he bitten off more than he can chew?

This weekend, join host David Asman for a FOX News exclusive: "Purpose Driven Life: Can Rick Warren Change the World?"

We'll show you how Pastor Warren became one of the most influential religious leaders in America and built one of the largest evangelical churches in the nation.

We'll explore how he's transformed the lives of his readers by telling them to follow the plan God had for them.

And, we'll examine how Warren's wife convinced him to acknowledge that God had an even bigger plan for him: Can "A Purpose Driven Life" turn a battered people into a purpose driven nation?

FOX News had exclusive access as Warren set out to slay what he calls the global giants of disease, poverty, illiteracy and spiritual emptiness in a place where he'd easily find them: Rwanda.

Link:  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207509,00.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'll be sure NOT To Watch!

[Shewhohasears]

My sister and her husband are members at Saddleback. They were both saved in that church as was their son. That was in the early days of Saddleback when they were still meeting in a circus tent. I have seen them growing as Christians over the years and they truely love the Lord. But I have seen a change in the past few years. They have become absolutely fanatic in their devotion and adoration of Rick Warren. I am becoming increasingly concerned that something is amiss. I have flashbacks to Jim Jones and the People's temple. But that was microscopic in comparison to the megalithic empire that Saddleback has become. 

[SoftTouch]

I found this article linked to on RF and wanted to share it here:  (click on blue links to go to articles)

Rick Warren on ABC Nightline - ABC Misses the Mark


Source: Lighthouse Trails

Once again, the secular media has missed the mark in their reporting about Rick Warren. ABC News Nightline interviewed Warren on March 7 and kept only to the surface when addressing the reasons some Christians are concerned about Warren's teachings (Rick Warren and Purpose-Driven Strife).

While the report said that "Warren's 'outside in' approach to church growth is now causing rumblings," it only touched on some of the symptoms of Warren's theology, such as "Madison Avenue" marketing approaches and loud music that catered more to young people and disregarded older members.

The article did not mention things like Rick Warren's goal to bring about a new reformation that includes all religions, his continued promotion and embracing of contemplative spirituality and the emerging church, his dominionist views as well as his disregard for biblical prophecy, the cruel treatment by Purpose Driven pastors towards those who do not go along with the program, and his connections to and influence by New Age sympathizers like Ken Blanchard and Robert Schuller.

The article stated: "When asked if he [Warren] thinks that some of these [church]splits are actually because Christians themselves are indulgent and refusing to change, Warren said, "Oh, without a doubt." And when asked if he blames them, he replied, "I do blame them. Every church has to make the decision. ... Is it going to live for itself, or is it going to live for the world that Jesus died for?" ( Watch this video where Rick Warren says this.)

Once again, Rick Warren has publicly denounced those who resist him. So that the rest of the story can be told, we post below some of the stories we have covered regarding Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven program:

Wall Street Journal on Purpose Driven Resisters Tells Just Part of the Story

Is Rick Warren Promoting Contemplative Prayer?

Why Has Fox News Interviewed Rick Warren So Much Lately?

Rick Warren Distorts the Instructions of Jesus to Fit His Global Peace Plan

Purpose Driven Resisters - Must Leave or Die

This article or excerpt was posted on March 7, 2007@ 10:01 pm .

From: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com
Category: * Purpose Driven

[Homesick]

Slick Rick. We need a puking smiley if we are going to discuss him. But the world loves its own, that is why Warren is the darling of the media. I used to get upset about Warren decieving people, but when its all said and done people are decieved because they want to be. Warren is getting more obvious, take the remarks listed in the above piece for example. Does this sound christian to you? What he is saying is that anyone who isn't buying what he is selling is bad. The fact that he IS selling, he is nothing more than a salesman, is completely anti-christian. I expect to see slick Madison avenue commercials and billboards hyping Warren and his methodes soon if they aren't already out there. Anybody following this garbage cannot be reading their bible or they are not taking what it has to say seriously. These people are simply looking for feel good christianity and Warren is selling it to them.

[Mark940]

    I've been going to a small church (about 150 every Sunday) for about three years now. I've been very blessed going there, but was disappointed to see the Purpose Driven Life being taught there in a 13-week course last year.
    I know the Pastor is a Godly man, and if he knew more about it, he would not have let it be taught. He did not teach it, nor did he take part in it. The church has been trying new things to enlarge membership, and the Pastor let his son teach it while he did a separate thing.
    I admit I have avoided warning him about it. I have already been a lightning rod of controversy there, and hate to be seen as a source of strife among the believers. The Pastor has been my ally in the past, but when I go against what his son is teaching...?