FIRST READ:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEb9gx42oM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHPIhI5WDM8
Rick Warren marks 10th anniversary of "Purpose Driven Life," says Christian faith will go on another 2,000 years
When Christians participate in the devils’ festivals and call it Christian: 16,000 Halloween revelers rock Rick Warren's 'Blocktober'
RICK WARREN'S PURPOSE DRIVEN LIES
Joel Osteen and The Prosperity Gospel
Rick Warren Expresses Regret Over Making Video Supporting Biblical Marriage; Family Group Concerned
http://christiannews.net/2012/12/04/rick-warrens-regret-over-making-video-supporting-biblical-marriage-questioned-by-family-group/
December 4, 2012
During a recent interview with Marc Lamont Hill of the Huffington Post, Warren sought to clarify matters pertaining to his creation of a video years ago in which he stated that those who follow the Bible should support California’s Proposition 8 ballot initiative. He had been accused of lying months after releasing the video for stating during an interview on Larry King Live that “[d]uring the whole Proposition 8 thing, I … never once issued a statement, never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop. 8 was going.”
“People say that I campaigned for Proposition 8. The meaning of the word ‘campaign’ means two different things,” Warren told Hill. “To me, that means that you go out and you speak at rallies, you do advertisements for it and stuff like that.”
“I never made a single statement on Prop. 8 until the week before, and in my own church, some members said, ‘Where do we stand on this?’” he explained. “[So], I released a video to my members. It was posted all over like it was an advertisement.”
Hill commented that Warren is a well-known pastor, and that he should be aware that any statement he makes will likely be distributed to the public.
“It might be disingenuous to say that you have a church of 20,000 people, and you have a book that 32 million people have read and 60 million have accessed,” Hill said. “To say that ‘I was just giving a message’ –”
“You know what? You’re exactly right, Marc, and I learned a lesson from that,” Warren replied. “And I learned that anything I say now privately is now public. And I actually learned from that mistake of going, ‘Oh, wait a minute, everybody took that like I was pontificating to the whole world.’”
Hill then asked Warren if he could do it all over again, if he would still have created the video.
“I would not have,” Warren replied. “I would not have made that statement. I wanted to talk to my own people as a duty, because as a shepherd, I’m responsible for those who put themselves under my care. I’m not responsible for everybody else. I am responsible for the people who choose to be under my care and ask me a question.”
“So, I’ve had to look at how do I communicate to my people in a way that doesn’t look like I’m pontificating to the entire world,” he added.
Following Warren’s explanation, some are expressing concern, including Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. LaBarbera told Christian News Network that Warren’s comments made him appear as if he was ashamed to publicly stand for the Biblical definition of marriage.
“[Warren] regrets that the statement got out wider than his church. To me, that’s incredible because he should be happy that he had influence outside of his church to the whole body of Christ in California — indeed, to people all over the state voting on the issue who look to him for guidance,” he said. “And so, that troubles me that he even says now that he wouldn’t make that video. … That’s saying that he does not want to be a leader on the homosexual ‘marriage’ issue.”
LaBarbera stated that he believes many pastors are becoming inward and exclusive about their beliefs, when they should be using their influence outside of the four walls of the church.
“[Warren] used the world ‘pontificate.’ You’re not pontificating. You’re putting your voice out there as a spiritual and moral leader, and that’s what pastors need to do,” he said. “They need to get outside of this mindset that I’m only allowed to talk to my church.”
“The question is, are Christian leaders self-segregating on the moral issues because they’re under the gun of the pro-gay culture?” LaBarbera asked.
He stated that the fear of man should never be an excuse to run from the Christian responsibility of publicly standing for truth.
“The homosexual activist never agonizes and says, ‘Wow, I don’t think I should talk beyond my group of homosexual activists,’” LaBarbera explained. “They’re pontificating all the time. They’re telling us what to think. They’re telling us that we’re bigots if we are against homosexuality, or even if we’re against same-sex ‘marriage’ now, they call you a bigot or a hatemonger or a homophobe.”
“I get the fact that [Warren] is under the gun by the homosexual lobby. We all get it,” he continued. “The homosexual lobby is aggressive and loud and vocal, and they want him to shut up about homosexuality being a sin, and they want him to conform to their ideology, but he can’t.”
LaBarbera stated that just like Warren is unashamed to proclaim the need to be involved in humanitarian work, he should likewise make use of his platform to uphold God’s definition of marriage.
“I just wish he would stop backtracking and seeming embarrassed about helping to protect marriage,” he said. “He doesn’t have any qualms about preaching to everybody in the world the need to have compassion for people with AIDS, and he’s right about that. But, he also in the same way [should] be outspoken and non-defensive about helping to protect the historic definition of marriage.”
As previously reported, Warren also came under fire for other comments made during the Huffington Post interview, during which he stated that homosexual behavior “might be” a sin, and that he believes homosexuals will go to Heaven if they “accept Christ.”
Rick Warren’s office did not return calls for comment by press time.
Rick Warren Uncertain if Homosexual Behavior is Sinful, Says ‘Gays’ Go to Heaven
http://christiannews.net/2012/11/29/rick-warren-uncertain-if-homosexual-behavior-is-sinful-says-gays-go-to-heaven/
November 29, 2012
Controversy is stirring over recent comments made by Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book The Purpose-Driven Life and megachurch leader of Saddleback Church in California, WHO STATED THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR “MIGHT BE” SINFUL, AND THAT HE BELIEVES HOMOSEXUALS GO TO HEAVEN.
During an interview this week with the Huffington Post, Warren was asked by Marc Lamont Hill if having romantic feelings for a member of the same sex is a sin. Leading up to the question, Warren was explaining that he does not hate homosexuals, and that people should disagree politely on the subject of homosexuality.
“I have many, many gay friends, and have worked around the world with them in gay organizations to try to stop AIDS,” he said. “We’re doing ‘World AIDS Day’ this weekend at Saddleback Church. My wife and I have given millions of dollars to help people with HIV/AIDS and have worked with gay organizations on that.”
“What about the love part, though? I hear about the AIDS part,” asked Hill. “It’s not illegal to love somebody,” Warren replied.
“BUT YOU THINK IT’S A SIN,” HILL ASSERTED. “NO, IT’S NOT A SIN TO LOVE SOMEBODY,” WARREN SAID.
“It might be a sin to have sex with them,” he added. “It might be.”
However, just moments prior, Hill aired a clip from an interview that Warren participated in on Piers Morgan this week, where Warren presented a slightly different answer. He began by responding to the question of whether or not a person can be born homosexual.
“I think the jury is still out on that,” he said. “It wouldn’t bother me if there was a ‘gay gene’ found, because here’s what we know about life: I have all kinds of natural feelings in my life, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that I should act on every feeling. … I do not believe that attraction is a sin, but I do believe that some actions are sin.”
Warren stated during his interview with Hill that he believes sex outside of marriage is always sinful, however, and that he obtains his views from the Bible.
“I make no bones about it. I’m an evangelical pastor, so my source of authority is, what does the Bible say about it?” he said. “However, people will have other sources of authority.”
“Or, different readings of the Bible,” Hill injected.
“Or different readings — that’s very true,” Warren agreed.
LATER DURING THE INTERVIEW, WHEN HILL ASKED WARREN IF HE BELIEVES HOMOSEXUALS WILL GO TO HELL, HE REPLIED THAT THEY WILL NOT.
“No, not because they’re gay,” he said. “We go to Hell because we choose to reject the grace of God.”
When Hill asked what happens to a homosexual that accepts Jesus, Warren responded enthusiastically.
“He’s going to Heaven!” he declared. “Without a doubt.”
Warren is not the first evangelical to make the assertion, however. Earlier this year, megachurch author and speaker Joel Osteen similarly told popular talk show host Oprah that he also believes homosexuals are saved.
“WILL A GAY PERSON BE ACCEPTED INTO HEAVEN, AS YOU SEE IT?,” OPRAH ASKED OSTEEN. “I BELIEVE THEY WILL,” HE REPLIED.
Craig Gross of “XXXChurch” also made statements in July that he doesn’t think God would send homosexuals to Hell.
“Why do they (religious people) believe that the gay guy goes to Hell, but the fat preacher who builds some of the largest churches in the world makes it to Heaven?” Gross wrote in an online blog.
However, many Christians view statements such as these as compromise against the word of God.
“The concept of a ‘gay Christian’ is an oxymoron in light of numerous Scriptural instances wherein homosexual behavior is forbidden,” Alex Mason, policy analyst for the Family Policy Network, told Christian News Network. “One cannot live in a continual state of unrepentant sexual sin while calling themselves a Christian.”
“That’s not to say Christians can’t struggle with sin, including sexual sin,” he continued. “The Christian life as a constant struggle against sin, and just as some Christians struggle to defeat heterosexual lust, others may struggle to defeat homosexual lusts.”
Peter LaBarbera, the president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, agreed. He stated that he was shocked at Rick Warren’s comments.
“You don’t want to give the impression that it’s fine and dandy to live the homosexual lifestyle and as long as I believe in Jesus, I can still go to Heaven,” he said. “It’s one thing to have attractions and [fight] that, [and another to embrace homosexual behavior].”
Mason, whose ministry operates the website HopeForHomosexuals.com, stated that Warren should have explained his beliefs further, so as not to jeopardize the eternity of valuable souls.
“Warren failed to define what it means to ‘accept Christ,’ leaving viewers with the notion that a person can simply express a ‘belief’ in Jesus’ existence without turning away from the sins He died to atone,” he lamented.
“When you accept Christ, your behavior changes,” LaBarbera said. “And the attitude is [people like Warren] don’t want to talk about changes. … We know that God changes homosexuals, so why isn’t Rick Warren saying that?”
LaBarbera also told Christian News Network that he thinks Warren is treading into very dangerous territory by insinuating that the issue of homosexual behavior is a grey area.
“What part of Romans 1 doesn’t Rick Warren understand? It’s so clear,” he said. “When you make statements like these, you end up losing the Biblical sense, and the Biblical sense is that this is an abomination.”
Mason agreed, and outlined that sin needs to be taken seriously by those who wear the name of Christ.
“Christians should not, for one moment, hesitate when asked about behaviors that Scripture clearly calls sinful,” he said. “It is impossible for anyone to legitimize or make holy what God Himself has called unholy.”
“The Apostle Paul did not hesitate to faithfully echo God’s standards in his letter to the Corinthians, wherein he included a long list of sins that will keep people from the kingdom of God, including the sin of homosexuality,” Mason continued, citing 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. “Modern preachers would do well to follow Paul’s example in condemning that which God has condemned, while also proclaiming that the only hope for sinners – homosexual and heterosexual alike — is faith in Jesus Christ: ‘All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
LaBarbera said that Warren should not only have called homosexual behavior sin, but should have gone deeper to the root issue.
“It’s also sinful to lust after another man,” LaBarbera said. “We can’t advocate sin as believers, and we have to think about how that the person that’s struggling with homosexuality is going to hear this.”
“There is no Biblical basis for his statements,” he added. “I think Rick Warren needs to retract that ['might be'] statement and clarify it. If he does not retract it, he has fallen into error.”
“Rick Warren has a heart for lost souls, but he seems fearful he’ll offend people he could otherwise lead to salvation by telling the truth about their sin. That may indicate an inadequate faith in God’s sovereignty, or a failure to fully believe God’s Word has the power to transform lives,” Mason concluded. “I pray he’ll find the courage to be just as determined to be the salt of the earth as he is to be a light to the world.”
Quotes from Warren’s Purpose
Driven Life
1. “When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you,
you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness.” (The Purpose
Driven Life, p. 246)
There is absolutely no biblical precedent for
this position. Personality typology has never been a criteria for God choosing
someone for ministry, but is in great part grounded in Jungian psychology.
2. “…when you are forced to minister in a manner that is “out of character” for
your temperament, it creates tension and discomfort, requires extra effort and
energy, and produces less than the best results. This is why mimicking someone
else’s ministry never works. You don’t have their personality.” (PDL, p. 245)
Did Paul rely on personality assessment to guide
his ministry? Hardly...
“God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are
strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the
things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man
should boast before God.” 1 Cor 1:27-29
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will
rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses,
with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak,
then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:9-10
3. “You may be driven by a painful memory, a haunting fear, or an unconscious
belief.” (PDL, p. 27)
“(Guilt-driven people) often unconsciously punish themselves by sabotaging
their own success.” (PDL, pp. 27-28)
The “unconscious” is the foundational concept of
both Freudian and Jungian psychology, and has no biblical basis whatsoever. In
fact, Scripture does not allow for the idea that people are “driven” by an
“unconscious belief.” By endorsing the idea of the unconscious, Warren is promoting the
Jungian belief that people must analyze the forces of the unconscious to
discover their life’s purpose.
According to Scripture, any driving force outside of God’s will is sin, no
matter where it resides. Psychology, however, downplays our personal
accountability for sin by making the “unconscious” the ultimate reservoir and
bastion of unavoidable human instinct.
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of
faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23
4. “God made introverts and extroverts… He made some people ‘thinkers’ and
others ‘feelers.’” (PDL, p. 245)
“Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and
abilities. For instance, two people may have the same gift of evangelism, but
if one is introverted and other is extroverted, that gift will be expressed in
different ways.” (PDL, p. 245)
“Ask yourself questions:… Am I more introverted or extroverted? Am I more a
thinker or a feeler?” (PDL, pp.251-252)
Warren
is explicitly using the specific terminology of the psychological typology
theory originally conceived by Carl Jung. Despite the claims of his supporters,
Warren has
clearly based his Personality Theory (the "P" in his SHAPE teaching)
on the unbiblical foundation of Jungian psychology.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Colossians 2:8
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is
from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things
we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the
Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” 1 Cor 2:12-13
5.God rules everything in his everywhere and is in everything(Warren: 88)
THIS IS PANTHEISM AND EASTERN MYSTICISM
6.Everything that happens to you including your mistakes, sins are all
pre-planned. God planned for your debt…God planned for the death of your loved
ones…God planned for your divorce (Warren: p. 195-196)
Rick warren lives no room for personal
responsibility .If I decide to go and buy a prostitute on the street. Is that
God’s plan??? If I decide to join the occult. Is that God’s plan??? There is a
need to harmonize Calvinism and armenianism.The freedom God gives to human
persons does not make him less sovereign.God is absolutely sovereign and in his
absolute soveregnity,he has chosen to give human beings freedom.In Deut.28,he
gives man a choice to take a curse or a blessing. THE CHOICE OF A CURSE INSTEAD
OF A BLESSING IS NOT A PRE-PLAN OF GOD.
7.When you judge another believer instantly , you loose fellowship(Warren: 164)
The bible supports righteous judgments, for
instance in John 7:24 , I Corinthians 2:15
8.“It’s not about you” (Warren:
17)
On page 63, he contradicts him self by writing:
You were planned for God’s pleasure. The moment
you were born into the world God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at
your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave him great pleasure. God
did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment. .
. . Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of
your life. When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a
problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth. If you are that
important to God, and he considers you valuable enough to keep with him for
eternity, what greater significance could you have? (Warren: 63). (Italics in original; bold
emphasis mine)
See, http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue80.htm
9.“God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only
thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you
learn to love and trust him?” (Warren:
34)
Doctrine is emphasized in the Bible, see, I
Timothy 1:3, 2 John v 9-11
10.The last thing many believers need today is to go back to another bible
study. They already know far more than they are putting into practice. (Warren: 231)
We need to study the word of God in the bible?
God told Joshua that the book of the law should never depart from hiS
MOUTH(Joshua 1:8). It is written that God has MAGNIFIED his word even above his
name( Psalms 138:2). Remember God’s word is sweeter than honey(Psalms
119:103).RICK WARREN SAYS, GOD'S WORD(HONEY) IS
BORING.WELL,I DONT FIND IT BORING.THEREFORE WARREN IS GUILTY OF COMMITING THE FALLACY OF
HOMOGENISATION.
The mistakes in warren’s book show that he does not know so much. See, http://crossroad.to/articles2/2003/1-purpose.htm
11."Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song.
God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all -- fast and slow, loud
and soft, old and new. You probably don't like it all, but God does!"
1. “When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you, you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness.” (The Purpose Driven Life, p. 246)
There is absolutely no biblical precedent for this position. Personality typology has never been a criteria for God choosing someone for ministry, but is in great part grounded in Jungian psychology.
2. “…when you are forced to minister in a manner that is “out of character” for your temperament, it creates tension and discomfort, requires extra effort and energy, and produces less than the best results. This is why mimicking someone else’s ministry never works. You don’t have their personality.” (PDL, p. 245)
Did Paul rely on personality assessment to guide his ministry? Hardly...
“God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God.” 1 Cor 1:27-29
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:9-10
3. “You may be driven by a painful memory, a haunting fear, or an unconscious belief.” (PDL, p. 27)
“(Guilt-driven people) often unconsciously punish themselves by sabotaging their own success.” (PDL, pp. 27-28)
The “unconscious” is the foundational concept of both Freudian and Jungian psychology, and has no biblical basis whatsoever. In fact, Scripture does not allow for the idea that people are “driven” by an “unconscious belief.” By endorsing the idea of the unconscious, Warren is promoting the Jungian belief that people must analyze the forces of the unconscious to discover their life’s purpose.
According to Scripture, any driving force outside of God’s will is sin, no matter where it resides. Psychology, however, downplays our personal accountability for sin by making the “unconscious” the ultimate reservoir and bastion of unavoidable human instinct.
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23
4. “God made introverts and extroverts… He made some people ‘thinkers’ and others ‘feelers.’” (PDL, p. 245)
“Your personality will affect how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. For instance, two people may have the same gift of evangelism, but if one is introverted and other is extroverted, that gift will be expressed in different ways.” (PDL, p. 245)
“Ask yourself questions:… Am I more introverted or extroverted? Am I more a thinker or a feeler?” (PDL, pp.251-252)
Warren is explicitly using the specific terminology of the psychological typology theory originally conceived by Carl Jung. Despite the claims of his supporters, Warren has clearly based his Personality Theory (the "P" in his SHAPE teaching) on the unbiblical foundation of Jungian psychology.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” 1 Cor 2:12-13
5.God rules everything in his everywhere and is in everything(Warren: 88)
THIS IS PANTHEISM AND EASTERN MYSTICISM
6.Everything that happens to you including your mistakes, sins are all pre-planned. God planned for your debt…God planned for the death of your loved ones…God planned for your divorce (Warren: p. 195-196)
Rick warren lives no room for personal responsibility .If I decide to go and buy a prostitute on the street. Is that God’s plan??? If I decide to join the occult. Is that God’s plan??? There is a need to harmonize Calvinism and armenianism.The freedom God gives to human persons does not make him less sovereign.God is absolutely sovereign and in his absolute soveregnity,he has chosen to give human beings freedom.In Deut.28,he gives man a choice to take a curse or a blessing. THE CHOICE OF A CURSE INSTEAD OF A BLESSING IS NOT A PRE-PLAN OF GOD.
7.When you judge another believer instantly , you loose fellowship(Warren: 164)
The bible supports righteous judgments, for instance in John 7:24 , I Corinthians 2:15
8.“It’s not about you” (Warren: 17)
On page 63, he contradicts him self by writing:
You were planned for God’s pleasure. The moment you were born into the world God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave him great pleasure. God did not need to create you, but he chose to create you for his own enjoyment. . . . Bringing enjoyment to God, living for his pleasure, is the first purpose of your life. When you fully understand this truth, you will never again have a problem with feeling insignificant. It proves your worth. If you are that important to God, and he considers you valuable enough to keep with him for eternity, what greater significance could you have? (Warren: 63). (Italics in original; bold emphasis mine)
See, http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue80.htm
9.“God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?” (Warren: 34)
Doctrine is emphasized in the Bible, see, I Timothy 1:3, 2 John v 9-11
10.The last thing many believers need today is to go back to another bible study. They already know far more than they are putting into practice. (Warren: 231)
We need to study the word of God in the bible? God told Joshua that the book of the law should never depart from hiS MOUTH(Joshua 1:8). It is written that God has MAGNIFIED his word even above his name( Psalms 138:2). Remember God’s word is sweeter than honey(Psalms 119:103).RICK WARREN SAYS, GOD'S WORD(HONEY) IS BORING.WELL,I DONT FIND IT BORING.THEREFORE WARREN IS GUILTY OF COMMITING THE FALLACY OF HOMOGENISATION.
The mistakes in warren’s book show that he does not know so much. See, http://crossroad.to/articles2/2003/1-purpose.htm
11."Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all -- fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don't like it all, but God does!"
