The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Rick Warren Quote

I read it and something similar crossed my mind. It also seems like he's playing on both sides of things. On the secular TV show, he was pretty politically correct and ecumenical and in the MR interview, he seemed to not be that way really at all.

It raised questions too in my head about how deeply he teaches his people. I also thought it interesting that he said he's gone through Romans twice in a couple years. Piper has been working through Romans for a LONG time with his people.

Warren is an interesting character.

That's a good point. We know a pastor out here, likely one of the best in the area, who preached expositionally through Romans- and I think it took him about 8 months. It's quite sad.

I think I had a professor like that in college...
That IS sad!!! [that it took 8 months] Especially if Rick did it twice in 2 years--that would come out to be 12 months each time! hahaha
It's too bad he didn't realize that there were more books than that... (maybe he got a "single book copy" *you know--those ones with just one book?* and didn't realize that wasn't all there was!?!--or...maybe his dog got ahold of his full size Bible *with OT included!--lol* and he just had to make do for a few seasons without the rest...
actually, that's more funny than sad
I would think that if he was one of the best in the area that he could at least get 2 full books in a year, especially considering that the "worst" can do 3! (I've heard urban legend that one preacher, long ago, actually did 52 books in one year! But I think he was excommunicated... lol)
-Jonathan

To everyone: I must ask if any of you spend anything close to the amount of time that Rick does in Evangelism!
to Janean: Did you mistakenly think that the book was an "invitation" (By the way, I can't imagine a much better book to introduce the Gosple and "Invite" anyone to search out the Scriptures for themselves! Oh--I hope you weren't expecting him to tell people what to believe and jam legalism down their throats! I think he believes in free will and the power of the Holy Spirit to do His job. I don't think Rick gets confused like that and try to do God's job!
Now for the quote- It was obvious to me , that Rick was saying, yes, there are truths in other religions (it would be ignorant would deny that) For anyone to put words in his mouth to say that he accepts those religions categorically, or that means that ALL is truth would be very foolish. (To say something contains truth does NOT mean that it IS truth, as a whole) Think of if someone who says the Bible contains the word of God--would we not say It is the Word of God!?! Obvious difference. (thus his "portion" emphasis) And as he pointed out the problem lies in what they omit or are lacking-- The Savior!
If you truly search for the truth, you will realize that there is no "universalist" teachings here. If you are not just looking for an argument or for someone to belittle, you will know that this is just plain silly.
God and His Message is much bigger than any of our hare-brained ideas of how things should be!
To whom it may concern: Speaking of "the Message", a self proclaimed paraphrase/study Bible, anyone would be hard-pressed to genuinely fault it. It has "leviathan" and "behemoth" translated correct, a simple litmus test that the CEV, NLT, Amplified and others fail miserably. (You'd have to throw out ALL commentary Bibles then, no matter what translation! And all verisions like NASB, NIV would be kaput because of the errant footnotes) But fortunately, God is much bigger than the box we try to put Him in! And His Word will NEVER return void. He is much more omnipotent than anyone who would try to change the Message. That's why the JW's and Morons have failed so miserably. (When any major difference, like "the word was A god" comes along it is obvious and easily spotted, like a counterfeit bill) God's Word will remain forever. The very fact that He told the disciples to quit badmouthing the ones who were doing work in His name should be enough to silence us. We are the true villains if we continue to persecute our fellow Brothers in Christ. And yes the work of God evident in His people is OBVIOUSLY talking about those who are Christians. Sheesh! Does it have to be in paint by number and small words for you to get it? I'm appalled at the remarks on here and I hope that you too will be convicted when you finally comprehend why so many don't want to be associated w/ the name "christian" when they hear this kind of nonsense going on--of attacking each other, etc. Let's show some LOVE, exhortaion and Admonition. Build one another up! Instead of tearing down! Build the Kingdom!
Am I missing someting here? Are there not much more important things we could be doing to glorify God and worship him with our lives (like Rick does) instead of nitpicking and playing semantics games?! Will we not be held accoutable by our Lord for attacking the work of His faithful? A kingdom divided against itself will fall.
Let's ALL be obedient and help advance His Kingdom!!!

(WORST case scenario-- Rick is like one of these guys)

Mark 9:38-40 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)



38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.


39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.


40For he that is not against us is on our part.

Which would shut up even the toughest critic.
But Rick's really much more like Paul, Peter and Moses, etc. He also reminds me of GW (George Bush II) a little in that he isn't always the most eloquent. He is not comfortable at public speaking nor a natural pro at it. In fact he prefers not to. But he has been obedient to God. He does have a few slips of the tongue, etc. You need to be at least as Gracious as God, and forgive his few minor errors. And look at the Big Picture. Let's not get sidetracked. Or cause anyone to stumble. Or give any reason to say "I don't want to be one of those!" Enough Said.
-Jonathan Ditmer

42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

I imagine even those here who spend the least amount of time evangelizing do more of it than Pastor Warren by default, seeing as how the gospel he presents is misleading.


Which must be why he thinks we need to use the world's means to attract the world.


Where is anyone persecuting Warren? There is criticism of what he teaches, which is warranted because it is not in accord with the Bible. If we do not adhere to Bible truths in the preaching of the Gospel and evangelism toward the lost, we lose our grounding.


ADMONITION indeed is what Pastor Warren needs for promoting unbiblical methods and messages.

Other religions may have truth but do not have "The Truth".

This is exactly the nature of deception.

The truth that they have, is either unknowingly derived from Scripture or a happy little coincidental accident.

This belief in the possibility of a man knowing any truth outside of the Word of God is the problem and catastrophe of men in general. Not only does this apply to other religions but to the secular "religion" of scientific atheism. Men may know nothing even of our material world unless it is revealed to them by Scripture of the ultimate spiritual foundation and continuous providential creation by our sovereign God.

Newton made a good guess but was wrong. Without a spiritual cause, movement and his physics are impossible. They are impossible by the very same mathematics he used to prove his theories in the first place.

Belief in the following words would wipe out all mysticism and religious speculation from the face of our earth. They caused a deadly wound to fall upon the dark age RCC.

"However all things are ordained by God's plan, according to a sure dispensation, for us they are fortuitous - the true causes of all events are unknown to us" Calvin Institutes 1-16-9

Denny

Rom. 3:22-24

Adopted

I would be interested in you responding point by point to J_Edwards Dec 15th 04:58 AM post.

Tom

Tom,

You need to provide a LINK to that post if you want someone to be able to read it. Providing the time is useless for the most part because the time is relative to your personal location (time zone). What is "Dec 15th 04:58 AM" to you may be "Dec 16th 11:58 PM" to someone else who is living on the other side of the globe.

I would make a positive response to all of his points. I agree with what he said.

The foundation of Christianity is "Sola Scriptura". This is why the Westminster Confession and the great teachings of Christianity all begin with the subject of God's Word. This love of Scripture was the heartbeat of Martin Luther and John Calvin.

To put this simply is to say "What if Adam and Eve would have responded in obedience to the revealed Word of God in Eden"?

All religions and cults make the fatal error of either ignoring of adding to His Word. The subtle deception of Satan in the garden was absolute truth except for the addition of the single word "not" in "you shall surely not die".

It is my belief that the "unforgivable sin" is not in the misinterpretation of the Word of God but in the denial of the doctrine of "Sola Scriptura". The greatest sin possible is believing that our precious Savior and his words are not exactly what our Protestant Bibles say they are. That being, "The Word of God". The "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" is in this denial, as the Spirit of God comes only in union with the Word.

Denny

Rom 3:22-24

http://www.celebraterecovery.com/index.asp

There are some very good things coming out of SaddleBack Church and Rick Warren. Namely, changed lives.

Changed to what is the question that remains???

PS: only God truly changes lives, not Rick Warren or Saddleback, not a program, etc. Though God even uses false doctrine for His glory (someone will probably have a question concerning this, but...), it does not substantiate the ministry of Warren or anyone else promoting such false doctrine. Additionally, correct theology is not determined by a majority vote or large numbers.

Joe,

I have to agree, especially after reading what their "8 Principles" entail in this "Celebrate Recovery" program. It appears to be nothing more than a "baptized" version of AA's 12 Steps program. Warren's theology has so dumbed down and distorted the Gospel that is useless, which in essence is what the apostle Paul would call, "another gospel". It's nothing more than a new twist of Sandemanianism (aka: Easy Believism). <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/igiveup.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

You should talk to some people who have been or are currently in the program before you dismiss it so bluntly.

I know may people "in the program" and IMO this is a man centered gospel. I am sure you can glean some truths out of it, but that does not make it acceptable.

Will they echo the same heresies taught in the "program"? Any "program" based upon a faulty interpretation is, 'faulty'.


God bless,

william