[Skooz]

I haven't read the book. And there's no need to be smug and condescending. I just find it distressing that Christians tend to bash one another so incessantly over a jot or tittle of doctrine when much of what we believe (NOT the basic tenants of faith, but the more or less extraneous volume of denominational doctrine) is subjective.

It's much easier to construct our Byzantine maze of pharisitical "thou shalt not believe XYZ" than to love one another with Christ's love, as He commanded.

[CARepubGal]

What besides the "happy verses" do you believe then? Having learned about that kind of Christianity then falling for a cult thanks to the improper teachings I received (in all fairness, the resources were not as accessable but still there was no meat taught to me and the cult sounded like another group o' Christians to my ignorant ears). Would you Christians that can say what they believe and why or cult fodder?

[Zipporah]

"I just find it distressing that Christians tend to bash one another so incessantly over a jot or tittle of doctrine "...

I wasn't bashing Christians.. it has to do with doctrine.. and when doctrine contridicts scripture...

[PetroniusMaximus]

Your statement is correct, Christ did command us to love.

But He also commanded us...

"Take heed that no man deceive you." Matt 24:4

The Christian is under an obligation to follow ALL the teachings of Christ.

[bethelgrad]

I've read Purpose/Church and Life and never got the impression that Warren was weak. He's not fire and brimstone, but that doesn't mean he's weak. I think the accusation that he's just marketing religion by dumbing down the gospel is unfair. People need to be loved into the kingdom and thats what he's doing. That's not shameful. People need a relationship with Jesus. That's what he offers. In doing so he affirms their worth in the eyes of God. I just don't see how that is bad.

Personally, I think a lot of smaller churches, of which I serve in, who are overly critical are often more jealous of megachurch success. They continue "doing" worship as if it were 1953 and not 2003. The end result is that the churches who fail to understand this culture will die, while others will reap a huge harvest. Some churches will not recognize anyone who does not believe exactly as they believe. That is nonsense.

[foghornleghorn]

Indeed, love is the first commandment, but doctrine is important, primarily in demonstrating to our rational selves that we believe in something coherent. Denying various parts of doctrine quickly destroys this coherence, and undermines our reason for our beliefs. The results can be clearly seen today.