Looking Behind the 'Purpose Driven' Sheep's Clothing

Cybercast News Service ^ | December 29, 2006 | Christopher G. Adamo

[Don Joe]

This sounds exactly like what’s happening now. It's really disturbing.

We can take some measure of comfort in the realization that these things crop up every decade or so, and then spring up wildly -- and die off quietly, fading into obscurity. (They never completely disappear -- even the Mel Lyman "family" cult is still going -- as are "The Children of God" -- even though their "leaders" have gone on to their reward quite some time ago.)

These things are "types and shadows" of something, however, that will one day arrive on the scene and not fade away to obscurity. When that monstrosity takes hold, it'll be pitched (spiritual) battle until the end of days.

[Don Joe]

Almond tree, very pretty
And the Almond flower is sweet
But the fruit of the Bitter Almond
Is so poisonous to me

(In other words, -enough- of that stuff and it's "cyan"ara!)

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Here are some excellent resources that aim to teach, not offend:

How the Purpose Driven Life Obscures the Gospel (PDF version great for printing)

How the Purpose Drive Life Obscures the Gospel (HTML Version)

Purpose Driven Discernment Tool

Redefining Christianity

Church Health Award, from Rick Warren or Jesus Christ

[Don Joe]

Thanks—I just wanted to set the record straight that you do not consider me a Warren staffer despite the implication in the posting trail.

Well, I think it's been established that he does not consider you to be a Warren staffer.

Still, there's one thing I'd like to know, which I don't think has been addressed yet. Are you a Warren staffer?

(Please pardon my rigid parsing of your statement; if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's "Question Ambiguity.")

[scripter]

Here are some excellent resources that aim to teach, not offend:

Thanks. I'll check them out later.

[Don Joe]

People REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY seem to have absolutely NO CLUE about God's attitude toward such a spirit, attitude and perspective. And no clue about the origins of such--and the origins have little to nothing to do with defending faith and righteousness.

One of your overriding themes -- getting quite tiresome, the more strident you become -- might be summed up in the idea that God's gonna judge critics of Rick Warren.

OK, fine. If that's the case, then God does not need you flailing away at The Infidels.

Frankly, I find it rather boring, to have my logic, my citations of fact, my reasoned explanations of simple matters to be countered with stuff that is thematically consonant with the Spanish Inquisition's tactics.

I'd be afraid, IF you folks had the power to literally enforce your will on your critics. But you don't -- and so, you are reduced to repeating how evil, vile, "venomous" we are, ad nauseum, rather than confronting our arguments honestly.

[Apple Blossom]

Ping for later.

[scripter]

I found your post really humorous as I was previously wondering if anybody would parse my statement as you have. As somebody who has learned the same lesson I often ask others for clarification as well. I think questioning ambiguity is a good thing, although sometimes my dry sense of humor gets in the way.

[Don Joe]

---

(I guess that stuff about "if you deny me, I will deny you" has been "paraphrased" out of his "bible", eh?)

Evidently along with Jesus warning us of the persecutions to come.

I think that 10th chapter of Matthew makes it very clear.

---

[Initiate_Mother_of_All_Nightmares_mode]

If Warren should manage to get Obama elected, and then become sort of a modern day Raputin... well, I fear for all of our lives, because we will be marked as "divisive" and "obstructive". Maybe even "suppressive", if I might invoke a bit of "clambake" nomenclature!)

[Gamecock]

Frankly, I find it rather boring, to have my logic, my citations of fact, my reasoned explanations of simple matters to be countered with stuff that is thematically consonant with the Spanish Inquisition's tactics.

That's pretty much Quix's M.O. I've been a victim of this nonsense of his for quite some time. Look at some of his other postings on other religious threads.

[Don Joe]

I found your post really humorous as I was previously wondering if anybody would parse my statement as you have. As somebody who has learned the same lesson I often ask others for clarification as well. I think questioning ambiguity is a good thing, although sometimes my dry sense of humor gets in the way.

Thanks for another artful dodge.

One or two more, and you'll have crossed into the "not to reply is to reply" zone.

[Don Joe]

Yeah, it's been a while, but ISTR having a go-round or two over some UFO-cult stuff ISTR him being involved in.

[pinged, to avoid the inevitable whine]

[scripter]

Thanks for another artful dodge.

That was humor. Hey, I did say sometimes my dry sense of humor gets in the way.

[Don Joe]

---

Thanks for another artful dodge.

That was humor. Hey, I did say sometimes my dry sense of humor gets in the way.

---

And thanks for yet another artful dodge (wearing, as it might, two hats -- but still, another artful dodge).

Let's say one more, and I'll personally consider the matter settled to my own satisfaction. In other words, it's entirely up to you to determine what conclusion I'll draw. I think it's at this point fairly obvious which direction I see you leading me towards.

[Note to the peanut gallery: Does anyone know if there is some kind of "Purpose-Driven" directive that prohibits agents from disclosing their role in public?]

[scripter]

Dry sense of humor approaching: I am not currently a Warren staffer.

[Arizona Carolyn]

After all, he's already on record as saying that people have to convert to Islam when in prison,

What???? Somehow I missed that comment from Warren. If so (and I'm not doubting your truthfulness) then he is even more troubling that I thought, and I was already troubled by him.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I think we have people from different walks of life here on FR trying to influence our thinking, just because there is a lot of like-minded people here doesn't mean there isn't charlatans among us.

[Don Joe]

---

Dry sense of humor approaching: I am not currently a Warren staffer.

---

Ah, the ol' quasi-ambiguity gambit.

Interesting, to say the least.

Your still-ambiguous statement hints at you having been a staffer in the past -- yet, leaves infinite plausible deniability, since a literal reading of it does NOT indicate that you were ever a staffer -- nor does it indicated that you were not.

So, one bonus round for you:

WERE you ever a staffer? And, if so, when did your staffer role terminate? (Last year? Last month? Last week? Last night? This morning?) And, if so, will your staffer role be restarted again? (And, if so, when? Next year, next month, next week, tonight, or perhaps right after you submit your reply?)

Your gamesmanship may be coy, but it does not serve you well, regardless of whether it's simply gamesmanship for gamesmanship's sake, or Really Bad Tradecraft.

I'd presume that if you are indeed a staffer (or "were", as the case may be), the temptation would be to put down the keyboard, and walk slowly away from the computer, hoping that the spotlight would fade away. But by the same token, I'd doubt that such a reaction would be permitted. It'd be really bad form for a "cut-out" to get "made", but far worse (to his handlers) for him to fumble the recovery.

I really wouldn't envy someone in that situation. I think I'd rather be selling pencils on the streetcorner, or writing Science Fiction novels.

Oh, and yes, as a matter of fact, the CIA once did make vague overtures to recruit me. I declined.

[Arizona Carolyn]

The conclusion I'm drawing from scripter's dodges to your question is scripter must be a staffer, otherwise a simple no would suffice as an answer instead of the "artful dodge."

[caffe]

Hey Star Traveler,

I'm so glad others on Free Republic know about Olivetree
and Dave Hunt is great. I live in Mpls and visited with Jan a few times. Her ministry is great!