Looking Behind the 'Purpose Driven' Sheep's Clothing

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

[Gamecock]

The facade is beginning to peel back from the so-called ministry of Southern California Pastor Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life." Unfortunately, many among his ample flock have far too much invested in him, both emotionally and otherwise, to admit their mistakes and cut their losses.

Moreover, he certainly faces no possibility of in-depth scrutiny from the "mainstream media," as his brand of "Christianity" poses little or no threat to their liberal social agenda. Yet to the degree that anyone at all questions Warren as anything less than authentic, his response is thoroughly telling as to his true character, as well as the nature of his "ministry."

Joseph Farah, editor-in-chief of the Internet news site, "World Net Daily," opened a can of worms by calling Warren to account over his fawning praise of the terrorist stronghold of Syria. While there, Warren lauded the brutish dictatorship as "peaceful," claiming that the Islamist government does not officially sanction "extremism of any kind."

When confronted by Farah, an American of Middle Eastern decent who knows too well the history of horror and tragedy faced by persecuted Christians in that region of the world, Warren immediately denied ever making such statements.

Subsequently, Farah offered as evidence a "YouTube" video from Saddleback Church, where Warren is pastor, inarguably proving Farah's statement. So Warren's church simply pulled the video from circulation and continued the denial, being unaware that a copy of the video file had been downloaded and is still in circulation. Warren's follow-up to this inconvenient circumstance is perhaps most telling of all.

In a concurrent set of moves, Warren sent a seemingly conciliatory e-mail to Farah while distributing another to his "flock," in which he characterized Farah's pursuit of the incident as nothing less than "doing Satan's job for him." Throughout this sorry episode, Farah's only error has been to suggest that Warren's disturbing behavior represents some new departure from consistency.

In fact, Warren is actually being entirely consistent. Whether his audience might be Farah himself, Syrian despot Bashar Assad or the Saddleback congregation, Warren tells each exactly what he believes they want to hear.

This pattern is the essence of what Warren is and what has made him so "successful" from a worldly perspective.

For those among his congregation who sincerely want to know the truth, the evidence is ample. Unfortunately, it always has been available, and any present "confusion" merely results from past decisions to ignore that evidence.

For example, his letter to the congregation decrying the "attack" and making his defense by invoking Scripture is barely four paragraphs long. Yet in those four paragraphs, he employs three different "translations" of the Bible. Why, it must be asked, does he not trust any single translation to convey God's message to humanity?

Could it be that he has his own message and agenda to advance, and that he has found it very convenient to utilize different wordings of different passages, not because they better convey God's purpose, but rather his own?

It would be better to ask, could his motivation possibly be anything else?

As Farah has refused to let this indefensible situation simply drop, Warren has responded by taking it to another realm, making personal attacks against Farah in an interview with the magazine, "Christianity Today." But once again, by so doing, Warren succeeds in revealing much more about himself than about his adversary.

Warren, who has not to date been known as any sort of standard bearer for Christian principle in the political arena, decries Farah (whose societal and moral views fall unambiguously on the right) and his ideological allies as part of a wrongful "political" encroachment on the faith.

In contrast, Warren's forays into the political realm prove, not surprisingly, to be decidedly leftist. At a recent conference on the African AIDS epidemic, Warren invited the very liberal Senator Barak Obama (D-Ill.) as a keynote speaker. He justified the inclusion of Obama, who avidly supports abortion and same-sex "marriage," on the grounds that Obama offered a worldly solution to ostensibly curb the spread of the disease through condom usage.

The morally ambiguous message conveyed by the advocacy of condoms, along with their inherent unreliability, make them nothing less than iconic to the abortion industry, which fully understands how much new business they generate. In the face of such pragmatism, one has to wonder what will be next. Perhaps Warren's church will sponsor a "designated driver's ministry" at every bar in its locale.

Appalling though Obama's inclusion in the conference may be, it is nonetheless entirely consistent with Warren's behavior from the beginning.

Leading a megachurch in the culturally disintegrating landscape of Southern California, Warren certainly knows that his prospects of maximizing the "flock" will be greatly enhanced as long as he shows proper deference to the real religion of the area, "political correctness."

In this, his Christian populism movement has proven to be far more palatable to the God-hating secularists of the surrounding communities than such stodgy, old-fashioned and "intolerant" notions as "Thou Shalt Not." And the Warren influence has been predictable wherever it can be found.

If other churches that abide in the Warren philosophy, such as Chicago's gargantuan "Willow Creek," were to truly uphold Christian values among their enormous congregations, they would certainly be a constant "thorn in the side" of their surrounding populace, acculturated into the modernism as those communities certainly are. Yet an amazing degree of compatibility and congeniality exists between the Warren Church model and the social structures of Chicago and Southern California.

The tradeoff between true Christian principle and acceptability to the locals is apparently worth the spiritual sacrifice it entails, with expanding parking lots, increasingly lavish facilities and, of course, fuller collection plates bearing witness. Meanwhile, such churches offer ever less of a worthwhile and much-needed alternative to the ailing world around them.

Ultimately, Warren gives conformist Christians, wearied from their ongoing battle with a world that is increasingly hostile to true Christian faith, an apparent "out" by offering a version that the modern world can find more acceptable while remaining in its present spiritual darkness.

Many among Warren's vast following have made the mistake, in light of his "purpose driven" ministering, of presuming, at the heart of the movement, a Christ-driven purpose. Yet as Warren's real character continues to be revealed, it is becoming apparent that members of that following are presuming too much.

(Christopher G. Adamo is a freelance writer and staff writer for the New Media Alliance. He lives in southeastern Wyoming and has been active in local and state politics for many years.)

[metmom]

That's not a lot.

[Alex Murphy]

episcomethabapticostal

Note that no part of the word Presbyterian appears in the above :)

[pby]

But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" (I Corinthians 14:24 & 25)

Yeah...It might be a great topic.

[Xenalyte]

That's not the Bakkers . . . that's the Crouches.

[Revolting cat!]

Never said they were (the Bakkers), but it illustrates the point well that there is little difference, and that this is the only thang that counts!

[nmh]

"Alright, let's try this one more time. Purpose Driven Church is a method. Can everyone say that? Let's try, here goes, "Purpose Driven Church is a method".

HALT!

Methods are great!

In the setting THIS "method" is being used, it eliminates TRUTH. So what good is this "method"? The subject matter of the "method" is not Biblically sound. Wouldn't it be better if this "method" was also Biblically sound - the teachings?

I'm not convinced this "method" is necessary. I have yet to see a disciple in the Bible carry out a "method" to preach TRUTH.

[GOPPachyderm]

I understant that Joel Olsteen is in the name-it-and-claim-it, health/wealth and prosperity group.

[Don Joe]

He supports mantras

Why am I not surprised?

After all, he touts Bill Clinton as a devout born-again Christian, so clearly we are well through the looking glass.

---

Rick Warren Talks about AIDS, Celebrity Status, Elections

The other thing that I’d point out is in the last eight elections, America tends to vote for born-again presidents, regardless of their political persuasion. You can go all the way back to Carter, OK? Reagan, Bush one, who didn’t talk about it much, but was a devout believer, Clinton and Bush two.

---

[blue-duncan]

"The real problem with Warren"

See, that's the problem. You see Warren and not the method. What is our "purpose" in life? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Now how do you do that? Each church has its own "method". It just so happens that Warren has come up with a method that seems to work in some churches. Now it is abused by some and it is forced on some churches, but that is not Warren's fault, it is the individual churches' fault whether their method of government is congregational, presbyterian or hierarchical. If churches are too lazy to choose their own educational materials and want to buy the theology lite Saddleback material, that's their choice, but it does not affect the the usefulness of the method.

Every church has a small group that controls what goes on in a church. Usually the group governs by default because no one else wants to be really active. There is always a core that keeps the church running and they "politic" to make their vision acceptable. When someone is drastically opposed to the vision of the leadership usually that is a sign that it is time to move on if they can't go along with the vision that the elected leadership believes that the Lord has led them to.

Warren is not the fault of the problems in the churches; the churches are for electing the wrong leadership or being to lazy to study the method before accepting it, or too lazy to marshal the members to oppose it, or to lazy to make it work. The materials that Saddleback produces are Saddleback's problem, not the local churches'. Warren was not elected to represent us and he has just as much right to speak about his ministries and be held accountable for them as Kennedy, Dobson, Sproul or even Hinn. What they say does not affect the ministry of the local church since the ministry of the local church is local and dependent on the obedience of the members of the local church to be agents of reconciliation to their neighbors, family and friends. It is word of local mouth that brings the unsaved to Christ in the local church, not Warren on Larry King.

[blue-duncan]

"I'm not convinced this "method" is necessary. I have yet to see a disciple in the Bible carry out a "method" to preach TRUTH."

Paul had at least two "methods" he used to preach the truth. First, he preached to the Jews then to the Gentiles. Second, he always went to major cities that were radiating centers for the villages surrounding so that he got the maximum exposure for the gospel. Third, he did not preach in cities that others had preached before. Fourth, he always had apprentices with him who he taught as he ministered. Fifth, he always went back to his sending churches and gave reports of what the Lord had accomplished.

There, I think I listed at least 2 methods Paul used. Oh, and he appointed responsible elders in the churches he planted who were able to teach others so that the churches had sound teaching.

[nmh]

"Paul had at least two "methods" he used to preach the truth. First, he preached to the Jews then to the Gentiles. Second, he always went to major cities that were radiating centers for the villages surrounding so that he got the maximum exposure for the gospel. Third, he did not preach in cities that others had preached before. Fourth, he always had apprentices with him who he taught as he ministered. Fifth, he always went back to his sending churches and gave reports of what the Lord had accomplished."

Come on ... you can't believe I'd buy this ... ;(

The TRUTH was the same regardless of which GROUP he spoke to. Speaking to different groups is not a "method".
As for the "third method" in not preaching in cities that other known Christians were preaching in - is NOT a "method" - it's common sense and allowed the Gospel to be spread to other areas where it had NOT been heard. The "fourth method" of training others to carry the torch is not a "method". Nixon did that too with what's her name ... he wanted someone to give his account of his legacy. In the case of Nixon he made sure she was young, conservative and attractive. The "fifth method" again is NOT a method. He was merely giving a status report to churches he ministered in as well as encouraging them or even chastising them - again - not a "method".

"There, I think I listed at least 2 methods Paul used. Oh, and he appointed responsible elders in the churches he planted who were able to teach others so that the churches had sound teaching."

Paul didn't dream up that last "method". That "method" is in the Bible - elders requirements for a minister etc..

You're entirely missing the point on PROCEDURE. PROCEDURE is what it is. My complaint with Warren is his "method" doesn't yield TRUTH. In all the "method" examples you stated ... Paul gave the people consistent Biblical TRUTH. Warren doesn't deliver that in any of his "methods".

[free_life]

Wow thanks for the link

http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1460297.html

I have read Warren's book but did not know much about him. The only other things I have seen on him is the trash from time to time here on FR about him....which is just that, trash. After reading this interview ...I like the guy even more....remarkable. I suggest for those who want to learn more about him to read it, it is quite enlightening.

I see not one thing he said here in this interview that is damaging to him as a Christian, a Pastor, or a American...quite the opposite.

[blue-duncan]

"My complaint with Warren is his "method" doesn't yield TRUTH"

How does "The Purpose Driven Church" method not lead to "Truth"? It uses small group bible studies. It uses graded curriculum to move people to maturity and thoroughly involved in the church and ministries. It helps people identify their giftedness so they can be effective workers. It encourages fellowship and evangelism. How is that any different than what churches are doing today?

[nmh]

It's his MESSAGE!

It's his message that lacks Biblical TRUTH!

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

How does "The Purpose Driven Church" method not lead to "Truth"?

Because many of it's presuppositions and propositions are blasphemous and/or heretical.

Do the tautological diagram for yourself. Erronious presuppositions do not yeild true conclusions unless the reasoning as also false.

[blue-duncan]

"Because many of it's presuppositions and propositions are blasphemous and/or heretical."

You are confusing what you think of the "message" with the method. Here is the method that is proposed in the "Purpose driven Church". What is wrong with it?

It uses small group bible studies. It uses graded curriculum to move people to maturity and thoroughly involved in the church and ministries. It helps people identify their giftedness so they can be effective workers. It encourages fellowship and evangelism. I encourages friendly greeting and atmosphere for visitors. It has a strong followup program for visitors. How is that any different than what churches are doing today?

[nmh]

To be more specific ... ole Rick is traipsing around pushing condoms and invites a rigid leftist, Obama to help push condoms. There is an obligation from a secular perspective to push TRUTH. There is even a stronger obligation to God to push His TRUTH. What does ole Rick do? Pushes nonsense:

Abstinence Alone Protects Fully Against HIV, Ugandan First Lady Tells Youth

By Gudrun Schultz

MUKONO, Uganda, December 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Janet Museveni, First Lady of Uganda, has continued her strong support for the country’s successful abstinence campaign against HIV/AIDS with a statement encouraging youth to live lives of “love, faith and purity,” New Vision reported December 2.

"I would not be caught advising you to take any shortcuts or compromise your lives by using any device invented by man, such as condoms, in order to facilitate any desire to go against God's clear plan for your life,” Mrs. Museveni told students at the Uganda Christian University, Mukono, for World AIDS Day.

“God's plan for your life is that you should honour your body because it is His temple."

Warning the young people that they should not be complacent as HIV infection rates rise, Mrs. Museveni asked them to encourage other students to abstain from premarital sex.

Ugandan President Museveni and his wife introduced a program encouraging sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity afterwards, in an attempt to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/dec/06120601.html

The program has been harshly condemned by international organizations promoting condom use, but in fact Ugandan HIV transmission rates dropped by as much as 75% in some regions after the program was introduced, down to 5-7% from a high of 18%.

Uganda is in an ongoing struggle with Western NGOs pushing condom use in the country. UNICEF, the UNFPA, the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control are among those organizations relying on condom promotion for AIDS prevention in African nations. The UN has openly opposed the use of abstinence programs as a successful alternative to Western approaches on lessening virus transmission rates.

Criticism of the West’s emphasis on condom use has been growing, as HIV/AIDS transmission rates show no signs of slowing after years of condom promotion. Medical Journalist Sue Ellin Browder reported in June 2006 on evidence showing dramatic increases in condom distribution in African nations paralleled an explosion in HIV/AIDS infection rates.

“So far, there’s no good evidence that condoms will reverse population-wide epidemics like those in sub-Saharan Africa,” Browder wrote for Crisis Magazine.

See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:

Medical Journalist Says Reliance on Condoms Spreads HIV/AIDS
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06062304.html

Uganda AIDS Prevention Success Being Undermined by Infuriated UN Condom-Pushers
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/feb/05020408.html

UN Anger Over Uganda's Successful Abstinence Program Fueled by Loss of Funds Says Researcher
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/oct/05101404.html

Uganda's First Lady Warns Teens against Condom Use
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jan/04011205.html

Ugandan Abstinence AIDS Prevention Program Equivalent to a Highly Effective Vaccine, Researchers Find
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/apr/04043004.html

BTW, God pushes abstinence.

[VxH]

>>nothing about his past; his personality or his priorities.

I've seen all I need to see to lead me to believe he's a con artist - in same league with Robert Schuler.

[Boiler Plate]

Mr. Warren would do best by simply telling the truth then. People are more apt to believe you whaen you act in truth as opposed to just talk about it.

[blue-duncan]

I really don't care what Warren is doing. I defended him until I could not in good conscience do it any longer. I leave that between God and Warren. However, that does not change the method he has proposed for churches. His appearances have had a negative effect on the way people perceive the method, but it still is effective for some churches. Our church has successfully implemented the method, but we use our own educational materials and blended the worship service with hymns and carefully selected worship choruses. The preaching is expositional and an outline of the sermon is part of the worship folder. Note taking is encouraged and the bible study at our prayer meeting is based on the sermon and people are expected to participate. Since our church is located in New England, the Hawaiian shirt season is very short.