As a traditional Anglican, I sometimes feel ill equipped to comment on trends among the mega-church movement, so I posed the question to a good friend who is in the evangelical / Southern Baptist camp, to get his perspective. Here is his reply:
"My belief is that the root of the situation is simple.
They are "seeker friendly". You've probably heard
the phrase. On the surface it seems good. Let's get
them in, win them over, and do it without being
offensive.
Well, the problem is that the Word of God is
offensive. It is a stone of stumbling. It is sharper
than a two edged sword, rightly dividing the word of
truth. The truth is offensive. Let's get them in,
win them over, and do it without being offensive.
The article itself is well written, and very
insightful. The writer uses the phrase, "...tells
each what he believes they want to hear." This is
extracted straight from scripture. The biblical
reference is to the church with itching ears, wanting
only to hear what they want to hear. They don't want
to hear, "...be ye holy as I am holy", with Holy here
meaning set apart, and separate. The seeker
sensitives really are satisfied with blending in with
the back ground, and not being able to distinguish
them from the rest of the crowd.
Additional insight is provided through the reference
to Willow Creek Church. This church is considered to
be at the heart of the "seeker sensitive" movement.
When you go to Saddleback's home page, you can see it
is about people, and not about God. Salvation is not
even mentioned in the first page of what we believe.
So, there you go. I believe Rick Warren is a great
supporter of the seeker friendly movement. It is
interesting to note that you really don't see Franklin
Graham (now there's a guy that gets the Gospel out)
aligning himself with Rick Warren.
Sorry I wrote so much, but I feel strongly about this.
These are the people that diminish the work of the
Cross and take away from the Gospel."
That was very informative, thanks, Huber.
I still, mostly, do not see it that way.
Most nonChristians, unchurched etc.
are sick to DEATH of ornery, exceedingly flawed themselves, so called Christians taking THEIR crosses and bloodying everyone within reach for not believing precisely and constipatedly as that individual believes.
And, or, they have pontificated loudly about being Christian this in this way or Christian that in that way while being blood thirsty hypocrites abusively all over whoever will tolerate it.
AND THE NONBELIEVERS ARE SICK OF IT. THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD AND CHRISTIANITY AS A RESULT. AND I DON'T BLAME THEM.
Seems to me the seeker friendly folks are SLIGHTLY TO SOMEWHAT righting things by showing Christ's COME UNTO ME LITTLE CHILDREN side.
Jesus was PRIMARILY fire and brimstone TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS
--NOT THE HUNGRY HURTING MASSES.
Well said.
FK: FYI.
It is interesting to note that you really don't see Franklin Graham (now there's a guy that gets the Gospel out) aligning himself with Rick Warren.
= = = =
I suppose it depends on one's definition of align.
But the above assertion is as untrue as folks are accusing RW being about Syria, imho.
The following is from an inside source trusted by and known to me:
". . . and said Franklin Graham has not aligned himself with Saddleback. I know for a fact that Franklin is very close to RW, has preached at least twice at Saddleback (I met him in person one time), and we collect more Christma shoeboxes for his Samaritan's Purse than any other church in the world. Things get so twisted around by Satan and it is sad to see brothers and sisters in Christ being used by the Deceiver. "
Sheesh.
These are the people that diminish the work of the Cross and take away from the Gospel."
Read and learn. It does more than just mention salvation, it lays it out plain and clear. This is the work of the Cross and His gospel.
From Saddlebacks website
What we believe
ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
ABOUT MAN
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God´s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates man from God.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2
ABOUT ETERNITY
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven´s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God´s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin´s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God´s word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
This guy wasn't the lead character in "A Fool and his Money", was he?
[... you really don't see Franklin Graham aligning himself with Rick Warren...]
I believe Franklin Graham has preached at Saddleback at least twice. A friend of mine who goes there says Saddleback has a reputation for collecting more Christmas shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse than possibly any other church in the world.