[Centurion2000]

'Dear God, I want to know Your purpose for my life. I don't want to waste the rest of my life on the wrong things. Today I want to take the first step in preparing for eternity by getting to know You. Jesus Christ, I don't understand it all, but as much as I know how, I want to open my life to You. I ask you to come into my life and make yourself real to me. Use this series to help me know what You made me for. Thank you. Amen.'

"If you just prayed that prayer for the very first time, I congratulate you. You've just become a part of the family of God."

I've never really paid much attention to this guy but the previous passage is full of crap and completely bogus.

It was missing a few things.:

Where was the acknowledgement that God created and rules everything?
Where is the acknowledgement that I have sinned and come short of Heaven?
Where is the prayer that asks Jesus Christ to become my savior and that I accept his gift?

Do all that ... THEN you're a Christian.

[lastchance]

The author of the article agreed with you. He responded to Rick Warren's statement with:

" this a response to the gospel? Where is repentance, acknowledgement of need, or confession of personal sin? Where is the cross? The Bible tells us that saving "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." [Romans 10:17-18] But none of the Scriptures that show the gospel are mentioned in this first lesson. Biblically illiterate friends and neighbors who join the group would pray this prayer without any real knowledge of the cross, of the Savior, or of God's view of sin. In fact, the meaning of salvation isn't included in the first lesson. And if it had been there, the context of the lesson would suggest that we are merely saved from a purposeless life -- not from bondage to sin."

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "Do all that ... THEN you're a Christian."

Here's the very specific "formula" (if you will)

Romans 10:9-10

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

That's about it, as far as the Bible is concerned (which means, as far as God, the Holy Spirit, and, Jesus Christ are concerned).

Of course, you can add a lot more personal knowledge to that equation (by reading the Bible, studying, praying, going to church -- and so on), but you won't add any more to your salvation, than just those two verses.

Regards,
Star Traveler