This evangelist has a 'Purpose'(Rick Warren easy belivism alert)

USA Today ^ | July 21, 2003 | By Cathy Lynn Grossman,

[CyberAnt]

Christianity is so easy - even a little child of 2 or 3 can understand God's love for them. They are able to receive Christ into their heart - and many, many of them are baptized in the Holy Ghost and speak with other tonges at a very young age.

[CyberAnt]

This little cartoon is very crass. First of all, God specifically said in Isaiah, "touch not God's anointed". To touch a man of God (whether you approve of his gospel or not) is jeopardizing your own life. God made it clear - touching includes "speaking evil" about a person. Words are seeds containing power.

You are free to say whatever you want - but like all speech, your words will have consequences. Remember, God is able to take care of His own children. He doesn't need any help from you - unless He specifically asks you for it.

And ... one more thing. If a man or his ministry offends you, remember this: If it's from God, there will be nothing you can do to stop it. If it's not from God, it will devour itself.

[CyberAnt]

I don't understand. You would hinder another man of a different kind of faith from attending a seminar which might truly enlighten him to the true meaning of the Gospel ..?? Is that what you're saying ..??

[CyberAnt]

Good points! And .. in this time frame - people are getting a sense of something going on - people are searching for God.

[gcruse]

If a man or his ministry offends you,...

Har.  As I recall, Tilton's ministry also offended
law enforcement in Texas.  I used to love watching him
squeeze his eyes tight shut, lying through his teeth about
how some dupe was going to come into a lot of money
if they sent seed money to Tilton first.

Remember, God is able to take care of His own children.

He didn't take too good a care of Tilton's  constituents...

He doesn't need any help from you - unless He specifically asks you for it.

          Now you're getting weird.   :)

[xm177e2]

Warren, an evangelist since his youth in Ukiah, Calif., has always been methodical — making lists, looking for patterns, creating structures as steel-strong and deceptively simple as silk threads.

Are these the lists where every item is supposed to start with the same letter?

Yes, attracting a crowd is more important than doctinal purity.

If he can lead them to become better Christians, what's so terrible about that? He's not drawing the churched away from their conservative parishes, he's bringing in the unchurched.

He's doing more to bring Americans to Evangelical Christianity than anyone else, and he's not a humongous ass like Falwell/Robertson/Trinity Broadcasting/etc. He's showing the faithless how to be Christians and he's showing Christian pastors how to be more effective. Hawaiian shirts are positively dignified compared to the disgusting opulence of the televangelists.

Hugh Hewitt is a big fan of this man, and Hugh Hewitt is no pushover or moderate.

[xm177e2]

Was he the one who used to say "I'm the apple of God's eye, and when you mess with me, you're messing with God" (or something to that effect)?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Did someone say Robert Tilton?

[gcruse]

I don't remember that. He could have, but that sounds too combative. Can you say Gene Scott? LOL

[gcruse]

That's our boy! :=P

[CyberAnt]

If you don't understand spiritual things - don't go popping off your mouth. I was right the first time, you are crass.

As for God taking care of Tilton's constituents - I said God can take care of His children - that doesn't necessarily mean all of Tilton's constituents were God's children now does it ..??

[gcruse]

don't go popping off your mouth.

I'm crass, you're arrogant.  Let's do lunch.  

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Since we have determined we are talking about the same Robert Tilton (heheh), here's the sequel. (This one is much bigger, so if your connection is slow, you'll be hanging a long time for it to load...but it's worth it, in my estimation. LOL)

[gcruse]

Now, that first one was CRASS. True, but crass. Heh.

[Fzob]

I quite agree that even a two or three year old can understands God love. But can they understands God's salvation at two or three? I doubt it. Without that knowledge you are not a Christian. There is a huge difference between thinking you are in Gods love and knowing you are a wretched sinner in need of savior and accepting the salvatory offer of Christ.

It's very easy to claim your a Christian in this day and age. Something like 60 percent or more of American believe they are a Christian. I can't judge a mans soul, but this much I know, 60 percent of Americans are not Christians. If that was true we would live in a far difference culture.

[Colofornian]

I don't understand. You would hinder another man of a different kind of faith from attending a seminar which might truly enlighten him to the true meaning of the Gospel ..?? Is that what you're saying ..??

Supposedly, the gospel is for both believers and non-believers. Hence, pastors' sermons are geared for the faithful and unfaithful alike.

But I've been to other church growth seminars in SoCal (not Rick Warren's). I mean they're great conferences and all, but the gospel is not what you tend to get at these conferences. So what gospel message are you talking about? Most attendees are pastors. They're not targeting pastors with the gospel, are they? I guess I'm the one who doesn't understand. If these folks are targeting pastors with the gospel, then our churches are in a heap of more trouble than I thought.

[Colofornian]

did you ever consider GOD had a purpose for those people of those denominations to take those courses so GOD could coax them closer to HIM and away from their cult ..??

This can happen. But it often cuts two ways. Just the same as befriending people in the cults cuts two ways.

Example one: Prof Craig Blomberg got close enough to Mormon scholar Stephen Robinson to write a book together (HOW WIDE THE DIVIDE?, Inter-Varsity Press) which allowed the Mormon perspective to skirt many issues, play down the wide divisions, and Robinson was not called on the carpet on a good chunk of what he wrote.

According to your reasoning, such a project would bring Robinson and/or Mormon readers of Blomberg's side closer to the gospel. While I don't rule out that possibility happening, the way that book project came out, it actually did more damage by leaving many Mormons--Robinson included--under the illusion that there really wasn't a whole lot separating Mormons from mainstream Christianity.

Part of the Holy Spirit's role is to convict the world of sin; sometimes, we're not doing Him a favor by reinforcing folks where they're at spiritually.

[caprock]

He wants to attract a crowd to God, not himself.

I agree. I heard his introductory sermon at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA where he will become senior pastor next month. His message that day was from the Bible, and it was about HIM, not him.

[Euro-American Scum]

Hugh Hewitt is a big fan of this man, and Hugh Hewitt is no pushover or moderate.

Hugh Hewitt was Warren's lawyer when the new site for SBC was under construction. I don't know if that relationship is still in effect, but Hugh's enthusiasm should be tempered with the knowledge that there is considerable self-interest involved.

I like Hugh, but his hyperbole about a lot of things (not just Rick Warren) leaves me cold sometimes.

[Ff--150]

I'm thinking the CA version of the SBC is a bit different from the NC version of the SBC.

Don't know much about Baptists, but this is a well-crafted publicity article with that quote to appeal to one who regards themself a conservative, not liberal, yet appealing subtly to liberals with a diverse statement that anyone, regardless of being JEwish, Mormon, or female, may become a pastor.

If you have had any exposure to network marketing you can see how this man has prospered his church...