Read the Warren Smith book and see if you still say that. Until you go and do your research, and know your Scriptures, you will never see how Warren departs from the true Gospel and preaches "another gospel" (let him be accursed).
http://www.twincityfellowship.com/cic/downloads.php has a bunch of good articles for you to read too. In particular "How the Purpose Driven Life Obscures the Gospel" free for the downloading.
Tell me, do you think we have a tendency to be too legalistic in this society or too permissive? Too much law or too much Gospel? Is our society too hedonistic or too Victorian?
If you answer Legalistic, too victorian, I would answer then why do we have such rampant crime, licentiousness, drunkenness, exploitation of women and children, etc...? If you say we are too legalistic you are outright wrong and I cannot continue this dialogue with any hope of opening your eyes.
If you say hedonistic and permissive, I would agree, and answer, then consider this:
If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point. -Martin Luther
Rick Warren has written a whole book that tells us how to avoid the place where the battle action is happening without appearing to be a shirker or deserter. Yet in his heart, and the heart of anyone who espouses these teachings of his, because you seek to avoid conflict in the very place that needs reinforcement, that is exactly what he is. And God hates cowardice.
The cowardice that excludes from heaven is the cowardice that refuses to take the risk involved in being identified with Christ. It was dangerous to be a Christian when John wrote this book. Christians were being martyred constantly. You didn't raise your hand; go forward, and live happily ever after. Your stand for Christ was often the signing of your death warrant. You risk your business, your home, your family, and everything, when the Romans began to persecute Christians. Masses of people who professed to be Christians in times of peace and safety denied Christ and forsook the church when it involved risk. All they wanted was a religion that promised them good things. They wanted fire insurance to keep them out of the flames of hell, but they were not going to burn at the stake to collect it benefits. They refuse to pay the premium of risk, and, therefore, their insurance is cancelled says John, and the lake of fire is their destiny. "He who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom," said Jesus. The coward who forsakes Christ when the heat is on literally leaps out of the frying pan into the fire. The language of revelation is strong and frightening because it is addressed to those in the midst of great spiritual warfare. The commander does not say to his troups as they face the enemy attack: "Any of you guys who cannot take it, just fall back and trucks will be ready to take you off the field of battle." No! He says, "I'll shoot the first man who turns his back to the enemy." Rough words, and seemingly cruel, but there is no alternative if the battle is to be won. So it is in the Christian battle. No person should ever become a Christian with the idea in mind that Christians receive special permission to cop out of life's battles. Jesus says, "Take up the cross and follow me." Paul says, "Put on the whole armor of God." No where do we read that Christians are free to go AWOL because Jesus paid it all.
Rev 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part {will be} in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Jesus warned Peter that he would deny knowing him - and this was when Peter's safety was at stake - he could admit knowing and loving Jesus and risk his own physical safety - or deny and remain relatively safe. How much more are we to be warned against denying our Lord when all we have to risk is a little social offense? What fat lazy wimpy Christians we are that we spend all this money to build a church that is empty of real meaning and purpose, and name it "purpose filled" or "purpose driven" to make us feel better.
The Church's purpose is to preach Christ crucified in all its truth, without compromise. The purposes Warren says are for the church are natural outflow from doing that. You cannot have them, not in truth, without first laying the foundation of Truth.
Rick Warren owes the church, and Jesus himself, an apology, for cheapening His grace and trampling the Cross of Christ underfoot.
I'm skeptical that you've ever read Rick Warren--even the excerpts I've posted from him.
I have plenty to consider reading him and Srciptures. Those are all the references I need--particularly with Holy Spirit within me.
Of course our society is racing toward hell and a long ways down that road already. That doesn't keep hyper RELIGIOUS folks on various forums from being hyper legalistic and pharisaical.
I don't think you have much of a clue what Rick Warren is about.