Posted on 08/23/2005 8:42:21 AM PDT by Terriergal
God will be the judge of that. There is a much harsher judgement on the shepherds who scatter His sheep. Time will tell, but so far it isn't looking very favorable for Rick Warren.
There are lots of non-denominational churches that affiliate with the SBC for purposes of missionary work.
Ignorant Catholic here.
What is the deal with Rick Warren and the SBC? If he isn't a Southern Baptist, what is the theological difference between him and the Convention, little more background appreciated.
Ignorant Catholic here.
What is the deal with Rick Warren and the SBC? If he isn't a Southern Baptist, what is the theological difference between him and the Convention, little more background appreciated.
Du jour? no.
Au jus maybe.
I think that is a rather broad brush. It seems to me that in reaching out with the gospel Paul left no effective method unemployed.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. (1Co 9:19-23)
I have never belonged to a Baptist church, but when I was an "unbeliever" who became open to exploring Christianity, I went to SBC churches first because I wanted to hear a no-holds-barred Christian message and the SBC, rightly or wrongly, has a reputation for delivering this. The animosity many non-Christians have toward the SBC is based on its history of asserting the Bibilical truth even when it's unpopular.
If considerations like this were limited to the choice of a name for a church it would not be a serious matter. However, the Purpose Driven Church approach (I attended a PDC seminar in the 90's, so I have heard the ideas firsthand) is based on building the majority of the church's practice and ministry around the felt needs of unbelievers. I don't believe that this is wise. The whole seeker sensitive approach, a la Willow Creek, (and I know that Warren is not affilitated with Willow Creek) reminds me of Spurgeon's sermon, "Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?"
My own church bases its services around traditional hymns, expository preaching (teaching through a book of the Bible, sometimes line by line) and readings from the Scriptures and the Reformed confessions. In other words, we do absolutely nothing which would currently be defined as "seeker sensitive." Nonetheless, the church is growing steadily. If we continue to grow at our current pace we will be SRO on Sunday mornings in a year or two.
I acknowledge that our growth appears to come from committed Christians who are leaving other churches which they consider too liberal or fad driven, rather than from new converts to Christianity. However, I believe in what we do because people deserve access to churches where there is theological depth and weight, and room to grow beyond initial conversion. In addition, I am skeptical about how many real conversions take place in churches that do not directly confront people with their sin and need for redemption.
Freepers who are interested in serious discussion about this and other issues in the evangelical church might be interested in Modern Reformation magazine.
www.modernreformation.org
Well some of the more fundamentalist types don't like Rick Warren's book but it seems to get the message across enough. A gay friend of mine was reading it and tossed it over his shoulder because it was 'too religious'.
>>Scripture needs a "starting point" before one can move into it? Like a prequel? Whatever did people do before PDL if that is the case?<<
You know, you need to be told what to believe before you can properly understand the Bible.
Well, considering the mumbo-jumbo his books contain, Warren would not be the one to ask about truth.
Sounds like a great church. That's a rare combination these days. Our church used to be like that. The preaching is still good, and the confessions are still there, but they have started chipping away at the music.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.